thegivenone From Austria, joined Jan 2008, 137 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 13326 times:
Hi all,
In all the excitement surrounding today's EK+QF announcement, I decided to have a read-through of Emirates' Facebook page as I had not looked through it in a while. I came across what looks like a brand new slim line Economy Class seat with updated IFE, including a nifty looking new controller.
Does anyone have any more information on the new seat? What aircraft can it be found on? All future deliveries?
DesertFlyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 474 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 13102 times:
It looks narrow and thin, but at least it's big where it matters - the screen size. You have to compensate somehow...
PEET7G From Hungary, joined Jan 2007, 692 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 13039 times:
To take thing a little bit more serious, I just made a return trip to HKG and deliberately chose the direct flights from DXB (EK380/381) as it seems these months all flights are operated with the newest equipment on that route. It worked as my outbound flight was on A6-EGV (del:31-07-2012) and inbound flight was A6-EDW (del:30-08-2012 )
Now, to my understanding all 777s after A6-EGP are fitted with this new product throughout First (27" screen) Business (20"screen) and Economy (12.1" screen), and all new deliveries of A380s will also sport this fancy new system.
However as I found out A6-EGV was in fact fitted with it, but A6-EDW was still sporting the "old" ICE Digital system...
I flew F all the way, but I wouldn't be the aircraft enthusiast I am if I didn't walk all around the aircraft and "test" out the new IFE in all classes so, my experience:
The new system is outstanding, no freezes, no glitches or even delay in their operation. The capacitive input screens are like working on an iPad screen or a Galaxy Tab. the colors are vibrant and the capacitive input is remarkably accurate on all input devices, no matter if you are scrolling between the available films or adjusting your chair.
So all-in-all I think this is the most remarkable IFE system ever delivered on an aircraft.
As for the seats, F is as confy as ever, and although my butt tried the other seats only for a short testing I must say: of course Business is also as confy as ever, and the Economy seats where confy too, I would say like the slim ECO seats on LH long-haul...no difference, in fact maybe a little bit more knee-room, than the ICE Digital fitted ECO seats.
runzel From Australia, joined Dec 2011, 18 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 13026 times:
This seat in profile reminds me of the Y seat(s) I found on LH 735s earlier this year. They look skimpy, but are surprisingly comfortable, and effectively increase noticeably the seat-pitch. The 735s being medium-haul (FRAVNO usw) had no clunky footrests or hideous IFE boxes robbing footspace. Seems to me that having a 'slim-line' seat is a simple satisfactory solution to squashy seating. What excuse is there after all this time for seats installed with foot-space impinged upon by IFE boxes?
EK413 From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 3912 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 12760 times:
There was talk during today's announcement the 2 carriers would streamline and somewhat match their products... I'm certain this would mean EK is on the path of introducing a Premium Y/C cabin...
On the newest A380s and I believe also the 77Ws.. And yes, all future deliveries should get this. Who knows what they'll do in terms of retrofitting.. The difference between this new product and the old 773 ICE is out of this world.
As I indicated, currently the new system is on all 777 deliveries after and including A6-EGP. To my knowlidge no A380 has been yet delivered with it (not even the latest A6-EDW), but eventually according to current informations all A380s and long range configured 777s will be refitted with this system...however I dont know of any announced schedule for refitting, only one thing is sure all newly delivered plane should come with it, supposeably also the A380s coming from now on.
ordjoe From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 583 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 10856 times:
Looks like CX or the ones they will install on WN so they can squeeze a few more rows in. I have heard some say it is like sitting on hard plastic, others do not seem to mind.
smi0006 From Australia, joined Jan 2008, 1381 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 4107 times:
Quoting EK413 (Reply 7):
There was talk during today's announcement the 2 carriers would streamline and somewhat match their products... I'm certain this would mean EK is on the path of introducing a Premium Y/C cabin...
This is something that I find most interesting, whilst I could see great benefit for EK in W class how would they configure it on their aircraft? There isn't really any room for it on the A380s or the 777s? It think there would be a huge market it for it in a number of destinations that EK serves.
qf002 From Australia, joined Jul 2011, 2555 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4013 times:
They have not seriously put the headphone jack in the back of the seat in front have they? I realise it saves a lot of wiring and whatever, but that is about the most inconvenient and awkward place for it to be...
Here's to having to yank the jack out every time someone wants to get out of their seat/getting food everywhere while trying to eat/having the cable brush your arm constantly while you're trying to sleep...
Also (hate to be the devils advocate here) -- the bezel of the screen looks like it is now glossy -- is the screen itself now glossy as well?? That's going to cause big issues with the glare if they are...
Having said that, anything for an extra tiny bit of legroom
Sasha From Russia, joined May 1999, 858 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 3993 times:
Quoting sevenheavy (Reply 10): I could be wrong, but this looks identical to the system on VS A330's and refitted B744's?
Certainly the appearance of the controller, libraries etc. all look the same...
Very much so. Panasonic Avionics' eX2 system probably.
Had experience with such slim seats on Lufthansa's A320 fleet. All good, no difference noticed when compared to the conventional flotation devices If it makes for more leg-room - then only a welcome change.
PEET7G From Hungary, joined Jan 2007, 692 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 3961 times:
Quoting ordjoe (Reply 12): Looks like CX or the ones they will install on WN so they can squeeze a few more rows in.
There is no plan to squeeze in any extra rows. The already delivered aircraft are all delivered in the same configuration of 32" pitch, so the new seats (which are no harder than the ones before) mean more knee-room.
thegivenone From Austria, joined Jan 2008, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (8 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 3489 times:
Thanks to everyone for all the responses and discussion!
Quoting PEET7G (Reply 5): The new system is outstanding, no freezes, no glitches or even delay in their operation. The capacitive input screens are like working on an iPad screen or a Galaxy Tab. the colors are vibrant and the capacitive input is remarkably accurate on all input devices, no matter if you are scrolling between the available films or adjusting your chair.
So all-in-all I think this is the most remarkable IFE system ever delivered on an aircraft.
As for the seats, F is as confy as ever, and although my butt tried the other seats only for a short testing I must say: of course Business is also as confy as ever, and the Economy seats where confy too, I would say like the slim ECO seats on LH long-haul...no difference, in fact maybe a little bit more knee-room, than the ICE Digital fitted ECO seats.
PEET7G, I appreciate the mini-review and was definitely wondering how both the new seats and the entertainment compares to previous models. I am glad to hear how ICE continues to strengthen and maintain its position as the industry-best IFE. In thinking about next-gen IFE options, it definitely makes sense to me that EK has gone for an updated integrated ex2 system as opposed to Wifi/iPad-based system (although I understand these are still largely in testing). Some of the markets EK serves probably do not result in a majority passenger base with iPads/tablets, making it difficult to rely on these devices for IFE.
Quoting Sasha (Reply 15): Had experience with such slim seats on Lufthansa's A320 fleet. All good, no difference noticed when compared to the conventional flotation devices If it makes for more leg-room - then only a welcome change.
Sasha, I too have never had a bad experience with slim-line seats. I find the Lufthansa Groups NEK and the newer economy seat perfectly comfortable. Therefore, the pictures on EK didn't concern me, especially as it appears legroom has improved!
thegivenone From Austria, joined Jan 2008, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (8 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 3473 times:
Quoting qf002 (Reply 14):
They have not seriously put the headphone jack in the back of the seat in front have they? I realise it saves a lot of wiring and whatever, but that is about the most inconvenient and awkward place for it to be...
qf002, I experienced seat-back headphone jacks on SN's latest A330 cabins with RAVE IFE. I actually preferred this configuration as I often find myself or my seat partner unplugging armrest-plugged headphones. The RAVE ports were sturdy and with a sufficiently long cable you can easily route it around the back of the seat to avoid interference with food etc.
Quoting smi0006 (Reply 13): This is something that I find most interesting, whilst I could see great benefit for EK in W class how would they configure it on their aircraft? There isn't really any room for it on the A380s or the 777s? It think there would be a huge market it for it in a number of destinations that EK serves.
smi0006, I would also be interested to see how the cabin product consolidation pans out. I also wonder how EK would configure a W class -- probably 8-across on a 77W?
Quoting PEET7G (Reply 11): As I indicated, currently the new system is on all 777 deliveries after and including A6-EGP. To my knowlidge no A380 has been yet delivered with it (not even the latest A6-EDW), but eventually according to current informations all A380s and long range configured 777s will be refitted with this system...however I dont know of any announced schedule for refitting, only one thing is sure all newly delivered plane should come with it, supposeably also the A380s coming from now on.
Thanks again for the details. Looks like the new seat and configuration are still being tested and tweaked for A380 integration, or that EK was already contractually bound to the previous seat model for a few more deliveries.
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 2009 posts, RR: 19 Reply 19, posted (8 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 3426 times:
I understand stuff like this doesn't typically matter, but whats with the seat fabric design? With an airline like EK, I am sure they could upgrade to something that's somewhat more attractive.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
EK413 From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 3912 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (8 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 3048 times:
Quoting smi0006 (Reply 13): This is something that I find most interesting, whilst I could see great benefit for EK in W class how would they configure it on their aircraft?
I'll be interested too... I'm not familiar with the layout of EKs A380s even though I've flown on their aircraft a few times I look forward to the product being introduced and how they go about rolling it out on their B77W fleet too...
Quoting qf002 (Reply 14): They have not seriously put the headphone jack in the back of the seat in front have they?
Correct me if I'm wrong but appears to be a USB port and not a headphone jack...
Perhaps I was being a little harsh... I've had one experience with this sort of setup (ie headphone jack in the seat in front) and thought it was the stupidest thing ever -- I shall wait until I try it on EK before I make my final judgement!!
Quoting EK413 (Reply 22): Correct me if I'm wrong but appears to be a USB port and not a headphone jack...
Look further down -- just over an inch below the USB port is the headphone jack, with the cable sticking out...
You are right about the headphone jacks, but I myself find this design better, than the ones in the armrests. For example when getting out I clip them to the seat-pocket, or just slip them in it and this way the cable is no longer in the way, or when the armrest is in the upwards position, I find the old configuration more annoying...etc, but to each his own of course
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