Qantas 747 - Upstairs or Downstairs?

[Rugby]

Mrs Rugby and I are flying on QF 21 shortly in J and at the moment the plane is the config with the Skybed Mk I seats in what was the old F cabin. I've selected seats in the old F cabin, as opposed to upstairs - the only reason being we haven't flown that seat/cabin combination previously. Seeing they have the same seats, which is the preferable cabin, upstairs or downstairs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JessicaTam]

Mrs Rugby and I are flying on QF 21 shortly in J and at the moment the plane is the config with the Skybed Mk I seats in what was the old F cabin. I've selected seats in the old F cabin, as opposed to upstairs - the only reason being we haven't flown that seat/cabin combination previously. Seeing they have the same seats, which is the preferable cabin, upstairs or downstairs?

Thanks in advance.

I would think that the front of the downstair of the old config would have the old F seats, so are vastly preferable to any Mk 1 J seat.

 

[markis10]

I would think that the front of the downstair of the old config would have the old F seats, so are vastly preferable to any Mk 1 J seat.

Not if it's one of the non F birds such as OJA

 

[samh004]

The allure of flying upstairs has worn off for me. I usually want to get off the quickest and being upstairs on a 747 doesn't tend to help with that.

 

[Rugby]

Unfortunately it doesn't have the old F seats. But happily we do have that config for QF 22 on the way home.

 

[JessicaTam]

Not if it's one of the non F birds such as OJA

Ahh, thanks for the clarification.

 

[Rugby]

Ahh, thanks for the clarification.

OT but JessicaTam are you a newly minted Mod or have I just not been paying attention?

 

[samh004]

OT but JessicaTam are you a newly minted Mod or have I just not been paying attention?

Newly minted, an early Christmas present.

 

[UP4014]

I quite like upstairs J myself.

Matt

 

[PaulST]

How do the views compare? I enjoy being able to get a good look at the wing and engines so I imagine that up stairs would be better? But then I imagine that the upstairs windows may be angled upwards so you're not going to get the best view? Or not?

 

[Himeno]

If it has old F, Zone A. If not, upstairs window seat. Side storage bin.

 

[harvyk]

Normally I'd say upstairs, however if it's a choice between upstairs or old F, old F wins out.

How do the views compare? I enjoy being able to get a good look at the wing and engines so I imagine that up stairs would be better? But then I imagine that the upstairs windows may be angled upwards so you're not going to get the best view? Or not?

If you want to be able to see the wings and engines, downstairs for sure. Zone B would give you the best views. Upstairs you can sort of see them if you tilt your head forwards, but downstairs in Zone B, you get a really good view of both engines and the wing. Zone A (old F) walls start going inwards towards the nose of the plane, so can't really see wings.

 

[PaulST]

If you want to be able to see the wings and engines, downstairs for sure. Zone B would give you the best views. Upstairs you can sort of see them if you tilt your head forwards, but downstairs in Zone B, you get a really good view of both engines and the wing. Zone A (old F) walls start going inwards towards the nose of the plane, so can't really see wings.

That surprises me actually as I sat in the front row of PE on my last 747 flight and it was well forward of the wing. We'll see tomorrow.

 

[JohnK]

I used to be a sucker for upstairs on a 747. Exit row my favourite.

But now I have discovered 5J downstairs it will be hard to go back.

 

[serfty]

If not sure of the config between old Four Class or new three class then 3E/F - they are good either way.

If confident of new three class then 5B or 5J, followed by 3E or 3F then 13A ...

 

[Daver6]

I haven't sat in 3E/F but have been in 1A/B and thought that 3E/F had a total lack of privacy.

Edit - This is for the new 3 class, not old F. Awesome seats for old F

If not sure of the config between old Four Class or new three class then 3E/F - they are good either way.

If confident of new three class then 5B or 5J, followed by 3E or 3F then 13A ...

 

[Rugby]

Thank you all for your input. I just logged into MMB to check our seats (as I do most days after reading something Serfty wrote sometime back) and the config has changed to the one with the old F seats and I have gone with 3 E/F - so no slippery dip seat. I'll keep watching the booking though to see if any last minute changes over the next few days.

 

[amaroo]

Excluding F seating option, I always head north ... love the minibus feel + it won't be long before they're sitting in some desert.

 

[Ausbt]

I decided on Row 16 up for my upcoming QF21. Noted Q did change it to a new config at one point but then changed back to Sky Mk 1 again. Will be first time upstairs on any 747 for me so that's the motivating factor for me. Most important thing is that Japan appears to have been belted with powder this year!

 

[harvyk]

+ it won't be long before they're sitting in some desert.

Don't remind me