Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome?

[wanderer_au]

Genuine question. I have no idea. I'm booked on one in QF1 in a few weeks but I don't understand what the big deal is. I've seen people here refer to it as "Platinum Alley" but I ain't platinum (although I'll probably be one by the end of the year). Why would a platinum QFF want to sit there as opposed to anywhere else in the Business cabin? I don't mean as in "seat x is better than seat y because it's away from the loo and passenger traffic blah blah", there are loads of threads here like that. I mean, what's so good about that three-row section?

Can you tell I'm still getting the hang of all of this? I imagine I'll turn up to one of these Sydney events and bore everyone rigid with inane questions. :mrgreen: I fear I'm an insufficiently sophisticated traveller to pick up on the nuance.

cheers.

 

[slc767338]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

Aka Emerald City

Secluded, quieter, less 'populated' and close to the onboard lounge, if you're so inclined.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

As SLC said I guess. It's more exclusive by the virtue it has less people. It's also served first for food(?) and closer to the CSM's little office.

 

[russ]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

I wouldn't say "awesome" but I prefer it because it has fewer people walking around
I once walked back past row 13 and it felt like I'd entered a battery hen shed
Naturally I immediately turned around and headed back to row 11

 

[por930]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

Genuine question. I have no idea. I'm booked on one in QF1 in a few weeks but I don't understand what the big deal is. I've seen people here refer to it as "Platinum Alley" but I ain't platinum (although I'll probably be one by the end of the year). Why would a platinum QFF want to sit there as opposed to anywhere else in the Business cabin? I don't mean as in "seat x is better than seat y because it's away from the loo and passenger traffic blah blah", there are loads of threads here like that. I mean, what's so good about that three-row section?

Can you tell I'm still getting the hang of all of this? I imagine I'll turn up to one of these Sydney events and bore everyone rigid with inane questions. :mrgreen: I fear I'm an insufficiently sophisticated traveller to pick up on the nuance.

cheers.

Yes, I have looked at the small three row QF Business cabin. When I have traveled on the A380, I have tried A2 and A3 in First and 15 and 16k in J a few times. I like the size of the first cabin...feels just right. The A380 business class layout is so huge, it has lost its cosy feel. It is like sitting in economy with lots of space. And as for the QF business bar...well that must be a joke? looks like a dark dingy hole, not very welcoming at all. I was advised I can not get into the front cabin until I get to WP, which happens after my next trip to Paris. Maybe just personal feelings, but I prefer small cabins.

The Emirates A380 business bar looks great, though, their business class layout is also huge. Next trip in a few months time will be J to Paris and F back to Brisbane.

I prefer the 747 First/Business layout, as their cabin size is perfect for me, but these big girls are getting hard to find now.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

I was advised I can not get into the front cabin until I get to WP, which happens after my next trip to Paris.

True for initial seat selection, but it can open up to the other tiers closer to departure. I've been in it before as SG and will be again in a month as PS.
I've used the small lounge before to watch movies. The only person who came by was the CSM!

 

[paxman]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

It is a tad quieter perhaps. But at the end of the day, if you can see someone from the skybed layout, you are using it incorrectly, they are very private once seated. There are no bad seats from my perspective.

Happy to be enlightened!

 

[jpboyce]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

what's so good about that three-row section?

I got a seat in this section on a flight from LA to Sydney, 11J. The passengers in that section did seem to be quieter (maybe cause they were more seasoned passengers? Or maybe the time the flight left, late at night) and food service did seem faster. The only issue I had was I could see the lighting for the stairs down to the lower deck and it had some weird effect on my eyes when I blinked.

By contrast, the flight to LA, I was in a seat in the main section of business, I can't remember the exact seat, it was in the middle aisle seats, around 19 or 20. There were two passengers in the seats on the left side who kept me up all night by having their reading lamp on and there was also children over on the right side.

As far as status, I managed to get the 11J seat as a bronze member.

 

[JMFK]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

It's the ducks nuts.

As others have stated, it's a very quiet, more intimate feeling cabin. Less people moving past you. Faster food.

Makes you feel more 'special' than the 50 odd people behind you.

 

[serfty]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

... There are no bad seats from my perspective. ...

Certainly there are no bad seats - however having traveled in both areas, the forward three row cabin of 18 seats are simply less busy than the rear 8 rows of 46 seats ... Lounge area not withstanding ...

Moreover, while each seat takes up the same length the rear area is 2 and 3 quarters longer and the forward area.

Also denizens of emerald city tend to get served first.

 

[slc767338]

Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

I suppose it also has a lot to do with the vetting process involved in getting a seat there - I.e you need to be WP to get in. Weeds out the occasional traveller, we don't tolerate riff raff up the front

 

[paxman]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awesome

depends on how you work your crew.

don't mind the front or back.

 

[eric2011]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

I suppose it also has a lot to do with the vetting process involved in getting a seat there - I.e you need to be WP to get in. Weeds out the occasional traveller, we don't tolerate riff raff up the front

Not necessarily correct, as SG was automatically given row 13 while 11,12 were blocked. 1 phone called cleared me into 12 J&K. (didn't want 13)

 

[BAM1748]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

I suppose it also has a lot to do with the vetting process involved in getting a seat there - I.e you need to be WP to get in. Weeds out the occasional traveller, we don't tolerate riff raff up the front

I sit in the front row there as a gold, just need some luck in getting the timing right (in fact last time I didn't choose a seat until I got to check in and was in 11). THere is no vetting process and you certainly don't need to be WP.

 

[ellen10]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

We had a slight time change for our flight and when I went back in to check my booking and seats, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I could select the forward cabin.
I promise to behave and will appreciate my experience in the emerald city.
Flight is not until September, our first trip in J.

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

Emerald City

Mostly WP but you also get lower tiers as the seats open up closer to flight
Quieter
Perhaps better chance of getting an F seat say for landing if there is a tight connection in the US - but maybe thats an occasional WP perk. happened to me.
You arrive at your destination a few microseconds earlier.
You deplane first either through F or usual J front door.
you get served first
Easier to sneak into F toilets - CSM have even approved it when J toilets were busy
Dont have to sit with Passengers inexperienced with J
Less babies.

Airplane seating psychology suggests a perception that the the higher the row number, the more bogan the passenger

Actual seats are the same and you can also get skybed droop - I did on 2 occasions. One time netted me 15000 points and another time a seat in F upon approach to LAX.

 

[Ewing]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

I suppose it also has a lot to do with the vetting process involved in getting a seat there - I.e you need to be WP to get in. Weeds out the occasional traveller, we don't tolerate riff raff up the front

I'm only SG these days - but I booked a trip in July (SYD-LAX and vv on QF11/12) and was automatically assigned 12E at booking.

The cabin is fairly open to me (the other seats are taken - not blocked)


I haven't changed as that's the seat I would have chosen anyway. I don't like being at the bulkhead for such a long flight - I find it claustrophobic (in First for example I don't like 1A, I far prefer 5A).

I may not get to fly in it anyway if my upgrade comes through - so fingers crossed!

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

getting served first is a big deal on the 380 where in J it can take almost 2.5 hours to get through the first meal service before sleep can commence, personally i dont see much more appeal in emerald city given the lack of privacy inherent in the skybed 2 - if you get 1 restless person most of the cabin will be affected by any light or noise in the same way as in the main J cabin

 

[kermatu]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

In my experience, Emerald city is definitely quieter and feels more secluded. Big plus to be served first. Easy access to lounge and at the start and end of a flight, more personal service. But through the bulk of the flight, less passage of staff so you'd need to call for a FA if you need someone. Something I feel less comfortable doing, for some reason.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Why is the small three-row part of the Business cabin on a Qantas A380 so awe...

In my limited experience travelling premium cabins some things can be overly exaggerated on AFF.

I haven't had a long haul First class experience yet but sat in 5A with business class service twice in past couple of weeks. I don't quite understand the hype. It's not awesome as described on AFF. It's OK. It's a good use of points from Saver economy.