Floor Space Comparison

I'm pondering my TR following my first taste of UCS, and given that I have flown the same route on KLM Business class, I am of course comparing the two.
And this got me wondering: For a given length of cabin, how does the seat count compare between UCS and eg. 2+2+2 with @70" pitch?

Because me and MRS PVG reckon that the UCS is just clever (and cheap) packaging, and the difference in seat count in no way justifies the price differential!

[Scrooge]

ok,couple of questions.

Which route?

Which KLM aircraft were you on? as you said 2+2+2 im guessing it was an A332 in which case there are 30 seats in WBC.

When you do your TR please post a comparsion between VS and KLM.

It also of course depends on which aircraft in the VS fleet you are comparing it to.

A343 = 34 suites
A346 = 48 suites
744 G/M = 14 suites
744 LHR = 50 suites

LHR-PVG is the route i'm comparing.
KLM usually fly 744 Combi on the route, which is a very spacious 2+2 downstairs and slightly less spacious 2+2 upstairs with around 26 IIRC WBC seats on.
But I was only thinking of a general comparison. Take 'x' metres of a 346 and fill it with 1+1+1 of UCS or 2+2+2 of normal business class seats.... I guess the 343's that had J2000 are the best comparision for this. Though i never had the honor!

I've done one TR for a trip to Seoul and back from Shanghai in April, (this was my first ever long haul in Business class, so was suitably impressed, but now having tasted UCS I'm still impressed with the lesser offerings of KLM given the price), I will of course compare the two closely in my TR!

[ChuckC]

Simon,
The problem with trying this type of comparison is that the Upper Class Suite is a self-contained space rather than a forward-facing seat. Then there's the issue with most other business class seats not reclining 180 degrees. In other words, it's probably not a good comparison all the way around.

That said, I'm a tall man and do on occasion find UCS to be a little cramped for space, particularly across the shoulders on the 346. But overall I think UCS is an excellent product where privacy, convenience, comfort and personal space are heads above other J Class offerings.

Space, etc. is oft discussed here. Please check out the Search feature for other opinions.

Regards,
Chuck-

[preiffer]

If I recall correctly, the J2000 had either 50 or 52 suites in for a 744. The UCS layout has 48 - so there was *technically* a floor space/passenger increase at the time...

[Scrooge]

Crap,cant count now,love ambien

Originally posted by preiffer
If I recall correctly, the J2000 had either 50 or 52 suites in for a 744. The UCS layout has 48 - so there was *technically* a floor space/passenger increase at the time...

I think this answers what I'm getting at. The UCS is without doubt a cleverly packaged piece of kit, and for the first time ever I slept for a solid 5 hours in it (and i'm 6'5 and "broad shouldered"). The clever design means that the passenger feels they are getting more private space and a very comfortable bed, but the airline looses no significant number of seats for a given length of cabin... But still gets away with charging significantly more than airlines with older style seats.
There must also be a weight saving too? Probably only a couple of motors to do the whole range of movements in the UCS, where as I lost count of the number of axis of movement on the Asiana B777 business class seat I continued my journey in!
I'm sorry, I'm an engineer, I like to ponder these things... when I should have been giving my full attention to MrsPVG who i was leaving in China for a while [:I]

Originally posted by PVGSLF
I like to ponder these things... when I should have been giving my full attention to MrsPVG who i was leaving in China for a while [:I]

Any news on how long for? Should I buy a hat?

Hello sailor
As has already been spotted over in the clubhouse, missPVG quietly became MrsPVG on June 21st whilst she was over in blighty. But work commitments has us seperated again [:(](hopefully not more than a month before she can join me here in Seoul).
Hats will be required for the big party in China in October, when in chinese eyes it all becomes official [:o)]

I was away in JUne with a very dodgy internet connection. So I am afraid your news passed me by. May I be the first {not} to offer my hearty congratulations to you both. [y]

Well, thank you very much1 [:I]

No problem. Now then, are there any little PVG's on the way yet? We may call them Hong Qiao's I guess, it being the lesser airport.

(The question is a light hearted leg pull - you don't have to answer!)

Originally posted by sailor99
No problem. Now then, are there any little PVG's on the way yet? We may call them Hong Qiao's I guess, it being the lesser airport.

(The question is a light hearted leg pull - you don't have to answer!)

As I said above... I'm an engineer... and a perfectionist.... so I prefer to practise extensively first, to make sure i get it right [}:)]
But if it gets built, Hongqiao will be its V-Flyer name!

So long as you don't do blue prints and workshop drawings that's fine