Aircraft Substitution - A380 to 747 - Skybeds Mk1 or Mk2?

[adrian]

My partner just received a call from Qantas that our A380 flight tomorrow, 4 April, on QF11 has been substituted for a 747.

I know that happens a lot, and it doesn't really bother me if I am on a 747, as long as it has Skybed Mk2.

Looking at the seat map, business class shows row 11-18 (upstairs) and 23-30 (downstairs). From Seatexpert and Seatguru, it would appear that these are Mk1 seats. But on calling Qantas, they insist that they are Mk2. But I'm hesitant to believe the person at the other end of the phone actually knew what the difference between Mk1 and Mk2.

Does anyone here know better? I'd like to change flights if the seats are Mk1, even though it would mean forfeiting a night's accommodation in LA, and a lot of other hassle.

Btw, we are travelling on AA issued DONE5's (on the AA codeshare)

Thanks in advance.

 

[moa999]

I think with those seat numbers it is a plane with F seats (now sold as J)
So I would be asking for Rows 1-4.

See maps here:
Seat Maps for the Boeing 747-400 Longreach | Qantas

 

[adrian]

I think with those seat numbers it is a plane with F seats (now sold as J)
So I would be asking for Rows 1-4.

See maps here:
Seat Maps for the Boeing 747-400 Longreach | Qantas

Rows 1-4 are showing up on the First Class seat map, so I guess they aren't available. It looks like they are still selling first on this flight.

So does that mean J seats are MK1?

 

[NM]

I think with those seat numbers it is a plane with F seats (now sold as J)
So I would be asking for Rows 1-4.

See maps here:
Seat Maps for the Boeing 747-400 Longreach | Qantas

What makes you think F cabin is sold as J? Expertflyer and KVS both showing F1 A1 for that flight, so that tells me there is F sold as F.

Does look like Skybed MK1 in business class.

 

[Limewood]

My understanding is all 747's have been refurbed so now no F, I have tried out the upgraded 747 - J with Skybed Mk2 brilliant.

 

[Happy Trails]

EF seat map shows mk1s.

 

[adrian]

My understanding is all 747's have been refurbed so now no F, I have tried out the upgraded 747 - J with Skybed Mk2 brilliant.

I am pretty sure they haven't been, but I would be very, very happy to be proven wrong tomorrow

 

[mannej]

My understanding is all 747's have been refurbed so now no F, I have tried out the upgraded 747 - J with Skybed Mk2 brilliant.

That's incorrect - only 9 have been refurbished. The rest are not being updated as they are being retired off.

What you may have heard is that the refurb program is complete, which is true, but the program wasn't for the whole 747 fleet

 

[lovestotravel]

My understanding is all 747's have been refurbed so now no F, I have tried out the upgraded 747 - J with Skybed Mk2 brilliant.

Only some of the 747's are getting refurbed, 9 from memory

There are others still flying not refurbed

 

[moa999]

9 of the 9 planes (the newest 747s) that were planned to be refurbed have been refurbed.

The others (I think 6 or 7 left) will remain with SkyBed Mk Is.
Most have F seats that is generally sold as J,

but obviously on a QF11 substitution QF will have sold F.

Unlucky sub for the pax.

 

[adrian]

Especially those pax, like myself, who have been assured by Qantas that they are Mk2 seats....

 

[Limewood]

oops. I went other way BNE/LAX/DFW/BNE those have new seats.

 

[serfty]

No row 4 = new Skybed Mk II

Can you switch to QF93 via MEL?

 

[JohnPhelan]

My understanding is all 747's have been refurbed so now no F, I have tried out the upgraded 747 - J with Skybed Mk2 brilliant.

No, only nine of the 747 fleet have been refurbed. The other seven have not been refurbed, because they will be retired over the next two or three years. The nine refurbed aircraft will be around for much longer.

Unfortunately for the OP, the seatmap he's talking about for QF 11 is one of the non-refurbed aircraft with Skybed I.

 

[JohnPhelan]

oops. I went other way BNE/LAX/DFW/BNE those have new seats.

Generally, the BNE-LAX run is served by refurbed aircraft. DFW-BNE is always served by refurbed aircraft, because only the 747-400ER can fly the distance required, and all six of the ERs have been refurbed.

 

[moa999]

I daresay also that if any A380 service is subb'd with a 747, they are more likely to put one of the planes with old F on it (so as not to have to downgrade F pax), and all the 747s remaining with F have SkyBed Is

 

[adrian]

No row 4 = new Skybed Mk II

Can you switch to QF93 via MEL?

Leaves too early. I am not even sure if I could make the 11am tomorrow morning from SYD..... I need to start packing.....

 

[adrian]

Checked in about 30 mins ago. The check-in agent assured me that it was MK2 seating..... I'm hoping he was right.... we'll see....

 

[simongr]

Guess this is Lindsay Wilson and markis10's fault given they broke NBW on the ay back from DXB.

 

[serfty]

... The check-in agent assured me that it was MK2 seating..... I'm hoping he was right.... we'll see....

You have been told porkies,

It's Skybed MK I (Pacific Configuration): http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744-14P66J40PY187Y.pdf

Here's the Business seat map (fully allocated):

Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Seat Map Search:
Departing SYD on 04/04/13 for LAX
Flying QF flight 11 in First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy

            A   B       J   K   
11  U       -   -       -   -       U   
12  U       -   -       -   -       U   
13  U       -   -       -   -       U   
16  U   E   -   -       -   -   E   U   
17  U       -   -       -   -       U   
18  U       -   -       -   -       U   
            A   B       J   K   


        A   B       D   E   F       J   K   
23      -   -       -   -   -       -   -       
24      -   -       -   -   -       -   -       
25      -   -       -   -   -       -   -       
26      -   -       -   -   -       -   -       
29      -   -       -   -   -       -   -       
30      -   -       -   -   -       -   -       
        A   B       D   E   F       J   K