QF A380 F question

[PaulST]

Good morning all,
I've managed to snag a QF F aware ticket on QF1 for September and am incredibly excited having never done proper long-haul F before and never with Qantas. I also really enjoy the view out the window, especially being able to see as much of the wing and engines as possible (odd I know...) For this reason, I've chosen 5A (I've heard 5K has a few buzzing sounds). My questions are as follows:
1) I understand 5A and 5K are the bassinet seats so is there a chance I may get moved (would I receive a phone call?) I'd hate to get bumped to a middle seat by a points upgrade 12hrs before takeoff.
2) Can you see much of the engines from 5A?

Many thanks.

 

[docjames]

I can speak to 5K not 5A. I didn't find the noise any more obtrusive than anywhere else in the cabin.

It'll be pretty awkward to get much of a view, the way the suite is designed, the window is a fair way away from the seat itself, and you'll have to contort to be able to see anything rearwards.

You can always put the external camera on the IFE to "see the engines".

There is a chance you can be moved at any stage due to the bassinet seat, not just in the 24hrs pre-departure. You can also get moved for a variety of reasons (eg. broken seat).

I've had "centre" seats a number of times and really, you can't see much out the window as they lower a "filter". And there's really no bad seat.

The best view outside in F is from the toilet where the window goes clear once the door is locked!

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the reply. I've heard that the in-board nature of the seats means that getting a good view out the window is difficult, but having said that, I'm fairly long and flexible! I'm glad to hear that the buzzing sound on 5K isn't bad as ausbt seemed to suggested that it was rather annoying.
We'll see I guess.

32 weeks and 3 days until check-in opens...

 

[drivatruk]

I have a flight coming up on QF 10 LON-MEL and I'm in 1A. Is that an ok seat??

 

[PaulST]

I have a flight coming up on QF 10 LON-MEL and I'm in 1A. Is that an ok seat??

From what I've researched, it can be a little noisey and you have all of the other F pax walking past you on the way to the bathroom or the 'lounge' upstairs. Having said that, the criticisms sound minor. There's also something special about the seat number 1A!

 

[BacchusMarsh]

From what I've researched, it can be a little noisey and you have all of the other F pax walking past you on the way to the bathroom or the 'lounge' upstairs. Having said that, the criticisms sound minor. There's also something special about the seat number 1A!

All four of the other F pax on your side of the cabin. I've never found it an issue.

 

[DC3]

.... and if you were on the other side (e.g., in 1K) there'd be nine other passengers (instead of four) who would wander past you ...

Nothing to really worry about, either way, in the big picture.

Edit: They're all pretty much well-heeled and you probably wouldn't notice any disturbance either way.

 

[PaulST]

.... and if you were on the other side (e.g., in 1K) there'd be nine other passengers (instead of four) who would wander past you ...

Nothing to really worry about, either way, in the big picture.

Point taken.

 

[La Mouette]

My preferences in order are 1A, 1K, 5A, 5K, any other A, any other K, any F.

A lot of people don't like the toilet noise in row 1.

But most of the disturbance of people walking through the cabin is the flight attendants. They do periodic laps around the cabin, so it doesn't matter where you sit.

To me, the worst disturbance is couples where one sits in the footstool seat for the main meal. If they're in the row behind you, the footstool occupier's head is right next to yours (closer than to his/her partner), and you hear their entire conversation. That's not an issue in row 5. But it's a rare occurrence, so I would still take row 1 first.

As others have said, you can't really see backwards out the window comfortably. Although I guess you could sit on the footstool! You could also sit in the lounge upstairs, which would have a wider view. Just remember that as QF1 is a night/night flight, there won't be much to see anyway ....

There's another lengthy thread just on A380 seat preferences, which shows everyone is different ☺

I've never been bumped from any F seat on Qantas. (Emirates tried to bump me from 1A once, but I refused, and they gave up.) But if you're worried, check your booking and EF regularly.

In any event, you'll get a call from the Sydney F host the day before the flight, who will confirm your seat, book your F lounge requirements like a spa appointment, and give you details if you need a porter, etc.

Enjoy your flight ☺

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the extra comments. I'm now considering 1A purely for sentimental reasons...

On the topic of being booted from 1A... the father of a work colleague, who was a very well-to-do fellow, booked 1A with BA who wanted to boot him. He refused unless they told him who was going to take his seat, to which they stated they couldn't say. This argument continued over several phone calls until he accepted (quite) a few points.
As so happens, he was personally thanked by Prince Charles for giving up his seat. Apparently it's easier to secure seat 1A than other seats in F, which is probably reasonable.

 

[amaroo]

As other have noted - not much of a view.

I've been bumped from 3K into 1K... checked in, and given BP in BNE, on arrival at SYD F lounge was told the seat was faulty. No worries, took 1K without a care in the world... boarded and the first thing I saw was John O'Neil happily swilling away in 3K.

CL trumps all others....

I've also been bumped from 1A on BA back into 5A .... couple with baby wanted 1A K. Fair enough - made sense so I was happy to change.

 

[maureeng]

I have a flight coming up on QF 10 LON-MEL and I'm in 1A. Is that an ok seat??

I was in 1A recently and it was a really good seat. You also get your meal first ;-)

 

[Daver6]

You could also sit in the lounge upstairs, which would have a wider view.

There are no windows in that little "lounge" upstairs though.

 

[eminere]

Could you also not sit on the ottoman/companion seat post takeoff, as that is more immediately adjacent to the window? Unless of course the OP's objective was to observe the takeoff roll and/or landing.

 

[clazman]

I was in 1A recently and it was a really good seat. You also get your meal first ;-)

Hopefully they havent run out of choices by then

 

[La Mouette]

There are no windows in that little "lounge" upstairs
though.

Whoops! I've only been up there in the dead of night and thought the blinds were just closed.

 

[mviy]

Some FAs may appear quite annoyed when meals are ordered on the plane when they seem to think you should have eaten in the lounge, whereas others may find nothing too much trouble and do their best to please. I haven't flown F, but I've heard this from a friend who has.

 

[v1nce007]

32 weeks and 3 days until check-in opens...

Looking forward to the review!

 

[PaulST]

Could you also not sit on the ottoman/companion seat post takeoff, as that is more immediately adjacent to the window? Unless of course the OP's objective was to observe the takeoff roll and/or landing.

My objective was to observe the takeoff and landing - the most exciting parts of the flight for this 29yo kid!

Looking forward to the review!

Already researching a new camera! (probably a Sony A6500)

 

[Flying Fox]

Some FAs may appear quite annoyed when meals are ordered on the plane when they seem to think you should have eaten in the lounge, ...

Well that is just rubbish considering how much it costs to fly F (either $ or points).

I've been lucky enough to have had excellent crews who were very attentive.