Perth to Sydney on 747 in J, upstairs or downstairs?

[Mogul]

Travelling in J in 2 weeks from Perth to Sydney.

Is it better to choose a seat upstairs or downstairs?

Currently have chosen 15a upstairs.

 

[RooFlyer]

Upstairs everytime! Pref exit row, but on that short haul, not as important.

 

[VPS]

Definitely upstairs

 

[Sdtravel]

Cant agree more with upstairs. I've been in both the exit row and row 16 on long haul flights as well as downstairs on some others. Totally different flight experience. Upstairs it feels like a private plane. Less people around and I felt better service as well. Called emerald city for a reason i guess.
Bathroom indicator can easily be seen as well meaning you don't have to wait around as much I felt. Recently i did have a little wait so just went downstairs and used that.

Windows have the side storage bins which is always a plus. Something you don't get downstairs

 

[Austman]

If you can select rows 1, 2, 3 or 4 then downstairs is probably better. That's either F-class being operated as J class or J--class in the former F-class cabin.

If you can't select rows 1, 2, 3 or 4 then upstairs.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I would be upstairs.
Have flown the 747 in Y from PER - SYD, ouchie!
Have flown the 747 in J from BNE - SYD, upstairs, and would do that again if I had the chance.
Its a small cabin upstairs, and you feel like as if you are in a select space, I know, I know, self centred sort of thing, but still, nicer than being downstairs with the plebs!

 

[Austman]

Its a small cabin upstairs, and you feel like as if you are in a select space, I know, I know, self centred sort of thing, but still, nicer than being downstairs with the plebs!

I have been upstairs on 747-400s about 100 times (much more in fact).

While good, downstairs in rows 1, 2, 3 or 4 (F-class or the former F-class area), if you can get them, is better. It's even more intimate. And generally a LOT quieter. No wonder they put F-class there.

 

[Daver6]

If getting off quickly is a priority, don't select upstairs. My preference is the nose section downstairs. If not available, then I'd go upstairs for sure.

I really like the openness of that front section. Just seems really spacious. Upstairs I feel like I'm on a 737...but it is cosy.

 

[Mogul]

Thanks everyone for your input

I'll stay where I am upstairs.

 

[BAM1748]

Upstairs while you still can.

 

[Austman]

I'll stay where I am upstairs.

It will be good! And fun if you've never been upstairs on a 747.

But IMO it doesn't beat row 1 downstairs (if you can get it). That's really fab!

 

[kermatu]

Used to go upstairs but for a short haul I don’t see the need.

 

[cove]

Happy with row 2 as I have 2 items of carry on which makes coming down the stairs just a bit trickier.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

They probably won't serve a huge dinner onboard after takeoff, seeing its most likely the red eye that the both of you are doing on that 747.
If it were me in J, I would get to PER airport a bit earlier, even just to savour the PER QFd J lounge, maybe 8pm or 7.30pm for a dinner service.
It was that far back, I can't remember what I got in Y on my first red eye PER - SYD, dinner wise now.

 

[cove]

Our flight is this afternoon so we will go to the J lounge before the flight.

 

[Lifetime Bronze]

Wondering if travelling alone whether to choose 5B or 5J or would the upper deck still be better?
Upstairs is more private, but 5B & 5J have copious amounts of space.

 

[BAM1748]

Sit upstairs, close your eyes and think of the 60s and 70s

 

[cove]

Do many people drink Vermouth these days? I didn’t get into the J cabin until 1994.

 

[Mogul]

Lunchtime flight.

Looking at the seat map there appears to be a lot of spare space not allocated to seating on the upper deck on the left, right side has 4 galley symbols listed. Would this be an onboard bar/lounge area?

 

[Hvr]

but 5B & 5J have copious amounts of space.

These are IMHO the best J seats on the 747. Whilst upstairs is isolated from the rest of the plane if you need to disembark quickly you're already delayed.

Especially important when travelling overseas.