Tagging Miles

Southwest’s New Seat

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Lately I’m flying Southwest more than I ever imagined. At least I’ve been able to avoid Seat 28B. It comes down to a different value of time. But I’m impressed with Southwest’s New Seat.

I was rather impressed though with my most recent flight though, which was on their new 737-800.

Southwest 737-800

You see, despite flying more than half a dozen Southwest flights this year, this was my first time flying on Southwest’s newest seat developed by B/E Aerospace. Cranky Flier wrote about these seats in 2015. Here’s what the seat looks like:

Southwest's new Seat 

The seat is an improvement and not. 

Southwest’s New Seat – Improvements

The seat has adjustable headrests. Headrests! The new American Airlines and legacy US Airways economy seats don’t even have headrests. I find them to be that little bit of comfort when you’re in the back of the plane–or in Southwest’s case, that means, behind the cockpit.

Also enhanced is the way Southwest has moved around the seat pocket.

Southwest New Seat

Its perhaps a bit tougher to see, but the literature is actually above the tray table, much like we see on Lufthansa’s regional flights. There’s an added webbing area below the tray table for personal items which I think is a much better approach. 

Southwest’s new seat lacks cushion!

Unfortunately, while Southwest did show some Luv for our necks and heads, they showed none for our behinds or backs. This seat is downright uncomfortable. The seat bottom felt like there was very little cushion at all and was uncomfortable before we even reached cruising altitude. The seat felt reasonable firm to start with, but for a 3 hour plus flight, it became downright uncomfortable far too quickly. 

While I didn’t look around, I didn’t notice any power or USB ports obviously placed either. 

Final Thoughts

I love seeing that Southwest now has headrests, I just wish it didn’t come at the cost of similar amounts of cushioning in the seat bottom.  Overall though, I think the seat is a positive move for Southwest. Headrests are good, and the movement of the literature storage helps to make the seat feel more roomy. It might not be much, but its that little bit more that is helpful. 

 

Travel is Changing, Specifically the Passenger Experience

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I don’t want to be a pessimist, but it seems to me that with a lot of the news going around over the past month or so, Travel is Changing and it is not for the better. I think most of this centers around the changing Passenger Experience (PaxEx). 

Travel is Changing by the Government’s Hand

The Passenger Experience is under attack, ironically, by as much the United States & United Kingdom Governments’ hand, as by the airlines’ actions. For example, we saw the initial Electronics Ban, which bans electronics larger than your smartphone from flying in the cabin from Middle Eastern airports. I had thought there might be a silver lining for travel hackers but that hasn’t panned out.
 
Instead, we are seeing rumors of an expansion of the Electronics Ban (in fact, Delta was ready last week) to westbound flights from Europe to the US. This is painful, since most westbound flights are during the day, usually during prime business hours. This will hurt business travelers and leisure travelers alike.  
 
This is of course in the name of security, and unfortunately, it is challenging to know whether its just being used as an excuse or if there is a justifiable reason. The challenge with security is that we never really know unless it fails.

The Airlines Aren’t Helping Matters

The Airlines aren’t helping improve the Passenger Experience like they used to. Just this week, Delta Airlines announced that they will reduce the size of the premium cabin on their 777’s, and add more economy seats. Other airlines have embraced 10-abreast seating in the 777 in droves, including British Airways and Cathay Pacific. 
 
One area that airlines are adding–for the most part– is Premium Economy. I would however argue, that airlines argue that this gives passengers more choice. I would argue that this is a euphemism.
 
At the same time, flights are flying with more seats filled than we’ve seen in more than a decade. Airlines are making more money, well, other than American Airlines. 
 
Passengers are Responding Poorly
 
I won’t go so far as to argue a causal relationship between the above changes and the outburst of social media, news, and blog stories on passengers either being treated poorly, behaving badly, or both.
 
But the fact remains, #BumpGate, when Dr. Dao was forcibly removed from a United Aircraft, was perhaps the inflection point. Since that time, we’ve seen reports of a soon-to-be-married couple ejected from an aircraft (they were at fault, by the way), we’ve even seen fist fights among passengers break out on a Southwest Flight and more. 

 We’ve even seen issues in the airport itself, specifically Spirit Airlines Passengers in Fort Lauderdale, after Spirit took a different strategy in negotiating with its Pilots Union. 
 
In most of these cases, the blame is shared between airlines and passengers, but the fact remains. Police–or their proxies–have been called to take on a greater role in air transportation, and it is not a good thing.

Conclusion

All sides have an opportunity to change the direction that we are headed in. The Electronics Ban could be more tailored, or 
 
 

Qatar Airways Qsuite Unveiled

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Qatar Airways unveiled the new Qatar “Q” Suite – the supposed best Business Class Suite in the sky, yesterday at ITB Berlin 

Qatar Airways Qsuite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yhZDsctiZg
 
A few observations:
  • Its interesting that there appear to be both forward- and rear-facing seats. Personally, I like this to fly backwards, but I haven’t liked how it was executed on the American 777-200 retrofit. I suspect Qatar’s execution will be better.
  • The two seats in the middle of the cabin, when closer, definitely seem to be more geared toward folks who know each other (the video shows families and couples). It almost looks like they have a double bed. This will be great for couples, but could be really awkward for strangers.
  • Also on the middle seats the two sets of facing seats, it looks like the screens can slide over blocking that view or opening it. They really make it look like it’d be great for 4 people that know each other to be able to interact, which could be fun. Of course, that could also get loud for the others in the cabin.
  • Oh yeah, the suites have doors. Its the new big thing in Business Class, after Delta did it.

Conclusion

Qatar Airways Qsuite was billed to be revolutionary. I’m not quite so sure. Is it evolutionary? I think more so. It evolves business class cabin concepts that exist or have been announced by Delta and Etihad, and improves on them. The idea of a double bed in business class is fun, but, it doesn’t seem all that much different from some of the similar center “together” seats, other than maybe additional privacy. The door is logical, as business continues to be improved with some of the benefits of first class. One thing is clear – this is a huge improvement over the current business class seats on Qatar’s 777 fleet.

What do you think? Is the Qatar Airways Qsuite revolutionary?

American Airlines is introducing a True Premium Economy class, here’s why it may not be all roses.

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American Airlines is creating a real Premium Economy cabin!

Rendering of American Airlines Premium Economy via Skift.

Rendering of American Airlines Premium Economy via Skift.

Now we aren’t talking about Main Cabin Extra, which just gives you a slightly wider seat, and slightly more legroom. No, No, No, American is coming up with something that is more similar to what we’ve seen from Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Cathay Pacific (others too, but they don’t come to mind at the moment). The best part, American is the first United States flagged carrier to introduce a true Premium Economy cabin.

While I don’t really love the idea from a personal use perspective, I really do appreciate the fact that American is attempting to compete on an international scale–if only their route map would grow just the same. It’s actually pretty logical for American to do this, considering OneWorld Alliance partners British Airways and Qantas, in addition to Cathay Pacific all market premium economy. I wouldn’t say that all products are equal, and to that point, it definitely looks to me like American Airlines is going to leapfrog their transatlantic partner, British Airways in quality. Here’s a look at what they’ll be offering.


Where will you find this new choice?

American Airlines states that you’ll see it on their international fleet starting in late 2016. The launch product will be the 787-9 Dreamliner, and will eventually start showing up on their 777 (I’d imagine pretty quickly), 787, A330, and A350 aircraft. I’m kind’ve surprised to see the A330 in that list, but, American did gain a bunch of them from US Airways, and they already have a comfortable reverse herringbone seat in business class.

Implications of this move

I had the chance to speak with an Airbus executive, what feels like ages ago, who felt very strongly in the 4-class aircraft configuration and of passenger choice. Those being: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First. We’re seeing more and more the introduction of choice for passengers. Back in April, I talked about how passenger choice is a euphemism. I also believe that as more and more airlines embrace what I’ll call “True Premium Economy” products, e.g. what American Airlines is introducing, I think we’ll see fewer and fewer premium cabin options. But saying that, I’m not sure it is a true cause and effect situation. Airlines have started moving away from first class products on many routes, I dare say, before even announcing, let alone flying true premium economy products. In the US, American and United are the only airlines that come to mind that have a “sub-fleet” of First Class cabins, and for American, that is being reduced to just their 777-300ER, eventually. Outside the US, we see that Lufthansa has taken First Class out of some of their aircraft, such as the 747-400, Malaysia Airlines only flies a first class on their A380, and speaking of A380’s, Emirates is flying the first A380 with no First Class (and no premium economy class either, for that matter).

So what do I see happening? A gradual rolling back of the premium Passenger Experience (PaxEx). Eventually, Just as there used to be First and Economy classes, then moved to a three cabin, I see the majority of airlines returning to a three cabin aircraft. I’m just not quite sure if this is a good, bad, or indifferent thing. I think, referencing again to my comment about passenger choice being a euphemism, if premium economy means that airlines make economy even more of a sardine can, then this is a horrible development. But, let us remember, that American Airlines and other 777-300ER operators went with 10 abreast seating in Economy years ago, and that has become a very uncomfortable reality (or so I understand from others, as I’ve been avoiding it like the plague).

Wrapping Up

On the one hand, it is nice to see American Airlines is continuing to innovate, even if it isn’t truly innovation. But the fact remains, American is perhaps the most forward leaning of the US flagged carriers. I think this bodes well for American Airlines’ flyers, and potentially for others, as United and Delta will feel pressure to pump up their own premium economy game to compete.

Of course, on the other side, we have an increasing move toward Premium Economy, and this euphemism of Choice, which seems to me, to be a negative move from a Passenger Experience standpoint.

What do you think? Is American Airlines’ announcement of a true Premium Economy class good or bad?

The 787 is really King for the post-flight Passenger Experience #PaxEx

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Photo via Boeing

Photo via Boeing

I just returned from a pretty awesome trip to Australia with my wife. I’ll be putting together a trip report, but if you don’t want to wait, you can see some highlights by searching #OzAnniversary on Twitter. To make the trip even more epic (since it was our anniversary after all), we decided to take the long way home. We splurged. The way home was two AAdvantage Saver awards on Etihad Airways, from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, we burned 60k AAdvantage miles per person, then from Abu Dhabi to Washington-Dulles, it was 90k AAdvantage miles per person (that one really hurts). But the cost isn’t my point for this post.

I’ll review each flight separately as part of the trip report, but wanted to share my initial thoughts after flying back to back 14 hour flights.

Etihad’s A380

I shared my thoughts from a 5 hour flight back in March, and my impression of the A380 has improved after my most recent flight. There is absolutely no question that Etihad knocked it out of the park with their A380, with regards to the hard product for First Apartments. They specifically have made their A380 a single aisle cabin for First Apartments (and the Residence). That means that each Apartment has roughly 7 feet of depth. I’m a tall guy. I stretched and could touch both walls of my Apartment, but had to do so intentionally. In addition to the 7 foot bench that turns into a bed, you have a nice roomy “Captain’s Chair” like seat. Captain Picard would be jealous of this seat.

IMG_0394

In addition to your apartment (which, really, you have few reasons to leave), there is a “Lobby” lounge, just aft of the Galley (which is an area that spans probably 6-10 feet aft of the first upper level door (1UL I believe it is called), its a circular seating area, with a non-self serve bar behind it. There are games. I spent a whole 30 seconds in the area, just enough time to snap photos. I had spent more time on my first flight, but, really, didn’t see the need this time.

IMG_0399

IMG_0401

Oh, and you have a shower. This is a great concept, however, having flown Emirates, I feel like Etihad could’ve executed the shower better. That said, a shower at 40,000 feet is still cool.

IMG_0420

IMG_0421

Etihad’s 787-9

This was my first time flying on the 787-9. It would be an understatement to say that I was excited. Even better, the crew were still excited. Our In-Flight Chef, Rohinton, even knew that the particular aircraft we were on was only with Etihad a month, he specifically mentioned, that we were flying on Etihad’s newest 787-9. That’s pretty cool.

As far as the cabin, I really felt surprised. I shouldn’t have been, I should’ve looked at the seatmap, but I got lazy. I’ll admit it. I figured, flying Etihad’s 787-9 regardless of seat should be a wonderful experience, and it truly was. But usually, I research my flights more. My wife was awesome to get me my favorite seat (1K), and for me, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that 1K was a backward facing seat (I love flying backwards!)

Overall, the seat again, Captain Picard would be jealous to have. The seat is nearly the same as the seat on the a380. Controls, In Flight Entertainment, everything, at least to me looked very similar.

Of course, the other parts that the A380 has, are lacking on the 787-9. There is no shower, there is no lounge. There are 2 spacious restrooms to be shared by the 8 first class passengers. Both are more than spacious enough to comfortably change into your Etihad pajamas (infact, more spacious than the Etihad A380’s shower spa).

What ended up being the true discriminator?

Longtime (all 18 months!) readers of the blog will know that I enjoy comfortable seats, and have had the chance to fly a whole bunch of them. But one aspect of aircraft that I haven’t really explored so much, was the impact of cabin pressure. In fact, even after researching it for this flight, I’m not sure I fully understand it. But here goes anyway:

Wikipedia defines Cabin Pressurization as:

The process in which conditioned air is pumped into the cabin of an aircraft or spacecraft, in order to create a safe and comfortable environment for passengers and crew flying at high altitudes.

This is needed for a variety of reasons, comfort, avoiding hypoxia, altitude sickness, etc.

But lets go a bit further, because cabin pressurization results in a Cabin Altitude, which typically is normally 8,000 feet or less. 8,000 seems to be the cutoff between whether or not you need your personal oxygen tank to be included as part of your in seat mini-bar.

Looking at the study that Boeing seems to reference (via Seth Miller — Thanks Seth!), Effect of Aircraft-Cabin Altitude on Passenger Discomfort points to 6,000 feetor less as a cabin pressure for greatest passenger comfort.

The 787 is specifically cited as having a cabin pressure / cabin altitude equivalent to 6,000 feet. The figure for the A380 is interestingly inconsistent based on my research today and last night.

What am I really getting at?

All of this is to say, that when I compared how I felt getting off of a 14 hour flight on an Airbus A380, and how I felt after flying a second 14 hour flight on a Boeing 787-9 (with less than 8 hours in between), in a non-scientific way, I felt largely better following the Boeing 787-9 flight.

I attribute that, to the lower cabin pressure / cabin altitude. Because, as I’ve outlined above, for the most part, the A380 clearly has greater onboard passenger amenities. This of course is an interesting and challenging question for airlines, as they work to provide the best passenger experience (#PaxEx).

I never really gave the difference in cabin pressure a whole lot of credibility in my previous flights, like when I flew Japan Airlines’ 787-8, however that was just a 4 hour flight. But, after my flight this past weekend, boy am I sold, especially being able to compare 2 14 hour flights, separated by less than 8 hours on the ground.

Can you feel the difference of the cabin pressure on the 787, as compared to the A380 or any other modern aircraft? Is it work going out of your way, for you to fly the 787?

 

 

Air Malta launches Sky Spa

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Photo Courtesy of Air Malta.

Photo Courtesy of Air Malta.

via Runway Girl and XXL Solutions on twitter, Air Malta launched the first ever Sky Spa.

Air Malta launched the Sky Spa on their Malta-Gatwick-Malta flights, which included a variety of massage treatments, like neck massages. Air Malta was about to do this by teaming up with Myoka Spa’s, which are apparently well known in Malta.

It’s not clear when Air Malta will be offering this exclusive onboard spa experience again, but, it certainly seems like the best way to enjoy an intra-Europe flight, in my opinion.

Would you fly a different airline, if you knew you’d get a neck massage?

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