QF Business - 747 v A380

[Quickstatus]

That was my theory also when I chose them, Have you seen this happen in practice?

Yes has happened to me.

 

[Katy]

The 747 we're on in Sept has changed to the refurb cabin (at this stage) and, as we're traveling with our son, our seating got split up since he can't sit in the exit row with us.

Which seats would you recommend for a family? Should we take 6DEF or move into 3FJK? Our son will be 8 at the time of the trip, so not a tiny tot if that makes a difference. Husband wants to take the 3 together but I'm reluctant to give up what's possibly my last chance to sit in the nose of a 747!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I asked about this in another thread but didn't get a reply. Does anyone prefer 5J to 5B? If so why? I have the choice of both later in the year.

Whilst I have never sat in 5B, it is is exactly the same as 5J in terms of space & comfort.

5B would would be the pick of the two for outbound trips to JNB, as it would have a potentially better view of Antarctica since its on the left hand side of the aircraft.

Coming back to SYD much of muchness, I reckon.

 

[Dnicoll]

One advantage of 5J over 5B is that you are not as impacted by people boarding thru the left hand door just in front of you (IIRC).

 

[Quickstatus]

The 747 we're on in Sept has changed to the refurb cabin (at this stage) and, as we're traveling with our son, our seating got split up since he can't sit in the exit row with us.

Which seats would you recommend for a family? Should we take 6DEF or move into 3FJK? Our son will be 8 at the time of the trip, so not a tiny tot if that makes a difference. Husband wants to take the 3 together but I'm reluctant to give up what's possibly my last chance to sit in the nose of a 747!

you have answered your own question. The nose of course.

 

[Flying mermaid]

So I have read this thread again and it seems to be divided between those who like the upstairs on the 747 and those who like the nose.....Leaving aside the wild card of having an unrefurbed plane subbed at the last minute, if it is a refurbished 747 with all seats in J the same which is better, the upstairs or the nose? Or is it one of those personal preference things like a row A vs K row on the A380 in F? The position of the toilets sway me to the upstairs at the moment.

 

[QF029]

Personal preference. I think most people are initially attracted to the novelty / exclusivity / romance of being upstairs and some change their opinion. There is nothing WRONG with upstairs.

For me it usually takes a bit longer to get on and off. At one stage (might still be the case) there was a higher passenger per toilet ratio (meaning they're busier). It also tends to fill up first and some say the floor rattles more disturbing rest. The biggest driver for me as a frequent solo traveler is there are a couple of seats downstairs with no one next to you so that will always win out for me (on the refurbished 747's).

 

[ReLoad]

On the 747 the nose wins hands down here's why:

A) you are in the nose of a 747. - mean seriously, thats legendary stuff right there.
B) you dont get any floor bounce as nobody walks past you. pick row 1 or 2.
C) it has a great intimate feel.
D) you get off quickly
E) If the aircraft is subbed for an old bird you get the old F when your seat number sticks.

I mean either way they are still great seats so its not as if you will have a bad trip or anything if you are not in the nose.

Worst ever trip upstairs in a 747 i had was in J on UA in the late 90's I was in the first row behind the coughpit, the aisle seat was empty and reserved for the flight deck crew to have a snooze in, the captain snored like a chainsaw!

 

[Quickstatus]

On the 747 the nose wins hands down here's why:

A) you are in the nose of a 747. - mean seriously, thats legendary stuff right there.
B) you dont get any floor bounce as nobody walks past you. pick row 1 or 2.
C) it has a great intimate feel.
D) you get off quickly
E) If the aircraft is subbed for an old bird you get the old F when your seat number sticks.

I mean either way they are still great seats so its not as if you will have a bad trip or anything if you are not in the nose.

Worst ever trip upstairs in a 747 i had was in J on UA in the late 90's I was in the first row behind the coughpit, the aisle seat was empty and reserved for the flight deck crew to have a snooze in, the captain snored like a chainsaw!

(D) and (E) for me.
I can walk fast, so do not like to manouvre past slowcoaches to the airport exit

IMO Upstairs is more or less just a gimmick although the side storage is great and loos are more accessible. BUT SLOW TO GET OFF.

 

[RooFlyer]

(D) and (E) for me.
I can walk fast, so do not like to manouvre past slowcoaches to the airport exit

IMO Upstairs is more or less just a gimmick although the side storage is great and loos are more accessible. BUT SLOW TO GET OFF.

Not always, and in my experience, time to disembark hasn't been an issue. I was upstairs, exit row on QF75 into YVR recently. For some reason, no-one else behind me upstairs was in a hurry to stand, so I wandered past and down the stairs.

First off.

But usually in the first 20 or so.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Thanks for that . A doesn't worry me, as I have travelled in the nose a number of times when it was first. D doesn't much either, but B,C and E are food for thought.

 

[Quickstatus]

Not always, and in my experience, time to disembark hasn't been an issue. I was upstairs, exit row on QF75 into YVR recently. For some reason, no-one else behind me upstairs was in a hurry to stand, so I wandered past and down the stairs.

First off.

Maybe they were trying to savour the moments upstairs.

As always many different permutations to a flying experience. Trying to cover all bases and tweak the last ounce of benefit from an itinerary distracts fro the simple joys of travel.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Maybe they were trying to savour the moments upstairs.

As always many different permutations to a flying experience. Trying to cover all bases and tweak the last ounce of benefit from an itinerary distracts fro the simple joys of travel.

Good grief! Isn't that what this board is about - agonising over infinitesimal differences in seats in order to maximise an already good experience? You are spoiling all the fun. . Anyway I consulted Mr FM but he doesn't want to move from upstairs because he likes being right next to the toilets and in the nose you are as far away as you can be..... (Unless of course you get an unrefurbished plane.).

 

[Daver6]

Another plus of upstairs is the amount of space if you grab an exit row.

 

[get me outta here]

I just called QF who said that JFK-LAX-SYD is a 747 all the way on 04 May, so I grabbed seat 5J as that's the seat on it's own with the big bin on the right as I understand it.

As row 5 indicates a refurbed layout, is there any chance/recent history that it might become an A380 or non-refurbed, or is that unlikely?

 

[Quickstatus]

I just called QF who said that JFK-LAX-SYD is a 747 all the way on 04 May, so I grabbed seat 5J as that's the seat on it's own with the big bin on the right as I understand it.

As row 5 indicates a refurbed layout, is there any chance/recent history that it might become an A380 or non-refurbed, or is that unlikely?

The LAX-JFK-LAX sectors is always a 747. In the past company has tried an A330 when it operated AKL-LAX. Not insignificant chance that the transpacific sector could be subbed for a 380 or unrefurbished 747. It would be very unlikely that the transcontinental sector would be an A380. I don't think it's been done while a 747 has been on hand.

Just look at the Ratio of unrefurb to refurb 747 and you will get your theoretical odds. Even then I'm under the impression that it will be less as the nonrefurb tends to be deployed on other routes.


Maybe 10-15%

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, thanks that was my thinking and good to get it confirmed. I'm surprised I got 5J, so hope I can hang on to it. Obviously Hvr and Serfty are not on that flight and also wanting that seat (I hope).

The LAX-JFK-LAX sectors is always a 747. In the past company has tried an A330 when it operated AKL-LAX. Not insignificant chance that the transpacific sector could be subbed for a 380 or unrefurbished 747. It would be very unlikely that the transcontinental sector would be an A380. I don't think it's been done while a 747 has been on hand.

Just look at the Ratio of unrefurb to refurb 747 and you will get your theoretical odds. Even then I'm under the impression that it will be less as the nonrefurb tends to be deployed on other routes.


Maybe 10-15%

 

[Rallo]

Currently have 3A and 3B selected for QF95 MEL-LAX next February, rows 15 and 16 are available on the upper deck any thoughts whether its worth selecting upper deck?
Travelling with my 18 year old son so he'd probably prefer we don't sit together.

 

[get me outta here]

Just to clarify, a 747 showing row 5, means it IS refurbished right? I have been a bit confused by reading some conflicting posts.

The LAX-JFK-LAX sectors is always a 747. In the past company has tried an A330 when it operated AKL-LAX. Not insignificant chance that the transpacific sector could be subbed for a 380 or unrefurbished 747. It would be very unlikely that the transcontinental sector would be an A380. I don't think it's been done while a 747 has been on hand.

Just look at the Ratio of unrefurb to refurb 747 and you will get your theoretical odds. Even then I'm under the impression that it will be less as the nonrefurb tends to be deployed on other routes.


Maybe 10-15%

 

[get me outta here]

If you want a bit of 'separation', how about the individual seats in row 5? Then, you won't be climbing over each other. I read a lot of posts on seats, and it does become a personal choice. The upstairs exit row would have seats side by side, but again enough room to not climb over each other.

Currently have 3A and 3B selected for QF95 MEL-LAX next February, rows 15 and 16 are available on the upper deck any thoughts whether its worth selecting upper deck?
Travelling with my 18 year old son so he'd probably prefer we don't sit together.