While some facts may be true, that newer aircraft generations were designed to be compatible with better seating, entertainment options and luxury beds and showers, it is really up to the airlines to decide how much money they want to invest in providing their passengers with better cabin comfort. Let me emphasize this again, it doesn't matter if, for example, the A380 was designed to be compatible, and I repeat the word, compatible, for fitting larger seats, beds, showers, and LED mood lighting effects, it is still up to the airlines to make the money decision if they want to provide better passenger comfort. It is then, unfair, to put the blame of the aircraft types because if airlines doesn't want to spend the money to fit in those compatible extra options, you won't see them in your flight.
I have gathered a sample of different airlines' cabin layout on the A380s and B773ERs. The first image presents 6 major airlines that operate the A380 fleet. Please also note the 2013 SKYTRAX rating, with 5 stars being the highest. Singapore Airlines, of course, remains to be the biggest winner. First, carefully look at the seat widths and pitch of Economy class. Singapore offers 19 inches, while Malaysian, also a 5 star airline, offers only 18 inches. Now, many have praised Emirates to be a prestige carrier, but recently it has fallen down to a 4 star airline, and offers only 18 inches width (though yes, seat pitch is between 32 to 34 inches). Look at it's first and business classes, 23 and 18.5 inches, respectively, almost the lowest of all. Despite the longer pitch, seat width actually can provide you with a lot more comfort. Even if Singapore offers only 55 pitch in business, width is 34 inches, in a 1-2-1 layout. This means that the 55 pitch is more than enough leg room as every seat is an aisle seat. If you were traveling on Qantas or BA economy, well good luck, because you will be squeezed into a 17.5 inches seat with only 31 inches pitch. It may seem to you that 1 or 1/2 inch wouldn't make a difference, but think about your jeans, do you think wearing half an inch lower than your normal will make you uncomfortable? Every inch does makes a difference! You can also look at the total number of seats in each class to know how different airlines want to make more profit out of more seats. Singapore installs 311 economies, while Emirates, with just 10 less business seats, squeezed in 399 economies. All A380s, different airlines, different willingness to invest in passenger comfort, but all classified as higher quality airlines. So what if their services, smiles and food are outstanding? You will loss your appetite in a tiny seat!
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| A huge fluctuation in cabin layout comforts, despite being all A380s. |
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| SQ A380 first class, 35 width, luxurious comfort KE A380 first class, 26.5 width, nothing special |
Now let's look at the 777-300ERs. Below is a comparison between two 5 star airlines (Singapore and Cathay), two 4 star airlines (Air Canada and Emirates), and two 3 star airlines (Air India and AA). Given their 4 stars overall quality services, Air Can and Emirates actually give you the crappiest configuration. With economies down to 17 inches width, they have now squeezed an extra seat for every row. Generally, the 777s' economy configuration is 3-3-3, whereas recently, Air Canada and Emirates decided to make it 3-4-3. Same aircraft type, same fuselage width, but an additional seat. It would be obvious to feel uncomfortable on their 777s. It's also outrages when you look at Air India, where economies are 18 inches and first class 23 inches, all greater than Emirates. When you look at first class, SQ and CX are way above standard, with 35 and 36 inches width, respectively. However, both, with a 5 star rating, CX's business gives you 21 inches width, while SQ gives you 30 inches. Despite the fact that SQ has only 51 inches pitch, I have to once again emphasize that 51 pitch is more than enough in a 1-2-1 layout where every seat is an aisle seat. Looking at just economies, under the same aircraft type, same fuselage, same available compatible options, airlines like SQ who cares about real passenger comfort will give you a 19 inch seat, while airlines that make themselves look like a prestige airline may give you a crappy 17 inch that will most likely take away your appetite and screws up your ergonomics.
Now you're going to say, well but you pay for what you get; Singapore Airlines will charge you more! I prove you absolutely wrong, because last summer, I traveled on a Singapore A380, HKG-SIN, and paid less than a Cathay B777 flight, same direct route, same time period, newer aircraft.
Here is another example. With a current promo, Cathay actually cost you less with much more complimentary services than flying with Air Canada. Booking via their own company websites (cathaypacific.ca and aircanada.ca), under the same departure and return dates (April 7 - 11, 2014), Air Canada actually tricked you by including a non-direct flight on the return leg. To choose a direct flight, AC actually costs you CAD1,333, while CX costs you only CAD1172. With much wider seats, slightly more legroom, one extra free checked bag, and greater service quality, all on a 777, why not choose the 5 star airline?
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| Be wise, pick the right airline and enhance your flying experience! |
Why do people still try to sound smart by saying, "oh, it's cheaper to fly with this airline, oh, you pay what you get"? Air fares to me are no longer related to which 5 star or whatever star airlines you fly with; it's a matter of time, demand and special promos. So be wise next time! Do a bit more research, pay less, or maybe just slightly more, and enjoy exceptional flying experiences with the right airlines!
(Seat Information Obtained from Seatguru.com)
