A380 Really Nervous: Any Advice

[MR N]

Hi.

I have booked a trip to London on 3/7. Its Qantas and the A380 economy. OK I'm not good at flying.

My last flight was 2010 Sydney to Melb on a 737 400 economy, its was so horrible, very very cramped. This is what I am using now to judge my flight to London.

I'm reaaly nervous that economy will be very cramped. I am not tall 5'7 and have read so many horrible stories about economy. I cant afford to go premium so IF I go this will be it.

I would need to take a mild sedative a couple of times during the flight. Thats OK because I am used to them as I am a nervy person anyway.

I know people suggest exit rows and bulkhead seats but I am going on the assumption that the 4 of us will be in the middle rows.

Any good or bad experiences with Qantas A380 ecomony are welcomed.

Apart from being a touch nervous re the A380 my biggest Fear is feeling very cramped in the economy section.


Thank You.

 

[moa999]

Mr N..
Welcome to AFF.


Economy is by its nature relatively cramped, but the Qantas A380 is probably a better way to experience than most aircraft.

It is certainly a much newer and quieter aircraft than your 737-400 experience.
The other advantage is that you will have a decent sized entertainment unit in the headrest of the seat in front which should help pass the time.

Qantas now charges for exit rows in Economy so worth calling them or your agent to see if there is availability and what the cost is. Ultimately however the majority of people in Economy are sitting in normal rows - so it is not an unusual experience.

Good luck on your London adventure.

 

[SeatBackForward]

If you do end up in a row of 4 in the middle, try to swap within your group to get an Aisle seat. I find that being able to view up and down the aisle alleviates the "crampedness" to some extent, as it gives you a good view up the aircraft.

Also, the A380 has much better In-Flight Entertainment that your flight from SYD to MEL, so hopefully that will also allow you to relax a little more.

 

[drewbles]

I've only done the A380 once (not from lack of trying). I'm 6'4" and found it comfortable enough.

The A380 has better seat pitch (room from the back of the front of the seat to the rear of the seat in front) than any other QF aircraft in economy.

If you can get an aisle seat you're set I say (I'm 6'4" and generally refuse to ever fly economy). If you prefer a window, get a window though.

Your experience as mentioned will be like night and day to the old clunky 737-400's. Totally different. The A380's are super quiet, better cabin environment, and feel far more spacious. They're also very surreal during takeoff and landing in that the flights i've had on it, you don't really notice the take off and the landings were super smooth.

Of course some sedatives may assist if you're not a good flyer. The in-seat IFE on the QF A380 is excellent. Huge selection of Movies, TV shows (full series!) and hundreds of CD's in digital format to listen to. There's also a USB port if you so desire to charge up an iPad/iPhone/Tablet if you want to BYO.

Good luck though

 

[harvyk]

Like the others are saying, the B734 vs the A380 is like chalk and cheese. I'm much taller than you (at 6'2) but still fit into the seats in economy. (it's the class I fly the most ) Despite what you see written here, there is nothing wrong with flying economy, even long haul, and on an A380 is certainly a nice way of doing it.

 

[HarryB]

Agree with the others, the Y leg room in the 380 is better but given your fear of flying that's going to be the least of your concerns. Alert the cabin crew when you board and I'm sure they will do what they can to make your trip more pleasant and comfortable. Make good use of the entertainment and the hours will, err, fly by.

Enjoy your trip and try not to let your fear of flying get in the way of enjoying yourself while on holiday.



Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[ozmille]

If you decide on a row of 4 try to get row 71DEFG and take the D seat for yourself, there is no seat in front which gives it a lot of extra space.

 

[freepyjamas]

Mr.N,

There's more room in international economy than domestic, so you'll have a bit more of a feeling of space (especially at 5ft 7). However, you'll be on that thing for 24 hours, so it's inevitable that you'll feel a bit hemmed in at times... it's unavoidable and everyone feels it, so try not to stress too much about it. It's just a part of the experience, and you'll get through it.

As others have said, if at all possible avoid a middle seat. Aisle is best, then window.

Look, economy isn't that bad. I know we all cough about it on here, but it's all a part of the game. And Y on the Qantas A380 is about as good as Y gets. At your size (which is mine by the way) just tell yourself that it's like Premium Economy would be for a guy who's 6ft 5. There aren't many times when being shorter is a real advantage in life, but air travel... race car driving... and avoiding getting shot at are three of them.

A380's a great plane to be a passenger in. Its sheer size means it tends to flatten out the small bumps you often get North of Australia, and as others have said, you barely have a sensation of take-off and landing in this beast.

 

[mannej]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't most of QF Y seat pitch standard at 31 inches, domestic or international?

 

[harvyk]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't most of QF Y seat pitch standard at 31 inches, domestic or international?

According to seat guru you are correct, and I suspect seat guru is also correct, but as someone who has had the pleasure of flying Y in every type QF has (except their 717's) I can assure you that the different types feel like they have different pitches. In fact according to seat guru, the best Y I can find is a DH8 at 32", and yet that is the type I feel most squished in.

 

[MR N]

Thanks for your replies I will be travelling with wife & 2 kids, so aisle seats would be good. I am thankful that some are saying that the A380 might be better than I am fearing.

Funny but understandable, as we are all different people have different perceptions. At 5'7 I guess I shouldnt complain although 31 inch pitch isnt great but I guess as long as I can get comfy (kinda) it might be OK.

Nobody concerned about safety, wing cracks dodgy engines tec ?

 

[MR N]

Mr.N,

just tell yourself that it's like Premium Economy would be for a guy who's 6ft 5. .

Haha, absolute gold. Thanks for that made me feel a little better.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Thanks for your replies I will be travelling with wife & 2 kids, so aisle seats would be good. I am thankful that some are saying that the A380 might be better than I am fearing.

Funny but understandable, as we are all different people have different perceptions. At 5'7 I guess I shouldnt complain although 31 inch pitch isnt great but I guess as long as I can get comfy (kinda) it might be OK.

Nobody concerned about safety, wing cracks dodgy engines tec ?

As your travelling companions are family, all sitting adjacent, once airborne, you can all flip up armrests and spread out even more if need be. I'm also 5'8" and have no problem with the pitch, its the shoulders and the tug-of-war on the armrests that always frustrates me.

As for safety,.. I have faith in pilots and engineers (am one myself albeit I don't like the things we build to move a lot), have a read of the "ask a Pilot" thread to see how complex flying an aircraft is, and how technically capable pilots are.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Nobody concerned about safety, wing cracks dodgy engines tec ?

Not at all. No reason to be concerned about those things. As seatbackforward has suggested, there is a thread here which is now some 200+ pages long of Q&A with a Qantas A380 captain. The thread is here http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/ask-the-pilot-30478.html

Have a look through some of the posts in there, I am sure they will put your mind at ease.

 

[Andyzx]

Welcome to AFF Mr N, the domestic experience is very different to international especially the A380. A few other suggestions for you, some of these are QF online only.

Check in online 24 hours before your flight and select seats either window (you have to get over other people to get out of your row) or isle easy access (will have to let others out). Window has the benefit of a view, isle the benefit of easy access. Suggest the four of you get 2+2 (seats ABC, or HJK sides) rather than seats D-G 4 uness you have very little kids. You can move rows if you don’t like where you are or just for a change in scenery, I am guessing its 2 adults and 2 little people, depending on how little they may want to sit together and the 2 adults can hold hands

Buy a bottle of water to take on-board or an empty bottle and fill it, they provide water but I like more than that, they also have water in the self-serve bars as well.

Get / Ask for pillow, blanket, you will get an eye mask, ear plugs are in a little pack you will have on your seat.

Select different meal types if you have a preference, e.g. veg. Don’t drink coffee, too much caffeine.

Get to the airport early, suggest about 3 hour before is usually fine, there is nothing worse than panicking if you are running out of time at check in queues. Relax as much as possible in the departure area before you get on your flight, both Syd / Mel have good departure area’s, past emigration. Other may not agree?

When you get to Singapore (I guess?) but anywhere, take a walk, gets the circulation / muscles working again and tires you out for the sleeping leg, don’t just sit next to the depature gate.

Take a good book, magazines or other things that you enjoy doing whilst relaxing. Read the current liquids, hazardous materials etc. just in case you want to take anything unusual on-board.
Read some of trip reports on here for Y / econ flights. There are a number and it will help give you an idea what to expect.

Drugs, many on here are not a fan of taking medication but I do, not always, but to LHR I suggest that you do. Have a relaxant as well as a mild sleeping tablet. Sleeping is the best form of relation.

Write a trip report to post on here, we are always interested and add your tips as well. Usually these trips are an enjoyable experiance, relax as much as possible, don't worry about the things you cannot change you will get there. Once you have landed read the signs at LHR to know where you are going but most people will be heading the same way.:arrow:

 

[harvyk]

Nobody concerned about safety, wing cracks dodgy engines tec ?

Short Answer - Nope...

Long Answer - QF have engineers which go over the plane with a pretty fine tooth comb looking for problems. Granted not all are found which is why you do get the problems as listed above. That said you are pretty slim odds of actually being involved in a mid air incident (airlines are quick to point out it's safer than driving, and yet most people will hop into a car without giving it a second thought, even in destinations where the roads are considered the most dangerious ), and personally I'm more concerned with my checked baggage not making it to my destination than I am with my plane not making it to my destination.

 

[Andyzx]

Nobody concerned about safety, wing cracks dodgy engines tec ?

Recently went to HKG on Nancy Bird-Walton of engine problems over Singapore fame, It was great, even the crew we talked to seemed upbeat that she was back.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

If you decide on a row of 4 try to get row 71DEFG and take the D seat for yourself, there is no seat in front which gives it a lot of extra space.

I had this seat on a trip to the USA and is fabulous for the leg room, think it would be pretty popular though so not sure if you can book it in advance. If I were you I would have a mild sedative to take and try and sleep as much of it as you can if flying makes you really nervous...Good Luck

 

[VHOEJ]

I flew on the A380 last week - everyones advice has really covered it.

- Make sure you get an aisle seat, it is amazing how much that can make a difference.
- Go for a walk regularly and go to the self service bars. Just getting up from your seat can make a difference.
- I have never tried the sedatives to calmness or sleep but if you have them, that will make a huge difference. If you can sleep most of the way, that will really help.
- The IFE is really excellent - I find watching a couple of 20 minute shows can really make the time go by quicker than a move. Just don't stare at the flight map.
- Let one of the crew know about your situation. They deal with it regularly - I had a crying toddler who was screaming for a couple of hours - I felt sorry for him. The crew did everything they could to help the parents out, heating up milk etc. I can't fault the A380 crew - just let them know and they will look out for you.

And good luck!

 

[AVC]

Nobody concerned about safety, wing cracks dodgy engines tec ?

Look at it this way. NBW had a reasonably spectacular, uncontained catastrophic engine failure. Which in turn took out quite a few of the ship's systems. And they still made a fully safe return and landing. That's got to be a testiment to the safety of the bird.

There is stacks of redundancy built in. No single failure of a component can disable the aircraft. They are safe. Much safer than your car zipping down the freeway at 110 kays.