Qantas A330-300 best seats

[Colrad]

Hi folks,

Am travelling to Shanghai via HKG early next month and the outbound and return MEL-HKG legs (QF 29 & 30) are both showing as the newly configured J. Has anyone got any suggestions as to the best seats. It's a solo business trip so preference is for one of the single window seats, but am open to suggestions. I have currently have 2K on both legs - with the 'console' on the aisle side.

Appreciate any advice from those who have experienced the new J cabin.

 

[NoName]

I'd also be interested I suggested best seats for a couple travelling with infant in J. Current have the centre pairing in row 5 but tossing up whether to go for aisle with either an A or K seat with the centre seat across the aisle.

 

[Colrad]

I'd also be interested I suggested best seats for a couple travelling with infant in J. Current have the centre pairing in row 5 but tossing up whether to go for aisle with either an A or K seat with the centre seat across the aisle.

Hi NoName,

Would you not get one of the bassinet seats (ie. 1A or 1K) with an infant? Either way I read somewhere else that a window seat with the console on the window side and the adjacent centre aisle (ie. Rows 1,3,5,7 with the A and E seats) was the best option for couples travelling together, due to the fixed divider between the centre seats.

 

[NoName]

Infant is nearly 2 so way too big for a bassinet. Would be happy with row 1 but was unable to select it anyway.

Agree that those rows would be ideal for a couple travelling so will most likely change. Hoping for a light load in J that day (October BNE-SIN) so we can give the child his own bed for a sleep part way through the flight.

 

[Colrad]

Infant is nearly 2 so way too big for a bassinet. Would be happy with row 1 but was unable to select it anyway.

Agree that those rows would be ideal for a couple travelling so will most likely change. Hoping for a light load in J that day (October BNE-SIN) so we can give the child his own bed for a sleep part way through the flight.

Understandable. Have a great trip!

 

[kermatu]

Hi folks,

Am travelling to Shanghai via HKG early next month and the outbound and return MEL-HKG legs (QF 29 & 30) are both showing as the newly configured J. Has anyone got any suggestions as to the best seats. It's a solo business trip so preference is for one of the single window seats, but am open to suggestions. I have currently have 2K on both legs - with the 'console' on the aisle side.

Appreciate any advice from those who have experienced the new J cabin.

I have sat in 2K a couple of times and think it is the best. Near front so quick service, but not too disturbed by staff. Console to the aisle affords more privacy. The seats in the centre alongside you (actually row 3 I think) cannot see you. So is very private. It's not the best J business config and the seat/space has its flaws, but certainly best Qantas has for a solo traveller in my opinion.

Enjoy.

 

[Colrad]

I have sat in 2K a couple of times and think it is the best. Near front so quick service, but not too disturbed by staff. Console to the aisle affords more privacy. The seats in the centre alongside you (actually row 3 I think) cannot see you. So is very private. It's not the best J business config and the seat/space has its flaws, but certainly best Qantas has for a solo traveller in my opinion.

Enjoy.

Thanks kermatu,

Reallly appreciate that. Interested to know what you mean by seat and space limitations. I deliberately chose QF over CX, because I wanted to try this new seat (and to maximise the SCs).

The overnight CX flight would have afforded more time for a leisurely dinner and tipple in the F Lounge, so it was a hard call.

hope I made the right one!

 

[kermatu]

Everyone has different views, but for me the CX and EK J seats are better. More legroom, storage space, and feel more 'solid' (if that makes sense). The QF seats are fine, but legroom is oddly aligned, is very hard to store anything at your feet. But has as good privacy as EK but without feeling quite so claustrophobic and boxed in. I have only sat briefly in CX J to be honest, but what I saw I liked. Will be flying CX J in a few weeks so will have a better comparator then.

There's a lengthy thread with photos of the QF config on this site. Under the Qantas Frequent Flyer section.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Are you right or left handed?

ABT did a great review in the best seats. All quite different according to row number.

I like the new QF product and I was brought up on CX and SQ

 

[serfty]

For a Couple using bassinet then 1A/1E or 1E/1K.

If no bassinet then any odd row A/E or F/K pairing. This gives a reasonably close pairing across the aisle.

Note the E/F pairing are not conducive to face to face discussion unless standing up. For someone in an E seat to access an F seat (or vice versa) they need to walk around through the galley. You cannot just slide across.

These are very private seats and for a person travelling solo, any Window (A or K) even numbered seat is great for that.

 

[Aeolus]

Just flew in from HKG today in 2A. I would say that's the best seat for solo traveller in terms of privacy. I really liked the IFE and storage area but found the leg rest area during complete lie flat configuration to be quite claustrophobic with not much space to move your feet. Had an elderly couple on the plane today complaining that they've selected window seats only to be given the middle seats due to the new config...hmmm can't satisfy everyone I guess. Oh, and bring your own noise cancelling headphones. The ones provided is quite low quality, worse than the A380 J ones IMO.

 

[eddie 73]

Have done qf29/30 a few times now, always seem to select 3a or 5a, which feel less private with the console by the windows. Really keen to move to even row numbers for better privacy. Have also found that sleeping in the 'odd' rows leaves your doona prone to falling into the aisle quite easily, and kicked by passing people. Annoying! The odd rows make it impossible to gaze down at the earth without standing up out of your seat. So even rows win for me...

And versus, skybed 11, it is a better seat allround. A little bit narrower, and yes the feet feel more claustrophobic, but the bed is flat, long, and nicely low to ground. Much better utility and amenity than skybeds. Just watch you dont drop spectacles or phones down between the seat and console - i have already lost a favourite pen and turned an iphone into a shattered glass banana shape upon returning to upright position.

 

[Colrad]

Have done qf29/30 a few times now, always seem to select 3a or 5a, which feel less private with the console by the windows. Really keen to move to even row numbers for better privacy. Have also found that sleeping in the 'odd' rows leaves your doona prone to falling into the aisle quite easily, and kicked by passing people. Annoying! The odd rows make it impossible to gaze down at the earth without standing up out of your seat. So even rows win for me...

And versus, skybed 11, it is a better seat allround. A little bit narrower, and yes the feet feel more claustrophobic, but the bed is flat, long, and nicely low to ground. Much better utility and amenity than skybeds. Just watch you dont drop spectacles or phones down between the seat and console - i have already lost a favourite pen and turned an iphone into a shattered glass banana shape upon returning to upright position.

Thanks Eddie,

Just logged into to my QFF account and it seems QF29 this coming Wednesday has been switched to the old J config. Very disappointed as I was looking forward to checking out the new set up. Ah well 2E it is in that case.

 

[Gazza129]

Have done qf29/30 a few times now, always seem to select 3a or 5a, which feel less private with the console by the windows. Really keen to move to even row numbers for better privacy. Have also found that sleeping in the 'odd' rows leaves your doona prone to falling into the aisle quite easily, and kicked by passing people. Annoying! The odd rows make it impossible to gaze down at the earth without standing up out of your seat. So even rows win for me...

And versus, skybed 11, it is a better seat allround. A little bit narrower, and yes the feet feel more claustrophobic, but the bed is flat, long, and nicely low to ground. Much better utility and amenity than skybeds. Just watch you dont drop spectacles or phones down between the seat and console - i have already lost a favourite pen and turned an iphone into a shattered glass banana shape upon returning to upright position.

Just come in from Qf29/30 this morning on A330. Seating in J a MAJOR issue for couples........ great wall of China in center pairings. Crew acknowledges issue and suggested filling out customer response form on QF website. The other problem is that you can't get your feet up and out in front of you a la a home recliner.If your feet are high the footrest won't extend outwards meaning your support is under your calf muscles. Bizarre decisions in design. I don't have an issue with the side aisles being for singles but the fixed fence is a game changer for us after we hade just given VA the flick.

 

[pauly7]

Just come in from Qf29/30 this morning on A330. Seating in J a MAJOR issue for couples........ great wall of China in center pairings. Crew acknowledges issue and suggested filling out customer response form on QF website. The other problem is that you can't get your feet up and out in front of you a la a home recliner.If your feet are high the footrest won't extend outwards meaning your support is under your calf muscles. Bizarre decisions in design. I don't have an issue with the side aisles being for singles but the fixed fence is a game changer for us after we hade just given VA the flick.

Funny, the Great Wall of China design is most decidedly an advantage for many pairs flying together