A350 UC tray table space - any fix yet?
Sep 13, 2019, 10:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,375
A350 UC tray table space - any fix yet?
Reading reviews online, it seems the tray table is uncomfortably near to the passenger, with no way to move it further away. For a larger person, would this be an issue?
Sep 13, 2019, 11:40 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 242
From the reviews I've read I think it could be in one position, but I've also read that you can move it to the side, just not back and forth, although according to Gilbert at GSTP they're changing these out, so it might not be a problem for long -
"If there’s an initial gripe to be had with the new upper class suite, it would simply be the proximity of the large tray table to the body. It swivels nicely allowing you space to eat on the side, but if you’re on a laptop and working away, you may need to do a few crunches or crash diet to ensure enough space if you’re reclined in the slightest. As I write this, I feel a need to hit a gym, fast. Fortunately, it sounds like these are being swapped out, quickly on new deliveries."
"If there’s an initial gripe to be had with the new upper class suite, it would simply be the proximity of the large tray table to the body. It swivels nicely allowing you space to eat on the side, but if you’re on a laptop and working away, you may need to do a few crunches or crash diet to ensure enough space if you’re reclined in the slightest. As I write this, I feel a need to hit a gym, fast. Fortunately, it sounds like these are being swapped out, quickly on new deliveries."
Sep 29, 2019, 9:53 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,732
Retrofit to current planes is in October. Looks like went with a split table design but a bit hard to imagine with the description provided.
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2019/0...e-in-business/
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2019/0...e-in-business/
Sep 30, 2019, 10:11 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ TPPS/*G, Starlux Explorer, (Almost Lifetime) Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,406
On VS137/G-VPOP now seated in 1A. The tray table is fine in this seat (compared to other seats). For reference I am 6'3 / 190cm but fairly slim. The other item I would highlight about 1A is that the moveable armrest can be lowered to a level lower than other seats allowing you to exit easily while using the tray table.
As a regular on SQ, what I can say is that the inflight service is lacking attention to detail. But perhaps this is an unfair comparison.
As a regular on SQ, what I can say is that the inflight service is lacking attention to detail. But perhaps this is an unfair comparison.
Sep 30, 2019, 10:16 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 242
On VS137/G-VPOP now seated in 1A. The tray table is fine in this seat (compared to other seats). For reference I am 6'3 / 190cm but fairly slim. The other item I would highlight about 1A is that the moveable armrest can be lowered to a level lower than other seats allowing you to exit easily while using the tray table.
As a regular on SQ, what I can say is that the inflight service is lacking attention to detail. But perhaps this is an unfair comparison.
As a regular on SQ, what I can say is that the inflight service is lacking attention to detail. But perhaps this is an unfair comparison.
I think that's probably fair - VS definitely go for more of a laid back approach that you would expect on SQ or NH, or even BA. I quite like their approach though.
Sep 30, 2019, 10:38 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ TPPS/*G, Starlux Explorer, (Almost Lifetime) Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,406
I don't want to appear picky or sound self-important but I was a bit surprised when the cheese tray arrived and there was nothing left. Apologies were served in addition to just one last piece of Stilton and nothing left of the other cheeses. I had passed on the dessert earlier but was told I had to wait 25-30min for the cheese service to come around only to receive the final crumb. Nothing too dissimilar though compared to the other choices of UA, AA, and BA. All in all it's a good seat and as an SQ flier with a *G choice would take it over the UA Polaris which I have done on both the 787-10 and refurbished 767 high-J.
Sep 30, 2019, 10:53 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ TPPS/*G, Starlux Explorer, (Almost Lifetime) Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,406
Theirin...safe travels! The A350 is a fantastic plane...and unlike SQ's -900s, these have that rarity of a window in the lav! I'll be on SQ21 in a few days...more time on the A350 and a chance to check out the Clubhouse at EWR - a first for me.
Sep 30, 2019, 3:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 168
On VS137/G-VPOP now seated in 1A. The tray table is fine in this seat (compared to other seats). For reference I am 6'3 / 190cm but fairly slim. The other item I would highlight about 1A is that the moveable armrest can be lowered to a level lower than other seats allowing you to exit easily while using the tray table.
As a regular on SQ, what I can say is that the inflight service is lacking attention to detail. But perhaps this is an unfair comparison.
As a regular on SQ, what I can say is that the inflight service is lacking attention to detail. But perhaps this is an unfair comparison.
I have to say that the tray table is MASSIVE! I've attached a photo for reference - it's way bigger than the IFE screen (table on left, IFE screen on right), which is already a fair size. With the table down in its 'base' position, it just barely touched my stomach. When swivelled round to be in front of me, it was jammed up against my tummy. I wouldn't say it was uncomfortable, but it was a bit of an annoyance.The good news is there's ample scope for reducing the size of the table to address this problem - I have no idea why it was made so big to begin with.
I agree with the SQ comparison, having done a few trips in Asia recently - although the new Virgin seat did remind me of the SQ business seat, including the little cubby hole that your feet slot into...
Oct 3, 2019, 5:28 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 168
Am now seated in 1A for my return and can confirm there is about 1-2 inches additional space between me and the tray. For the waistband-challenged this is definitely the preferred seat :-)
Oct 11, 2019, 2:39 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London
Posts: 56
Having done both 1A and 4K, it felt nice and "snug" for sleeping in 4K and had no issues with working in either, so would pick 1 for day and 2+ for nights personally (and have just done so for my JFK trip)
Not had a chance to travel with a colleague in UC yet, so not tried the middle seats - the older layout was not inducive to shared working unless you sat on their footstool, facing the same way I imagine will be better.
Any thanks to the other posters, I now know there is a window in the toilet (yet to need to use it) - also wasn't aware that it's a rare thing now !
Not had a chance to travel with a colleague in UC yet, so not tried the middle seats - the older layout was not inducive to shared working unless you sat on their footstool, facing the same way I imagine will be better.
Any thanks to the other posters, I now know there is a window in the toilet (yet to need to use it) - also wasn't aware that it's a rare thing now !