Originally Posted by Jimmie76 (Post 8195173)

I can't see this actually getting anywhere for the simple reason that the planes will have space that potentially isn't being used on some flights, which I can't see the bean counters being very happy about, 200 euro or not (happy to be proved wrong here).

If the space was convertible back into seats then I can see the sense, but not if there will be Y seats empty because pax have decided to pay the extra for a bunk. What happens if you can't get to sleep, despite trying counting Sheep etc. do you have a seat you can go back to if you want or not?

If loads of people pony up the 200 euro, and there are lots of economy rows empty at the back of the plane, those pax who didn't want to fork out, can just lie across those empty seats.

Originally Posted by Flying Doctor (Post 8195755)

This could quite seriously change the way that very long haul travel works.

The idea that a flat bed would no longer be the preserve of F/J will be a major change. It will mean that for many the argument for F/J travel (ie a good sleep and a flat bed) will be blown out of the window.

I suspect that this is yet another nail in the coffin for F class travel.

Originally Posted by BAAZ (Post 8195805)

I don't think that's true. Remember we've only had flat beds (in jets) for a little more than a decade, and F has been around for a lot longer. And as LH themselves have discovered, enhancing the product on the ground as well as in the air attracts you plenty of F customers.

Originally Posted by Flying Doctor (Post 8195867)

Although I agree with the point about LH F I think that corporate travel budjets will come under increasing pressure with these kind of developments. It makes it harder to justify a 4k price tag for a J Class return to the US versus £500-800.

FD

Originally Posted by BraniffLuvr (Post 8089384)

Good point.

Wouldn't this run into cultural sensitivities? Europeans may be quite happy lying next to someone they don't know but many East Asian and Arabic people would be less than pleased to end up in this arrangement.

Originally Posted by Traveloguy (Post 8196624)

How would somebody eat if assigned to a sleeper? If going West Coast USA, Asia or Australia on LH, you would certainly want to eat at least once..........

Originally Posted by sunrisegirl (Post 8092753)

Looks like army barracks

Originally Posted by Land-of-Miles (Post 8195576)

If you read the LH thread you will see that the bunks effectively form a seperate class within the aircraft. You will thus choose either a sleeper or Y seat, much as you would choose a J seat or a Y seat. You would not expect to get both.

For take off and landing the bunks convert into a sort of seat arrangement with backrest on the lower bunk. 4 People will be strapped into this during take off and landing. I personally think the concept is rather sound, get pissed n the lounge, maybe watch a film with a drink (you have helped yourself to) and then sleep until shortly before landing. That sounds pretty much like my normal longhaul travel routine in J or F ;)

Originally Posted by Jimmie76 (Post 8200734)

It goes without saying that there will be people who will be happy to do this (you possibly) and LH will sell them a bunk.

Originally Posted by Land-of-Miles (Post 8200819)

Nah not me, wouldn't be seen dead in Y Flat or not ;) I think it is an interesting development nonetheless because it should have a positive effect on service levels in the rest of the aircraft. As beds become less of a differentiator, service takes on more importance.