Business class seating - preferred seats

[tuapekastar]

Can anyone recommend seats (or seats to avoid) in business on the 738s and 332s?

I realise there is not a helluva lot to choose from, particularly in the 738, but I'm always wary of bulkheads. I'm an aisle seat person too unless there is a compelling reason not to be.

Specifically: I've chosen 2C in an open 738 cabin, and 3D on the 332, with most of the cabin open. I note the 2-2-2 in the bulkhead row on the 332, and wonder whether selecting in the centre section of that row is worthwhile. Guaranteed no-one climbing over me and I am not long-legged so maybe that is the go? It just depends on the bulkhead room.

Thanks

And as a sidenote I noticed this unusual seating selection prior to allocating my seat (I assume it is a selection, but maybe an auto allocation, the flight only opened for seating selection today).

 + *   * *   * *
 * *  * + *  * *
 * *  * * *  * *
 * *  * * *  * *

We all have different preferences but why (assuming it is a selection) would you select the middle seat of the middle 3 in almost open cabin?

 

[dk4]

Specifically: I've chosen 2C in an open 738 cabin, and 3D on the 332, with most of the cabin open. I note the 2-2-2 in the bulkhead row on the 332, and wonder whether selecting in the centre section of that row is worthwhile.

For a 737 window person, probably window front row (no recline = easy access to loos). For a 737 aisle person, probably back row (no-one behind = easy recline, with stretch-out leg room)

For an A330 aisle person, second row, centre block, aisle (either side) as the middle seat is typically blocked from allocation! (as per your diagram) There also seems to be a preference for last row by some, presumably for worry-free recline.

Oh, and the gap between the two seats in the first row centre, is larger than the gap between the side (window/aisle) pairs (all rows).

 

[tuapekastar]

For a 737 window person, probably window front row (no recline = easy access to loos). For a 737 aisle person, probably back row (no-one behind = easy recline, with stretch-out leg room)

For an A330 aisle person, second row, centre block, aisle (either side) as the middle seat is typically blocked from allocation! There also seems to be a preference for last row by some, presumably for worry-free recline.

Thanks! That would have been my choice for the A330 apart from the fact that the seat shows as 'occupied', but in light of what you say perhaps it is a block instead? I will select the one next to it.

 

[simongr]

I am leaning more towards window than aisle on shorter flights - if I am front row whY (and the same would apply in J) the benefit of an aisle is for me overcome by the perceived extra space of a window.

 

[kevrosmith]

I often refer to Australian Business Traveller's reviews. I like reading them, take the advice into consideration (pros and cons) and then add my own preferences etc. before making a selection. I usually go for row two on 737-800s but am giving 1A a trial on the A330 PER-SYD soon. I usually prefer aisle so that I can get up and down whenever I want without bothering people.

Seat guide: Virgin Australia Airbus A330 economy class - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Best seats guide: Virgin Australia business class (Boeing 737) - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[chrisjrn]

I'd definitely go with row 2 for *any* set on the 737s. The bulkheads that they have in row 1 are pretty uncomfortable if you like stretching out, and I've had no issue with pax reclining into me in row 2.

I'd actually pick row 3 over row 1 any day, simply due to the bulkhead design.

 

[Comoman]

I would avoid row 1 on the A330 as row 2 and above seem to have slightly more leg room due to the bulk head.

Just my opinion. 2D is the best for me as previously mentioned.

 

[chrisjrn]

And as a sidenote I noticed this unusual seating selection prior to allocating my seat (I assume it is a selection, but maybe an auto allocation, the flight only opened for seating selection today).

+* ** **
** * + * **
** *** **
** *** **

We all have different preferences but why (assuming it is a selection) would you select the middle seat of the middle 3 in almost open cabin?

One guess would be that they're no longer allocating the middle seats, to match their new business layout ( Virgin Australia reveals revamp for new Airbus A330s - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller ), but that doesn't explain the back two rows, does it?

 

[kevrosmith]

Opps... realised I put the link for the Economy seating guide on the Virgin A330.

Here's the link to the Business Class

Insider guide: best seats in business on Virgin Australia's A330 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

and

Seat guide: Virgin Australia Airbus A330 business class - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

I would avoid row 1 on the A330 as row 2 and above seem to have slightly more leg room due to the bulk head.

Just my opinion. 2D is the best for me as previously mentioned.

Out of curiosity, do you mind if I ask if you've actually traveled on the A330 J class for Virgin...? I haven't been on the plane yet, and normally I'd take row 2 on the 737-800s as per the AustBT review, but they don't seem to have the same reservations for the A330 row 1.

I'm hoping to get some sleep on the red eye from PER-SYD on my flight soon, and my thought was, if someone is in the seat next to me, it would be easier to get out from the window seat from row 1 rather than row 2. Or would it be no different either row?

Glad for any suggestions others may have, and especially keen to hear from any that have been on the plane.

P.s. does anyone know what meal service is provided on the red eye from PER-SYD? Is it a (really really late) dinner, or an (early early) breakfast...? (Or both?)

 

[Comoman]

Yes I have been on the A330 J class approx 8 times. Most recently as last week. I have tried most seat locations. I had the Barramundi in Miso soup for dinner! Time before that the beef pie.

B737 J around 10 trips so far. Row 2 is definitely better for leg room.

Seat 2D no one will ever be next to you.

 

[tuapekastar]

Opps... realised I put the link for the Economy seating guide on the Virgin A330.

Here's the link to the Business Class

Insider guide: best seats in business on Virgin Australia's A330 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

and

Seat guide: Virgin Australia Airbus A330 business class - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller




Out of curiosity, do you mind if I ask if you've actually traveled on the A330 J class for Virgin...? I haven't been on the plane yet, and normally I'd take row 2 on the 737-800s as per the AustBT review, but they don't seem to have the same reservations for the A330 row 1.

I'm hoping to get some sleep on the red eye from PER-SYD on my flight soon, and my thought was, if someone is in the seat next to me, it would be easier to get out from the window seat from row 1 rather than row 2. Or would it be no different either row?

Glad for any suggestions others may have, and especially keen to hear from any that have been on the plane.

P.s. does anyone know what meal service is provided on the red eye from PER-SYD? Is it a (really really late) dinner, or an (early early) breakfast...? (Or both?)

Thanks for the links. It pans 2D for a couple of reasons (odd screen view angle, and changing aisle width leading to a bumpfest) but I'm thinking the promise of no-one next to me would offset that.

Yes I have been on the A330 J class approx 8 times. Most recently as last week. I have tried most seat locations. I had the Barramundi in Miso soup for dinner! Time before that the beef pie.

B737 J around 10 trips so far. Row 2 is definitely better for leg room.

Seat 2D no one will ever be next to you.

I take it the criticisms of 2D from the AusBT critique (and summarised by me in this post) are a little overblown then? I do tend to watch IFE if it is available, so hope the screen viewing angle is only a minor adjustment and does not adversely impact on my viewing. An empty seat next door is always a good thing though.

 

[tuapekastar]

One guess would be that they're no longer allocating the middle seats, to match their new business layout ( Virgin Australia reveals revamp for new Airbus A330s - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller ), but that doesn't explain the back two rows, does it?

Bot of a mystery (maybe the 3 seats in row 2 into the 2 seats in row 1?) but I'll take an empty middle at any time.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I used to book 1A when ever available, but you usually could only choose row 1 80 hours from the flight. I now have a preference for 1F on a 737-800 as the cabin crew work left to right, and so in row 1 I then have about 2 minutes warning before the cabin crew ask me for the meal choices.

1A I am usually the first person to ask what I would like and I have generally no idea as I don't travel business that often and so sitting on the starboard side of the aircraft I get a bit of warning.

 

[kevrosmith]

I used to book 1A when ever available, but you usually could only choose row 1 80 hours from the flight. I now have a preference for 1F on a 737-800 as the cabin crew work left to right, and so in row 1 I then have about 2 minutes warning before the cabin crew ask me for the meal choices.

1A I am usually the first person to ask what I would like and I have generally no idea as I don't travel business that often and so sitting on the starboard side of the aircraft I get a bit of warning.

Great tip which I'll be keeping in mind.

 

[pagingjoan]

What is the general experience with selecting 1A in J and being bumped at the last minute because the bassinet was required?

 

[dk4]

I do tend to watch IFE if it is available, so hope the screen viewing angle is only a minor adjustment and does not adversely impact on my viewing. An empty seat next door is always a good thing though.

Ask for a digEplayer (Coast2Coast A330 flights, it's delivered onDemand only) deploy the middle seat tray table, and Bob's your uncle. (I mean seriously, loop based IFE... these days who can be bothered monitoring the situation, so as to not miss the start of the movie, or hold on and not take a toilet break half way through, especially with the way Virgin's A330 people are so attentive to your inflight "hydration", while the lights are turned on!)

 

[serfty]

tuapekastar on the 330 I would go for row 1 in a heartbeat. While there is more leg room in the other rows, you'd be fine in row 1. ( I know how tall you are - like me seat width may be tight )

Unless you are looking for a view, 1D or 1E are about the best.

Note the 330's have three cameras - Nosewheel/coughpit and Straight down.

See here for a review:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lass-coast-coast-bigger-35264.html#post537761