Skybeds ...
 

I am on QF2 from LHR to SYD on 2 December, and the seatmaps show the new config. I'm assuming you all want to see photos, or has someone beaten me to it ?

what does the new seating config. look like? are there fewer rows but still 2-3-2 on the lower deck of business?

I'm on QF 108/107 from JFK and I'm trying to look at the seating charts to determine whether I'll be in the skybed. I compared my seating chart to the 12/2 from LHR, and there is a difference. Are similar 747's used on the LFR and JFK routes, or is this difference in business class a result of the LHR leg being the new business class?

Yes - fewer rows, but still 2-3-2 downstairs. Look for the 747 config with 50 seats on the QF website.

There is two "old" 747 configurations - one for Pacific (79 business, 265 economy) and one for Europe (65 business, 315 economy). The reason for this is that the distances between stops to the US are longer, so they put in more business, and less economy to reduce weight. As there is now only 50 business seats (with 315 economy) in the new config (leading to a reduced weight in any event), the new config will be the same for both Pacific and Europe. The new config has 6 rows of business upstairs and only 4 downstairs.

The LHR route uses the Kangaroo config 744's and have 65J with the Dreamtime seating, and 50J with Skybed.

The North Amerca runs use the Pacific configuration which I believe has 79J seats

edited / / ozzie beat me to it

[This message has been edited by AN_Boy (edited Nov 25, 2003).]

Photos, photos, photos.... yes please!!!!!!

Upstairs as well as main deck would be good. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

I called Qantas and they said not to pay too much attention to the fact that, when i look at the seating chart online, my july qf 108/107 flights from JFK still have the old j-configuration. they claim that the seating charts are amended only after the aircraft has actually undergone the trasition to the new seating, and not before then. in other words, they don't sell fewer business seats with the expectation that the cabin will be reconfigured by july. they only reduce the amount of available seats to sell when the renovation has been completed.

Do you really think Qantas will put only 50 seats into Aircraft for the Pacific runs? That's a drop of 29 seats or around $100,000 per flight in revenue.

I waitlist for an upgrade from Y to J on every flight I do and stand a 50% chance of getting one during the week and 25% chance coming back from LAX on a Friday. From what I have heard J is normally full on most flights.

Considering when beds are in J those PAX that would normally upgrade to F will be less likely to do so and some PAX that fly F may start flying J this will make the demand on J even stronger.

So while Qantas might loose some J seats I would have thought they would be keen to keep as much J as possible on these routes?

I'll be on the main deck in J (at least that is the plan). This flight is showing heavily overbooked in Y, however, so maybe I'll be rolled to F .... question is, would I accept the upgrade or try the new seats ?

Right now -OJL is the only skybed equipped 3 class 744 in the QF fleet. (I think that's doing the QF 1/2 SYD-LHR-SYD run) -OJS is due out any day now with the skybed mods.

I wish you the best of luck on a skybed seat. If you do fly on -OJL or -OJS be sure to snap a picture for us!!!!

Well, the seatmaps still show the new config, so unless the plane goes tech in BKK, I'm guessing I'll be on the only skybed equipped plane ... talk about luck.

I do get embarrassed running around taking photos of the cabin, but hell, I know how desperate everyone here is to see photos !!!

There ya go, thats the spirit!! Take one for the team! jetphotos.net + airliners.net doesn't have any pictures of these seats in the database. You can have the "Ozzie brings you the first public photo of skybed in action" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks in advance if you do take the time to snap a pix!!!!!!!!

Am now sitting in the QF Club in Sydney Domestic having just left QF2 ... and the Skybeds weere installed. I have a few photos - will put these up later today along with a more detailed report.

I don't have alot to compare it to other than the BA beds, but I've got to say I preferred the Skybed as it is much wider and not nearly as hard as the BA bed. I had no problems with sliding down like people have complained about on the CX beds.

I had a bulkhead seat and these are definitely the ones to go for. You have almost as much room as First as there is no seat in front of you. Also, the screen then comes out of the armrest which is preferable for me at least as it can be adjusted, and also watched when flying flat. I'm not sure that would be possible with the screen on the seat in front of you. The screens, by the way, are huge. Biggest I've ever seen on a plane.

I also like the way that you get a legrest - BA provides a footrest, but it is just not the same. Incidentally, I've never heard such a noisy seat - the BA club world beds are whisper quiet, but when you move a Skybed, it sounds like the landing gear is coming down.

I've not flown QF in J for quite a while, and I think it has a number of other advantages over BA:

- the food is MUCH better, with snacks (paninis, etc) to order when you like;

- the service was great;

- the cabin termperature is kept at a sane level (as opposed to BA who prefer to roast all their passengers);

- noise cancelling headphones (not sure of the brand, but they were the full cover ear type, and worked particularly well)

- AC laptop power (felt very strange plugging my laptop in using the standard power supply !)

Interestingly, the self serve bar was not stocked LHR - BKK except with snacks. I asked a flight attendant about this, and they said that the in flight bars were not being used as the flight attendants were still responsible for passengers if they drank too much alcohol (ie - they lose control). I took it from this that they would not be installed on other aircraft. BUT (there always is), the bar was fully stocked BKK - SYD. Hmmmm ....

I'll post the pictures later today or tomorrow.

[This message has been edited by ozzie (edited Dec 03, 2003).]

And here are the photos:

http://www.fotango.com/cgi-bin/vpi.c...3199&P_W=69901

Lower deck shots only... they would not let me on the upper deck as I was sitting on the lower deck (security procedures to do with cockpit access I guess).

Also no shots in the sleeping position - it's quite hard to do ... sorry guys :-)

Nice job, Oz. I wish I had a chance for the Skybed but it's not to be. QF26 on Feb 10 in Row 11 and QF11 on Mar 1 in Row 23. I like bulkheads, too. That assumes I can't get Row 16 upstairs. I'll try, though. Anyway, are the bulkhead Skybed monitors any smaller than the seatback versions?

NICE WORK!!! The FT community thanks you!!

I liked the review and your comments.

I'm with Jersey, I'll be flying QF26/25 which is scheduled for a 2 class 744. I guess I won't complain for reward biz class travel.

Maybe I'll get to fly on one of the new A333's on my CNS-BNE leg.