3 Class 744 LAX-BNE / Preferred J Seats

[jamesatfish]

I've just booked a work trip CBR-IAD return in Business, and due to the timing and trying to use some points rather than paying cash for the ticket I ended up on QF16 LAX-BNE on 22/04.

I understand this is a 2-class 744 - Business & Economy only. The Qantas seat map shows Zone B Rows 23 & 24 as regular Business seats 2-3-2 across, but the EF seat map for the same flight shows those two rows as Premium Economy.

Does anyone know if Qantas are now selling those two rows as PE (with Skybed seats)? If so, surely they'd be a great option to fly to the US with a cheap ticket and an almost-flat bed - and for a night-time return flight better than burning the extra points on the J service.

On a related note, this is the first time I'm flying on a 2-class 744 as normally my travel is ex-SYD. In J I'd usually sit on the upper deck of a 744 but at the moment I've allocated 4B which is in the nose section. Does anyone have any thoughts as to which is the best option?

 

[docjames]

I understand this is a 2-class 744 - Business & Economy only. The Qantas seat map shows Zone B Rows 23 & 24 as regular Business seats 2-3-2 across, but the EF seat map for the same flight shows those two rows as Premium Economy.

Does anyone know if Qantas are now selling those two rows as PE (with Skybed seats)? ?

This has been happening for some time. There is a chance that an aircraft swap may occur and you end up in "proper" Y+ seating, but that's not common, and with that there are usually far less Y seats so most get shuffled and you'd end up in "full" J in that situation.

As always, YMMV.

 

[Hawkeye]

With respect to your second question, my preferred seat is 4E on that config. In the nose, no need for anybody to climb over you, and will translate across to a seat in the F cabin if substituted with a config with F-seats.

If door 1L is used for disembarking (which I think it is at BNE), then you will also be about the first off the plane. If 2L is used, as at LAX, then you will be in the middle of the scrum.

 

[tuppaware]

As always, YMMV.

I've seen that quoted but never have understood what it means?

 

[oz_mark]

I've seen that quoted but never have understood what it means?

YMMV - Wiktionary

 

[Katie]

Those rows were being sold as PE when I flew in Oct last year. Great seat for PE price!! But we had to go back behind the curtain to use the Y loos. Not that it matters much, just felt the stares from Y pax at what looked like J pax coming behind the curtain to flaunt our happy relaxed travel.

I'm not sure if this config is still being sold? I just booked PE to DFW for three of us to US on 30/4 & back on 14/5 and we've been routed thru SYD, no direct BNE-LAX-BNE in Y+, at least on those dates.

 

[Katie]

Oh, and I'd go with 4E over B. In E you don't have anyone climbing over you to get out, both middle seats have aisle access. Got 4E on upgrade LAX-BNE last May. I think I was first person on and off that flight

 

[jamesatfish]

Thanks all for the great advice - especially in regards to 4E. I'm currently in 4B but EF lists 4E as occupied, so I'll keep an eye out for changes in availability. The suggestion regarding booking a seat that translates into an F cabin seat is great - certainly something I hadn't considered.

As always I'm greatly appreciative of the expertise and assistance provided by members of this forum - thanks again.