Feasibility for US Style 'Transcon' product on Coast-to-coast services in Australia?

Feasibility for US Style 'Transcon' product on Coast-to-coast services in Australia?

Recently, several airlines in the US launched flat bed First/Business class products plus long haul economy product on board A321 and B752 aircraft for SFO/LAX-JFK Transcontinental services.

Back home in Australia, we are still using A332/A333 for mainstream coast-to-coast services, supplemented by B738, which provides inconsistent product throughout all classes.

Following the success stories in the US, I wonder whether VA/QF should replace their coast-to-coast service with B739ER fitted with flatbed business class and long haul economy product?

I believe this can enhance frequency (SYD-PER can increase from 5-6 daily to every 60-120 minutes throughout the day), moreover, it can also be deployed to top end (DRW) services and even short haul international services, such as CNS-HKG/CNS-SIN/PER-SIN.

Is it feasible?

It isn't feasible. If it was, VA or QF would be doing it. 

While it is typical a higher yielding sector for Syd > Per and Mel > Per for VA and QF, there's no way on earth a flat bed first product would sell. 

We don't have the weight of population transiting between the two. Perhaps if Melbourne was where Perth is and Melbourne and Sydney were both twice the size they are.

It also comes down to companies travel policies. Only a very small number of senior executives would fly first ove business on a 4 hour route in Australia. 

"Perhaps if Melbourne was where Perth is "

Better Sydney, I like Melbourne where it is :-))))))))

I like Melbourne how it is, but it would be an unstoppable city with the Perth climate, don't you think?

Perth is nice city, but I love Melbourne weather :-)

Only the most loyal melbourne advocates would say that in mid-June!

Indeed! Consider this - I have broken fireplace for last 2 months that I fixed only on last Sunday :-)))))

LAX-JFK is about 500km further than SYD-PER. There are a lot more travellers, and a lot more money (richer passengers). Flights are also cheaper (lower wages, fuel costs etc). It's easy to see there would be a demand. There wouldn't really be enough demand in Aus.

Agreed.

Also note: if your thinking big vs. small, Hong Kong to Taipei is done majority of flights as wide-bodies, with the odd smaller aircraft. 

If thinking of frequencies, then smaller and more often make more sense, but only if cost factors justify. 

Projections for capital cities put Sydney and Melbourne at around 8 million and Perth around 5 million by 2060, maybe more feasible then!

You're the first person I've ever heard that wants a 737 over an A330!

Doesn't VA already use a pure-flatbed fleet on this route? Aren't flatbed available on QF? Isn't the flatbed experience on VA/QF generally comparable or superior to what you'd get on UA/AA/DL anyway? I know it's three-class vs two-class, but is it that different? 

Anyway, no, I doubt a three-class SYD/MEL-PER service is viable. Very few three-class services are viable nowadays.

Plus, while many rich people in the US spend their time flitting between the two coasts, my guess is that rich people in Australia either rarely visit Perth or rarely leave it. 

Agreed.

The new VA J seat will be the same as the AA transcon F seat. The new QF A330 J seat will be almost the same as the DL J seat.

Both seats are superior to the UA transcon J seat.