Premium Economy- A380 v 3 Class B747-400. Which is better?

[TazDevil]

Hi All,

Looking at traveling PE SYD-LAX on A380 or PE SYD-DFW on refurbished 3 class 747-400.

I am over 6 foot and of "solid structure" so amongst other things was hoping PE would provide some extra width & legroom.

Was wondering what people's thoughts/experiences were on the pro's & con's of PE in each.

Apologise if it's been covered elsewhere but the search option didn't shed much light for me.

Thanks in advance.

TazDevil

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF

The PE seats are the same in those configurations; your only issue is pitch.

I believe this varies more on the 388 than on the 744.

Maybe have a close look at the seat maps to help decide (they are basically to scale):

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744ER-58J36W270Y.pdf

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/A380-14F72J32PY332Y.pdf

 

[awilcockson]

I would always take the A380 over the 747 in PE. Much quieter and nicer air to breath.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

PE on 747 is a 2-4-2 configuration. PE on the A380 is a 2-3-2 configuration.

There are fewer PE seats in the A380 cabin, plus the exit row that cuts through the middle makes it even less crowded. Additionally the A380 is just a much nicer plane. I always feel that the 747 PE cabins just feel a bit more cramped than the A380 equivalent. If you can get the bulkhead row on the A380 (or the exit row), then there is plenty of space/legroom.

 

[aliens]

I agree with other posters except for the fact that PE is at the back of the plane in A380s. In other planes I find this more bumpy and more claustrophobic. I have flown economy on A380 before and it was lovely and smooth but what is it like at the back?

 

[aliens]

Also the consideration of avoiding the awful LAX and getting out at DFW.

 

[Pushka]

I agree with other posters except for the fact that PE is at the back of the plane in A380s. In other planes I find this more bumpy and more claustrophobic. I have flown economy on A380 before and it was lovely and smooth but what is it like at the back?

Very nice. And hardly the back of the plane either. Lots of seats further back when you visit below.
The PE cabin is very nice - not too many seats and lots of space. We have the exit row seats on a trip to LHR in early July. Booked as soon as flights opened and got the choice seats!

 

[sydflyer]

Agree that A380 product is superior and preferable over the 747! The cabin feels far more spacious.

 

[aliens]

How does it compare to the new Cathay PE?

 

[docjames]

had no problem with PE on the 744 - i think it's relative. If travelling Y+, I'd be choosing based on timing of flights and destination/connections. So 744/DFW wins for me over 380/LAX.

 

[Kendall Roy]

So 744/DFW wins for me over 380/LAX.

A380 all the way with the above exception

 

[Globetrotter]

Gosh I'm confused
So it appears PE seats on the A380 are better than on the 744 with the exception of 744's to DFW? Why is that?

Well for me traveling from BNE to LAX next month, should I opt to fly via Syd on the A380 or direct on the 744. I was actually going to book my flights last night on VA PE BNE/LAX and return VA J LAX/BNE but my computer crashed. Went to book the same flights this morning but noticed the J sector jumped up by $1000! Stuff that Virgin.

 

[serfty]

The 58J 3 class 744 has the same seats and IFE as the 388 - whatever route you find it on.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[Kangol]

Gosh I'm confused
So it appears PE seats on the A380 are better than on the 744 with the exception of 744's to DFW? Why is that?

Well for me traveling from BNE to LAX next month, should I opt to fly via Syd on the A380 or direct on the 744. I was actually going to book my flights last night on VA PE BNE/LAX and return VA J LAX/BNE but my computer crashed. Went to book the same flights this morning but noticed the J sector jumped up by $1000! Stuff that Virgin.

I think it's the destination of DFW which is more attractive to some people than LAX, not the plane.

 

[Globetrotter]

Ok got it

 

[mannej]

I think it's the destination of DFW which is more attractive to some people than LAX, not the plane.

Saying that - the planes on this route are slowly but surely being refurbed. Chances are you may end up on the same product as the 380 going via DFW

 

[elan]

I have travelled on the new 3 class SYD- DFW in PE, I sat first row behind the bulkhead 36G, had plenty of room and was a good flight even though the cabin was full. I was able to sleep due to the flight leaving Syd mid afternoon. I normally travel MEL-LAX. Also travelled on the A380 exit row seat 38F, which had much more leg room. I must say that landing in DFW is far better than LAX. When I landed in DFW, it took no more than 5 mins to get through immigration, perhaps i was just lucky. I would choose the SYD-DFW route over the MEL-LAX route anytime.

 

[sydflyer]

I have travelled on the new 3 class SYD- DFW in PE, I sat first row behind the bulkhead 36G, had plenty of room and was a good flight even though the cabin was full. I was able to sleep due to the flight leaving Syd mid afternoon. I normally travel MEL-LAX. Also travelled on the A380 exit row seat 38F, which had much more leg room. I must say that landing in DFW is far better than LAX. When I landed in DFW, it took no more than 5 mins to get through immigration, perhaps i was just lucky. I would choose the SYD-DFW route over the MEL-LAX route anytime.

Agree that the LAX experience is not good. Epitome of "cattle class" treatment.

 

[serfty]

... I must say that landing in DFW is far better than LAX. When I landed in DFW, it took no more than 5 mins to get through immigration, perhaps i was just lucky. I would choose the SYD-DFW route over the MEL-LAX route anytime.

You were lucky ... My two DFW experiences have averaged an hour all up (80 & 40 minutes) to get landside.

FWIW, my last LAX experience was 10 minutes and 8 of that was getting off the plane an walking down the travelator tunnel and up the ramp to landside. However, this is unusual - generally it takes 30-40 minutes to get outside - Traveling First with no checked luggage helps.

 

[TazDevil]

Thanks to all those that replied.

Mrs TazDevil & I have booked PE SYD-DFW (37A & 37B) with an upgrade request to J on the 747.

We will return on the A380 PE LAX-SYD (36A,36B).

We also have another SYD-LAX flight booked early next year on the A380 and have snagged exit row seats 38J & 38K

Cheers

TazDevil