I think the J setup is actually a poor option. All that "privacy" really does make it hard to see out of the window unless you're in a window seat.
Were they happy with people hanging about the doors to see out?
If the Aurora had been cranking, then I'm confident that all would have been good. But I think it would have to be putting on a big show (bright and persistent) to overcome the downsides.
I suppose a good way of looking at it is by comparison with my flight over Antarctica (
PER-Antarctica-PER: over the ice in Ice.). In that case, there was plenty of time to see the sights - but they were continuous over about the same length of time we spent zig-zagging around looking for something ephemeral. In that case, many people, after the initial rush, were often content to be more casual in viewing - and being daylight made moving about easier.
And, very important perhaps, the Skybeds in the B747 made it much, much easier to share the space compared with 'suites'.
I had not thought about that aspect in advance, but after experiencing both it really shows up the limitations of the new J seating for these sightseeing flights.
Last night was a game of searching. They had someone from the company who ran it on the flight deck. He would give the alert that something was in view, which side, what angle and so on and the pilots would jink around to give both sides a view. The problem was most instances were pale or short-lived. There was no real opportunity to just sit staring out the window for some time just taking in a continuous show. The caveat being, of course, that we had a dud show. I have no idea how a good show runs.
Of course, I don't know how good a good show is and what that does for the overall viewing experience. I seem to recall another AFFer had booked from SYD or MEL but can't recall who and whether they have been or are yet to go. It would be very useful to get a report from someone who went when the display was good.
The people in 6F,K were a couple and they could and did lean heavily over each other constantly - almost to the point of being a little irritating. It would have been highly uncomfortable and inappropriate for me and the, ahem, largish lady who I swapped with. Similarly, I noticed that the lady and the gent in 8F,K were not known to each other either and were similarly restrained to me and my seat-swap.
They did say not to mill around the toilets (max two waiting) or in the galleys. I'm not sure how well that was adhered to, but I suspect quite well at least in J. I didn't try that option.
I guess the bottom line is: Would I do it knowing what I now know? Probably not.
