Seat 1A on 744 LAX to SYD - best choice?

[FreqwentFlya]

Hi Guys,

I found a First Class ASA for the return part of my trip to the US in Apr11. The cost was 144,000 points, which I though was a bargain.

Following the booking the system placed me in 1A, which is what I would normally select on any aircraft if it is available.

As I would like to make the most of my First Class experience, can someone tell me if this is a good seat or not by way of location, space, etc?

SeatGuru doesn't really say much and I can't find any decent cabin pics on Airliners.net.

One thing I have discovered is that the First Class pics I can see online, the Qantas First Class 744 cabins look pretty coughpy (A388 looks nice). Emirates and Singapore Airlines look unbelievable!

Thanks heaps,
JB

 

[cove]

I go 4A because there is a wide area to my left for my sleep machine,pillows and reading materials.
1A is a good spot that I used to use pre the sleep disorder.
The 744 is old and reliable and the service is great so enjoy it.
Go to the First lounge and make sure you book a massage a couple of days before flying plus do the meal prior to boarding.

 

[Paddy55]

I go 4A because there is a wide area to my left for my sleep machine,pillows and reading materials.
1A is a good spot that I used to use pre the sleep disorder.
The 744 is old and reliable and the service is great so enjoy it.
Go to the First lounge and make sure you book a massage a couple of days before flying plus do the meal prior to boarding.

Agree with Cove. 4a great for spreading your 'stuff' out.
Hoping to compare 747 to A380 F myself at end March on SYD - LAX if A380s are flying AND IF my upgrade comes through!

Paddy

 

[FreqwentFlya]

I go 4A because there is a wide area to my left for my sleep machine,pillows and reading materials.

When you say Sleep machine, do you mean CPAP? I have one of these too, but I had planned on not being able to use it. Hmm, I may change to 4A then...

Thanks for the info.

JB

 

[cove]

Call special handling and they will have 4A with a power cord for you to plug your cpap machine into.They are really helpful.
I bought a lithium battery for my Resmed S8 as a fail safe back up and it runs up to 8 hours if the power on the plane is no good.(cpap.com)

 

[bossreggie]

I find 1A to be OK.

The only downside IMO is if fellow PAX do not ask for PJ's on embarkation then sometimes the cupboard can be used a few times during the flight.

The 744 is a VERY tired old bird and F is nowhere near as nice as A380, A340 new 777's etc. I also find that the crew can be a bit "hit and miss" with offering a premium service.

It sure beats the back of the bus though!

 

[docjames]

Any seat in Zone A is a good one! :shock:

 

[FreqwentFlya]

Call special handling and they will have 4A with a power cord for you to plug your cpap machine into.They are really helpful.
I bought a lithium battery for my Resmed S8 as a fail safe back up and it runs up to 8 hours if the power on the plane is no good.(cpap.com)

Thanks Cove. I called QF Special Handling and I have a barrage of forms to complete to enable this to occur. Think I will give it a miss for the flight as I am not dependent on the CPAP anyway (it is only to keep the Mrs happy 'cause she reckons I snore)

QF Special Handling said they have "a number" of the power cords on board and being in First Class I get priority if I ask for one upon boarding.

Either way, I have changed my seat to 4A. At the moment there is only myself and one other person (who has 2A).

JB

 

[FreqwentFlya]

Any seat in Zone A is a good one! :shock:

Agreed! I accept that it will be tough in there, but, I am prepared to give it a try. I am sure I will be able to handle it.



JB

 

[Sprucegoose]

Agree with 4 A K, however row 3 is still very private having the most distance apart to the middle seats.

Row 1 is cramped a bit and on a angle,

 

[Maca44]

Agree with 4 A K, however row 3 is still very private having the most distance apart to the middle seats.

Row 1 is cramped a bit and on a angle,

I agree 3A is good and had this seat many times when QF flew F class SYD-SFO, and although row 4 has heaps of storage, I still prefer 3A. Irrespective of whatever seat you select there is plenty of room up the front cabin. For what it's worth Row 4 is close to the FA's workstation and might get a little noise, but nothing to worry too much.

 

[cove]

Don't be scared by the cpap forms....just sign them and an engineer will run the cord over the 744 plane door and get you a 240 volt 3 pin hole plug point to seat 4A that you can test in between the champers and nuts before take off.
It goes on your QF profile so after that no issues but I always call ahead.
The first 6 A380's dont have a suitable power socket in First so I have my own lithium battery power supply. Basically it is a sit anywhere in First on A380 but run the cpap yourself on battery once you have QF approval.

 

[Seat 1A]

A positive point for Seat 1A on 744 is the partial forward window views, and tend to get less traffic to front locker compared with the overhead ones further back.

 

[Flying Fox]

I like 4A but some say that the galley can sometime be a bit noisy. I've never had that problem.

3A is also an excellent seat.

Have a great flight and enjoy yourself!

 

[FreqwentFlya]

Thanks for all the hints n tips guys, much appreciated.

I sure am looking forward to this trip.

Also, I forgot to mention PeteJ and I will be travelling to New York and Los Angeles together, well sort of...I will be flying out of BNE and PeteJ will be flying out of SYD, I will arrive in LAX a few hours before PeteJ, the we will chase each other to JFK. Should be fun!

I will be heading over on AA purchased miles on Qantas metal, and lucky for me I have been given a PE seat (with Y Service)...I will have EVERYTHING crossed that I am offered an upgrade, of which I will be happy to accept.

Thanks again,
JB

 

[munitalP]

Having recently flown in row 4 on 744 SYD/BKK, I would not choose this seat again due to the distance from the window and the location to the galley. It actually felt "exposed" and I would be looking at row 1 from now on - more privacy easily and the fact your seat is not 1/2 a meter from the window.

If you had a sleeping machine or similar, row 4 is the best choice hands down


munitalP