Best J seats MEL-LAX VA 777

[Colrad]

Hi there,

Apologies if this has already been answered in another thread (and happy to be re-deirected), but I have a flight coming up MEL-LAX on VA in J at the end of the month, and I was wondering if anyone had flown in 2K on this flight - which is the furtherest forward on the right hand side. I currently have 3K, but 2K is now available and I would appreciate any views/reviews.

I have 1A on the return leg, which looks great as it does not abut a gal or lav.

 

[clipped_wings]

2K is supposed to have slightly more leg room in the footwell, due to the bulkhead. However it is directly behind the lav and galley, so be prepared for the angular curtain to be opened and closed regularly. 1A has the same curtain issue, but it seems to be a well regarded seat. I can't see a difference really, as passengers still move about the cabin and wander past you. There is no absolute best seat - they are all excellent.

Just be aware that the first row of D/G centre seats have the bassinet space. A crying infant may be the dealbreaker......

My only other observation was 6D/G in the forward cabin has a greatly reduced overhead locker. It's half the size of everyone else, so avoid that row if you can.

 

[Colrad]

2K is supposed to have slightly more leg room in the footwell, due to the bulkhead. However it is directly behind the lav and galley, so be prepared for the angular curtain to be opened and closed regularly. 1A has the same curtain issue, but it seems to be a well regarded seat. I can't see a difference really, as passengers still move about the cabin and wander past you. There is no absolute best seat - they are all excellent.

Just be aware that the first row of D/G centre seats have the bassinet space. A crying infant may be the dealbreaker......

My only other observation was 6D/G in the forward cabin has a greatly reduced overhead locker. It's half the size of everyone else, so avoid that row if you can.

Thanks Clipped Wings,
You've actually outlined what I was asking, better than I did! I did the same flight (albeit via Syd) three weeks ago, so I'm familiar with the cabin layout - but I couldn't work out why all the seat reviews rate 1A so highly, but don't seem to mention 2K. The only real difference as far as I can tell, is that 2K is directly behind the lav, whereas on the left hand side the lav is further forward nearer the cough-pit - and therefore further away from 1A. But as you say people still come and go past it. I guess the only way to really find out is to try it!

Last time if flew this bird, I had 3K and 4A which were both fine - amongst the most comfortable and easy to sleep in J seats I have flown. The bassinet reminder is a good one - and thanks for the tip on row 6!

 

[jsm2090]

I don't think you can go wrong, and I think 1A cops a good rating mainly due to the supposed status of getting this seat. It's not like it's in a LH 747 where 1A is literally the furthest forward you can go in the plane....... I'm flying this SYD>LAX in a couple of weeks and have been told to avoid rows 6 and 8 mainly due to their proximity to the bar.

 

[Colrad]

Thanks JSM, appreciate your insights. Agree it’s hard to go wrong on this flight (I probably shouldn’t over think it!).

I took the SYD-LAX flight three weeks ago and the bar was not used a great deal. I spent about half an hour there chatting to one other passenger, who like me, just wanted a change of scenery. We were the only two pax there.

Even though it’s a day time flight, most J pax seemed intent on trying to get some sleep and reset their body-clocks to LA time.

 

[Spacetravel]

I have been in this seat before. TBH I felt like it was mostly the same as the others. One thing I did not like is because the seat is actually connected to the Lav every time someone would open and close the door I would feel the vibration through the seat, which became annoying while trying to sleep. So now on VA 777's and A330's in business I actually avoid the bulkhead.

 

[Colrad]

I have been in this seat before. TBH I felt like it was mostly the same as the others. One thing I did not like is because the seat is actually connected to the Lav every time someone would open and close the door I would feel the vibration through the seat, which became annoying while trying to sleep. So now on VA 777's and A330's in business I actually avoid the bulkhead.

Ah - that is very helpful feedback, thanks banana. I think i’ll stick with 3K.

Thanks so so much to everyone for your help.

 

[pauly7]

Ah - that is very helpful feedback, thanks banana. I think i’ll stick with 3K.

Thanks so so much to everyone for your help.

Good idea.

Usually the bar is quiet but I have been in a couple of flights where it wasn’t and VA staff didn’t make any effort to curtail the noise which was very irritating.

 

[Colrad]

Good idea.

Usually the bar is quiet but I have been in a couple of flights where it wasn’t and VA staff didn’t make any effort to curtail the noise which was very irritating.

Thanks Pauly7, it's a good tip. Might have just been lucky on my last flight - I didn't bother popping in on the return leg (LAX-MEL) as I found it a bit cramped and being an overnight flight, sleep was the number one priority.

Don't suppose you have flown in 1A and have any views?

 

[clipped_wings]

Don't suppose you have flown in 1A and have any views?

Clouds and sky. The same as 2A and pretty much everyone else.

Sorry, couldn't help myself

 

[jsm2090]

Clouds and sky. The same as 2A and pretty much everyone else.

Sorry, couldn't help myself

This is what it comes down to! I spent countless hours planning for my first SQ J and first A380 trip back in 2008, ensuring I got the right plane, the new seat, the best seat etc etc...... only to board, take off and find out the recline motor wasn't working, and the IFE kept freezing. There's only so much within our control in this universe!!

 

[Colrad]

Clouds and sky. The same as 2A and pretty much everyone else.

Sorry, couldn't help myself

Without knowing your gender...that is such a Dad joke!!!!!

But it made me smile nonetheless.

 

[Colrad]

This is what it comes down to! I spent countless hours planning for my first SQ J and first A380 trip back in 2008, ensuring I got the right plane, the new seat, the best seat etc etc...... only to board, take off and find out the recline motor wasn't working, and the IFE kept freezing. There's only so much within our control in this universe!!

Yep. Had a similar thing happen when QF introduced the new 1-2-1 'business suites' configuration on the A330 MEL-HKG route. Spent way too much time selecting, changing my mind and reselecting my seats...only to board and find there had been a late aircraft change and we were in the old angled flat 2-2-2.

Return leg - exact same thing happened.

Note to self: Picked a seat. Be done with it. Move on, nothing to see hear (except clouds and sky eh clipped?)

 

[clipped_wings]

Without knowing your gender...that is such a Dad joke!!!!!

But it made me smile nonetheless.

50 something female who still thinks farts are funny.

 

[Denali]

I found the bar quite for both flights, the seats are a privately bubble in themselves/don't leave, but the more forward the better.

We had 3 & 4a on the port side and was very happy with them.

I would have not choose the seats behind the bar area. Too much much traffic.

 

[Colrad]

I found the bar quite for both flights, the seats are a privately bubble in themselves/don't leave, but the more forward the better.

We had 3 & 4a on the port side and was very happy with them.

I would have not choose the seats behind the bar area. Too much much traffic.

Thanks Denali, appreciate you taking the time to respond and agree with your assessment. I had 3A three weeks ago and loved it, but it's not available on my upcoming flight so exploring other options - including those further forward!

 

[pauly7]

Thanks Pauly7, it's a good tip. Might have just been lucky on my last flight - I didn't bother popping in on the return leg (LAX-MEL) as I found it a bit cramped and being an overnight flight, sleep was the number one priority.

Don't suppose you have flown in 1A and have any views?

No worries. Yes I have and was quite noisy with light pollution - agree with the others.

I prefer rows 4,3 and 2