upstairs business only bookable for platinums

[parsonstrish]

I'm booked return syd-jfk and alloted 23j. Having been downstairs I'm aware it is near the galley and can be noisy. (I'm aware there is plane change at lax.)

Looking on expertflyer I can see vacant seats upstairs, is it more comfortable upstairs? I realize it would be less noisy from foot traffic plus smaller cabin.

On my seating plan I'm only able to access j downstairs. Is upstairs open to gold membership?

I don't want to call qf call center and request upstairs if it isn't open to me,
cheers

 

[harvyk]

I've been upstairs a few times, you don't need to be a WP to access it.

 

[Hvr]

I was able to secure an upstairs business seat as a SG in 2008 when going to BKK. Never got to sit in it because the upgrade to first came through.

Any reason you can't view and change your seat on line?

 

[NM]

My guess is that you are booked on QF107 SYD-JFK and its the aircraft change that is catching you out. The QF on-line seat selection system may not be smart enough to know about two different seating plans and you are only being offered the seats that exist in business class on both aircraft types. So 23J is a business class seat on both the 747-400 and the A330-200 operating both legs.

I suggest you call Qantas Reservations and ask them to do the seat allocations for you.

 

[parsonstrish]

My guess is that you are booked on QF107 SYD-JFK and its the aircraft change that is catching you out. The QF on-line seat selection system may not be smart enough to know about two different seating plans and you are only being offered the seats that exist in business class on both aircraft types. So 23J is a business class seat on both the 747-400 and the A330-200 operating both legs.

I suggest you call Qantas Reservations and ask them to do the seat allocations for you.

Thanks for reply, just a little confused, my seat selection is showing 1b from lax to jfk and same on return. I think I misunderstood where you say 23j is also on the a330-200.

In your opinion, is it a more pleasant experience sitting upstairs business? Yes it is 107 and 108, my seat allocation is the same both ways. On the seat map through QF, it only shows the lower deck seating.
cheers

 

[markis10]

Thanks for reply, just a little confused, my seat selection is showing 1b from lax to jfk and same on return. I think I misunderstood where you say 23j is also on the a330-200.

In your opinion, is it a more pleasant experience sitting upstairs business? Yes it is 107 and 108, my seat allocation is the same both ways. On the seat map through QF, it only shows the lower deck seating.
cheers

I like the upstairs area as it feels more private, I would just be ringing QF and changing the seating, although some people prefer downstairs on the lighter loaded flight for the privacy and better service that results.

 

[Dave Noble]

I although some people prefer downstairs on the lighter loaded flight for the privacy and better service that results.

and for being on the main deck where the floor doesnt vibrate as people walk up and down the central passageway

 

[djfuzz]

My guess is that you are booked on QF107 SYD-JFK and its the aircraft change that is catching you out. The QF on-line seat selection system may not be smart enough to know about two different seating plans and you are only being offered the seats that exist in business class on both aircraft types. So 23J is a business class seat on both the 747-400 and the A330-200 operating both legs.

I suggest you call Qantas Reservations and ask them to do the seat allocations for you.

I thought the A330 J seats only go to about row 6?

... in which case, they should probably have parsonstrish sitting in F.

 

[drron]

Last year travelling by myself(mrsdrron went on points 2 days earlier) I was allocated seat upstairs as QPNB.Didnt even have to ask so I doubt they are kept for WPs.

 

[JetLagged]

Upstairs is a nice small cabin - and if you have a window seat you receive the extra benefit of a side locker in which toi store those things which you want on the trip but don't want to hang onto, etc.

Have the upstairs section listed as our preferred seating and almost always get it - whether travelling Gold or above.

Mind you - the 'front' J class cabin ON THE a38 also has that feel about it.

 

[parsonstrish]

and for being on the main deck where the floor doesnt vibrate as people walk up and down the central passageway

Dave, were you meaning the central passageway floor upstairs vibrates as I haven't noticed downstairs in j?
cheers

 

[serfty]

I believe most upstairs seats a blocked for pre-allocation by other than WP and CL.

Of course, once the flight is imminent all seats may become available.

Earlier this year I was upgraded on QF29 and was pre-allocated/given 16J.

I very quickly changed this to a row 23 aisle seat Downstairs

as that is my preference.

 

[NM]

Thanks for reply, just a little confused, my seat selection is showing 1b from lax to jfk and same on return. I think I misunderstood where you say 23j is also on the a330-200.

In your opinion, is it a more pleasant experience sitting upstairs business? Yes it is 107 and 108, my seat allocation is the same both ways. On the seat map through QF, it only shows the lower deck seating.
cheers

Sorry to confuse. 23J is NOT a business class seat on A330-200 so my initial guess is obvious not correct.

 

[Maca44]

I very quickly changed this to a row 23 aisle seat Downstairs

as that is my preference.

Row 23 is great and have had 23A on my last three flights to SFO with 23D on my last return flight, but in September I have row 18 upstairs on SFO-SYD. For some reason, most of the lower deck is blocked so got an upstairs seat in case of a group booking (noise etc)

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave, were you meaning the central passageway floor upstairs vibrates as I haven't noticed downstairs in j?
cheers

Yup. One of the reasons why I generally dislike the upper deck other than for row 16

Dave

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thanks for reply, just a little confused, my seat selection is showing 1b from lax to jfk and same on return. I think I misunderstood where you say 23j is also on the a330-200.

In your opinion, is it a more pleasant experience sitting upstairs business? Yes it is 107 and 108, my seat allocation is the same both ways. On the seat map through QF, it only shows the lower deck seating.
cheers

it is quiter, however my favourite was 23D for space on 747.

A330-200 is single deck and is lax-jfk-lax.

 

[estate]

Bronze and Silver QF members can select upstairs seats in rows 17 and 18. I did this myself late last year.

You'll need to be Gold to select rows 12 and 13, but I think row 11 is held for Plats and CLs the way row 16 is.

Certainly anyone can select upstairs seating if they so wish, but only the last two rows are available for preselection for those without status.

 

[dfcatch]

Bronze and Silver QF members can select upstairs seats in rows 17 and 18. I did this myself late last year.

You'll need to be Gold to select rows 12 and 13, but I think row 11 is held for Plats and CLs the way row 16 is.

Certainly anyone can select upstairs seating if they so wish, but only the last two rows are available for preselection for those without status.

Last time I flew on a 744 was April 09 LAX-SYD. Didn't try to preallocate upstairs - but specifically wanted 16A/K, at check-in (SFO) I requested 16A/K and was told it couldn't be allocated until closer to departure time.

Asked again at the LAX T4 QP and was told it was already allocated (approx 4 hrs before departure). Whilst waiting to transfer to TBIT, I called QF and they also told me it had been allocated.

Asked again at the TBIT Oneworld J lounge, the girl asked me to leave my BP with her. About 20 minutes later she came up to me and had me in 16K - no problems

Not sure if a CL/WP got bumped to F and that opened it up..?? Or if it was just a blocking issue..?? I wasn't complaining in the end. 4 x 744 transpacific flights in a row (1 in F, and 3 in 16K)

 

[harvyk]

Bronze and Silver QF members can select upstairs seats in rows 17 and 18. I did this myself late last year.

You'll need to be Gold to select rows 12 and 13, but I think row 11 is held for Plats and CLs the way row 16 is.

Certainly anyone can select upstairs seating if they so wish, but only the last two rows are available for preselection for those without status.

Really??? I've managed to selected 12A without any problems at all and I'm a PS, I've also been placed into 16A as a PS...

 

[serfty]

... - but specifically wanted 16A/K, at check-in (SFO) I requested 16A/K and was told it couldn't be allocated until closer to departure time. ...

As a WP, if you are in business class, simply contact Qantas premium and ask for a request to be made to "seating" that you be pre-allocated that exit seat (the 'phone agent cannot do it on the spot). It normally comes though in an hour or two.