Jan 9, 2015, 4:29 am
Last edit by: Genius1
The reconfigured A332 comes in two versions, one is distinguishable by the 4th row being behind the galley and doesn't use the B/E Diamond seats. The second reconfigured A332 version uses the B/E Diamond seats and is not distinguishable from the seat map. For updated info, refer to the wiki on this thread.
QR (Qatar) refurbished A330s with horizontal lie-flat business class seats
Feb 3, 2014, 4:09 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 772
Not exactly the 77W but the recline has greatly improved across the A330 fleet. I would say 170 degrees not quite 180 degrees.
Feb 3, 2014, 6:19 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
QatarA340,
The non-retrofitted A330s either have the Recaro Lie-Flat or the BE Minipod. The photo by Flyboy_se looks like the BE Minipod too but an updated version, you can see the arm rest is different, the cloth material is different, shape of the foot rest, the reading light, the divider between the two seats, the material of the armrest (burgundy leather), the colour of the wood veneer and the biggest giveaway is the IFE controller which is a touchscreen design like on the 787.
You asked about the A320s, the economy seats on the A320 is the latest Recaro version like on the 787 (but wider) its a good seat. The ones that have been retrofitted are only about a year old. You are right they seem to be dedicating the first two to the longer flights, for example VIE and FCO are getting these two birds often.
I am really happy about the A320 now, I will gladly fly the retrofitted ones to Europe and no longer try to avoid them. Now I can't wait to see how F on the A380s will look like!
The non-retrofitted A330s either have the Recaro Lie-Flat or the BE Minipod. The photo by Flyboy_se looks like the BE Minipod too but an updated version, you can see the arm rest is different, the cloth material is different, shape of the foot rest, the reading light, the divider between the two seats, the material of the armrest (burgundy leather), the colour of the wood veneer and the biggest giveaway is the IFE controller which is a touchscreen design like on the 787.
You asked about the A320s, the economy seats on the A320 is the latest Recaro version like on the 787 (but wider) its a good seat. The ones that have been retrofitted are only about a year old. You are right they seem to be dedicating the first two to the longer flights, for example VIE and FCO are getting these two birds often.
I am really happy about the A320 now, I will gladly fly the retrofitted ones to Europe and no longer try to avoid them. Now I can't wait to see how F on the A380s will look like!
Feb 3, 2014, 9:39 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 772
QatarA340,
The non-retrofitted A330s either have the Recaro Lie-Flat or the BE Minipod. The photo by Flyboy_se looks like the BE Minipod too but an updated version, you can see the arm rest is different, the cloth material is different, shape of the foot rest, the reading light, the divider between the two seats, the material of the armrest (burgundy leather), the colour of the wood veneer and the biggest giveaway is the IFE controller which is a touchscreen design like on the 787.
You asked about the A320s, the economy seats on the A320 is the latest Recaro version like on the 787 (but wider) its a good seat. The ones that have been retrofitted are only about a year old. You are right they seem to be dedicating the first two to the longer flights, for example VIE and FCO are getting these two birds often.
I am really happy about the A320 now, I will gladly fly the retrofitted ones to Europe and no longer try to avoid them. Now I can't wait to see how F on the A380s will look like!
The non-retrofitted A330s either have the Recaro Lie-Flat or the BE Minipod. The photo by Flyboy_se looks like the BE Minipod too but an updated version, you can see the arm rest is different, the cloth material is different, shape of the foot rest, the reading light, the divider between the two seats, the material of the armrest (burgundy leather), the colour of the wood veneer and the biggest giveaway is the IFE controller which is a touchscreen design like on the 787.
You asked about the A320s, the economy seats on the A320 is the latest Recaro version like on the 787 (but wider) its a good seat. The ones that have been retrofitted are only about a year old. You are right they seem to be dedicating the first two to the longer flights, for example VIE and FCO are getting these two birds often.
I am really happy about the A320 now, I will gladly fly the retrofitted ones to Europe and no longer try to avoid them. Now I can't wait to see how F on the A380s will look like!
As for the A330's, I have flown those versions many times, and yeah they are a big improvement; but seat width is a major problem and comfort. The 787 seats are much better I think; I am not sure if they take up more space or not than the BE minipods.
Feb 3, 2014, 10:11 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
The 787 seats are much better I think; I am not sure if they take up more space or not than the BE minipods.
Feb 3, 2014, 11:03 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Qatar Airways Gold, Singapore air Kris flyer,Emirates Silver, Etihad Gold
Posts: 359
Thank you all for the very good news. I am so happy that the A320s are getting new business class seats similar to the ones on the B787. I stopped flying with QR mainly because of that aircraft. I travel a lot between Tokyo and Tunis where The Tunis flight is operated by an A320. I can’t wait for my next flight on QR after a switch to EK for almost 4 years. I did some research and it looks like all the routs longer than 6 hours will be operated by the A320s with the new business class seats, Tunis is included. Can’t wait to try it this coming July.
Feb 3, 2014, 11:07 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 772
They do, if they install the 787 style BE Super Diamond they will have to go down to 20 seats from 24 on the A330-200 and 24 seats from 30 on the A330-300. They can keep the same seat count by installing the BE Diamond (not super diamond) which is the A320 product. The advantage of the super diamond is direct aisle access for all passengers.
Feb 5, 2014, 12:26 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Qatar Airways Gold, Singapore air Kris flyer,Emirates Silver, Etihad Gold
Posts: 359
It will be nice if some of our frequent flyers can take pictures of the new business class seat on the A320 and tell us what they think about it and their own impressions.
Feb 5, 2014, 1:28 am
#23
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SAN, MIA, GOT
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 349
Feb 5, 2014, 1:46 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
The new 320 and 330 product is not a diamond seat. It is an off-the-shelf H-V-H seat from B/E Aerospace. QR felt (rightly, in my view) that there was no case for developing a diamond seat for 320 and 330 equipment as the costs and lead time would have been too high.
Feb 5, 2014, 1:53 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Sixth Freedom,
I know you worked in product development but trust me the A320 seat is called the BE Diamond, it is an off the shelf product but it is called the BE Diamond. It is the same as the PMCO 757 and AA A321T business class and on the press releases for these product announcements they are referred to as the BE Diamond seat, similarly if you look at BE Aerospace's website or trade magazine it is called the BE Diamond seat. The 787 product was called the Qatar Super Diamond, as I am sure you know.
I know you worked in product development but trust me the A320 seat is called the BE Diamond, it is an off the shelf product but it is called the BE Diamond. It is the same as the PMCO 757 and AA A321T business class and on the press releases for these product announcements they are referred to as the BE Diamond seat, similarly if you look at BE Aerospace's website or trade magazine it is called the BE Diamond seat. The 787 product was called the Qatar Super Diamond, as I am sure you know.
Last edited by N1Rotate; Feb 5, 2014 at 10:05 am
Feb 6, 2014, 3:51 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
trust me the A320 seat is called the BE Diamond, it is an off the shelf product but it is called the BE Diamond. It is the same as the PMCO 757 and AA A321T business class and on the press releases for these product announcements they are referred to as the BE Diamond seat
Feb 6, 2014, 10:42 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Duchy of Milan
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite, AZ CFP
Posts: 1,857
I'll fly an A332 from MXP this April. How many chances to get the refurbished do I have?
I'd love if they were the 787 seats, but I understand it's unlikely for space reasons. I hope we will make things clearer by then.
I'd love if they were the 787 seats, but I understand it's unlikely for space reasons. I hope we will make things clearer by then.
Feb 7, 2014, 11:41 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Norway
Programs: EBS, EY Gold Eite, EK Gold, QR Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 476
Again design before comfort and functionality. The same faraway screens from old first class.
But maybe an acceptable sacrifice to achieve the flatbed?
But maybe an acceptable sacrifice to achieve the flatbed?
Last edited by RUN4FUN; Feb 7, 2014 at 11:47 am