NM's favourite seats by aircraft type

[NM]

To ensure my 2000th post on AFF is something meaningful and of value to the folks to frequent this value resource, I have put together my list of preferred seats by aircraft type and class.

These are mostly for Qantas aircraft types, but I will include some other OneOwrld airlines as well, and may continue to edit/update as time permits. I know other people will have different ideas for their favourite seats, but these are mine.

Where I list multiple seats, they are in my decreasing order of preference.

Lets start at the top and work down!

QF 747-400 14F, 64J, 265Y
First Class: 4K, 4A, 1k, 1A, 3K, 3A
Business Class: 23F, 23D, 16K, 16J, 16B, 16A, 26F, 26D
Economy: 35H, 34D, 34G, 46H, 46C, 47D, 47G (note 34 and 47 are bassinet position)

QF 747-400 14F, 50J, 315Y
First Class: 4K, 4A, 1k, 1A, 3K, 3A
Business Class: 23F, 23D, 16K, 16J, 16B, 16A, 26F, 26D
Economy: 34C, 34D, 34G, 35H, 46C, 46H, 47D, 47G (note 34 and 47 are bassinet position)

QF 747-400 56J, 356Y
Business Class: 4E, 4F, 23F, 23D, 16K, 16J, 16B, 16A, 1A, 1B, 1J, 1K
Economy: 31D, 26D, 26G, 26H, 26C, 27D, 27G, 29C, 34D, 34G, 35H, 46C, 46H, 47D, 47G (note 34 and 47 are bassinet position)

BA 747-400 14F, 36J, 36W, 272Y
First Class: 1A, 1K, 1A, 2K
Club World: 64A, 64K, 62A, 62K, 14K, 14A
WT+: 17B, 17A, 17D, 17G, 17J, 17K
Economy: 28C, 28H, 28D, 28G, 25D, 25G, 25C, 25J

BA 747-400 14F, 70J, 30W, 177Y
First Class: 1A, 1K, 1A, 2K
Club World: 64A, 64K, 62A, 62K, 14K, 14A, 20A, 20K
WT+: 28B, 28J, 29A, 29K
Economy: 33D, 33G, 33C, 33J

QF 747-300 52J, 398Y
Business Class: 5E, 5F, 15K, 15J, 15B, 15A, 1A, 1B, 1J, 1K
Economy: 20C, 22D, 22D, 29C, 34G, 34D

QF A330-300 30J, 267Y
Business Class: 1E, 1F, 5E, 5F
Economy: 23D, 23G, 23B, 23J, 24D, 24G

QF A330-200 38J, 265Y
Business Class: 1E, 1F, 1B, 1J
Economy: 23D, 23G, 23B, 23J, 24D, 24G

QF 767-338 25J, 204Y
Business Class: 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A
Economy: 24F, 23D, 34B, 34J, 35B, 35J

QF 767-338 30J, 224Y
Business Class: 1E, 1F, 1B, 1J
Economy: 34B, 34J, 35B, 35J

QF 767-336 30J, 214Y
Business Class: 1E, 1F, 1B, 1J
Economy: 43B, 43J, 26D, 26F, 26B, 26J

QF 737-800 12J, 156Y
Business Class: 1C, 1D
Economy: 13C, 13D, 14C, 14D

QF 737-400 4+J, 120+Y
Business Class: 1C, 1D, 1A, 1B
Economy: 11C, 11D, 12C, 12D

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Excellent post - will be invaluable to many (including me) 8)

 

[JohnK]

And with QF lifetime Gold I guess you have also sat in one of these seats at some time!

 

[markis10]

Did 00L-SYD-OOl yesterday and had the pleasure of Seats in Row 4 737-800 both times, thumbs up from me with meals first in line and Biz Class leg room, helped that both trips had no one in the middle!

 

[oz_mark]

Pretty much agree with these, except I would be equally happy with any first class seat

My exceptions:

Prefer 4C and 4D on the 737-800


(and where are the Dash-8's?)

 

[Yada Yada]

To ensure my 2000th post on AFF is something meaningful and of value to the folks to frequent this value resource, I have put together my list of preferred seats by aircraft type and class.

QF 747-400 14F, 64J, 265Y
First Class: 4K, 4A, 1k, 1A, 3K, 3A

Interesting choices. For the one and only time I've flown F on QF, I selected seat 2K but at check-in, the CSR at SYD T1 persuaded me to take 3K which she said was better. I had no idea at the time so agreed.

It did seem a better choice as it felt a little more private than the rest. OTOH, 4K seemed less private, protruding further into the cabin due to the space between the seat and the window.

Do you prefer this seat because of the additional space (which I guess is handy for putting things on)?

 

[NM]

Do you prefer this seat because of the additional space (which I guess is handy for putting things on)?

My first choice is 4K because I really like the extra wide shelf between me and the window. I like to be able to put things there including pillow, laptop computer, meal tray etc. Meal service generally starts from the rear. I prefer the K seat just because the A side is closer to the main cabin door so a little more secluded.

The downside of row 4 is that you are further from the window for looking out and all the row 1, 2 and 3 passengers walk past you to get to the lav.

Now, I don't like row 2 for a few reasons:

• Its the narrowest aisle at that point
• You cannot reach the overhead locker above 2K without standing right in the 2F seat space

Note that row 1 does not have any overhead locker space, but its always a good feeling to hold a boarding pass for a 744 that reads row 1! Its a bit like enhancing the feeling of turning left. And it is the most secluded. So I will happily take row 1 and put up with the lack of overhead locker and being last to be served.

Row three is good for many people as it gets you close to the window, can use the overhead locker, get fed and watered early and don't have too far to wander to the galley/lavs.

But really, there is no bad F seat 8) .

 

[GDSman]

....and if it has to be 'J' then I heartily concur with 64K being the seat of choice on a BA 744 - great privacy and access.

 

[aus_flyer]

What a fantastic post.

Perhaps this can be made a sticky, or added to the Ultimate Guide?

Thanks NM - and congrats on 2000

 

[tuapekastar]

Excellent post NM, and indeed, excellent idea for a post.

Whilst it's personal opinion, it's opinion derived from much experience, and it would be hard to go wrong using this as a guide.

Agree this would be good as a stickie or in UQG.

 

[cssaus]

What a fantastic post.

Perhaps this can be made a sticky, or added to the Ultimate Guide?

Thanks NM - and congrats on 2000

Agreed but why stop at QF and BA and extend the posting to include some of the other popular airlines that are used?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Agreed but why stop at QF and BA and extend the posting to include some of the other popular airlines that are used?

Perhaps that's because NM knows QF and BA seats better than other airlines?

If we're extending to other airlines I could probably do a few *A airlines if folk want.

 

[cssaus]

Agreed but why stop at QF and BA and extend the posting to include some of the other popular airlines that are used?

Perhaps that's because NM knows QF and BA seats better than other airlines?

If we're extending to other airlines I could probably do a few *A airlines if folk want.

That's what the intention was, I realise NM is not necessarily a guru for all airlines and that maybe a few others could chip-in in order to build up a reasonably useful seating-suggestion thread.

 

[BlacKnox]

Very useful post NM, and congrats on the 2K (posts, not seat) .

 

[NM]

I will update with all the aircraft types on which I have travelled over the years. Remember that this is just my opinion and others will differ. There are a few good generic sources on the Internet as well, including Seat Guru.

So stand by for the addition of more BA aircraft types (777, 767, 737, A320/A319), CX (744, A330, 777), AA (777, 763, 762, 738, MD80), and AY (A320/A319).

I am not experienced with the dark side aircraft, having very limited number of flights on NZ (many years ago on 742, 763) and UA (737). I may add some MH types, but again my experience is not great.

Perhaps Lindsay can add this to his ultimate guide. I don't think it justifies a sticky on its own.

 

[serfty]

Good stuff NM.

As it happens, of my 10 upcoming QF flights where a seat may be preallocated all but two had one of those seats mentioned ecexpt for two.

The exeptions are based that I don't mind 23A/K on 333's for short flights. (eg MEL-SYD)

 

[duffshot]

QF 747-400 14F, 64J, 265Y
First Class: 4K, 4A, 1k, 1A, 3K, 3A
Business Class: 23F, 23D, 16K, 16J, 16B, 16A, 26D, 26D
Economy: 35H, 34D, 34G, 46H, 46C, 47D, 47G (note 34 and 47 are bassinet position)

QF 747-400 14F, 50J, 315Y
First Class: 4K, 4A, 1k, 1A, 3K, 3A
Business Class: 23F, 23D, 16K, 16J, 16B, 16A, 26D, 26D
Economy: 34C, 34D, 34G, 35H, 46C, 46H, 47D, 47G (note 34 and 47 are bassinet position)

[

You must really like that 26D position NM - or did you mean 26F, 26D

 

[serfty]

I was in 26H this morning on QF26 to SYD; It's a great seat in the new SkyBed config; with my 183cm height, there is heaps of room for feet in front with a substantial recess in the bulkhead; far bigger than I have previously noticed. It may have something to do with the rear shape of the skybeds that they can do so.

There seems to be enough room even for a window seat passenger in row 26 to easily get out.

I'm on QF25 to LAX in June; I'm going to recheck my allocation there.

 

[NM]

You must really like that 26D position NM - or did you mean 26F, 26D

Ahh yes, there goes my stuttering lisdexia again. I will edit the original.

 

[QF WP]

Gentlemen, gentlemen....your wishes are but my humble command. It is now added to post #4 (all by itself) in the Ultimate Qantas Guide. That way I won't have to change it all the time.

Truly put together by a master. I wish I'd sat in all those seats... :cry: