Any recommendations for J seats on 747-400

[juddles]

Flying in J on a Qantas 747 is truly two completely different scenarios depending on if it is a refurbished (or not) aircraft.

I think there are only a couple of non-refurb planes, but the only way to ascertain which scenario it is is via expertflyer, etc.

If it is an old non-refurb plane: definitely try to get into the old F seats in the nose. IMHO these are ok, but no better than the new J seats. But you seriously want to avoid the old J seats. But in any case, my main complaint regarding the non-refurb planes is that even in the old F seats the IFE screens etc are woeful. Forget upper deck in the old ones as the seats are nowhere near as good for sleep as the old F seats. But i suspect that WP+ pax get first choice for the old F seats.

If it is a refurb plane (most likely), then I would recommend the upper deck for novelty factor. All the physical seats are pretty much the same. Exit row is obviously slightly better for window seat access to aisle. I usually travel solo so love the lower deck "rock star" row 5 single seats - but these are no good if travelling with a partner.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But i suspect that WP+ pax get first choice for the old F seats.

Row 4 is open for general seat selection, at least for silver and above (not sure about bronze?)

 

[Daver6]

When travelling as a couple, I really like row 1 on the refurbs. Barely any foot traffic and nice and private.

 

[Captain Halliday]

For the benefit of those searching this thread late in 2017 or beyond, note that Qantas is retiring the older 747s with the old First class seats at about the time it starts taking delivery of the 787s.

Ref: https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-to-retire-its-five-oldest-boeing-747-jumbo-jets

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm normally relaxed about seat selection but today I find myself paralysed by indecision and FOMO.

I'm on QF15 BNE-LAX on 13 Dec travelling with Mrs H and Miss H. I'm currently in 5B the "rockstar" seat. We also have 6A, 6B behind.

I'd really like to try the upper deck before the fleet is retired and I'm unlikely to get another chance. As SG 14B is all I can see at present. Do I snap that seat and hope to get Mrs H & Miss H upstairs at T-80, sacrificing 5B in the process... and risk leaving them downstairs?

And this morning Row 3 has opened up - we could sit 3 across in the quieter part of the cabin, but sacrifice both the upper deck and 5B.

Flying is so stressful

 

[defurax]

I'm normally relaxed about seat selection but today I find myself paralysed by indecision and FOMO.

I'm on QF15 BNE-LAX on 13 Dec travelling with Mrs H and Miss H. I'm currently in 5B the "rockstar" seat. We also have 6A, 6B behind.

I'd really like to try the upper deck before the fleet is retired and I'm unlikely to get another chance. As SG 14B is all I can see at present. Do I snap that seat and hope to get Mrs H & Miss H upstairs at T-80, sacrificing 5B in the process... and risk leaving them downstairs?

And this morning Row 3 has opened up - we could sit 3 across in the quieter part of the cabin, but sacrifice both the upper deck and 5B.

Flying is so stressful



View attachment 111133

View attachment 111139

This is the seat map I see as a WP, so maybe you'll have a chance to get 2 upper deck seats at T-80.

 

[tgh]

We chose the exit rows upstairs last flight and would not repeat.
The air vents don't work properly as they were located for an earlier iteration.
We would move back a row if we booked again.
Reminded this trip how noisy the old girls are compared to the newer birds 787/380

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm normally relaxed about seat selection but today I find myself paralysed by indecision and FOMO.

I'm on QF15 BNE-LAX on 13 Dec travelling with Mrs H and Miss H. I'm currently in 5B the "rockstar" seat. We also have 6A, 6B behind.

I'd really like to try the upper deck before the fleet is retired and I'm unlikely to get another chance. As SG 14B is all I can see at present. Do I snap that seat and hope to get Mrs H & Miss H upstairs at T-80, sacrificing 5B in the process... and risk leaving them downstairs?

And this morning Row 3 has opened up - we could sit 3 across in the quieter part of the cabin, but sacrifice both the upper deck and 5B.

Flying is so stressful

Consider this... would you fly in a 737 BNE-LAX if it was an option and if it was fitted with flat beds?

That's exactly what you're getting with the upper deck of a 747. It's narrow, low ceilings, flexible floor, lots of foot traffic to and from the galley and WCs.

Downstairs... wide cabin, plenty of locker space. High ceilings. Quicker boarding and disembarkation.

If it was a MEL-SYD tag flight I'd go upper deck. If you had a guaranteed window... maybe. But otherwise my vote is downstairs. And then, probably snag the row 3 seats.

 

[Happy Trails]

Consider this... would you fly in a 737 BNE-LAX if it was an option and if it was fitted with flat beds?

A 737 with just 18 seats, side bins for storage and two FAs?
Sure would.

 

[juddles]

If you are travelling with 2 others, I would definitely recommend lower deck forward cabin. Row 3. It is a small cabin numbers-wise but great for travelling with family.

 

[Sdtravel]

Interesting that the upper deck isnt recommended. Im on qf73 in a few months and have selected 14k. The upper right exit window. Which did you have tgh?

On my flight at the moment i can't get row 3. Only row 1,5-8 on the lower deck and 11,12 & 16 on the upper.

3 of up travelling but since its only the bassinet row on the lower deck or the big main area i thought the upper deck would have been a good idea.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It

Interesting that the upper deck isnt recommended. Im on qf73 in a few months and have selected 14k. The upper right exit window. Which did you have tgh?

On my flight at the moment i can't get row 3. Only row 1,5-8 on the lower deck and 11,12 & 16 on the upper.

3 of up travelling but since its only the bassinet row on the lower deck or the big main area i thought the upper deck would have been a good idea.

I think it's only me that doesn't recommend the upper deck (for business class).

I think some like the idea of exclusivity? but that comes at a high cost IMO.

 

[tgh]

We were 14 a/b a few months back Bne > Jfk ….although we have been in many of the upper deck seats over the years.
I have also been in the front in an old F seat ; that was nice as the big windows seem to make it more airy.
Upper deck remains our choice , for the quieter environment and (arguably) more personal service.
Flying roo long haul, we would probably choose 15 a/b if we had our druthers.

 

[amaroo]

We're another that likes the upper deck ..... didn't hesitate to allocate 14/15 A/B for our JFK-BNE flight home early next year.

 

[Sdtravel]

From my youtubeing 14J/K still have great legroom despite the crew seats in front. Because of the crew seats they are slightly further back than 14A/B meaning that 14K gets a bit more access to the side lockers and windows. Which would address the air vents issue tgh referred to.
Is this not the case?

Only other issue i can forsee is a last minute sub for a nonrefurb where these seats dont exist.

 

[serfty]

I'd take the roe 3 seats ... 3E/F are in the top 8 seats for mine.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks for the input and opinions. I've shifted the gang to Row 3.

I have a touch of buyers remorse about the rock star seat, but that will fade. Fingers crossed I can jag 3 seats on the upper deck at T-80.

 

[Daver6]

I've not sat in 3 E/F combo, but have been in the nose section. Seems like you get less than zero privacy in those seats.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

agree, but I guess you don't really get privacy in any of the seats, upper deck and row 5 included. Row three does however give you lots of space and a commanding view of the cabin from your 'throne' seats.

As for the 'rockstar' seats... maybe if you have sufficiently high status! Otherwise they're just ordinary seats, with ordinary service and no special recognition. Except the benefit of a solo seat.

 

[juddles]

agree, but I guess you don't really get privacy in any of the seats, upper deck and row 5 included. Row three does however give you lots of space and a commanding view of the cabin from your 'throne' seats.

As for the 'rockstar' seats... maybe if you have sufficiently high status! Otherwise they're just ordinary seats, with ordinary service and no special recognition. Except the benefit of a solo seat.

It truly depends if you are travelling solo or not - I always take the rockstar seat if by myself, but my understanding is that the op is in a family group of three - hence my advice to go row 3 all together.