Qantas 747 Premium Economy Review - SYD to HKG.

[PaulST]

Hi all,
I didn't realise that I forgot to post this review until tonight.
Back in December, I travelled to NZ with my parents and I went via HKG because I was keen to take advantage of my (soon to be lost) QF WP status and the CX Flounge access, and test out Cathay's new A350 J product to AKL. One-way QF tickets were quite hefty so I ended up using a few QF points and got a PE award ticket on a 747-400. While the A380 was flying at the time, there's something special about the 747 and I'm becoming increasingly sentimental as I realise the 744's days are limited.
Anyway, I was keen to try out the PE product as I've recently had a 100% upgrade success rate when flying PE so I actually haven't flown it for around 5 years (Not that I'm complaining!!)

Over-all, it was a really pleasant day flight (so sleeping on the recliner wasn't an issue) and the service was really good. Here's my review:

[video=youtube_share;FY5GI5qwqH0]https://youtu.be/FY5GI5qwqH0[/video]

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for the review. We will be travelling in PE to London in June.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the review. We will be travelling in PE to London in June.

Enjoy!
The hard product, in your A380, is almost identical to what I had (as my 747 was refurbished) but you'll notice quite large storage bins under the windows - a real plus on the upper level of the A380. The lack of storage wasn't a huge issue on my 7-8hr flight to HKG but the extra storage space would be appreciated with the longer hop to LHR.

 

[ellen10]

Yes looking forward to those storage bins!
We are on the side but no status means we cannot choose the front row.

 

[PaulST]

Yes looking forward to those storage bins!
We are on the side but no status means we cannot choose the front row.

Bulkhead seats are overrated. While it looks like more leg room and you don't have to worry about the person in front reclining, you end up finding that you feet get squashed against the wall when you're trying to stretch out (this isn't an issue in other seats as you simply stretch out under the seat in front.) I've got a flight booked in the new Qantas 787-9 PE in December this year and don't plan to get the bulkhead.

 

[bjm76]

I am on QF1 in mid May in PE and I cannot select the first row either and I am SG. Maybe just for WP and P1.
I saw on another forum someone saying that one side of the front row in PE has nothing in front - and was not great due to lack of storage - perhaps no side bins there at that seat?

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Another Stellar Video review Paul !
I too agree QF PE is a great product, it will be interesting to test out on the QF PE product on the 787-9. ( Thankfully no more storing away the TV monitor for take off & landing)

 

[PaulST]

I am on QF1 in mid May in PE and I cannot select the first row either and I am SG. Maybe just for WP and P1.
I saw on another forum someone saying that one side of the front row in PE has nothing in front - and was not great due to lack of storage - perhaps no side bins there at that seat?

I feel your pain. As a WP, I used to be able to choose the front row on domestic and international flights up until late last year but now it seems those two front rows are open to WP1 and CLs only. Now I have to log in around 3 days prior to the flight to get into the front row. Ah well... I suspect it was in response to the WP1 guys asking that actual perks they got for the SCs they earnt (which is probably a fair question, but a little unfortunate for us pleb WPs).

Yep there's no side bins on the 747 PE unfortunately. I should have mentioned it in the video that there's really no storage space anywhere (other than on the seat next to you, which is what I did as I'm fairly slight).

Another Stellar Video review Paul !
I too agree QF PE is a great product, it will be interesting to test out on the QF PE product on the 787-9. ( Thankfully no more storing away the TV monitor for take off & landing)

Thanks Phil.
I can't wait to test out the 789 PE on the inaugural flight! You're right, it'll be nice not having to stow away the IFE screen although I wonder if the bulk head row may still have to?

 

[bsb]

Great review. I'm intrigued with people's sentimentality on the 744s. I personally can't wait to see the back of them, although they do have lots of (large-ish) loos.

 

[PaulST]

Great review. I'm intrigued with people's sentimentality on the 744s. I personally can't wait to see the back of them, although they do have lots of (large-ish) loos.

Thanks. There's no doubt that the newer generation of aircraft (A380, 787 and A350) are more comfy, but there's something special about the the 747s shape. As a teenager I had a QF 747 as my computer's wall paper and I imagine a lot of other's had their first ever overseas flight in a 747.

 

[ellen10]

Bulkhead seats are overrated. While it looks like more leg room and you don't have to worry about the person in front reclining, you end up finding that you feet get squashed against the wall when you're trying to stretch out (this isn't an issue in other seats as you simply stretch out under the seat in front.) I've got a flight booked in the new Qantas 787-9 PE in December this year and don't plan to get the bulkhead.

So you are saying, not to bother trying to get the bulkhead rows.
Our seats are right in the middle 26K & 26J. So we will have recliners and maybe people behind pulling on the back of our seats to get out.

On our return flight I choose the seats in the last row. Do you think this may be better?

 

[PaulST]

So you are saying, not to bother trying to get the bulkhead rows.
Our seats are right in the middle 26K & 26J. So we will have recliners and maybe people behind pulling on the back of our seats to get out.

On our return flight I choose the seats in the last row. Do you think this may be better?

The advantage of the last row is that you don't have to worry about reclining into other people (or other people pulling on your seat) but you'll be served last. Some back row seats don't fully recline but I'm unsure about the QF A380 specifically.

Bulk head rows are perfect if you're short (so the loss of leg room isn't an issue) or if you frequent the loo often (as I do) as their window seat is easier to climb out of. But otherwise, I wouldn't be in any rush to claim them.

In December I've booked the last row of PE on the 789 to LAX. Us lowly cannot chose from the front two rows but I'm not sure I'd want the bulk head anyway (simply because I can't stretch enough).

 

[LA10]

Great video

 

[parsonstrish]

If not in the bulkhead seats, extremely difficult to get out of row if seat in front is reclined. I choose not to grab seat in front to get out but will if fly Pe again. Seats are wide & good leg room. Service is good & reasonably quite cabin. I flew qf2, LHR-Syd on 380.

 

[ellen10]

If not in the bulkhead seats, extremely difficult to get out of row if seat in front is reclined. I choose not to grab seat in front to get out but will if fly Pe again. Seats are wide & good leg room. Service is good & reasonably quite cabin. I flew qf2, LHR-Syd on 380.

When I look at the seat map, the bulkhead seats say exit seats. Maybe they don't have a wall in front? Can you recall what they looked like? This is on the A380.

 

[parsonstrish]

We were in 25j & k, if I remember correctly 24j & k appeared to have plenty of space in front. Being gold I was unable to choose row 24, they weren't available just prior to flight either. They would be my choice.

 

[ellen10]

We were in 25j & k, if I remember correctly 24j & k appeared to have plenty of space in front. Being gold I was unable to choose row 24, they weren't available just prior to flight either. They would be my choice.

Thanks for you comments. I have no status, so will have to see if they are available closer to flight time.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice review. Interesting way to get to NZ.

Great review. I'm intrigued with people's sentimentality on the 744s. I personally can't wait to see the back of them, although they do have lots of (large-ish) loos.

The queen of the skies. First flew in one in 1990 and fell in love with her. Very comfortable in economy compared to other aircaft. Always wanted to try the upper deck and experienced that end of 2004 with 2 op-ups from economy to business class.

I have been trying to book flights to Asia on 747 (or A380) but Qantas has been making that more difficult. I will be very sad day when Qantas retires the remaining 747s.

 

[PaulST]

Very nice review. Interesting way to get to NZ.


The queen of the skies. First flew in one in 1990 and fell in love with her. Very comfortable in economy compared to other aircaft. Always wanted to try the upper deck and experienced that end of 2004 with 2 op-ups from economy to business class.

I have been trying to book flights to Asia on 747 (or A380) but Qantas has been making that more difficult. I will be very sad day when Qantas retires the remaining 747s.

Speaking about that, AusBT are reporting VH-OJM is to be retired shortly.

 

[kermatu]

Another terrific video - thanks.