Best Y seats to Europe

[Kaiser]

After much splurging last year with J trips..I face the prospect of getting to Europe in Y class once again. I've narrowed down my choices to either:

All are around $1500

SQ : BNE-SIN-MXP

QF/QR: BNE-SIN-DOH-MXP

or QF/LH: BNE-SIN-FRA-MXP

I've only flown EK Y to Europe before so I was wondering if anyone can comment on there preferred Y class seat to Europe out of these three. I'm leaning towards QR, mainly because it breaks the journey into 3 legs which I prefer when travelling long haul Y. I have some reservations about LH as they've left me in a lurch a few times with their strike actions in EU.

cheers

 

[dmitri]

Is there such a thing as a "best Y seat"? there may be manageable Y seats

 

[esseeeayeenn]

After much splurging last year with J trips..I face the prospect of getting to Europe in Y class once again. I've narrowed down my choices to either:

All are around $1500

SQ : BNE-SIN-MXP

QF/QR: BNE-SIN-DOH-MXP

or QF/LH: BNE-SIN-FRA-MXP

I've only flown EK Y to Europe before so I was wondering if anyone can comment on there preferred Y class seat to Europe out of these three. I'm leaning towards QR, mainly because it breaks the journey into 3 legs which I prefer when travelling long haul Y. I have some reservations about LH as they've left me in a lurch a few times with their strike actions in EU.

cheers

It all depends which aircraft you are on.
The seats can vary considerably even within one airline.
You can use seat guru to find out once you have particular flight numbers in mind then compare the seats.
Seat guru has a good comparison chart here

 

[Kaiser]

It all depends which aircraft you are on.
The seats can vary considerably even within one airline.
You can use seat guru to find out once you have particular flight numbers in mind then compare the seats.
Seat guru has a good comparison chart here

SQ would be A333 BNE-SIN, then A350 SIN-MXP

QF/QR would be A333 to SIN also, then A350/A330 SIN-DOH/DOH-MXP

I beleive the long leg on LH would be A388

 

[mooingchicken]

Have not flown QR or LH, But I rate SQ econ as probably the best I have been on

 

[esseeeayeenn]

SQ would be A333 BNE-SIN, then A350 SIN-MXP

QF/QR would be A333 to SIN also, then A350/A330 SIN-DOH/DOH-MXP

I beleive the long leg on LH would be A388

To be certain it is worth checking the specific flights as even the same aircraft type with the same airline may have different configurations.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

SQ would be A333 BNE-SIN, then A350 SIN-MXP

QF/QR would be A333 to SIN also, then A350/A330 SIN-DOH/DOH-MXP

I beleive the long leg on LH would be A388

SQ A333 is 19 wide 32 pitch
SQ A359 is 18 wide 32 pitch
QF A332 is either 17.2/17.5 width 31 pitch
QF A333 is 17 width 31 pitch.
QR A359 is 18 width 31-32 pitch
LH A388 is 18.2 width 31 pitch

So if you're sole criteria is the seat I'd go with SQ.

 

[clifford]

Another issue is whether you are travelling alone or not. If two are travelling then the Airbii are probably the best bet, otherwise a 777 with 3-3-3 configuration (sitting on the aisle in the middle).

Have you also considered the Thai 747 with the 2-4-2 configuration at the back? 34 inch pitch and loads of room at the side of the 2 seaters. Possibly A350 from BKK (seat 32"/18").

Just a few random thoughts.

 

[AnnaB]

I like SQ when flying Y. Seats are often some of the best, great in-flight entertainment system and the soft product is really great considering its Y. Never been delayed, staff is amazing, extra luggage allowance and the stopover in SIN, as compared to other airports, is as good as it gets.

 

[Reds2011]

After much splurging last year with J trips..I face the prospect of getting to Europe in Y class once again. I've narrowed down my choices to either:

All are around $1500

SQ : BNE-SIN-MXP

QF/QR: BNE-SIN-DOH-MXP

or QF/LH: BNE-SIN-FRA-MXP

I've only flown EK Y to Europe before so I was wondering if anyone can comment on there preferred Y class seat to Europe out of these three. I'm leaning towards QR, mainly because it breaks the journey into 3 legs which I prefer when travelling long haul Y. I have some reservations about LH as they've left me in a lurch a few times with their strike actions in EU.

cheers

Check if QR is going to be 10 across in Y - best avoided. SQ would be my preference, followed by QF/LH

 

[downgraded]

Aren't SQ and QF both 2-4-2 on their A333 - how can they report 2in difference in seat width - thats 16in or nearly another seat's worth of width.

Is this just the issue of non standardized measurements?

 

[Pleb Status]

After doing ~11 hours on the weekend in SQ Y, it was a pretty good effort overall. If you can get the Y exit row (at a reasonable additional charge), I would be happy to go with SQ over the other options.

 

[dajop]

Another issue is whether you are travelling alone or not. If two are travelling then the Airbii are probably the best bet, otherwise a 777 with 3-3-3 configuration .

A350's also have 3-3-3 config, only 330's have 2-4-2.

 

[NZflygirl]

After much splurging last year with J trips..I face the prospect of getting to Europe in Y class once again. I've narrowed down my choices to either:

All are around $1500

SQ : BNE-SIN-MXP

QF/QR: BNE-SIN-DOH-MXP

or QF/LH: BNE-SIN-FRA-MXP

I've only flown EK Y to Europe before so I was wondering if anyone can comment on there preferred Y class seat to Europe out of these three. I'm leaning towards QR, mainly because it breaks the journey into 3 legs which I prefer when travelling long haul Y. I have some reservations about LH as they've left me in a lurch a few times with their strike actions in EU.

cheers

I would go QF/QR via SIN/DOH.

QF the A330 is great for the 2-4-2 layout and you snag the 2 seater. (Pity you can't take SYD-BKK on EK under QF on the A380 or MEL-SIN A380, I think BNE is a 777).

I think breaking the trip up will make it more tolerable and what's not to like about Changi. I also like the ease of Doha airport. The fly time I think is more tolerable. SIN-FRA/MXP is still long haul whereas the others are more medium haul. ie getting out for a stretch.

QR's service I found memorable. I flew medium haul with them in Y and they came through frequently with water and snack options. Meal was a bit small but not too fussed. I haven't done SQ long haul Y for donkeys years so would be out of date. QR A350 flying - new plane yay!

LH A380 I believe has an upper deck Y 2-4-2 layout which I think might also be acceptable if you don't mind the fly time.

I think transiting either SIN or BKK to break up the trip and then ME is the way I'd do it in Y if not going direct from Oz.

 

[Kaiser]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice. I was very close to doing QF/QR/QR via SIN and DOH, as I actually like breaking the journey up into 3 x 7hr legs. This option priced out at around $1800.

I managed to find a QF/EK/EK for $1550 with QF A332 BNE-SIN and EK flights being A380 from SIN-DXB and 77W for the shorter DXB-MXP. On the way back both EK legs are A388 to DXB/SIN and then back on QF52 to Brisbane.
This option priced out the best and had reasonable stop over times of between 2-4hrs. It was also one of a few that had me in MXP in the morning, which I needed to connect to an EasyJet flight. I was keen/curious to try SQ, or even Thai + Austrian .but the longer leg from Asia to Europe was what put me off.

Unfortunately my flight booked into Economy saver and not Economy flex so there are seat selection fees unless I wait until until T48hrs for OLCI.
Another factor for choosing EK...last month I flew with them in Y to BKK and I got the email upgrade offer a few days before and upgraded to J seat, also I counted about 10 op-ups at the gate before boarding. Might get lucky, who knows haha.

 

[NZflygirl]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice. I was very close to doing QF/QR/QR via SIN and DOH, as I actually like breaking the journey up into 3 x 7hr legs. This option priced out at around $1800.

I managed to find a QF/EK/EK for $1550 with QF A332 BNE-SIN and EK flights being A380 from SIN-DXB and 77W for the shorter DXB-MXP. On the way back both EK legs are A388 to DXB/SIN and then back on QF52 to Brisbane.
This option priced out the best and had reasonable stop over times of between 2-4hrs. It was also one of a few that had me in MXP in the morning, which I needed to connect to an EasyJet flight. I was keen/curious to try SQ, or even Thai + Austrian .but the longer leg from Asia to Europe was what put me off.

Unfortunately my flight booked into Economy saver and not Economy flex so there are seat selection fees unless I wait until until T48hrs for OLCI.
Another factor for choosing EK...last month I flew with them in Y to BKK and I got the email upgrade offer a few days before and upgraded to J seat, also I counted about 10 op-ups at the gate before boarding. Might get lucky, who knows haha.

Well you got price and reasonable fly times that aren't long haul, good connection times, along with aircraft (maybe except that 777), so you did well! Fingers crossed for the op-up

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice. I was very close to doing QF/QR/QR via SIN and DOH, as I actually like breaking the journey up into 3 x 7hr legs. This option priced out at around $1800.

I managed to find a QF/EK/EK for $1550 with QF A332 BNE-SIN and EK flights being A380 from SIN-DXB and 77W for the shorter DXB-MXP. On the way back both EK legs are A388 to DXB/SIN and then back on QF52 to Brisbane.
This option priced out the best and had reasonable stop over times of between 2-4hrs. It was also one of a few that had me in MXP in the morning, which I needed to connect to an EasyJet flight. I was keen/curious to try SQ, or even Thai + Austrian .but the longer leg from Asia to Europe was what put me off.

Unfortunately my flight booked into Economy saver and not Economy flex so there are seat selection fees unless I wait until until T48hrs for OLCI.
Another factor for choosing EK...last month I flew with them in Y to BKK and I got the email upgrade offer a few days before and upgraded to J seat, also I counted about 10 op-ups at the gate before boarding. Might get lucky, who knows haha.

Just curious - you asked a question about the best seats - but seem to have chosen flights based on every other criteria.

 

[Kaiser]

Yes I did go off on a bit of a tangent - but in the end, I decided the flight durations and connections were more of a factor than 1 inch difference in seat width or pitch.

 

[ap_member]

Glad to hear you got it sorted.

We've booked on the Cathay Pacific A350 from Brisbane to Paris in August. I'm excited to try the new aircraft and hoping that the 32 inches of pitch makes the Economy trip somewhat comfortable. The fares we've got don't offer seat selection so hopefully we end up with an okay spot.

 

[dajop]

I was keen/curious to try SQ, or even Thai + Austrian .but the longer leg from Asia to Europe was what put me off.

Glad you found a journey that met your needs, the EK A380 product is quite good in economy, at least IMHO.

As an aside, for friends/relatives if they are concerned about the length of the Asia to Europe sectors (eg on SQ, TG, CX or MH), I always suggest (if they have the time), day or afternoon flight up to Asia, overnight in transit point then take a day flight to Europe the next day. It seems to work well, although granted if they transit SIN they don't have to pay for a nights accommodation as they can stay with us

The advantage of a day flight (for example the one leaving SIN at 9am and reaching LHR around 13 hrs later, at around 10pm SIN time) is that if the flight is entirely during day time, most people don't sleep deeply - so even if stuck in middle or window seat, it's not so much of a bother disturbing the person beside you to get up and go for a walk, and you don't necessarily feel dead tired for most of the flight. But of course irrespective of time of day going via the Asia + ME, as you are doing breaks this up even further.