BA Seat Advice

[Lynda2475]

Im flying BA192 DFW to LHR which is a A380-800 in J.

Disapointingly this seems to be an older plane which has some backward facing seats (not newer 1-2-1 layout I flew last year).

For seat selection seems to be a choice between Main Deck or Upper Deck - any recommendations as to which is better?

One review says tends to be less kids on the upper deck as no bassinette seats. and that Row 53 (upper deck, front cabin): window seats A & K are the best seats on the plane since they offer direct aisle access without jumping over the other passengers’ feet.

Im not sure how I feel about sitting backwards, but they do seem to say window is best for solo traveller and has more storage.

If facing forward i would typically take seat of the left so my back is to the aisle when sleeping, so I have picked 53K figuring facing the wrong way means I need to be on the right.

Thoughts?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Correct! If you sleep on your left side, back to the aisle, then 53K will replicate that in reverse.

The only time you’ll really notice sitting backwards is on take off and landing. Plus your brace position is different. But once in flight i doubt you’ll notice any difference.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The backward seat on CW is fine. I did LAX-LHR last month. Different aircraft but same seat type.
Have flown CW in a rear seat many times.

For BA I would always go in the smaller upstairs cabin
53 A/K as you don’t have to step over the ottoman of the pax in the aisle seat in the row behind you to get out.

 

[justinbrett]

15A/K, 53A/K and 59A/K are all the window seats with direct aisle access, any of those would be my pick.

I'm in 59A for a JNB-LHR flight later this year (unfortunately 53A & K are taken).

These (and the 777/787 equivalents) are always my go to when travelling solo. I really like them.

 

[Simsy85]

We had a similar issue - booked LHR - JFK specifically on the 777 to get the newer seats. BA change the metal and put us on the 787 with the older seats. Needless to say I was pissed.
Surprisingly, when I called up they were happy to help. $$$ difference to. move to a different flight was $8000 for 2 pax, but they cited they would waive it as they would classify it as a 'schedule change' for us.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We had a similar issue - booked LHR - JFK specifically on the 777 to get the newer seats. BA change the metal and put us on the 787 with the older seats. Needless to say I was pissed.
Surprisingly, when I called up they were happy to help. $$$ difference to. move to a different flight was $8000 for 2 pax, but they cited they would waive it as they would classify it as a 'schedule change' for us.

That’s a great outcome.

I know BA is fairly accommodating and proactive in these cases. As they were getting close to completing the installation of their new F cabins, anyone one a flight with an old F seat was given ££ compensation at checkin… IIRC £500?

 

[docjames]

I actually like the backward seat.

Agree with @Princess Fiona - smaller upstairs cabin. Window with direct aisle access as stated by others.

 

[Daver6]

53 A/K would be my pic too. View from 53A isn't bad either...apart from the English weather

 

[Lynda2475]

So the aircraft for this flight has been downgraded to a B777 which also looks to have the old herringbone seat layout (not the nice 1-2-1 i flew from LHR-JFK on the 789 last year).

I've been moved to 16K which appears to have direct aisle access but is the last row and near the bassinettes and toilets. I'm concerned this means I will get last choice of meals and have to contend with screaming baby.

I'm not sure if BA serve by status or row?

I could move to 11A, 11B or 11K or any of the aisle seats in 10 - which is away from bassinettes an should get earlier meal choice.

@Princess Fiona @justinbrett How easy is it to climb over someone on the aisle (or how easy is it for someone to climb over me on the aisle)? Its only 9 hours so I imagine will only sleep for max of 5-6hrs.

I cant seem to find any pictures online showing how one can get out of the window if the aisle is in bed mode?

 

[justinbrett]

@Princess Fiona @justinbrett How easy is it to climb over someone on the aisle (or how easy is it for someone to climb over me on the aisle)? Its only 9 hours so I imagine will only sleep for max of 5-6hrs.

I cant seem to find any pictures online showing how one can get out of the window if the aisle is in bed mode?

You have to step over their feet (of the person behind your neighbour), thus no privacy. It's not ideal, I would stick with 16K unless you're not planning to sleep (ie daytime trans-Atlantic)

Last year I was in the last row of J (787) flying SYD-SIN-LHR, flight was 100% full, and I got my first choice of meals.

 

[Lynda2475]

You have to step over their feet (of the person behind your neighbour), thus no privacy. It's not ideal, I would stick with 16K unless you're not planning to sleep (ie daytime trans-Atlantic)

Last year I was in the last row of J (787) flying SYD-SIN-LHR, flight was 100% full, and I got my first choice of meals.

Its over night so I was planning to sleep, guess i can hope there are no babies in J.

When the plane was swapped I was hoping it would be for a refurbished one (as last year the 789 was super comfy and private with pillows twice the size of QF J and a door) but alas just a smaller older aircraft.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Take the direct aisle access! So much better, and easy to get out. Even if I knew there was a baby I’d take that seat over a regular one.

Despite the lack of privacy and difficulty accessing the aisles, ying-yang seats are very comfortable.

 

[Princess Fiona]

So the aircraft for this flight has been downgraded to a B777 which also looks to have the old herringbone seat layout (not the nice 1-2-1 i flew from LHR-JFK on the 789 last year).

I've been moved to 16K which appears to have direct aisle access but is the last row and near the bassinettes and toilets. I'm concerned this means I will get last choice of meals and have to contend with screaming baby.

I'm not sure if BA serve by status or row?

I could move to 11A, 11B or 11K or any of the aisle seats in 10 - which is away from bassinettes an should get earlier meal choice.

@Princess Fiona @justinbrett How easy is it to climb over someone on the aisle (or how easy is it for someone to climb over me on the aisle)? Its only 9 hours so I imagine will only sleep for max of 5-6hrs.

I cant seem to find any pictures online showing how one can get out of the window if the aisle is in bed mode?

Stick with 16K. It’s one of the best seats in that aircraft. I’d choose that even if my meal choice was last.

 

[Des1801]

So can I ask just how bad is the Club World seat comfort wise ? Ie will I regret booking it for a 14 hour overnight flight ? Or should I deliberately re-route though another city in order to fly the BA A350 instead ?

 

[Andy72]

It depends on the iteration, the new seats are very comfortable and nice. The old seats feel a little like sleeping on a park bench with a cushion. You are very exposed to the isle. Unlike any business class seat I have ever flown in. Service was great though

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So can I ask just how bad is the Club World seat comfort wise ? Ie will I regret booking it for a 14 hour overnight flight ? Or should I deliberately re-route though another city in order to fly the BA A350 instead ?

I’m on the complete opposite of the ratings to Andy72!

While the ying-yang seats have their downsides… climbing over someone’s feet to get to the aisle, or getting friendly with your neighbour before takeoff… I find the seats themselves very comfortable! Well padded, and long. I sleep soundly in them.

Very few business seats are perfect. Apex suites come to mind with no compromise in privacy, length, aisle access or footwell space… but they aren’t popular with airlines because of the real estate they take up.

 

[Lynda2475]

For those interested here are some pics from the flight.

It wasn't terrible, I slept much better in this seat than on AYs new J non-reclining seats. You cant watch tv during taxi, take-off or landing. But I much prefer the new seats on BAs B789 flown from LHR-JFK the year before (which I also believe are on newer A350s):