New QF A380 reconfiguration!!!

[mannej]

I can see lots of PAX , or at least FF's, trying to use code share flights with EK rather than QF if this configuration isn't sorted before the new tie up next year


It is I, Leclerc !

Funny - I found the queue for the toilet to be no different to normal.

Granted I was upper deck Y, but is the new config really that bad?

 

[Deleted member]

Funny - I found the queue for the toilet to be no different to normal.

Granted I was upper deck Y, but is the new config really that bad?

Well I can't say personally. As I wasn't there. However she mentioned the FA's were less than impressed about the config as well.
I will be collecting her from BNE at 09.30 so I am sure to have a blow by blow description. Having spent the first leg, LHR - SIN in Y& the second SIN- SYD in J she will be able to provide a good comparison i think. . What I can say though is, she is well and truly done with flying long haul whY. Like me her new perspective is J or don't go. Can't say I even enjoy Y to NZ these days.

 

[under the radar]

Well I can't say personally. As I wasn't there. However she mentioned the FA's were less than impressed about the config as well.
I will be collecting her from BNE at 09.30 so I am sure to have a blow by blow description. Having spent the first leg, LHR - SIN in Y& the second SIN- SYD in J she will be able to provide a good comparison i think. . What I can say though is, she is well and truly done with flying long haul whY.  Like me her new perspective is J or don't go. Can't say I even enjoy Y to NZ these days.

NOTE..i was a QF F/A for many years!! ...a longhaul aircraft is a F/As home/workplace...when layouts/procedures change, it can be a cultural shock to SOME ..the 'original' layout has less 'restrictions'... both in the cabin and in the galleys...over time...the 'old' is forgotten and the 'new' is the norm!! .. it's like any other workplace...imagine if your work environment/procedures changed whenever you went to work ...some settle in quicker than others!!!

 

[mannej]

NOTE..i was a QF F/A for many years!! ...a longhaul aircraft is a F/As home/workplace...when layouts/procedures change, it can be a cultural shock to SOME ..the 'original' layout has less 'restrictions'... both in the cabin and in the galleys...over time...the 'old' is forgotten and the 'new' is the norm!! .. it's like any other workplace...imagine if your work environment/procedures changed whenever you went to work ...some settle in quicker than others!!!

Fair point, the biggest gripe I heard from the FA's working on the Y - Upper deck is the lack of storage.

In terms of Queues, I didn't notice any. Maybe what on paper looks like a disaster isn't really that bad in reality...

 

[brha01]

Funny - I found the queue for the toilet to be no different to normal.

Granted I was upper deck Y, but is the new config really that bad?

I just flew MEL-LHR on the upper deck in Y (33G). I was very impressed. A small and quiet cabin which is surprisingly roomy given there is an exit row running through the middle of it. Upper deck is a world apart from the cramped and noisy nature of lower deck Y. And very quick to get on/off given you are able to use the upper deck bridge with J & Y+ pax. I would not hesitate to sit up there again.

In terms of toilets, I didnt find it to be an issue. There is one toilet at the rear for upper deck Y. Note, however, that the load was only about 60% so not sure if this would be different if there was a full load. I asked one of th FAs what she thought and basically no difference according to her- although she did say the pax sitting up there love it (and I know why!)

 

[froggerADL]

Maybe what on paper looks like a disaster isn't really that bad in reality...

This is hilarious given the toilet context!

 

[Pablo]

I'm really struggling to decide which is better. I'm headed to LAX in January and have just swapped 51H to 32A to try the upper deck. Coming back I have 80K but am also wondering if 32A would be better (smaller cabin, quicker to get off etc). Really can't decide. How bad is the limited leg room because of the bulkhead in 32A?

I've seen here too comments about the exit rows being free for some - is this just for P1 or is this also for WP (I've only just become WP for the first time)?

 

[froggerADL]

I'm really struggling to decide which is better. I'm headed to LAX in January and have just swapped 51H to 32A to try the upper deck. Coming back I have 80K but am also wondering if 32A would be better (smaller cabin, quicker to get off etc). Really can't decide. How bad is the limited leg room because of the bulkhead in 32A?

I've seen here too comments about the exit rows being free for some - is this just for P1 or is this also for WP (I've only just become WP for the first time)?

Free exit rows are a P1 benefit only.

 

[Pablo]

Free exit rows are a P1 benefit only.

Thanks froggerADL.

 

[brha01]

I'm really struggling to decide which is better. I'm headed to LAX in January and have just swapped 51H to 32A to try the upper deck. Coming back I have 80K but am also wondering if 32A would be better (smaller cabin, quicker to get off etc). Really can't decide. How bad is the limited leg room because of the bulkhead in 32A?

I've seen here too comments about the exit rows being free for some - is this just for P1 or is this also for WP (I've only just become WP for the first time)?

You would almost certainly have more leg room in 80K. row 32 has more legroom than a normal Y seat because of the bulkhead but not as much as you would get in 80K. The only disadvantage with the bulkhead is that you can't stretch your legs out under the seat in front. I'd say unless you are taller than about 5 foot 10 or 11, row 32 would be fine. I guess it comes down to whether you prefer the bit of extra legroom at 80K or the smaller cabin and other advantages of the upper deck.

 

[jb747]

If given the choice, I would always take the upper deck.

Interesting comments about the vacuum cleaner power. My understanding was that it was deactivated in flight, but I'll have to check. On those occasions when I pax, I find the USB power to be much more useful than AC power...my laptop always trips it, but with USB power, the iPad is always happy.

In my wandering around the aircraft, I'm not noticing any difference in the length of toilet queues. Quite often, I find that people are waiting in one part of the aircraft, whilst there are empty toilets not far away. Habits I guess.

And, as someone has already alluded to, the cabin crew are never happy with cabin changes, of any sort.

 

[Pablo]

You would almost certainly have more leg room in 80K. row 32 has more legroom than a normal Y seat because of the bulkhead but not as much as you would get in 80K. The only disadvantage with the bulkhead is that you can't stretch your legs out under the seat in front. I'd say unless you are taller than about 5 foot 10 or 11, row 32 would be fine. I guess it comes down to whether you prefer the bit of extra legroom at 80K or the smaller cabin and other advantages of the upper deck.

Thanks brha01 - that's helpful. I'm 6ft so sometimes don't like the bulkheads with no cutouts but then again the upper deck sounds great.

 

[cove]

The changes in first class were not a problem. I could not get USB power as well as power for my sleep machine so I re-charged my IPad from another seat. I used up the 35 meg of wifi and that worked well on the A380.
I walked down to see the seats at 32 and 80 and yes they are the top Y picks as already reported. Lots of leg room would work for tall folks on a 13 hour run to LAX.
There were no toilet queues when I did the walk.

 

[dfcatch]

I've decided that I think everyone needs to understand that 32A is a horrible, horrible, horrible seat.

All sorts of nasty things will happen to you if you sit there.

Imagine the worst of the worst of all the curses from old chain letters that you didn't pass on..... It's 10 x worse than that.

My advice would be to continue to fight for 80A/K

(I of course am happy to take one for the team )

 

[Paddy55]

I've decided that I think everyone needs to understand that 32A is a horrible, horrible, horrible seat.

All sorts of nasty things will happen to you if you sit there.

Imagine the worst of the worst of all the curses from old chain letters that you didn't pass on..... It's 10 x worse than that.

My advice would be to continue to fight for 80A/K

(I of course am happy to take one for the team )

It's people like dfcatch, prepared to do the unthinkable, that make AFF what it is today! :mrgreen:

 

[FlyboyAl]

OK, heres a curly one on the new configuration.
Traveling in Y and am in 48B, but 80A is available.
Which should I take?

 

[TheInsider]

IMO take 80A

 

[Pablo]

I've decided that I think everyone needs to understand that 32A is a horrible, horrible, horrible seat.

All sorts of nasty things will happen to you if you sit there.

Imagine the worst of the worst of all the curses from old chain letters that you didn't pass on..... It's 10 x worse than that.

My advice would be to continue to fight for 80A/K

(I of course am happy to take one for the team )

I've passed on all those chain letters so therefore I'm feeling safe to sit in 32A. However, dfcatch, if you can PM me your email address, I'll make sure I pass some more onto you as well!!

 

[Awesom Andy]

Just keep in mind that a plane swap can mean losing 32A, but you most likely wouldn't lose 80A/K.

 

[FlyboyAl]

You convinced me - back to 80A - I prefer a window anyway!