747-400 v's A330-300

[poppa]

Hello
First time to this forum and hopefully an experienced flyer can help me out.

I have the option of flying on either Qantas 747-400 or A330-300 from Syd-HKG in J class with girlfriend (in which I will propose)

I've researched the 747-400 and found there are 3 different classes (one class with diff versions) 2-class, 3-class Ver1 and 3-class Ver2, and 4 class - and some of the classes have different layouts for J.

Can anybody advise which of these classes of the 747-400 does Qantas fly out of Syd to HKG as I would prefer to have a 2 seat configuration and not end up sitting in a row of 3.

And then there's the A330-300 which only has a 2 seat conf in J which is what I want, but how does this aircraft compare to the 747-400 ??.

Any information on how these 2 different aircraft stack up against each other in J class would be appreciated along with information re the which class of aircraft in the 747-400 normally which flys out of Sydney, that way I can work out the seating config and try to book seats in a row of 2, if I'm advised that the 747-400 is a better plane.

Sorry to ask so much information in one hit, but being given the option of chosing between 2 different aircraft for the trip has got me wondering 'which is the best' for the special trip

Thanks Steve

 

[poppa]

I've been researching this forum and have found posts re the difference between CX and QF J classes, but can't find any info about preference between QF 747-400 and A330-300

Any views from experience would be great.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Hi Steve,

Qantas operates 4-class 747-400s on QF127/128:

14F/52J/32W/255Y
14F/50J/32W/255Y

.. as in the 747-400s fitted with Premium Economy. Often, when a Premium Economy-equipped 747-400 is not available, QF use your standard 3-class (First, Business, Economy) 747-400.

Skybeds on Qantas' A330-300s are more narrow compared to the seats on the 747-400 - other than that, there really isn't that much difference.

Zone F, commonly referred to as the "upper deck" is a nice place to sit. It's 4 abreast (2x2) and is much quieter than the lower deck.

Whether you opt for the A330-300 or 747-400, I wish you the best of luck and a very pleasant and memorable flight!

Cheers

Wunala Dreaming

________________________

QFlyer - Unofficial Qantas Group Fleet Information

 

[Travel Guru]

Just a personal opinion so take it with a grain of salt, but i'd fly on a 747 any day of the week over an Airbus, the 747 is a great aircraft to fly on.

All the best with the proposal.

TG

 

[poppa]

Can I request that our bus class seats are in the F zone (upper deck) prior to departure. I'm only a Bronze member so does that matter when it comes to get seats allocated on upper deck

 

[tuapekastar]

Can I request that our bus class seats are in the F zone (upper deck) prior to departure. I'm only a Bronze member so does that matter when it comes to get seats allocated on upper deck

You certainly can (but not exit rows), provided Qantas have not already sold/allocated a certain percentage of the cabin (I don't know exactly how much). They like to have some fexibility with seating at the airport on the day of the flight to cater for families needing to sit together, that sort of thing. So if your flight is still some way off you probably should be ok (no guarantee though), but ring Qantas and ask for your seats as soon as you have made/paid/confirmed the booking.

Some people prefer lower deck, some upper, but it's difficult to have a bad J seat!

Have a look at seatguru.com and/or seatexpert.com for some general guidance on seating.

 

[Evan]

I would not be too worried which one you end up on myself, but i would tend to prefer the 747 a little. Just because i like 747's but i have had many comfortable flights to Japan on the same A333's where i have all always tried for row 1.
E

 

[Evan]

Skybeds on Qantas' A330-300s are more narrow compared to the seats on the 747-400 - other than that, there really isn't that much difference.

Zone F, commonly referred to as the "upper deck" is a nice place to sit. It's 4 abreast (2x2) and is much quieter than the lower deck.

Really, i had not actually noticed that the skybeds were more narrow in the A330's, and i am not a narrow person. All i know is i rate the skybed as one of the best seats i have sat/rested/slept in (but never tried a 77W from SQ).

Yes upper deck on a 744.

E

 

[ANstar]

I thought the upper deck 744's were the same size as the A330's? (Ie only the lower deck 747 is slightly wider?)

 

[Harpoon]

I thought the upper deck 744's were the same size as the A330's? (Ie only the lower deck 747 is slightly wider?)

Nah upstairs on any 747 is single aisle. On QF 744's it's single aisle J class with 2-2.

EDIT: ooops do you mean the seat size?

To the OP - I would prefer the 744 myself. Reason being the 'communal areas' where you can stand around at the front and rear exits to stretch your legs seem to have a bit more space. Also in the 744's theres more places to crossover between the aisles to do 'laps' to get exercise.

As for your proposal, I think either would be fine if you plan to propose in your seats. Just make sure you request 2 seats next to each other when booking and again on check in. In J there are lots of these on the window+aisle on both 744/333 if I recall. I think the only place you might get a 3 seat J is in the middle of a 744 on the lower deck. Just request a window or upper deck.

 

[ANstar]

Nah upstairs on any 747 is single aisle.

On QF 744's it's single aisle J class with 2-2..

Sorry - I was talking about the skybeds them selves, not the size of the aircraft

I think the upper deck skybeds are the same as the ones on the A330.

 

[Harpoon]

Sorry - I was talking about the skybeds them selves, not the size of the aircraft

I think the upper deck skybeds are the same as the ones on the A330.

Yeah sorry I realised that afterward

 

[NM]

Skybeds on Qantas' A330-300s are more narrow compared to the seats on the 747-400 - other than that, there really isn't that much difference.

The actual seating width is exactly the same for all Skybed seats. The only "width" difference is in the centre arm rests between pairs of seats. There are two different Skybed arm rests in use, one is used on 747-400 upper deck and lower deck zone B and C. These have the slightly wider arm rests that include the document storage.

The other are used on A330-300, A330-200 and 747-400 Zone A and have the slightly narrower arm rests without the document storage.

But all current Skybeds (i.e. Mark I skybeds) have the same seat cushion width whether installed on A330 or 747 aircraft.

The difference in arm rest width is not sufficient for me to ever choose an aircraft type based on this fact.

 

[holdenvxman]

The other thing is you can you in a request for upgrade to f class on the 744 if it is a 3/4 class service if you are on a buinsess paid ticket

 

[Flying Fox]

I would go the 747-400 upper deck every time as its like a private jet with an exclusive cabin.

 

[GDSman]

Agree with upper deck 747 every time. Quiet, private and I think would help a special moment along.....

 

[Dave Noble]

Other than if I have the exit seat, I will avoid the upper deck

Small overhead bins , longer to get off at the other end plus people walking about the cabin causing vibtration of the cabin floor

I wouldn't care whether the flight was a A330 or a 744 if travelling in J; whichever has the better schedule is the one I would choose

Dave

 

[vt]

Other than if I have the exit seat, I will avoid the upper deck

Small overhead bins , longer to get off at the other end plus people walking about the cabin causing vibtration of the cabin floor

I wouldn't care whether the flight was a A330 or a 744 if travelling in J; whichever has the better schedule is the one I would choose

Dave

+1

My future QF127 flight is booked into 16JK and QF30 is 16JK.

I would have avoided the upper deck if I did not get the row 16 seats.

 

[serfty]

... Can anybody advise which of these classes of the 747-400 does Qantas fly out of Syd to HKG as I would prefer to have a 2 seat configuration and not end up sitting in a row of 3. ...

In this case take the A330, in J you are guaranteed to be in a 2 seater ...

 

[NYCguy]

I would go the 747-400 upper deck every time as its like a private jet with an exclusive cabin.

Well... Sort of... But not really.