Reconfigured Airbus A320s
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: MYNN
Posts: 253
Reconfigured Airbus A320s
Not sure if everyone got this one:
More space and personal comfort on the reconfigured Airbus A320
no word on the A330s though...
More space and personal comfort on the reconfigured Airbus A320
no word on the A330s though...
#3
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SMV/ZRH
Programs: LX/M&M, UA, AA, AF/KL, SPG Gold
Posts: 671
I'm a little surprised that LX is spending money on new seats for the A320 instead of finally upgrading business class on the A330. I have to admit that I have no idea of the cost of upgrading the A320 vs. upgrading business class on the 330, but I think that being able to offer the new business class across the fleet would be a much stronger selling point than having new seats on the 320.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ZRH / MUC / VIE
Programs: M&M basic / happy Wizzair+ user :-)
Posts: 6,490
Hello,
somewhere (on the Swiss magazine or on the printed timetable) I read that they will put 168 seats (instead of 150) and remove the front galley. So the configuration will be similar to the "swiss sun"-A320's HB-IJU, -IJV and -IJW, which will also be integrated into the main-fleet. Nowhere read anything about the A319's and the A321's.
I just hope that the seats will not be the same as on the E145's...
Patrick
somewhere (on the Swiss magazine or on the printed timetable) I read that they will put 168 seats (instead of 150) and remove the front galley. So the configuration will be similar to the "swiss sun"-A320's HB-IJU, -IJV and -IJW, which will also be integrated into the main-fleet. Nowhere read anything about the A319's and the A321's.
I just hope that the seats will not be the same as on the E145's...
Patrick
#5
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: MEL
Programs: BA Gold; VA Velocity Gold; LH FTL; Marriott Gold; ICHG Platinum AMB; Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,393
Originally Posted by andyZRH
I'm a little surprised that LX is spending money on new seats for the A320 instead of finally upgrading business class on the A330. I have to admit that I have no idea of the cost of upgrading the A320 vs. upgrading business class on the 330, but I think that being able to offer the new business class across the fleet would be a much stronger selling point than having new seats on the 320.
The cost of upgrading seats is probably not too large - what is more important is the loss of revenue while they put the seats in (the plane cannot fly paying passengers). So they wait until they would have to take the plane out of service anyway.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SMV/ZRH
Programs: LX/M&M, UA, AA, AF/KL, SPG Gold
Posts: 671
Good point. I haven't thought about that. It certainly does make sense to replace the seats while the plane is grounded for maintenance anyway.
However, if the heavy maintenance checks take a few weeks, they probably can't be done on all A320 within 2 or 3 months.
BTW I don't think that replacing seats on a 320 takes that much time. I assume this can be done pretty quickly, at least if seat pitch isn't changed. Since there's no IFE, they don't even have to deal with wiring.
If they're also removing the galley and putting in more seats as rorschi pointed out, this thing starts to make some sense. LX probably needs much less galley space these days, compared to what they needed when free food and drinks were offered in Y.
andy
However, if the heavy maintenance checks take a few weeks, they probably can't be done on all A320 within 2 or 3 months.
BTW I don't think that replacing seats on a 320 takes that much time. I assume this can be done pretty quickly, at least if seat pitch isn't changed. Since there's no IFE, they don't even have to deal with wiring.
If they're also removing the galley and putting in more seats as rorschi pointed out, this thing starts to make some sense. LX probably needs much less galley space these days, compared to what they needed when free food and drinks were offered in Y.
andy
Last edited by andyZRH; Dec 13, 2004 at 6:03 am Reason: fixed typo
#7
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SMV/ZRH
Programs: LX/M&M, UA, AA, AF/KL, SPG Gold
Posts: 671
extremely poor legroom - reconfigured or Swiss Sun?
I've been on LX 979 TXL-ZRH last night. A320 with what must have been the 168 seat configuration. (Exit rows 11/12 instead of 10/11).
I don't know if they've already completed the first reconfigurations or if it was a Swiss Sun plane. I suspect the latter because of the IFE with 16 audio channels. I don't know if it was actually working, 'cause I didn't have headphones with me. Much to my surprise there was a 110V power outlet on the bottom side of the armrest.
Legroom was extremely poor!!
I'm about 186cm tall and I could barely squeeze my legs in.
Are they really going to implement this supertight config across the A320 fleet? I sure hope not! With LXs current load factors in Europe I don't see the point of squeezing in additional seats anyway.
andy
I don't know if they've already completed the first reconfigurations or if it was a Swiss Sun plane. I suspect the latter because of the IFE with 16 audio channels. I don't know if it was actually working, 'cause I didn't have headphones with me. Much to my surprise there was a 110V power outlet on the bottom side of the armrest.
Legroom was extremely poor!!
I'm about 186cm tall and I could barely squeeze my legs in.
Are they really going to implement this supertight config across the A320 fleet? I sure hope not! With LXs current load factors in Europe I don't see the point of squeezing in additional seats anyway.
andy
Last edited by andyZRH; Jan 3, 2005 at 10:43 am Reason: clarification
#8
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: my heart is on the shores of the north Italian lakes
Programs: LX Senator Lifetime, Relais&Chateaux Club5C, ex ! "Amanjunkie", ex LHW LC, hate chain hotels
Posts: 2,515
Flight report with reconfigured A 320
ZRH - LHR on 20 January with the reconfigured A 320.
The front galley is not removed, however there is fewer storage space in front.
The seats are FIXED and identical on both sides of the aisle.
The interior is bright, a little bit "techno" style with grey leather seats. (happily LX seems to abandon the "dirty" brown Tyler Brule style design).
Legroom in the first row seems slightly less than before. However once seated row 2, there is a feeling of much more legroom than with the old blue seats which have been perhaps more "cosy". The seatback is extremely thin and this seems a very high tech design of the famous Recaro company.
Conversion from "economy" to "business" will be quicker as beside the armrests and the somewhat "cheap" looking plastic tables on the middle seat nothing has to be moved (that specific flight had 6 rows of "business" - with only 11 passengers ).
The Maitre de Cabine confirmed me that behind row 12 seat pitch is however smaller.
An excellent product for European flights up to 90 minutes with the usual charming LX crew and service straight from the hearth!
The front galley is not removed, however there is fewer storage space in front.
The seats are FIXED and identical on both sides of the aisle.
The interior is bright, a little bit "techno" style with grey leather seats. (happily LX seems to abandon the "dirty" brown Tyler Brule style design).
Legroom in the first row seems slightly less than before. However once seated row 2, there is a feeling of much more legroom than with the old blue seats which have been perhaps more "cosy". The seatback is extremely thin and this seems a very high tech design of the famous Recaro company.
Conversion from "economy" to "business" will be quicker as beside the armrests and the somewhat "cheap" looking plastic tables on the middle seat nothing has to be moved (that specific flight had 6 rows of "business" - with only 11 passengers ).
The Maitre de Cabine confirmed me that behind row 12 seat pitch is however smaller.
An excellent product for European flights up to 90 minutes with the usual charming LX crew and service straight from the hearth!
#9
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SMV/ZRH
Programs: LX/M&M, UA, AA, AF/KL, SPG Gold
Posts: 671
Last week, I flew BCN-ZRH on one of the reconfigured A320s. The design of the new seats seems quite smart. The pocket for the inflight magazine, safety information card, etc. near the top of the backrest is a clever idea IMHO.
The padding of the seats isn't very soft, but I was perfectly comfortable, at least for the 2 hours I spent on the plane. The color of the seats is OK. Personally I prefer blue, but the dark grey is considerably nicer and more elegant than "tyler-brown" or LH-grey!
I can't say a lot about legroom, because I was seated in row 11 (exit), courtesy of the very nice (and cute ) check-in agent at BCN. However, I had the impression that the legroom in front of the exits is quite generous. ^
After using the lav I took a seat in the second last row for a minute or so.... ouch! Felt about as tight as the swiss sun 320s I became so familiar with this year (3 out of 4 intra-europe flights).
andy
The padding of the seats isn't very soft, but I was perfectly comfortable, at least for the 2 hours I spent on the plane. The color of the seats is OK. Personally I prefer blue, but the dark grey is considerably nicer and more elegant than "tyler-brown" or LH-grey!
I can't say a lot about legroom, because I was seated in row 11 (exit), courtesy of the very nice (and cute ) check-in agent at BCN. However, I had the impression that the legroom in front of the exits is quite generous. ^
After using the lav I took a seat in the second last row for a minute or so.... ouch! Felt about as tight as the swiss sun 320s I became so familiar with this year (3 out of 4 intra-europe flights).
andy
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX SEN, HH Diamond, IHG, Melia Silver, AVIS, Sixt
Posts: 276
I also had a flight with the new A320 interior in 2 weeks ago. In my opinion ther are not bad. The seat pitch is quite good. I was sitting in row 3, therefore I cannot say anything about the rows in back.
The Swiss Sun A320's are definitely lousy! In my opionion one should even claim back the money if booked business class and flown in a Swiss Sun machine. Even the seats in cheap carriers are better and have more legroom.
The Swiss Sun A320's are definitely lousy! In my opionion one should even claim back the money if booked business class and flown in a Swiss Sun machine. Even the seats in cheap carriers are better and have more legroom.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austria (Vbg)
Programs: LX SEN, BA Gfl/GGL, IC Dia, HH Dia, Hyatt LT GLOB
Posts: 1,584
Good morning,
just returned yesterday from VIE with LX. On my outbound flight in the morning we got the usual A319 with the "old" configuration; flight was packed (a STGM even got an op-up) but was fine with me as I have managed to get a seat in the front-rows to deboard quickly once landed...
The return-flight in the evening was operated by the "famous" Swiss Sun A320 and every seat was filled - more than 160 people! Well, I think I shouldn't complain, my last flight with this machine was three months ago. On all my other flights I was quite lucky not to get it...
I in the past weeks I also flew with the new A320 interior (Economy as well as business). In my opinion they are not bad. But the "Sun" configuration is really a step down - I'm not tall but my knees touched the seat in front of me! I can only imagine how other passengers are feeling.
Greetings!
BTW: Of course, neither the morning flight nor the evening flight was on time, the last one was even delayed by 50 min...
just returned yesterday from VIE with LX. On my outbound flight in the morning we got the usual A319 with the "old" configuration; flight was packed (a STGM even got an op-up) but was fine with me as I have managed to get a seat in the front-rows to deboard quickly once landed...
The return-flight in the evening was operated by the "famous" Swiss Sun A320 and every seat was filled - more than 160 people! Well, I think I shouldn't complain, my last flight with this machine was three months ago. On all my other flights I was quite lucky not to get it...
I in the past weeks I also flew with the new A320 interior (Economy as well as business). In my opinion they are not bad. But the "Sun" configuration is really a step down - I'm not tall but my knees touched the seat in front of me! I can only imagine how other passengers are feeling.
Greetings!
BTW: Of course, neither the morning flight nor the evening flight was on time, the last one was even delayed by 50 min...
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: All Programs
Posts: 113
a STGM even got an op-up
He man what is that? Are you going to ask people about their status? I think this is not your business.
but was fine with me
How silly. I don't think that anybody would refuse an upgrade!
He man what is that? Are you going to ask people about their status? I think this is not your business.
but was fine with me
How silly. I don't think that anybody would refuse an upgrade!
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austria (Vbg)
Programs: LX SEN, BA Gfl/GGL, IC Dia, HH Dia, Hyatt LT GLOB
Posts: 1,584
He man what is that? Are you going to ask people about their status? I think this is not your business.
But I'm sure you will know that many status members put their elite-baggage-tags from STC (Silver / Gold) on their suitcases bzw. executive cases. BTW, I even talked to this man on our way from the lounge to the gate because he commented on my status in conjunction with my age...
How silly. I don't think that anybody would refuse an upgrade!
So, emozioni: The next time please don't make any use of estimates.
PS: Anyway, welcome to flyertalk
#14
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: All Programs
Posts: 113
Welcome Freqent Flyer to the Forum
Originally Posted by Frequent_Flyer1
Anyway, welcome to flyertalk
PS: How old are you? Why do you think that you are too old for the Golden status?