NM's favourite seats by aircraft type

[ArcherSC]

Dear NM,

I realize this is an 3 year old post but you certainly provided a great service to the community.

One question if I may - would you have any information as to what version of the 747 that Quantas currently flies from LAX to AKL? I've booked myself for a flight next month and want to make sure I've got the best possible seat.

Regards,

Archer

 

[tuapekastar]

Dear NM,

I realize this is an 3 year old post but you certainly provided a great service to the community.

One question if I may - would you have any information as to what version of the 747 that Quantas currently flies from LAX to AKL? I've booked myself for a flight next month and want to make sure I've got the best possible seat.

Regards,

Archer

Welcome to AFF ArcherSC! It is indeed v useful info posted by NM.

LAX-AKL is typically operated by a 2-class 744 (J and Y). There are occasional substitutions but 2 class is normally it. Qantas (no "u" ) I believe is planning to add Y+ to its 2-class 744s but I do not know when that will occur (not before next month I wouldn't think).

 

[NM]

One question if I may - would you have any information as to what version of the 747 that Quantas currently flies from LAX to AKL? I've booked myself for a flight next month and want to make sure I've got the best possible seat.

Its currently sold as a 2-class service and generally operated by the current 2-class 744. However, Qantas are commencing to sell Premium Economy on some existing 2-class routes, such as QF175/176 BNE-LAX-BNE. As far as I know, they are not yet offering PE on the QF25/16 AKL-LAX-AKL route. I expect this is a direct response to V Australia's 777 service on the BNE-LAX route and the competition on AKL-LAX route is different and has been established over a long period.

Its still not clear if Qantas are going to install PE seats on the existing 2-class aircraft, or are just going to sell the row 23/24 Skybed rows for PE fares.

And of course there is always a chance of a 3-class or 4-class aircraft being subbed for the 2-class service.

 

[ArcherSC]

Re: NM's favourite seats by aircraft type / Much Obliged

Thank you, NM and tuapekastar for your prompt and helpful replies.

In future postings, I will insure I spell 'Qantas' correctly (first time I've flown it.)

Cheers,

ArcherSC

 

[Evan]

It may be 3 years old but i referred to it to refresh my memory after not flying the said cabin for a while

 

[Blackadder]

Just to add a bit A380 J info (thanks to a points upgrade), had seat 13 A which is in a mini J cabin of around 4 rows..the benefits of J, plus a mini-cabin, very very nice indeed.

 

[serfty]

It's actually 3 rows - 11, 12 & 13 giving 18 seats.

It has an ambience somewhat better than the 7 middle "Dormitory" rows of 42 seats. Some note that there can be greater than normal noise and traffic to/from/with the "Lounge Area" and prefer one of the 12 rear mini cabin seats forward of Y+ (Not that I noticed from 12E).

 

[Blackadder]

Didn't seem to be to much of a issue on my flight with pax accessing the lounge area, I guess varies flight to flight but wouldn't hesitate in trying to gain a seat in the J mini cabin again.

 

[Zorro]

My apology if this has been covered previously, however has the QF A380 been reviewed especially in Why.

 

[NM]

My apology if this has been covered previously, however has the QF A380 been reviewed especially in Why.

Not by me. Why? Because I have not yet travelled on the QF A380.

 

[serfty]

I have:

Best Single Economy Seat on the A380? - FlyerTalk Forums

I had a good look at this last night and in my guesstimate order I think as follows. (Here's the seatmap)

Best Exit row seats (If you can get them):

1. 66A/66K - wall exit seat, no one to disturb you and 5-10cm of room between seat and wall - hand hold to get up without disturbing seat neighbour.
2. 79B/79J - Inner exit pair with plenty of space in front; no A/K seats,
3. 66C/66H - Just like 46C/H-58C/H on QF 744's,
4. 66B/66J - Inner exit seats - can be laterally squeezy,
5. 66D/66E/66F/66G - designated exit seat - Bulkhead but much more room than at 50A/B/C or 51H/J/K - Non Bassinet position &
6. 79C/79H.

(With 79C/H many people bump the legs of a sleeping occupant as they walk through the curtains on the way down to the WHY "Bar".)

Other Seats:

1. Definitely 80A/K,
2. 71D
3. 70E - less likely to be bumped by aisle traffic - may have two screens to play with (perhaps not, see previous post).

Note that all exit/bulkhead seats have PTVs stored under arm rests and need to be stowed for landing - can't watch tail-cam on take off.

The fuselage structure is such that it continues to curve outward up from the floor - perhaps 8cm between armrest and wall - double that at shoulders. So there's plenty of elbow/shoulder room at the windows.

 

[QF WP]

Many thanks NM - made great use of it today on MEL/PER flight later tonight, which was a 767-338. Not being overly familiar with them, I had this thread open when I checked-in online and snagged an exit row (34F). Now the only other better seat would be an ODU to Business

 

[NM]

Now the only other better seat would be an ODU to Business

it's not too late yet

 

[QF WP]

I could get the ODU BNE/MEL but not MEL/PER (lucky my favourite QP staffer was on duty, so checked for me), so I have a 45 min window of opportunity when I get to MEL QP - but I would presume they may have all gone by then.

 

[ellen10]

We are flying London - Sydney on the 380 in Nov. Presently have seats 35J & K in Premium Economy allocated are these good seats?

This will be our first time in why +

 

[dfcatch]

It's actually 3 rows - 11, 12 & 13 giving 18 seats.

It has an ambience somewhat better than the 7 middle "Dormitory" rows of 42 seats. Some note that there can be greater than normal noise and traffic to/from/with the "Lounge Area" and prefer one of the 12 rear mini cabin seats forward of Y+ (Not that I noticed from 12E).

Flew in 12E LHR-SIN in March. Love the ambience of the mini-cabin. Was only half-full as a bonus. Definitely had the "744 Bubble" feel.

As a side-note - was SG, and due to reach WP on this particular leg. Had an UPG request in but as it turned out I burned all my points on some transatlantic F flights

I was chatting to the Qantas Host in the LHR F Lounge (to get some baggage retagged in SIN) and had a glance at her clipboard which showed F PAX all being CL except for 4 x WP, and 2 empty spots (was hoping for an op-up) but the flight went with the 2 F seats empty.

 

[NM]

Welcome to AFF

... Was only half-full as a bonus...
....
F PAX all being CL except for 4 x WP, and 2 empty spots (was hoping for an op-up) but the flight went with the 2 F seats empty.

No chance of an op-up unless the cabin in which you are booked is oversold

 

[serfty]

... No chance of an op-up unless the cabin in which you are booked is oversold

Or one or more of the lesser cabins on the flight are oversold and you get upgraded on a "Proactive Onload" based roll forward ...

 

[dfcatch]

Serfty - thanks to your suggestion I have just locked in 80K on the A380 to LAX next Feb. (80A was almost the only other seat booked already in Y).

Unfortunately I am stuck in Y on a 744 (QF74).

It's been a long time since in Y on a 744 with 4-class config.

Can anyone recommend best Y seating on a 4-class pacific layout?

(apologies if I missed it)

QF automatically put me in 53A (which I changed to 53C).

thanks in advance

 

[Kazda]

To ensure my 2000th post on AFF is something meaningful and of value to the folks to frequent this value resource, I have put together my list of preferred seats by aircraft type and class.

These are mostly for Qantas aircraft types, but I will include some other OneOwrld airlines as well, and may continue to edit/update as time permits. I know other people will have different ideas for their favourite seats, but these are mine.

Where I list multiple seats, they are in my decreasing order of preference.

Lets start at the top and work down!

QF 747-400 14F, 64J, 265Y
First Class: 4K, 4A, 1k, 1A, 3K, 3A
Business Class: 23F, 23D, 16K, 16J, 16B, 16A, 26F, 26D

NM
I still refer to your post after many years as it's a valuable tool.

I'm traveling on a 747 next year in business class and seats 16 K J are available for seat selection.
I have a question that hopefully you could answer. With row 16 being an exit does the seating area get colder than the other seats located in the upper level.
I have flown in economy exit rows in the past and almost froze to death, so as the flight I'm taking is 15hours long, if the exit row seats 16 j k are colder than 'normal' I may have to consider row 13

Also, as the J class tickets are using award points, will I have to pay the qantas charge/fee that is imposed for exit row seats normally for a paid fare.