Slightly off topic again but can anyone offer reasonable explanation, and I've only flown on AF/KL B777's, why their -200 series are 9 across in economy but their -300 series 10 across in economy?
A quirk of timing really. On the first-generation 777s ten-abreast was an exceptional configuration for short-range domestic use like intra-Japan. The aircraft was designed for nine-abreast.
But by the time most airlines came to order the second-gen, Emirates and Thai had proven that Economy passengers could be stuffed ten-abreast on long routes too. SO it is the dominant layout on the 300ER.
Both AF and KLM are retrofitting their -200s to ten-abreast, I think they're nearly there or have recently finished doing so.
That makes them one of very few airlines to operate the first-generation 777 ten-abreast. Austrian is another, huge difference in comfort between their 767s and 777s as a result. BA briefly tried ten-abreast -200 back in 2001 on the Gatwick holiday routes.
Ironically Thai rolled-back to nine-abreast!