A380 in Y - best seats (80A/80K/71D/50C etc.)

[AdMEL]

Does anyone know if a non-status pax can pay for advance seat selection and choose 80A/80K or 71D?

Or, are these seats now blocked for QFF status pax?

My boss is doing QF9/QF10 in July next year and I'm trying to help him get a decent seat in Y.

It seems to depend!

A friend who is only bronze was able to select 80A/K on QF 93/94 MEL-LAX-MEL March 2012 about 3 weeks ago, upon my advice, thanks to AFF. Each seat cost $20, but that's a bargain! In the last couple of weeks I have looked at the same seats on the same flights for myself (also bronze) in June, July 2012 - according to Expert Flyer (free version) blocked! Re-checked the whole of March - also blocked! 71D seems to be available reasonably regularly.

 

[cjd600]

It seems to depend!

A friend who is only bronze was able to select 80A/K on QF 93/94 MEL-LAX-MEL March 2012 about 3 weeks ago, upon my advice, thanks to AFF. Each seat cost $20, but that's a bargain! In the last couple of weeks I have looked at the same seats on the same flights for myself (also bronze) in June, July 2012 - according to Expert Flyer (free version) blocked! Re-checked the whole of March - also blocked! 71D seems to be available reasonably regularly.

QF 11/12 SYD-LAX-SYD,Aug12 has both 80A/80K available for me to lock in for the $20, with my newly demoted NB "status".....

 

[ellen10]

I had seat 80A for a LON - SYD flight in October. And yes the wait to get off is long, but you have to take the good with the bad.

Most annoying part is, if travelling with a partner, the fixed armrest between 80A/B or 80J/K and the inconvenience when your partner is trying to get out via your seat, even when you have moved out. It is quite squishy and for larger people would be difficult as the space is only narrow, especially if the front passenger has their seat reclined.

 

[medhead]

Does anyone have the low down on power availability in Y on the A380? If any?

I'm finally getting to try one of these aircraft next May. Up pops the issue of power of medical equipment, which can only be supplied to 84/86 A or 85 A/B. All rather unattractive options however massive trade off time. Take the medical power and seat and hope for no seat buddies due to the unattractiveness of the nearby seats. Or forgo a good night's rest and get a better seat. If there is now power in a better seat than that might work as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[reductionist]

The staff on the platinum desk told me once that every seat in Y has power.

I found this to be incorrect however.

Seems that every seat except exit row seats have power. The ports are underneath the seat in front of you.

Also they do accept Australian plugs so no adapter is required.

Edit: So, you can get power in seat 80A, but only if the person in seat 80B doesn't require it. On the few times I've been seated in an exit row I asked the person behind me nicely if I could use the power port and got them to plug it in for me.

 

[medhead]

Cheers that's great news. Or maybe I should takes Cove's advice and buy a battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[serfty]

The exit seats do have power - it's under the armrest and inaccessible if the TV screen is stowed as it's behind where the monitor arm rests:

All current Qantas aircraft that have audio sockets use the 2 pronged type.

As for power, while it is not standard on the 330¹, it is on the 388.

You will find the socket in your row 79 exit seat under the arm rest. Is accessed in the storage slot for your monitor. It is not accessible when the monitor is stowed. It's hard to see TBH.

Be aware that the access to the socket is quite narrow and any plugs² wider than a standard plug probably won't reach.

¹ Note there is a 110vac 400hz socket near the row 44 seats - discreetly use at own risk.
² Including, especially, "power packs" - those with inbuilt transformers.

As for 80A, see this thread:

Good News - there is a power socket readily accessible to 80A. It to the left of the 80A occupant at the back of 79B on the right hand of that seat. There's another power socket similarly placed between 79B and 79C (accessible to 80B/C).

It points at a 45 degree angle to the floor.

Here's a couple of images:

Socket:

This was taken with the camera touching the floor and pointing up slightly.

Location:

In the second image, the socket is located underneath a discernible straight part of the curve just above the image centre. (You cannot see the actual socket in the photo)

 

[reductionist]

The exit seats do have power - it's under the armrest and inaccessible if the TV screen is stowed as it's behind where the monitor arm rests

Oh wow, I had no idea!

 

[ellen10]

Just booked flights to London on A380 for Sept 2012.

Being a Bronze FF was willing to pay for seats. However seats 80A/B and 80J/K and 71D are blocked, ugh! So had no other option but to book and pay for exit row seats 66J/K. Hoping these will be ok. Anyone with experience of 66J/K?

 

[reductionist]

Anyone with experience of 66J/K?

Row 66 looks close to the loos on the seat map so I've always avoided it.

It might be fine however.

Row 79 is my go to exit row on the QF A380.

 

[ellen10]

Yes I tossed up between the exit rows 66 and 79.

On our last flight we sat in 80A/B. I did notice a lot of traffic to the galley throughout the night. eg opening and closing of the curtains, talking and the bright lights.
And also the two seats in 79B/C seem to stick out in the middle a little, when people walk by.

Oh, I hate making these decisions!

 

[serfty]

79C & 79H have real issues with people coming down though the curtain and bumping in - this can domino to the 79C/J occupants as well.

66K is a great seat! Plenty of wall side space.

Just make sure you wear white socks or other light coloured footware so those doing mid-flight isometrics/calisthenics in the darkness are aware of your extremities lest you be trodden on.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks serfty for your imput.

I am a little more relieved after your comment. We will be sure to wear bright white socks!

 

[blackcat20]

Row 66 looks close to the loos on the seat map so I've always avoided it.

I've sat in row 67 and didn't notice any crowding around the loos. Never had to wait when I needed to go so they werent too busy.

 

[straitman]

I am a little more relieved after your comment. We will be sure to wear bright white socks!

Are there different shades of white:?:

 

[medhead]

Ok my time for seat advice. QF1 and 2 in May 2012.

On the way over I can get 50BC, 71D or 80A but with someone in 80B. I'm thinking 50C, as I don't care about noise. What is the bulkhead space like?

I think someone in 80B will kill it for me, but then someone is likely to take 50B I suppose. The quick exit might be a benefit in that case. On Serfty's advice I'm ranking 71D last.

Are there any other seats to consider? 50H?

On the way back I have the 50ABC and 71D, the 80s are taken.

Are there different shades of white:?:

The cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[Awesom Andy]

It's nice to be in 50 when going into SIN for a transit. At least you'll be one of the first from your flight to get into the normally overcrowded lounge.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Does anyone know if a non-status pax can pay for advance seat selection and choose 80A/80K or 71D?

Or, are these seats now blocked for QFF status pax?

My boss is doing QF9/QF10 in July next year and I'm trying to help him get a decent seat in Y.

Can confirm that I can select 80A/K and 71D as an NB.

However I can't actually pay and select them since my flight has not been ticketed yet. Everything crossed it tickets before someone else snaps one of them up!

 

[serfty]

Can confirm that I can select 80A/K and 71D as an NB. ...

How soon is the flight?

 

[Must...Fly!]

How soon is the flight?

6 and a half months.

It is actually the "new" QF2 via SIN. Perhaps that is making all the difference.