New QF A380 reconfiguration!!!

[Fruitcake]

Admittedly I do this too. But why would you go down into the real land of the great unwashed?

Because if they're not washing, the washroom is more likely to be available?

 

[ozmille]

Admittedly I do this too. But why would you go down into the real land of the great unwashed?

last time I did this the cabin crew downstairs said: "now you must appreciate how good your seat is!"
I just do it to have a bit of a walk to stretch the legs, to appreciate how lucky I have been to only have flown J and F on the A380, and to prepare myself for when I eventually will have to fly to Europe in whY (luckily that is not yet this year)

 

[Keelan]

Excellent seats. Loads of legroom, but you do need to get on board early if you want any OH locker space. (Very small lockers over these seats, and a general shortage in the mini cabin.

Thanks for the tip - much appreciated.

As a side question, are there seperate airbridges to get onto the upper deck verse the compared to the lower deck? or do you enter on the lower deck and make your way up the stairs? Also, is the snackbar only available downstairs? My first flight on an A380 - rather excited!

 

[TonyHancock]

Thanks for the tip - much appreciated.

As a side question, are there seperate airbridges to get onto the upper deck verse the compared to the lower deck? or do you enter on the lower deck and make your way up the stairs? Also, is the snackbar only available downstairs? My first flight on an A380 - rather excited!

You board with J and Y+ pax....although it can be a little confusing depending upon where you are boarding. I have seen pax head all the way to the back on the lower deck and then use the stairs to get to the Y cabin on the upper deck.

 

[madrooster]

last time I did this the cabin crew downstairs said: "now you must appreciate how good your seat is!"

Were you wearing F/J PJ's to get that comment??

 

[markis10]

No upstairs snack bar, but its literally just down the stairs.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I wish QF94 on the 22nd had the upper deck available :<((

 

[ozmille]

Were you wearing F/J PJ's to get that comment??

was in my J pj's and travelling J (might have been on my way back from saying hi to SWMBO... still getting grief for that one :shock

 

[anabolism]

Because if they're not washing, the washroom is more likely to be available?

No; it's unfortunately very common to make use of the toilet but not wash.

 

[anabolism]

As a side question, are there seperate airbridges to get onto the upper deck verse the compared to the lower deck? or do you enter on the lower deck and make your way up the stairs?

There are separate airbridges for the upper deck -- it's not like a 747 where you board onto the main deck and climb stairs.

 

[anabolism]

No upstairs snack bar, but its literally just down the stairs.

In J there is a snack area upstairs.

 

[markis10]

In J there is a snack area upstairs.

Not much help if your in Y, and what do Y+ do? Will find out on the weekend, and have a good comparison of the different cabins with the old config on the way back coming up.

 

[banger2]

Hi All,
My experience I hope one (or some?) will find interesting or useful...I completed QF1 to Singapore on Tues 25th, and QF2 return to Sydney today (overnight to the 30th March) - both in Premium Economy on A380. Both birds - OQE and OQI were the reconfigured aircraft. As a side to the purpose of my post, both flights were almost perfect. Both departed near to time, both arrived early. The cabin crew were attentive and friendly, without being intrusive, and Duty Free (yes I know, sucker me!) arrived very quickly. Food was the usual, but the incoming dinner, to my mind was actually very well presented (for economy airline food!) and quite appealing. Entertainment was functioning normally. Even though PE at the very rear was nice and private, I still think the new config is excellent for both PE and the mini Econ cabin at the rear.

On the other hand and rather unrelated, I now understand what a low cost carrier really is.....Tiger. Whilst not a totally horrible experience, lets just say Jetstar felt like a premium experience compared to Tiger, and I was craving for Jetstar not Tiger on my 2 flights with them (and of course the associated QFF points / SC!). Many will say words to the effect "we told you so", but my many flights with Cebu Pacific and Jetstar (Asia and International) have actually been mostly well above my expectations. Tiger will now be my last choice and only if I really have to...TBH it wasn't all bad, just the bad bits really frustrated and annoyed me more than any other airline ever has (I guess I'm used to / being spoiled by the Qantas / Jetstar / Oneworld network facilities).

Back to the topic...my outbound flight I was able to select 24K (exit row, right window seat) without being charged for it(???). This seat is outstanding. A mile of legroom, has a window. You get served food first! Even though it is right in front of the lav, I was not disturbed at all, by either passing traffic, or light from Bus. class / lav. The curtain design actually seems quite smart, providing a small "curtained cubicle" in front of the lav door, meaning generally the curtain will have closed from either side (Bus or PE) prior to light exiting the lav door and flooding the immediate cabin area (24J/K primarily) and disturbing. I was surprised to see it appears this front lav is for use of both Bus. and PE cabins, as no-one was told from PE to use the rear Econ lavs (on either flight). I didn't find it too cold at the door until out landing cycle (some 6hrs into the flight). The negative to this seat, as I was just carrying 2 reasonable (sized) hand carry, getting on early is essential, as the immediate area has limited overhead space, but you do at least get 1 small sidebin for yourself. Stupidly, I took no photos of the seat or space....so you'll just have to look outside the window like I did....or look back to my return flight seat...like a naughty school kid in the back corner (28A)...


24K window view


Rearward view from 24k Towards 28A (centre rear of photo)

My poor seatmate in 24J was at times tripped over, as her feet when stretched came close to the curtain, and being lowly lit at times, I guess some people just didn't notice black socked feet! No doubt being aisle she was bumped too... She too struggled for close proximity bin space, as she boarded about 1/2 way with PE seated. Of course, 24J has no sidebin to assist either.

So thumbs up for 24K, for sleeping especially (and bin space) 24J is thumbs down!

The return journey I had even more hand carry-on this time (all quite small items mind you, not some of the ridiculous huge suitcases I see some people getting away with!). I rekon I must have almost bowled some Platinum's over to get to the bin space! I need not have done that, as although outbound was full, inbound was probably 2/3rd full. I had no seatmate, so I had 28A for me and 28B for my stuff! 28A has a larger single bin overhead than 24K, and has then the double width bin in front of that. Add to that, it really gets 2 single sidebins also. For recline, row 28 may have slightly reduced recline due to the separator between PE and Economy, but it didn't appear to be of significance to me. As the Galley's / lavs are at opposite ends of PE and Econ respectively no bother was noted from either of those 2 areas. Similarly, other than an occasionally disruptive child in Econ, I noted no disturbances from Econ (thicker curtains? LOL). The legroom is per rows other than 24. I prefer this seat as reclining has no affect on anyone else (I hate the reclining issue), and of course no-one to grab your seatback as they exit their row for a lav break (this s!@#$ me to no end...most people make it feel like an in-seat earthquake when they grab the seatback for leverage!). Also, you get served last for food. This flight not being full, the wait wasn't long, and I'm sure the crew are now more familiar with the layout and more efficient with service)


View forward from 28K


View across row 28


Row 28 standard legroom


On the bin space issue on upper deck A380, the central overhead bins are taller and I suspect deeper than the outer overheads. The (outer) sidebins are good for lightly loaded small-med backpacks and other similar stuff.

That's about it....hope that isn't a repeat of others previous comments and not too much of a deviation from the recent comment theme (it is now a huge thread!) and provides useful for some out there.

Cyas

 

[banger2]

In J there is a snack area upstairs.

I didn't really look for one or notice it from my tramp through Bus. to PE for both flights, but that doesn't mean it isn't there...just can't confirm sorry

The cabin crew did come around a few times offering snacks each flight (fruit, nuts, cakes or cookie type things), almost to the point of insistence I take 1 LOL

 

[TonyHancock]

Hi All,
My experience I hope one (or some?) will find interesting or useful...I completed QF1 to Singapore on Tues 25th, and QF2 return to Sydney today (overnight to the 30th March) - both in Premium Economy on A380. Both birds - OQE and OQI were the reconfigured aircraft. As a side to the purpose of my post, both flights were almost perfect. Both departed near to time, both arrived early. The cabin crew were attentive and friendly, without being intrusive, and Duty Free (yes I know, sucker me!) arrived very quickly. Food was the usual, but the incoming dinner, to my mind was actually very well presented (for economy airline food!) and quite appealing. Entertainment was functioning normally. Even though PE at the very rear was nice and private, I still think the new config is excellent for both PE and the mini Econ cabin at the rear.

On the other hand and rather unrelated, I now understand what a low cost carrier really is.....Tiger. Whilst not a totally horrible experience, lets just say Jetstar felt like a premium experience compared to Tiger, and I was craving for Jetstar not Tiger on my 2 flights with them (and of course the associated QFF points / SC!). Many will say words to the effect "we told you so", but my many flights with Cebu Pacific and Jetstar (Asia and International) have actually been mostly well above my expectations. Tiger will now be my last choice and only if I really have to...TBH it wasn't all bad, just the bad bits really frustrated and annoyed me more than any other airline ever has (I guess I'm used to / being spoiled by the Qantas / Jetstar / Oneworld network facilities).

Back to the topic...my outbound flight I was able to select 24K (exit row, right window seat) without being charged for it(???). This seat is outstanding. A mile of legroom, has a window. You get served food first! Even though it is right in front of the lav, I was not disturbed at all, by either passing traffic, or light from Bus. class / lav. The curtain design actually seems quite smart, providing a small "curtained cubicle" in front of the lav door, meaning generally the curtain will have closed from either side (Bus or PE) prior to light exiting the lav door and flooding the immediate cabin area (24J/K primarily) and disturbing. I was surprised to see it appears this front lav is for use of both Bus. and PE cabins, as no-one was told from PE to use the rear Econ lavs (on either flight). I didn't find it too cold at the door until out landing cycle (some 6hrs into the flight). The negative to this seat, as I was just carrying 2 reasonable (sized) hand carry, getting on early is essential, as the immediate area has limited overhead space, but you do at least get 1 small sidebin for yourself. Stupidly, I took no photos of the seat or space....so you'll just have to look outside the window like I did....or look back to my return flight seat...like a naughty school kid in the back corner (28A)...

View attachment 14092
24K window view

View attachment 14093
Rearward view from 24k Towards 28A (centre rear of photo)

My poor seatmate in 24J was at times tripped over, as her feet when stretched came close to the curtain, and being lowly lit at times, I guess some people just didn't notice black socked feet! No doubt being aisle she was bumped too... She too struggled for close proximity bin space, as she boarded about 1/2 way with PE seated. Of course, 24J has no sidebin to assist either.

So thumbs up for 24K, for sleeping especially (and bin space) 24J is thumbs down!

The return journey I had even more hand carry-on this time (all quite small items mind you, not some of the ridiculous huge suitcases I see some people getting away with!). I rekon I must have almost bowled some Platinum's over to get to the bin space! I need not have done that, as although outbound was full, inbound was probably 2/3rd full. I had no seatmate, so I had 28A for me and 28B for my stuff! 28A has a larger single bin overhead than 24K, and has then the double width bin in front of that. Add to that, it really gets 2 single sidebins also. For recline, row 28 may have slightly reduced recline due to the separator between PE and Economy, but it didn't appear to be of significance to me. As the Galley's / lavs are at opposite ends of PE and Econ respectively no bother was noted from either of those 2 areas. Similarly, other than an occasionally disruptive child in Econ, I noted no disturbances from Econ (thicker curtains? LOL). The legroom is per rows other than 24. I prefer this seat as reclining has no affect on anyone else (I hate the reclining issue), and of course no-one to grab your seatback as they exit their row for a lav break (this s!@#$ me to no end...most people make it feel like an in-seat earthquake when they grab the seatback for leverage!). Also, you get served last for food. This flight not being full, the wait wasn't long, and I'm sure the crew are now more familiar with the layout and more efficient with service)

View attachment 14094
View forward from 28K

View attachment 14095
View across row 28

View attachment 14096
Row 28 standard legroom


On the bin space issue on upper deck A380, the central bins are taller and I suspect deeper than the outer overheads. The (outer) sidebins are good for lightly loaded small-med backpacks and other similar stuff.

That's about it....hope that isn't a repeat of others previous comments and not too much of a deviation from the recent comment theme (it is now a huge thread!) and provides useful for some out there.

Cyas

Excellent post, fantastic pictures and much appreciated when English isn't you first language.

 

[banger2]

Excellent post, fantastic pictures and much appreciated when English isn't you first language.

LOL...my first reaction to your post was WTF???? But then I laughed......is my language / grammar that bad it seems English isn't my first language? That's a problem for me, as really its my only language! I live in and was born in Sydney to English parents.....I'm also hoping that wasn't a little joke to my reason for editing my previous post...then Ill feel rather stupid! Either way...its all good.

And thanks for the compliment.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I had a fantastic experience with QANTAS on the phone last night. Her name was Catherine!
I had to convert a voucher for a cancelled one way flight from LAX-ADL and it was not possible to do it online.
She sorted me out on QF 11 and QF12 on the dates I wanted, at the discount fares I had found on the website, then put me into 32K going over and 32A coming back.
Assuming there is no aircraft change, I'm a happy camper.

 

[markis10]

Agree 24 in the reconfigs is a great PE option, although queues for the toilet can impact the area.

 

[docjames]

Agree 24 in the reconfigs is a great PE option, although queues for the toilet can impact the area.

+1, and the white sock trick often helps overnight.

 

[drewbles]

In J there is a snack area upstairs.

There is. It's located in front of Emerald City (on the left, opposite the lounge).