A380 Upper Deck Economy - Rear Staircase

[QPProletarian]

Hi,

Just wondering what experiences people have had flying in Upper Deck Economy on the A380. One of the things I used to like about these seats was the ability to use the stairs at the rear to stretch my legs and go down to the Self Serve snack/drinks bars, grabbing stuff without having to hassle the FAs. However, on my last flight I was told off for doing this. It was never an issue on previous flights.

Is this allowed or not?

 

[markis10]

You need to ask the crew re the gate (this is so they can ensure its closed properly after you) I believe, OH&S issue.

 

[samh004]

You need to ask the crew re the gate (this is so they can ensure its closed properly after you) I believe, OH&S issue.

They should just install a slide

 

[ozmille]

never had an issue when going down for a wander

 

[cfellows]

I wish I knew this was possible, the gate was always closed off so I assumed we weren't allowed to go down

 

[BenSQ380]

I was upstairs in March. We had friends downstairs and asked the FA if we could head down to say g'day. We were told the gate was closed due to it being a full flight so maybe the different experiences are based on how full the flight is and whether the gate is closed. Anyway, we were in J and the FA brought our friends up to the lounge, once all the other pax had retired for the evening.

 

[redslert]

I experienced little monitoring of the stairs.
On a day time flight there were economy pax coming up the stairs to use the "cleaner" and "better" toilets.
Plus take items from the mini-bar before going back downstairs.

Happened frequently as the word spread...

 

[Limewood]

Went down the rear 380 stairs last Sat on QF127, but I did ask the FA, she opened the gate both ways.

 

[UP4014]

Didn't realise there was a gate, no gate on the front stairs. Are their stairs in the middle?

Matt

 

[madrooster]

The gate is there to stop galley carts going down the rear stairs. The front stairs don't have a galley right in front of the stairs.

 

[UP4014]

That could be very nasty.
front stairs on a 380, excuse the quality
Front stairs an a QANTAS Airbus 380 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Limewood]

Had the exit seats in Y upper 380 mini cabin on way over no storage bins, on way back will have 32AB bulkhead these have storage bin at side much better.

 

[Qld flyer]

We recently did the QF1 trip in 32JK. I regularly used the stairs down to the lower deck to stretch the legs, refill my water bottle and use the bathrooms (almost always guaranteed to have a free toilet downstairs whereas there was almost always a short line upstairs). I did get a bit of attitude from the FA on one of the first trips about having to ask to have them operate the gate - then I worked out how to do it myself and although on a couple of occasions an FA appeared from the galley/crew rest area when they heard the gate they didn't seem to have a big issue with me operating the gate myself (well, they didn't say anything).

The toilets downstairs did get a little unruly by the time we go to DXB but I still appreciated the space to stretch and move around.

Although off-topic I concur with the views of others that Row 32 is a little awkward for taller passengers without the bulkhead cut-out. It was a really difficult amount of leg room - but the use of a roll-away to rest the legs helped a little.