Row 5 to LAX, is it really that special?

[ROTR]

All,
Have read with great interest the 'perception' of row 5 over to the US on the 777. I am flying Saturday, have been allocated the magic row, but is it really that special? Seems to be me to be near the toilet as well as the bar (which I guess in some ways isnt a bad thing since I will no doubt frequent both on this flight) as well as a possible bassinet seat in front and behind.
Am I being old fashioned in thinking that the main J cabin is a better place to be?
FYI, I have been allocated row 5 for the return, as well as my next trip to LAX in Jan.....I guess the Plat helps.....

 

[serfty]

It appears to be the case - see here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....stralia-velocity/va-777-best-seats-39279.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....sion/v-australia-j-additional-cost-22190.html

I post those as I have no personal of transpacific on VA.

 

[Fruitcake]

Please note that my perspective is only from someone who has ravelled in the front of the Y+ cabin. But pax aren't allowed to congregate around the Y+ bar (no oxygen masks). And with no alcohol available at the bar (apparently there used to be, but people were overindulging), there's not a dramatic amount of traffic anyway. So really your only source of noise would be from the toilets, and from staff accessing the carts stored under the bar. However, the curtains around row 5 were very heavy.

Engine/aerodynamic noise in the 777 is relatively high, I find that the noise background helps drown out noises which might be annoying on quieter aircraft like the A380.

 

[ROTR]

Thanks, my newbie apologies for the repetition....duly noted...

 

[Travel Guru]

I flew back Row 5 last week and in answer to your question...yes.

It gives you that feeling of your own private cabin and once meal service is done and they make up your bed for you they pull the curtains across and gives you a sense of privacy you just don't get in the main cabin.

Was fantastic and far better than the QF 380 J experience.

Enjoy it.

TG

 

[serfty]

Thanks, my newbie apologies for the repetition....duly noted...

It's fine - welcome to the Forum.

 

[dandandan]

Do the middle seats of row 5 have curtains on both side so it's like its own private cabin as well?

I flew back Row 5 last week and in answer to your question...yes.

It gives you that feeling of your own private cabin and once meal service is done and they make up your bed for you they pull the curtains across and gives you a sense of privacy you just don't get in the main cabin.

Was fantastic and far better than the QF 380 J experience.

Enjoy it.

TG

 

[Travel Guru]

Yes it does.

TG

 

[Bolthead]

Do the middle seats of row 5 have curtains on both side so it's like its own private cabin as well?

Yes, as TG states it does, however it is a little odd if you are not travelling with the other PAX in the row. See my post: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/va-777-best-seats-39279-2.html#post688508

 

[dandandan]

Yes, I remember reading about your little trip up on the curtains. We have 3 seats booked in the middle section of row 5 for Feb next year. Thanks for the info.

Yes, as TG states it does, however it is a little odd if you are not travelling with the other PAX in the row. See my post: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/va-777-best-seats-39279-2.html#post688508

 

[Globetrotter]

I flew back Row 5 last week and in answer to your question...yes.

It gives you that feeling of your own private cabin and once meal service is done and they make up your bed for you they pull the curtains across and gives you a sense of privacy you just don't get in the main cabin.

Was fantastic and far better than the QF 380 J experience.

Enjoy it.

TG

did that cost you $17k lol.

 

[Travel Guru]

No why would it?

TG

 

[Globetrotter]

No why would it?

TG

I read the two other threads about row 5

 

[Sprucegoose]

All,
Have read with great interest the 'perception' of row 5 over to the US on the 777. I am flying Saturday, have been allocated the magic row, but is it really that special? Seems to be me to be near the toilet as well as the bar (which I guess in some ways isnt a bad thing since I will no doubt frequent both on this flight) as well as a possible bassinet seat in front and behind.
Am I being old fashioned in thinking that the main J cabin is a better place to be?
FYI, I have been allocated row 5 for the return, as well as my next trip to LAX in Jan.....I guess the Plat helps.....

Let us know, cheers.

 

[Travel Guru]

I read the two other threads about row 5

No I flew over to LAX in Y+ but decided J was more my style so upgraded while over there, cost me $1750 inc the $200 reissue fee to upgrade so thought it good value and being Platinum I called VA to request they release space in Row 5, was good fun, would definitely do it again, much more privacy than the general cabin although as has been mentioned would be kind of weird if you had a stranger next to you (although kind of fun if she was a hot blonde lol)

TG

 

[mandmshow]

Please note that my perspective is only from someone who has ravelled in the front of the Y+ cabin. But pax aren't allowed to congregate around the Y+ bar (no oxygen masks). And with no alcohol available at the bar (apparently there used to be, but people were overindulging), there's not a dramatic amount of traffic anyway. So really your only source of noise would be from the toilets, and from staff accessing the carts stored under the bar. However, the curtains around row 5 were very heavy.

Engine/aerodynamic noise in the 777 is relatively high, I find that the noise background helps drown out noises which might be annoying on quieter aircraft like the A380.

Alcohol is indeed available (in my experiences) at the Y+ bar when Flight Attendants are having their break on the Syd-LA runs, but no spirits just wine and beer. No one seems to congregate there (no room) they just grab a wine/water/soda and pretzels/chips then head back to their seats. It's a great initiative IMO. Off topic but VA has two Y+ toilets on the 777 where QF only has 1 on the reconfigured 744's which can be a nightmare with people lining up through the Y+ cabin alongside the first few rows - urgh.

Is Row 5 really that special ? I think YES it is if you want to get some sleep/privacy but earplugs or noise cancelling headphones may be needed from the engine noise more than passing people or the toilet.

 

[Travel Guru]

Alcohol is indeed available (in my experiences) at the Y+ bar when Flight Attendants are having their break on the Syd-LA runs, but no spirits just wine and beer. No one seems to congregate there (no room) they just grab a wine/water/soda and pretzels/chips then head back to their seats. It's a great initiative IMO. Off topic but VA has two Y+ toilets on the 777 where QF only has 1 on the reconfigured 744's which can be a nightmare with people lining up through the Y+ cabin alongside the first few rows - urgh.

Is Row 5 really that special ? I think YES it is if you want to get some sleep/privacy but earplugs or noise cancelling headphones may be needed from the engine noise more than passing people or the toilet.

I can't say the engine noise caused an issue nor did any noise from those using the bar, I had earplugs in so may have helped but I slept like a log.

Even on descent when I'd taken the earplugs out the engine noise wasn't noticeable.

TG

 

[IainF]

MrsF and I have 5 JK booked both ways from BNE-LAX-(JFK) at Xmas. We are on one of the cheapest J fares I have ever landed on VA to the USA at sub $6k return (bought in July) and we were given row 5 as soon as we booked. We are both Plats. I have my earplugs & stilnox ready to go so we can jump off the plane & drive to Palm Springs for the post Xmas sales. Mrs F is looking forward to sitting at the bar for an extended period of time.

 

[Travel Guru]

MrsF and I have 5 JK booked both ways from BNE-LAX-(JFK) at Xmas. We are on one of the cheapest J fares I have ever landed on VA to the USA at sub $6k return (bought in July) and we were given row 5 as soon as we booked. We are both Plats. I have my earplugs & stilnox ready to go so we can jump off the plane & drive to Palm Springs for the post Xmas sales. Mrs F is looking forward to sitting at the bar for an extended period of time.

I had 5K myself, loved it.

Are you headed to the Desert Sprint Premium Outlets just out of PS? Hate to think what it'll be like post Christmas, it was crazy just finding a park when I was there 2 weeks ago.

 

[IainF]

Yep. We go to Cabazon for the Boxing Day sales every year. We are staying in Palm Springs to avoid the 2 hour drive each way from Beverly Hills. The Mrs likes the Gucci, I go for the Hugo Boss. We save thousands. Thankfully VA let us take lot's of luggage home. Last time was 95kg total with 6 bags checked in + 2 carry on each and no charges applied.