Does Anyone Know When Air NZ Is Receiving It’s First A320 Neo?
Sep 27, 2018, 8:51 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
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Well here's hoping that these live up to the propaganda. Personally I'm *extremely* cynical that it will be a net improvement in overall comfort and space, but will be absolutely delighted to be proved wrong, as I'm sure I'll be logging many hours in those seats!
As for being so slimline, weren't the current A320 seats trumpeted as slimline and space saving compared to the ones before them?
As for being so slimline, weren't the current A320 seats trumpeted as slimline and space saving compared to the ones before them?
Sep 27, 2018, 3:47 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 184
The answer to that is a simple "depends". It will depend on the type of device.
My HP EliteBook for example just brings up a warning if supplied less than 30W and won't draw any load nor charge the battery. Some other devices may still draw a load that may keep them running, but they'll be in the minority, not the majority.
PD makes understanding chargers a little more complex - especially with so many different types of chargers out there with different outputs - some may only do 30W, some 30 and 45W, and good ones up to 60W. There are also plenty of USB-C chargers and Powerbanks that lack PD support
My HP EliteBook for example just brings up a warning if supplied less than 30W and won't draw any load nor charge the battery. Some other devices may still draw a load that may keep them running, but they'll be in the minority, not the majority.
PD makes understanding chargers a little more complex - especially with so many different types of chargers out there with different outputs - some may only do 30W, some 30 and 45W, and good ones up to 60W. There are also plenty of USB-C chargers and Powerbanks that lack PD support
"A spokesman for Panasonic tells Australian Business Traveller that the USB-C ports will intelligently switch to serving up full power in USB-C PD (Power Delivery) mode if you connect a laptop or tablet, so that even those super-thirsty bits of kit can be recharged during the flight."
Sep 27, 2018, 4:31 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 223
Oh no, this is exactly what I was worried about. I "quit" Qantas trans-tasman a while ago to focus on building points and status with just one Alliance, but mainly because I also found the ANZ product much better in terms of room, IFE and food. Very disappointing to read its now going to get tighter. I guess that's the way of the world.
While looking at booking flights for the holiday period, I noted that the 321neo is showing up on some AKL-SYD flights in late December. I took the opportunity to look at the seat map to check out the Space+ seats to see what the pitch was like, since the booking engine shows pitch for each individual seats. Seems like NZ has taken the opportunity to 'densify' its config, including the so-called Space+ seats.
On the current international A320s, some rows of Space+ are 86cm pitch (33.85") while the rest are 83cm (32.6"). On the A321neo:
The one, single thing that I like above all else about NZ's A320 product across the Tasman is that it has noticeably better personal space than the rival products - partly due to greater Airbus seat width, mostly due to the extra legroom of Space+. The A321neo product is really narrowing the comfort gap over QF and VA (see here for comparison). I understand making the back of the plane denser, since NZ is trying to run a hybrid low cost / full service model. But eroding the benefit for your most loyal customers is a mean and misguided move.
Not happy, NZ!
Note: all conversions to inches are done by me. The decimal places make them look artificially accurate - in reality the pitch in cm has clearly been rounded to the nearest whole number so may in reality be up to 0.5cm more or less.
On the current international A320s, some rows of Space+ are 86cm pitch (33.85") while the rest are 83cm (32.6"). On the A321neo:
- All the Space+ seats (ie rows 4-8ABC and 4-6DEF) are now only 81cm pitch (31.9")
- Row 10, which is a non-Space+ seat, is 86cm
- The exit rows (which cost $30, even for golds) are 99cm
- The other rows range from to a squeezy 76cm (29.9") a truly punitive 73cm (28.7").
The one, single thing that I like above all else about NZ's A320 product across the Tasman is that it has noticeably better personal space than the rival products - partly due to greater Airbus seat width, mostly due to the extra legroom of Space+. The A321neo product is really narrowing the comfort gap over QF and VA (see here for comparison). I understand making the back of the plane denser, since NZ is trying to run a hybrid low cost / full service model. But eroding the benefit for your most loyal customers is a mean and misguided move.
Not happy, NZ!
Note: all conversions to inches are done by me. The decimal places make them look artificially accurate - in reality the pitch in cm has clearly been rounded to the nearest whole number so may in reality be up to 0.5cm more or less.
Sep 27, 2018, 7:19 pm
#50
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FlightGlobal - Sept 26 2018
Quote:
"Air New Zealand’s first Airbus A321neo will enter service in mid-November, flying on transtasman and Pacific islands routes.
The carrier says that the 214-seat, all-economy configured A321s will feature larger overhead baggage bins, Android-based in-flight entertainment with 10in screens, USB charging points and in-flight connectivity.
As is the airline's tradition, the first aircraft will wear an all-black colour-scheme, which was recently applied at Airbus's facility in Hamburg."
Full post
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...id-nov-452184/
Quote:
"Air New Zealand’s first Airbus A321neo will enter service in mid-November, flying on transtasman and Pacific islands routes.
The carrier says that the 214-seat, all-economy configured A321s will feature larger overhead baggage bins, Android-based in-flight entertainment with 10in screens, USB charging points and in-flight connectivity.
As is the airline's tradition, the first aircraft will wear an all-black colour-scheme, which was recently applied at Airbus's facility in Hamburg."
Full post
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...id-nov-452184/
Sep 27, 2018, 7:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
Not sure if this quote provides more clarity (from https://www.ausbt.com.au/five-things...rbus-a321neo);
"A spokesman for Panasonic tells Australian Business Traveller that the USB-C ports will intelligently switch to serving up full power in USB-C PD (Power Delivery) mode if you connect a laptop or tablet, so that even those super-thirsty bits of kit can be recharged during the flight."
"A spokesman for Panasonic tells Australian Business Traveller that the USB-C ports will intelligently switch to serving up full power in USB-C PD (Power Delivery) mode if you connect a laptop or tablet, so that even those super-thirsty bits of kit can be recharged during the flight."
This means it should power most (but not all ) laptops. As a comparison a laptop with USB-C charging will typically charge at 60W (20V @ 3A) which is essentially full speed and if you're buying a USB-C charger for a laptop you'll want to get one with 60W support.
So it can't supply anything near "full power" but it will at least power most devices.
Sep 27, 2018, 11:57 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
To be honest QF's 738s on the Tasman are now no better they added an extra row of seats an while back, no they are unbareable.
Sep 28, 2018, 2:25 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
So you've flown on the Acro 6 seat then to form that judgement or are you simply basing it on your experience with other airline seats?
Sep 28, 2018, 12:14 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
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Sep 28, 2018, 1:21 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
Cant the space flex A321NEO take up to 240 in all Y? So with only 214 seats currently they have plenty of room make it tighter.