- Joined
- Sep 23, 2014
- Posts
- 45
- Qantas
- Gold
Recently travelled SYD-LHR-FCO return. Made a deliberate decision to travel QF1/2 to LHR and then on to Rome via BA so that I could maximise the QF metal time. And due to a special it was cheaper to do this rather than direct to FCO on EK, AND earned more SCs.
12 months ago flew EK A380 to DBX, and then 777 from there, so I am comparing to that A380 experience.
I am a mere Silver FF, with QC to make flying a little more bearable. (but will attain SG this year due to Double SC offer)
I love flying, but only the first 3 hours, then I've had enough. So I usually put a lot of effort into seat selection, making sure I have the most bearable experience possible.
I had done a lot of research into 48A and 36K, as these two seats are talked about as being pretty good. I had 48A SYD-LHR, and 36K LHR-SYD.
So here's my take on the seats:
48A is the front row of economy on the lower deck, next to an emergency exit. There is a galley to the right.
Being an exit row, the screens and tray tables are in the armrest. I am fairly large (5'11" tall) but the seat was wide enough. Better than the EK 777s.
The escape slide does protrude into the cabin, however it curves away from you at the point closest to the seat. Angling my legs to the right I could fully stretch out.
The reason I like a window seat is so I can see out and so have a vertical surface to rest my head on. I was able to do both of these things in 48A, and being an exit row, I could get up whenever I wanted.
There is also a nice little exercise area right in front of my seat.
I thought that other people might come and use my exercise area. Nobody did in the SYD-DBX leg. In the DBX-LHR leg only a handful of people came for a stretch. Probably because the toilets are in the opposite direction.
So most of the time the only people walking past were cabin crew to get to the galley.
There is one of those magazine holder things on the wall next to 48A, which is chockers with stuff, but you can still fit an iPad in there, and sit things on top of the magazines. There is a handle on the door frame for crew to hold onto so they don't fall out while closing the door. This handle makes a very nice cup holder. (not with liquid in the cup though!) 48B and 48C have no such luxury.
The housing for the escape slide makes a very convenient shelf if you need to put things there while getting in and out of your seat.
I might also point out that 48C is a paid extra leg room seat.
Yes, there is no escape slide, BUT, nowhere to put anything, and they are right next to the galley. The lady sitting there put her bag in front of her seat, but the cabin crew had to ask her to move it as there was to much risk of them tripping over it as they went back and forwards to the galley.
The galley was not really annoying, however the first crew left the galley lights (with curtain drawn) on full the whole trip. The second crew dimmed them when they had finished what they needed to do.
36K. This is the rear right hand side row of economy on the top deck, behind Premium Economy. There are about 12 (I think) rows of economy here.
In other posts I had seen this section described as a little oasis. I don't think I would agree.
Yes, there are a lot less people there - but!
It is a lot noisier than 48A due to engine noise.
There were cabin crew going back and forth all the time because the galley immediately behind 36K services Premium Economy, so you have twice as many cabin attendants and carts moving about.
Because the galley was behind us, the galley lights were shining straight onto my seat.
There is not much baggage stowage. The overhead lockers upstairs are smaller than the downstairs ones. (and the downstairs ones are smaller than the EK ones)
This cabin section is effectively divided in two by emergency exits, and there are no overhead bins above these exits.
The bins there are have quite a bit of stuff in them already. When we came back from our stop at DBX the bin I head used in the previous leg was full of a bag of rubbish from the previous sector.
Cabin attendants were quickly running back and forth taking people's bags into the Premium Economy section to stow them.
Yes, there is a big bin against the bulkhead, but it's not big enough for bags. OK for pillows, blankets etc...
It is really bumpy here. The tail wags a lot!
Because of the curvature of the hull, there is about 1/2 a metre between the seat and the bulkhead, which meant it is impossible to lean against the window. I you are a side sleeper like me, this lends to an extremely uncomfortable night. (which is exactly what I had).
There was a metal box underneath 35K, which meant I was highly restricted in where I could stretch my legs out. I had far more leg room in 48A, even with the escape slide.
The seat DOES fully recline, and it is nice not having to worry about annoying a person behind you. This is the ONLY saving grace I can think of for this seat.
Summary - I found 48A far superior to 36K. 48A is in my view superior to most other seats with the exception of the slight intrusion of the escape slide.
But the pros far outweigh this small con.
In my view the only plus for 36K is not having to worry about seat recline etiquette, but I'm afraid this seat just didn't do anything for me.
The quality of the meals themselves is good, but they really are reminiscent of a microwave dinner. Not what one would expect of a full service airline (as Qantas keeps reminding us it is).
Meals on EK are far better, with metal cutlery. I also notice that Qantas has a policy of no pork or alcohol products in any of their meals, no doubt because of the Emirates arrangement.
If they want to have halal available as an option - fine, but why impose this on everyone. It's not as if they're cutting up a pig in the galley, all they're doing is reheating a meal box.
Interesting to note that on the BA leg from LHR to FCO breakfast was an extremely tasty ham & cheese croissant!
I would have to say that comparing the product my view is in general EK is superior, although it can be hit and miss.
Also, the EK cabin crew are good when everything goes to plan, but they are not good at thinking on their feet. Anything outside the box and they are likely to run for cover.
Emirates Lounge at DBX is amazing, even though we didn't have a lot of time there. Makes one think that the Sydney QF lounge needs to life its game. Just having a couple of extra hot meal options would be a massive improvement.
(Although I really enjoyed the curry that was there).
No lounge access to BA lounge in Heathrow to FCO as not flying in a QF ticket, however did get priority check in AND boarding which was nice. Likewise no lounge access at FCO flying to LHR.
American Lounge at Heathrow is comfy, apart from loud Americans. Few hot food options.
12 months ago flew EK A380 to DBX, and then 777 from there, so I am comparing to that A380 experience.
I am a mere Silver FF, with QC to make flying a little more bearable. (but will attain SG this year due to Double SC offer)
I love flying, but only the first 3 hours, then I've had enough. So I usually put a lot of effort into seat selection, making sure I have the most bearable experience possible.
I had done a lot of research into 48A and 36K, as these two seats are talked about as being pretty good. I had 48A SYD-LHR, and 36K LHR-SYD.
So here's my take on the seats:
48A is the front row of economy on the lower deck, next to an emergency exit. There is a galley to the right.
Being an exit row, the screens and tray tables are in the armrest. I am fairly large (5'11" tall) but the seat was wide enough. Better than the EK 777s.
The escape slide does protrude into the cabin, however it curves away from you at the point closest to the seat. Angling my legs to the right I could fully stretch out.
The reason I like a window seat is so I can see out and so have a vertical surface to rest my head on. I was able to do both of these things in 48A, and being an exit row, I could get up whenever I wanted.
There is also a nice little exercise area right in front of my seat.
I thought that other people might come and use my exercise area. Nobody did in the SYD-DBX leg. In the DBX-LHR leg only a handful of people came for a stretch. Probably because the toilets are in the opposite direction.
So most of the time the only people walking past were cabin crew to get to the galley.
There is one of those magazine holder things on the wall next to 48A, which is chockers with stuff, but you can still fit an iPad in there, and sit things on top of the magazines. There is a handle on the door frame for crew to hold onto so they don't fall out while closing the door. This handle makes a very nice cup holder. (not with liquid in the cup though!) 48B and 48C have no such luxury.
The housing for the escape slide makes a very convenient shelf if you need to put things there while getting in and out of your seat.
I might also point out that 48C is a paid extra leg room seat.
Yes, there is no escape slide, BUT, nowhere to put anything, and they are right next to the galley. The lady sitting there put her bag in front of her seat, but the cabin crew had to ask her to move it as there was to much risk of them tripping over it as they went back and forwards to the galley.
The galley was not really annoying, however the first crew left the galley lights (with curtain drawn) on full the whole trip. The second crew dimmed them when they had finished what they needed to do.
36K. This is the rear right hand side row of economy on the top deck, behind Premium Economy. There are about 12 (I think) rows of economy here.
In other posts I had seen this section described as a little oasis. I don't think I would agree.
Yes, there are a lot less people there - but!
It is a lot noisier than 48A due to engine noise.
There were cabin crew going back and forth all the time because the galley immediately behind 36K services Premium Economy, so you have twice as many cabin attendants and carts moving about.
Because the galley was behind us, the galley lights were shining straight onto my seat.
There is not much baggage stowage. The overhead lockers upstairs are smaller than the downstairs ones. (and the downstairs ones are smaller than the EK ones)
This cabin section is effectively divided in two by emergency exits, and there are no overhead bins above these exits.
The bins there are have quite a bit of stuff in them already. When we came back from our stop at DBX the bin I head used in the previous leg was full of a bag of rubbish from the previous sector.
Cabin attendants were quickly running back and forth taking people's bags into the Premium Economy section to stow them.
Yes, there is a big bin against the bulkhead, but it's not big enough for bags. OK for pillows, blankets etc...
It is really bumpy here. The tail wags a lot!
Because of the curvature of the hull, there is about 1/2 a metre between the seat and the bulkhead, which meant it is impossible to lean against the window. I you are a side sleeper like me, this lends to an extremely uncomfortable night. (which is exactly what I had).
There was a metal box underneath 35K, which meant I was highly restricted in where I could stretch my legs out. I had far more leg room in 48A, even with the escape slide.
The seat DOES fully recline, and it is nice not having to worry about annoying a person behind you. This is the ONLY saving grace I can think of for this seat.
Summary - I found 48A far superior to 36K. 48A is in my view superior to most other seats with the exception of the slight intrusion of the escape slide.
But the pros far outweigh this small con.
In my view the only plus for 36K is not having to worry about seat recline etiquette, but I'm afraid this seat just didn't do anything for me.
The quality of the meals themselves is good, but they really are reminiscent of a microwave dinner. Not what one would expect of a full service airline (as Qantas keeps reminding us it is).
Meals on EK are far better, with metal cutlery. I also notice that Qantas has a policy of no pork or alcohol products in any of their meals, no doubt because of the Emirates arrangement.
If they want to have halal available as an option - fine, but why impose this on everyone. It's not as if they're cutting up a pig in the galley, all they're doing is reheating a meal box.
Interesting to note that on the BA leg from LHR to FCO breakfast was an extremely tasty ham & cheese croissant!
I would have to say that comparing the product my view is in general EK is superior, although it can be hit and miss.
Also, the EK cabin crew are good when everything goes to plan, but they are not good at thinking on their feet. Anything outside the box and they are likely to run for cover.
Emirates Lounge at DBX is amazing, even though we didn't have a lot of time there. Makes one think that the Sydney QF lounge needs to life its game. Just having a couple of extra hot meal options would be a massive improvement.
(Although I really enjoyed the curry that was there).
No lounge access to BA lounge in Heathrow to FCO as not flying in a QF ticket, however did get priority check in AND boarding which was nice. Likewise no lounge access at FCO flying to LHR.
American Lounge at Heathrow is comfy, apart from loud Americans. Few hot food options.
