Emirates Economy - A380 and B777 - Questions

[Aus ATC]

Hi,

Have not flown Emirates for many years, or international Y for a few, but a quick trip to Paris at the end of May sees Mrs Aus ATC and me in Emirates Y.

I made 2 separate bookings (saving a few $$) but not realising till afterwards that I missed getting us both free seat selection (me being QF SG) - only I have it. I rang Emirates to have the PNRs linked, but it still didn't extend the free seat selection to my wife. We will be taking our chances at T-48 when seat selection becomes free for all.
3 of the 4 legs are A380 flights, but the DXB-BNE return is on the B777 (not looking forward to that!). Seems EK are dropping the A380 to BNE in June (or just not offered the day we wanted to return).

I have read a few of the on line reviews for EK economy and overall sounds OK, but I have a few questions.

1 - Seat Guru suggests 32-34" pitch for the A380. Are the areas of the Y cabin where seat pitch is better (excluding the obvious exit rows).

2 - Are any of the seat footwells (A380 or B777) impeded by an entertainment box?

3 - If the flight is not full, does anyone have experience with having a seat blocked at check-in. For example if we select an A and C seat, would they block the B seat (guessing we would need to be towards the back of the bus for this to be successful). Or maybe a D and F seat where the E and G seats are vacant.

Thanks in advance.

Aus ATC

Edit: OOps - misspelled thread title!

 

[serfty]

I only have A380 experiance.

There are entertainment boxes but I have not found an issue.

Stalk Check in - there can be quite reasonable seats available due to EK charges deterring seat selection beforehand.

If you are not over 185cm then the centre bulkhead seats can be OK. Seat pitch is generally fine.

Can't help with seat blocking.

 

[JohnK]

I've done the SYD-BKK and BNE-SIN flights a few times and loads are on the light side. Economy on the 777 is ok but not as comfortable as QF 747/A380.

I've done economy on a HKG-BKK flight and the A380 is marginally better than the 777. My only experience medium-long haul SIN-MEL and I was upgraded to business on a very full flight.

One of the plusses I find with the 777 is the various mini cabins and greater chance of getting exit row/bulkhead.

 

[RoMambai]

I've flown both aircraft in Y in the last 12 months and I've found both to be quite comfortable. But I'm only 175cm and 70kg so YMMV (edit: I'm a bloke FWIW ).

On the 3 occasions I flew SYD - BKK (or reverse) I was able to get a row of 4 assigned to me through the EK lounge (I slept better that way than in J). I am Skywards Gold which may have made a difference.

On a couple of occasions they completely blocked the small rear Y cabin on the top deck even after check in but it was opened it up to the handful of Gold members not long after take off. If that is the case mention your status to the staff as you board so they can include you in the plans. It becomes a bit of an unruly land grab though as non Gold opportunists join the mob so sharpen those elbows as you stake your claim to the prime real estate.