New Qantas 747-400 3 Class Fitout

[mannej]

I have a forward booking for QF108 in December in Y. EF shows new config, but in my QF bookings seat map currently shows the old arrangement:

14 First; 52 Business; 32 Premium Economy; 255 Economy*

I'm assuming it will actually be new 3 class seeing as all should by now be refurbed, but any suggestions why that flight still showing as old layout? I currently have a seat (41H) that doesn't exist on new config...

Remember not all the 747's are getting the refurb, so you may indeed end up on a different config as they may not all be retired by then.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Looks like my QF5 early next month is on a 744 thats not refurbished yet. 2A shows the F config but I'm on a J fare. Looking forward to it as its an overnight flight so the extra seat space will be valuable.

 

[KVK]

It really makes no difference since they are all old skybeds. 16A would be my pick on the upper deck. Getting off can be a bit slow. If that's important go for something on the lower deck.


Sent from the Throne

We were booked on the old 4 class 747 ex Singapore, so had 1K and 2K booked, but late change of aircraft has the old 3 class (Rows 1 to 4 in the nose) 747. Does anyone know if all the J seats are still the old Mk 1? Seat guru is creating a bit of confusion. Have taken a punt on 16 A and B but was wondering if the nose was any better?
thanks in advance

 

[phily]

I like the layout.

5B & 5J look like great seats to me!

Yes, 5B & 5J are excellent seats, for they're exit row seats, but the real plus is that you've got this huge storage bin with lid between your seat and the wall, which is large enough to fit all the junk that you'd want at your seat. But, these seats and their storage space are only available on selected model 747s. Most 3-class 747s have 2-3-2 seats in row 5.

 

[KVK]

Yes, 5B & 5J are excellent seats, for they're exit row seats, but the real plus is that you've got this huge storage bin with lid between your seat and the wall, which is large enough to fit all the junk that you'd want at your seat. But, these seats and their storage space are only available on selected model 747s. Most 3-class 747s have 2-3-2 seats in row 5.

A bit confused here, from my reading of the Qantas seat maps, only one of the 747 layouts has a row 5. All the others seem to go from row 4 to row twenty something.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Apparently having your leg in a cast doesn't preclude one from sitting in exit row 14 upstairs either.

Could well be an advantage !

 

[Paddy55]

Yes, 5B & 5J are excellent seats, for they're exit row seats, but the real plus is that you've got this huge storage bin with lid between your seat and the wall, which is large enough to fit all the junk that you'd want at your seat. But, these seats and their storage space are only available on selected model 747s. Most 3-class 747s have 2-3-2 seats in row 5.

Mrs Paddy travelled on QF 5 last Monday and was in 5J - loved the privacy of the seat and especially the storage bin

 

[Hvr]

How do you think 5B compare to upstair exit row 14?? I would have thought upstairs more intimate (esp for sleep)?

I slept very well on the LAX-JFK leg. So well in fact that the FA couldn't wake me for lunch. My lunch choice was saved for when I woke up. He was able to lay a blanket over me without waking me which is something not even the CX F FAs can achieve.

Because I was on the aisle with no window seat there was nobody trying to get over me I think it was even better than upstairs.

 

[MH_fan]

What would people advise as the best seats for a couple travelling on these refurbished birds? I currently have 14AB. Are the upper deck seats the best choice out of all of them?

 

[Dmac6345]

On the top deck, these are the best seats.
On the bottom row 2 and 3 are also good.
I use row 5 when solo and 14 when travelling with Mrs Dmac.

 

[serfty]

For a couple, 3E/F, 14A/B and 14J/K in that order.

3E/F have personal storage bins in front. 14A has one on the left side (not sure about 14K).

 

[MH_fan]

On the top deck, these are the best seats.
On the bottom row 2 and 3 are also good.
I use row 5 when solo and 14 when travelling with Mrs Dmac.

Thanks for that. Got 14AB on the outgoing flight and 12JK on the return. There are also better passenger to toilet ratios on the upper deck. 2 toilets for 18 passengers whereas it looks like there's only 2 for the whole lower deck!

 

[Daver6]

What would people advise as the best seats for a couple travelling on these refurbished birds? I currently have 14AB. Are the upper deck seats the best choice out of all of them?

Excellent couple seat choice. Miles of room in front. If you need more storage space, there is a box like object (containing some equipment) just behind the row in front. You can put some stuff there if need be. I left my laptop sitting on there charging over night.

The only gripe I have with it, is in the aisle on the ceiling are some emergency lights which seem to stay on. Not overly bright and not an issue at all if sleeping with an eye mask on.

 

[Daver6]

Thanks for that. Got 14AB on the outgoing flight and 12JK on the return. There are also better passenger to toilet ratios on the upper deck. 2 toilets for 18 passengers whereas it looks like there's only 2 for the whole lower deck!

Refurbs only have one toilet at the front of the upper deck. During peak toilet time (ie after breakfast) there were huge wait times. Downstairs was just as bad.

 

[serfty]

Thanks for that. Got 14AB on the outgoing flight and 12JK on the return. There are also better passenger to toilet ratios on the upper deck. 2 toilets for 18 passengers whereas it looks like there's only 2 for the whole lower deck!

There's actually 3 (or 2½) - there one aft of the snack bar that is shared with PE.

 

[Paddy55]

Anyone know if CPAP machines can be used in any J seat on the new config?
Have a SYD-DFW flight coming up in J booked via AA.
They don't have a record of me using a CPAP machine (which I must fix) as do QF.
Am v happy to be in 5J but QF won't open up 12A for me and 3A is occupied

 

[legroom]

Anyone know if CPAP machines can be used in any J seat on the new config?
Have a SYD-DFW flight coming up in J booked via AA.
They don't have a record of me using a CPAP machine (which I must fix) as do QF.
Am v happy to be in 5J but QF won't open up 12A for me and 3A is occupied

I read somewhere here (? Serfty's comment) that 11K is the J seat to be used for medical equipment.

Could you call QF to ask for that?

IIRC, Serfty was ejected from 11K once because of a CPAP machine.

 

[serfty]

...
IIRC, Serfty was ejected from 11K once because of a CPAP machine.

TBH, I am not certain what sort of machine it was - I never saw it. However, I was advised that 11K has a 'medical power supply' which was required for a passenger who needed it (and had not made the normal pre-arrangements).

My BP still says 11K to this day - it was not until boarding, where the CSM politely asked if I would mind moving.

 

[legroom]

For a couple, 3E/F, 14A/B and 14J/K in that order.

3E/F have personal storage bins in front. 14A has one on the left side (not sure about 14K).

Hooray !

Configuration changed from "row 4" to "row 3".

Mk II seats, here we go.

I opted for 14AB as the ratio of pax:loo is marginally better upstairs (18:1 vs 20:1).

5B/5J is available but we are travelling as a couple on this occasion so I have to give that a miss.

 

[Paddy55]

I read somewhere here (? Serfty's comment) that 11K is the J seat to be used for medical equipment.

Could you call QF to ask for that?

IIRC, Serfty was ejected from 11K once because of a CPAP machine.

11K is the J seat on an A380 reserved for medical power for CPAP machine users.
On the refurbed 747 it is 3A, 12A and one other seat on the main deck.

QF are being a bit bureaucratic in insisting they must here of my request from AA before they'll move me... even though I'm fully registered with QF under my QF FF No.