Scbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 11445 posts, RR: 50 Posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2979 times:
I've flown a number of flights on BA business class this year and all these flights have had the new 'flat bed' seats. The thing that intrigues me, and I hadn't thought about it till I had a window seat last night, is why are the window seats facing rearwards?
It's actually quite weird flying backwards - I had done it once before on WN flying to TUL, and you can get quite confused watching the flight display and trying to match what you're seeing out the window!
MoPac From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 215 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2964 times:
I believe it is because the seats are tapered in towards the feet to allow for more shoulder room, so they neede to be staggered to end up with straight isles. Is that possible or were my eyes playing tricks on me? BAs new flat bed C seats proper seem to be no wider than Y+
Plugger From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2913 times:
The flatbed seats are a scam if you ask me. They are narrow and hard. I prefer the full-size armchair seats the airlines used to have in first and biz.
And I don't like facing a stranger's feet when I'm lying flat-out trying, using in futility, to sleep in one of those narrow flat-beds.
Vimanav From India, joined Jul 2003, 1470 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2890 times:
The flat bed seats in BA's biz class are definitely narrower than the J/cl seats of comparable products LH, LX. It was a bit too high tech for my liking. Facing rearwards on the window side was a bit weird especially as I had this feeling of slipping off my seat and was definitely straining against my seatbelt for take off. Another thing was the light from the reading lamp which was had a blue tint. This kind of jarred against the overhead lights which were the normal white/yellow and took some adjusting for the eyes.
But so much for the seats. The IFE was however excellent.
rgds//Vimanav
Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai, Dekhnaa hai zor kitnaa baazu-e-qaatil mein hai
Kilavoud From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2878 times:
How is it possible to get refills to fly a little off in your own plane if you are in a flat bed ? Isn't this matter somewhat bound with inclination, is it ?
Dutchjet From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 7864 posts, RR: 58 Reply 5, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2859 times:
I have flown the BA J Class Flat Bed seat and was also underwhelmed.....the things are narrow; I do not like the 8 abreast on a 744 in Business Class,(when business class was first introduced in the early-80s it was 8 abreast and that is when business was nothing really more than full fare coach) even if the forward/backward facing seats supposedly add space. Give me a 6 accross "standard" business class seat anyday.
Question: Arent there special rules and regulations for "rear" facing seats, like Southwest has (had) in their 737s and now used on some sleeper seat/skybed products? If an airliner is in an emergency situation, I thought that the seats had to be able to withstand certain impact requirements to protect the pax and these are difficult to meet with rear-facing seats. Any info?
Sabena332 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2838 times:
In January I flew in BA's Club World from EWR to LHR (777) and I must say that it was the most comfortable class I ever flew in, the seats were great and not too narrow in my opinion, food and inflight entertainment was perfect too. Club World is an excellent product, I can recommend it to everyone.
B747-4U3 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2002, 983 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2793 times:
I have to say that the new flatbed seats are excellent.
Yes, the seats are narrower than those of other airlines, but, I'm not fat, so I don't find this a problem. They are extremely comfortable, and I think they are a much better option that the "flat" seats at an angle on other carriers.
The one annoyance I do have with them is that there is little space to store personal items such as a pair of glasses or bottle of water.
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7724 posts, RR: 55 Reply 8, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2763 times:
B747-4U3 is right, the flatbed seats are awesome. You'll get a great night's sleep. There is no way you can sleep that well sitting up in a big armchair (for those who miss the 80s-style business class seats). A completely horizontal bed, a couple of pillows and a blanket and you may as well be in your own bed at home.
However I have found it deeply irritating that there is nowhere to put reading glasses or anything, there are horizontal panels around the side of the seat but none of them are flat, all contoured and what have you.
I don't think BA's Club World product is that great, but the ways in which I think BA let themselves down have nothing to do with the seat, which is the best in the sky. Here's my trip report from my last time on BA Club World, which was about a fortnight ago:
Scbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 11445 posts, RR: 50 Reply 9, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2753 times:
B747-4U3,
This is certainly true on a 772, but on the upper deck of the 744, the config is 2-2 and, as well as overhead bins, the window edge has small bins for storage. These were excellent storage for shoes, water, glasses, etc.
If you are flying club world on a 744, try to get the upper deck - highly (ho, ho no pun) recommended!
DoorsToManual From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2747 times:
I honestly don't have a problem with these seats. I flew in a window seat to Cape Town when they were pretty new & most people in my cabin seemed happy enough.
Given I don't fly business class often, I may have missed the issue of width. Now if you ask me whether it's worth what they officially charge, I'd say no but that isn't relevant here.
The surveys show the flat-bed seats have boosted share in some competitive markets.
MoPac From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 215 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2674 times:
Question: Arent there special rules and regulations for "rear" facing seats, like Southwest has (had) in their 737s and now used on some sleeper seat/skybed products? If an airliner is in an emergency situation, I thought that the seats had to be able to withstand certain impact requirements to protect the pax and these are difficult to meet with rear-facing seats. Any info?
Dutchjet- I saw something on TV a while back (not sure the show or station) that discussed which direction is safer. I believe they concluded that rear facing seats were safer in an accident (for what reason I don't remember). The main issue with rear facing seats, according to the show, was the stresses placed on the floor trusses/beams on impact. I think the example was a 6 abreast 737 with rear facing seats. It showed that with rear facing seats the occupants' weight was distributed through the chair, legs, and ultimately the trusses differently in a high G impact than front facing seats. This ultimately lead to a higher risk of floor collapse with high density rear facing seats.
In business class or lower density situations however, the risk was eliminated as less weight was distributed through the same trusses.
Scbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 11445 posts, RR: 50 Reply 12, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 2601 times:
I thought the main reason why rear facing is safer in a crash is that the whole seat is taking the force of potentially massive deceleration. When you're forward facing, your body is thrown forward, and I believe the seat belt takes all of the strain, most likely causing serious internal injuries.
If I'm correct, then I can see that forward facing seats don't need to be as firmly anchored to the floor because the seat belt fittings are going to take most of the force (and probably break) before the seat fixing points get the full force. With rear facing seats, significantly more force will be transmitted to the seat fixings. Interestingly, whenever I travel on a train I will find a rear facing seat, believing it to be somewhat safer in the unlikely event of a crash (I also try to avoid sitting opposite a large person - I don't want them hitting me at 50mph+).
A physicist will come along now and totally refute my theory
Vermeer From United States of America, joined May 2000, 446 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (9 years 9 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2427 times:
I flew BA's C product a couple of times in the past 5 months and I have mixed feelings.
Seats are great for sleeping but I do find them narrow ( and I am lean) and as stated in previous posts, it is annoying not to have a place where to put your glasses, a magazine and a glass of water before going to bed.
What is irritating is the fact that wile I am trying to get some sleep on the short EWR- LHR I have to see in front of me someone munching on a chicken leg- very little privacy. I dislike the 8 abreast A LOT. The 777 was full both times and ithe cabin tfelt really tight and cramped.
Sevice was ok but food ( and especially the "quick meal") was absolutely bad.
Senorbob From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 25 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (9 years 9 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2329 times:
OK, so the seats aren't as wide as traditional business class seats, but the forward/backward arrangement ensures you have sufficient shoulder and elbow room so you can sit fully relaxed. Also, you don't have anyone reclining into your space which for me is the most important thing. I loved the foot rest which helps you to alter your sitting position and means you can fully stretch your legs out in an elevated position whilst seated.
I have sat upstairs by the window, which is the best on the plane as you get the extra sidewall storage. Last time I was in the middle on the main deck, and whilst there is less space to put personal items, there is still enough space to relax, and if you don't want to look at your neighbour, there is a privacy screen you can open out.
Flying backwards really doesn't make a difference - the only time it feels a bit odd is when you are taxiing. In fact facing backwards on the upper deck was great as you get an amazing view of the whole wing and see just how much it flexes on take off and in bumpy air!
Overall, I think it is an excellent product, and despite the fact that I am broad shouldered, I have never failed to have a comfortable and enjoyable flight in New Club World.
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