Qantas A380 - Upper deck economy

[Robbi]

A photo of the side storage bins for those who have not seen them before....

View attachment 25327

Do all the upper Y window seats have them?

 

[serfty]

Do all the upper Y window seats have them?

I believe so ...

 

[OATEK]

Do all the upper Y window seats have them?

I had a felling 35K did not have a side bin (see photo here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a380-reconfiguration-40545-28.html#post643054) or a side window owing to the exit.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I had a felling 35K did not have a side bin (see photo here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a380-reconfiguration-40545-28.html#post643054) or a side window owing to the exit.

That's row 48, which is downstairs, so not comparable.

EDIT: sorry, see what you mean in the one of the other photos. 35 can still access one of the bins, just!

 

[serfty]

That's row 48, which is downstairs, so not comparable.

EDIT: sorry, see what you mean in the one of the other photos. 35 can still access one of the bins, just!

You may need to negotiate with the 36K occupant.

 

[OATEK]

That's row 48, which is downstairs, so not comparable.

EDIT: sorry, see what you mean in the one of the other photos. 35 can still access one of the bins, just!

Wouldn't fancy your chances if Mrs OATEK was sitting in 36K!

 

[QF029]

For genuinely tall people (say over 6'4") I'd say that knee room is more important than legroom. Yes it's nice to be able to stretch out your legs but when your knees are wedged into the seat in front that can be problematic. So I'll take a bulkhead over a standard seat every day of the year.

 

[blackcat20]

For genuinely tall people (say over 6'4") I'd say that knee room is more important than legroom. Yes it's nice to be able to stretch out your legs but when you're knees are wedged into the seat in front that can be problematic. So I'll take a bulkhead over a standard seat every day of the year.

You don't have to be over 6'4" to have your knees wedged into the seat in front, trust me. Some of us are very long in the upper leg despite not being particularly tall. But yes, knee room is key for me too.

 

[Limewood]

We did Y in A380 upper last year, out was 32 J/K, very little storage, no window except for very small one in exit door, back was 32 A/B had side bin, window and lots room. Also Y upper has its own loo.

 

[mannej]

We did Y in A380 upper last year, out was 32 J/K, very little storage, no window except for very small one in exit door, back was 32 A/B had side bin, window and lots room. Also Y upper has its own loo.

I guess that is the only downside of the Upper Deck is that the overhead bins do get full very quickly. If it wasn't for the side storage, you would have quite a number of issues.

 

[Vim Fuego]

I had a felling 35K did not have a side bin (see photo here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a380-reconfiguration-40545-28.html#post643054) or a side window owing to the exit.

it has from memory a very small window as part of the exit door which is not very good for any viewing

 

[Robbi]

Looking at ExpertFlyer and it shows half the upper deck blocked....rest are occupied and 2 are vacant.

Why would that be?

 

[CaviAck]

Looking at ExpertFlyer and it shows half the upper deck blocked....rest are occupied and 2 are vacant.

Why would that be?

When you say half, do you mean the first two rows? If so they're blocked off and reserved for WP/WP1/CL pax. The remaining seats except for 36D should be available to SG, IIRC 36D was available to me as a PS the last time I checked and possibly even an NB.

 

[gibbo8]

Very helpful thread. Thanks to all. I have just booked 33 J/K for MEL-LAX in July. Looking forward to comparing the experience with downstairs Y (I kind of prefer the 747 to the 388 in Y as it always seems to have more room, which is important on 13+ hr legs). I will report back on my experience should there be an appropriate conversation going). Cheers.

 

[Kendall Roy]

Very helpful thread. Thanks to all. I have just booked 33 J/K for MEL-LAX in July. Looking forward to comparing the experience with downstairs Y (I kind of prefer the 747 to the 388 in Y as it always seems to have more room, which is important on 13+ hr legs). I will report back on my experience should there be an appropriate conversation going). Cheers.

Can report that I'm a fan of 33J/K over the 32 equivalents as it allows you to comfortably stretch your legs under the seats. In terms of getting out, this wasn't a major issue as there's no restriction on the recline of your own seat.

Fortunately a shadow came into place a few hours before departure, so I managed to snag a spare seat which helped matters!

 

[seat1A]

Last week I did 11 and 12, both times in 35F, which is one of the exit row seats on the upper deck Y. I was somewhat concerned about proximity to toilet and galley, but neither caused an issue. (I actually got 9 hours sleep on the way back, which is a PB for me when flying Y (though could have had something to do with the week spent in LAS)

The same flight attendants that look after the PE cabin also look after this mini Y , and on both flights I felt the service was a notch above the usual Y service. I even got offered a pre flight drink which was a surprise as they had a few pre-poured ones left over.

Overhead bins are definitely an issuem on both flights the last 2 or 3 pax had theirs taken and stored somewhere in J. The bin directly above 35F was perfect for a modest size carry on.

If you are happy to pay for the exit row then 35j/K are the pick as they get no toilet traffic, but having said that most toilet bound pax took one look at me and my two neighbors with our legs spread out and opted to go behind us via the galley to the toilets.

I would pay the opt again for 35F in a heartbeat, best Y flight in ages.

 

[Cossie]

Do people that have flown in upper deck economy think it's better than 80A or 80K?

Thanks.

 

[TonyHancock]

Do people that have flown in upper deck economy think it's better than 80A or 80K?

Thanks.

In the last 12 months I have flow sectors in:

48C - Once
35K - Twice
80A - Twice
66A - Twice
66K - Thrice

My favourite seat has been 66A followed by 80A. My experience in the upper deck Y cabin was tainted by a terrible crew, limited overhead locker space, and a seat mate in 35J who occupied 15% of my seat, so I may not be the best judge.

Not much to choose between 66A and 80A for me, both excellent seats. (66K I found to be very "busy" because it is near the crew rest entry area)

I know many here prefer the smaller upper deck Y cabin, but I'm not a fan at all.

 

[RickyT84]

Do people that have flown in upper deck economy think it's better than 80A or 80K?

Thanks.

For me, it really depends on what I am after for my flight. If its a day time flight, I pick 80A/80K as it allows me to stretch out and move around the cabin easily (having seat 79J empty also helps as the outer armrest can be used a 'footrest' which I happily took advantage of recently as 79H was also empty). If it was an overnight flight, I would prefer the upper deck as its more quiet and less cold compared to 80A/80K.

Of course YMMV and everyone's preference is different.

 

[james1]

Do people that have flown in upper deck economy think it's better than 80A or 80K?

Thanks.

Have done 80A twice as a single and Upper deck 35j/k as a double on six occasions now. Traveling as a pair, love the upper deck. Always had great service, premium food/ drinks offered on every occasion as the crew also service premium economy cabin and this seems to flow into the upper deck economy space. As mentioned, negatives are restricted storage space but am happy to trade this for smaller and more intimate cabin environment. 80A I believe is the best 'free' economy seat on the A380 when traveling alone.