Following the official launch of Qantas' Boeing 787, Australian Business Traveller had the opportunity to nestle into the new economy seat as a taster of the what many travellers will experience once the red-tailed Dreamliner takes to the skies from late 2017.
The economy cabin's 166 seats will be arranged in a 3-3-3 layout.
While some of the 'seat elite' set are making their expected grumbles against this nine-across configuration, rather than an eight-abreast cabin (with 2-4-2 seating), the fact is that nine-across is the industry standard for the Boeing 787.
The Qantas Boeing 787 economy seat pitch is set to 32 inches, which is one inch more than the Qantas Airbus A380's economy seats.
And that one extra inch makes quite a difference, not just in legroom but in knee-room.
Bear in mind that hundreds of passengers fly each day between Sydney and Dallas on the Qantas superjumbo – I've done it, and I'll be first to agree that it's not comfortable – so this extra inch will be appreciated, especially on those very long flights which the Dreamliner will be making.
(Touted routes such as Perth-London, Sydney-Chicago and Melbourne-Dallas will all exceed 17 hours.)
And while the Boeing 787 economy seat is slightly narrower than Qantas' A380 benchmark – around 17.2 inches, down from the superjumbo's 17.5 inches – it's not something that anybody will notice. We're talking about less than half the diameter of a 5c coin.
Each economy seat reclines up to six inches, and passengers on those long Boeing 787 flights are certain to spend a lot of time in 'laid-back' mode.
It's quite comfortable, and more importantly, the extra inch of spacing between the seats means that even when the seat in front of you is fully reclined it won't be as intrusively 'in your face' as on other aircraft.
This photo gives you a sense of the practical room between seats, and also shows that I'm not always as po-faced as I may appear.
Qantas has put some thought into other ways to make the long trip slightly less of a trial.
Two netted pockets at the bottom of each seatback hold the airline-issued headphones and a water bottle.
(Our tip: bring your own noise-cancelling headphones, especially something super-compact like the Bose QC20s, and fling the supplied headphones into the overhead locker. Ditto for everything in the magazine pocket, barring the safety card of course, so there's more room for your own reading material or a tablet).
Up top sits an adjustable 12 inch touchscreen for the inflight entertainment system – and we know that's going to get a workout on those long flights.
Directly beneath this is a panel which reveals a nook for holding small personal items such as reading glasses.
The fold-down door to that cubby doubles as a stand for a tablet.
The setup here shows an iPad Mini, but a standard-sized tablet to around 10 inches (which includes most iPads and Android tablets) should also perch there without drama.
Note also the handy location of the USB port, so you can keep your tablet charged up while it's in use.
(There's also a universal AC socket lower down, between the seats, with two sockets for each set of three seats.)
The tray table slides up and out from a recess below the cubby.
This makes it possible to watch videos playing on your own tablet during the meal service.
The tray table flips back into a half-depth table if all you need is some space for your drink.
Also read:
- Qantas Boeing 787 business class revealed
- Qantas Boeing 787 premium economy remains a mystery
- Here's what we know about the Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Does Qantas need first class suites on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner?
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
28 May 2016
Total posts 128
Great looking seat, looks like QF has hit the money even though it is 9-abrest.
12 Feb 2014
Total posts 229
That is an excellent design for an economy seat. Some real thought has been put into how people like to organise themselves on a long flight. Be great to see this turn up on domestic aircraft, though I'm guessing the extra legroom for the 787 makes all these clever design enhancements possible in the first place.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 232
Love that little/tray thingy - brilliant idea, excellent thinking.
I can also see from that photo with your keys that you don't drive a Toyota and that all of the magazines on the 787 are one month behind...
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
The keys etc were props set up by Qantas, not mine.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 232
You need keys for a 747?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2013
Total posts 33
Have to start the 747 somehow
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
Hi David, out of interest, how tall are you, so we can put into perspective your height ratio with the seat... Did notice in one of the pics your legs are crossed so there definitely seems like more room between the seats... however, once the seat in front reclines, your tv screen seems to be very low and you are watching the tv from an angle above?
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@highflyer:
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
Re the keys....may be QF does not partner with Toyota.....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 232
That's right, Qantas partners with RollsRoyce ;)
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@fxdxdy:
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 232
It is clever. It effectively allows you to have all the space of the usual sized tray but split in two which in some cases is more useful.
I can't think of anyone else that does it but I'm sure it will be copied soon.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 54
big shame its 9-abreast like jetstar but at least still looks pretty good, the netting is a big +
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Dec 2014
Total posts 50
It's 9 abreast like like practically every 787 on the planet. As mentioned in the article it is the industry standard. People just need to accept it and move on.
18 Sep 2015
Total posts 127
It's not the industry standard as defined by the maker. It's what the greedy customers (airlines) have done to bugger up the design intent.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@parishiltons:
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
The features look great and are definitely a big step up, but wheres the padding? Looks like minimal backside cushioning an almost nothing for the back. After 17+ hours, I can imagine lots of very sore passengers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 95
They should put them in the offices at Qantas HQ for all the staff and make them live/play/work in them for 17 hours straight!!!
Then rebuild them according to the feedback and suggestions...
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 201
Do the headrest sides fold out? And what is the red padding between the headphones and magazines? A padded divider or a QF goodies bag?
20 Apr 2014
Total posts 93
'Seat Elite' - who exactly is the target audience for this article? Business Travellers or Qantas PR trying to get a handle on the negative publicity around the LCC seat configuration on the 787?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 462
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@John Phelan:
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
And good luck trying to find an AVOD-enabled screen with USB connection in a Y seat on any LCC...."
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@Dave:
20 May 2015
Total posts 581
The seat width is disappointing but the added amenity is welcome. Still, I don't see why they couldn't have just slimmed the aisles a little and made the seats 17.4" rather than 17.2"...
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
11 Jul 2016
Total posts 8
I think the extra 1" of pitch has come from less padding on the seat rather than physically putting the seats further apart.
24 Nov 2016
Total posts 1
Thickness of the seat padding has nothing to do with seat pitch. If you had an extra 1" pitch and the seat back was also 1" thinner, you would have an extra 2" of space.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 465
I believe that seat pitch is measured as the distance between the same point on one seat and the seat in front. This means it does not take into account the seat thickness and therefore does not represent the true legroom. I have no doubt that this configuration is better than other QF seats, but there would not be room for a bottle in front of my knee!
24 Nov 2016
Total posts 2
Hmmmm. Interesting that QANTAS has decided to use the classic Holden bench seat configuration. I suppose it work for busses and trains.
24 Nov 2016
Total posts 2
How can I put this delicately......It's going to be interesting to press thighs/rub butts for 9+ hours with a complete stranger...must admit I do prefer a prefer a more defined seat cushion...
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 75
Wow, they have seats that will recline? Who'd have thought. Be some punch ups on these planes then, won't there be!
04 May 2015
Total posts 262
Err, most airlines have seats that can recline because they're designed that way (and the person behind can recline too), and most passengers manage to get from A to B without punching other people en route. I say "most", because there are always exceptions who learn that lesson the hard way...
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 75
I was actually being sarcastic.....
15 Jun 2013
Total posts 9
The seat itself looks an excellent design and the extra 1" of pitch is great. However the measurement of seat width is misleading as it's taken between the inside of the armrests and this means that by reducing the thickness of the armrest you make the measured width of the sest bigger. It is in no way a figure for comparison.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
You make a very good point here. The review would have been better with David being up against a cabin wall and the two other seats occupied. Qantas has done well with this review i feel
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Apr 2011
Total posts 106
@John Phelan LCC Scoot's 787-8s have a 3-3-3 config in Y with a seat pitch of 31" but widths between 18.9 & 19.7"
20 May 2015
Total posts 581
Is that a legitimate measurement? Because frankly I cannot see it as accurate; the 787 is designed for 17.2"-between-armrest 9-abreast seating with 18" aisles and 2" armrests. The only way to get the measurements you're reporting is to include armrest width in the seat width, and slim the aisles to 17" (like on 10-abreast 777s).
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
While 9 across economy may have become an industry "standard", it is putting an extra seat per row in an aircraft designed for 8 across.
That is the problem people have with the 9 across.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
24 Feb 2016
Total posts 18
Qantas' 32" bring it into line with the long-haul standard - its nothing to be commended on. Its width (17.2" on 9-abreast means the armrests will be very narrow) being compared against the A380 is also a red herring - the industry standard A380 Economy class seat is precisely 18.5" - Qantas employs a full inch below that, and is clearly downsizing again on the B787. Are you incapable of critically analysing Qantas objectively?
20 May 2015
Total posts 581
"(17.2" on 9-abreast means the armrests will be very narrow)"
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 50
The A350 has 18" seat, 19" aisle but 1.5" armrests for its 3-3-3 configuration. So Airbus "cheated" a little by narrowing the armrest. Passengers are no way very much further apart, just a bit more individual butt room.
QF
12 Dec 2014
Total posts 6
I long ago accepted the 9-abreast 787 cabin, but why does it have to be 3-3-3? Why not 2-5-2? The benefits to the latter are obvious - there are only 18 "true" middle seats, whereas in the 3-3-3 there are 54 (using 18 full rows for 162 seats, the four outliers to reach QF's stated 166 Y seats have their own pros and cons). I know...makes the aisles easier to navigate when walking/pushing trolleys between classes, but really, I find the 3-3-3 to be salt on the wound.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@pzlams:
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 50
I would have thought 2-5-2 is better, because in theory, 8 out of 9 seats (~88.9%) have to be filled before being compelled to put any passenger in the dreaded middle seat. If the aircraft is less than 88.9% full, there should be no need to put anyone in the middle seat at all and those in the middle section can have the luxury of a empty seat in between.
In contrast, for 3-3-3, someone has to be allocated to middle seat once 6 out of 9 seats (66.7%) are filled, though I agree the middle seat for 3-3-3 should be more tolerable than the lone 2-5-2 middle seat.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@chewkc65:
QF
12 Dec 2014
Total posts 6
Thanks, FLX, that makes sense.
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 50
Yup, I guess FLX is correct. I count myself fortunate to be in the pointy end in most of my B777 flights, paid for by my employer. And most of my B777 flights are MH where Y class is 2-5-2 in MH's aging planes and which I managed to avoid. But most fortunate of all is not being a passenger in MH370 and MH17 back in 2014.
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 1
Any chance you could translate inches into cm for those of us who do not live in America?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jun 2016
Total posts 9
boy I hope those seats are memory foam as would not like to have a 14hr flight sitting on them.... they look so thin and the arm rests look totally uncomfortable and I am sure there will be a fight over who gets their arm on the internal ones!!lol
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 157
SJ: in case you don't have google: 1 inch = 2.54cm
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 650
or a ruler/tape measure....or basic maths skills!!! And I live in Australia :)
BA
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 23
Looking at the photo
26 Nov 2016
Total posts 2
Thanks for the review. I think the seat in front should be fully reclined as well to give a true idea of space(or lack of it).It has been proven that cramped conditions like this are unhealthy; Qantas should care for its customers more than its shareholders and management. There was more room on our recent China Southern flight (economy) Sydney to Guangzhou.
26 Nov 2016
Total posts 2
PS A foot rest should have been included
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
There's a 'footnet', similar to that of the A380 economy seat.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 650
MT: There is a footnet, (a la A380 style) but not mentioned in this article. Also not mentioned is an additional (mood/reading) light for pax use located in the seatback under the avod screen pointing down on to your lap area, so minimal light disturbance for neighbouring pax during the night. (as the ceiling reading lights light up everyone/everything around you). Reference Qantas 787 mini site.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
For those wondering: we expect to be on the delivery flight of the first Qantas Boeing 787 from Seattle at the end of next year (and no, there's no date set as yet) and we plan to spend some of that long flight sitting in economy as well as premium economy, so as to give both seats a bit of a real-world trial. Of course, nothing's going to replace doing a full 12-14 hr flight in a seat, but first things first..!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Oct 2016
Total posts 37
I hope they put this seat on the A380's when they finally announce it. I believe it will give Qantas a much better reputation.
23 Nov 2012
Total posts 24
The 3-3-3 layout on Etihad's 787 ex BNE gets very bad reviews with many pax saying it's unsuitable for long haul flights. Hope Qantas hasn't made the same mistake as the so called 'industry std' or not, passengers will vote with their feet.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 621
@AussieGuest:
23 Nov 2012
Total posts 24
Thank you FLX for your detailed analysis of my post. I wonder if you've had a look at the reviews published by skytrax? I did and thus chose EK for my recent BNE-DXB-MAN flight.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2011
Total posts 47
Sorry to be in the minority, but this is still awful. I wouldn't attempt to fly this on any flight over 8 hours, and that would still be torture. The seats are too thin, which I guess is where the extra inch has come from. Do you really want to fly 17 hours on that seat. I think not.
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