QF A380 Y Mini-cabin top deck, rear --- Pics only

[Damon Klotz]

I've sat in that dreaded row before on DXB - SYD. But not in D. I was in the aisle seat and was very happy to find that I didn't have one shadow but the whole row. So when I turned it into a lie flat bed it was actually a pretty good seat!

 

[redmussie]

Travelled in Row 32 of "cattle class plus" a few times now HKG-SYD and LAX -SYD on both occasions the aircraft was freezing, both night flights of course . So cold coming back from HKG the crew (fantastic crew by the way) issue us peasants business class blankets. The A380 in my humble opinion is a cold aircraft and awful seats in cattle class. Not a huge fan of cattle class plus, but is better than downstairs in an A380 which just plain noisy. The legroom is not great if you are tall, but having a close at hand loo does make some sense.

 

[Minimalist]

No. Curtain between Y and premium economy and then another curtain to business.

 

[Dougo]

We've selected seats 36 J and K from our flight back from the UK and our flight to the US last year and they were fine apart from the overhead locker which would not fit two small carryons.

Solution, put one carry on between the seat and the "storage bin" under window...I don't like taking up other seats overhead locker space. There is however storage just behind the seating area in the galley which many passengers were forced to use as their overhead lockers were packed by the time they got on board.

Seat 36D is a shocker - one lady who did get it got moved to 35 J just in front of us.

I would book 36 J / K again if I was on that plane.

We've just booked another flight on a Boeing using Classic Reward points but were not allowed our seat selection because the whole row was reserved for those at a higher tier than us ... oh well, Row 35 will have to do !

 

[bdruce]

Great pics. Thanks!

We have a family trip to Canada (from MEL via LAX) departing on Jun 29 and we got the middle 4 seats in row 34 for both directions. I am QF gold but the window seats and row 32 were all taken. I also have a flight for business in October to LAX- still no upper cabin window seats (or any row 32) available. Darn. But I did manage to snag 71D on the return flight.

My Econ fares for the trip in October are upgradeable - are 18K points for PE and 45K points for J upgrade requests worth it? What is the best value? I have about 100K points at the current time.

 

[nonpop]

Great pics. Thanks! My Econ fares for the trip in October are upgradeable - ... upgrade requests worth it?

IMHO ... Daytime... no. Night-time ... yes if you want to get some sleep and have been awake all day already then the extra space is so worth it.
Where it is a daytime flight and you haven't been awake too long, then Y is fine (provided it is a 'good' Y seat).

 

[bdruce]

IMHO ... Daytime... no. Night-time ... yes if you want to get some sleep and have been awake all day already then the extra space is so worth it.
Where it is a daytime flight and you haven't been awake too long, then Y is fine (provided it is a 'good' Y seat).

Thanks nonpop. I have done the MEL-LAX quite a few times in Y but never had an upgradeable fare before. On the return flight, which is overnight, I snagged 71D which gives me lots of leg room in Y, so it's a toss up whether to upgrade. Do you think the upgrade to PE (18000) or J (45000) is the best value?

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks nonpop. I have done the MEL-LAX quite a few times in Y but never had an upgradeable fare before. On the return flight, which is overnight, I snagged 71D which gives me lots of leg room in Y, so it's a toss up whether to upgrade. Do you think the upgrade to PE (18000) or J (45000) is the best value?

In PE you get a better economy seat. In J you get to stretch out and sleep in a 'bed'. If you can sleep sitting up, then PE will be great, otherwise choose J and really enjoy the seat and the extra level of service.

 

[nonpop]

. Do you think the upgrade to PE (18000) or J (45000) is the best value?

I presume only 1 single pax. IMHO it would be J only if me and night return flight. Y+ is just too similar.
If you have 2 x pax and can't get J then yes go for Y+.
But for me, I would suck it up in Y if need be as I like rewarding my SWMBO with premium travel i.e dropping the points on her.

 

[Grooba]

I presume only 1 single pax. IMHO it would be J only if me and night return flight. Y+ is just too similar.

Agreed 100%. Personally Y and Y+ isn't too dissimilar so when upgrading I'll only put in for the J upgrade and skip the Y+ option.
I'd also go for the upgrade if you are flying any time of day or night.

 

[milehighclub]

This is a great little area to sit. Never a wait for the toilets and seems to be occupied by higher tier frequent flyers and prompt service. The only problem is when arriving in Australia or any airport that doesn't have dual air bridges you are the last to get off the plane which can make for a long wait at immigration.

Actually you are the first to get off. Main deck is held until most of the upper deck has disembarked.

 

[bdruce]

I just got back from a return trip from MEL to Calgary (YYC) via LAX on a family holiday. My family and I were able to select the 4 middle seats on the upper deck in row 34 (I am QF gold). We enjoyed the mini-cabin feel - not a constant flow of traffic back and forth, and close to the toilet and snacks. I talked to some of the passengers in row 32 and 33 - they were all higher tier members - platinum etc. I would have loved to get 2x2 seats by the window, but they were either blocked or only one was available - that didn't work for a family of 4. Here are some photos I took of the mini cabin which are very similar to the OP but from slightly different angles.

Row 32:
View attachment 32474
35 and 36 J, K:
View attachment 32475
35 and 36 D, E, F (note 36D against the wall):
View attachment 32476
35 J, K legroom - exit row $180 extra
View attachment 32477
35 D, E, F legroom - exit row $180 extra
View attachment 32478

 

[mfc1964]

A big thank you to nonpop and bdruce for the pics - much appreciated.

 

[elan]

Great pictures, thanks for your effort. Booked flights from Mel-JFK next year for 5 using points via Sydney. Plane has been upgraded from 747 out of Sydney to A380. Managed to get all 5 of us upstairs 32 and 33 G,K and 32 G, I think that the Mrs and kids will be happy with our new seats. Also not having to wait in line for the toilet will also be a bonus

 

[Limewood]

Have done both sets of those exit seats in Y upper, found bulkhead 2 best as it had window. It is a nice cosy cabin.

 

[polardabar]

I was seated in 33K on two recent flights (Jul and Aug). I was lucky on the DXB-LHR as no one was seated next to me so I managed to spread along the two seats, resting my back and head on the storage compartment. The storage helps in itself as it's quite large so you can chuck all your stuff in it and have even more room.

On the way back, flying LHR-DXB, I wasn't as lucky as there was someone in my seat. They were pretty annoyed by the fact they had to change the seat and ranted on the phone for fifteen minutes until warned by the FA (this is pre-electronic-devices-are-okay). The two seats in the front were empty and I had my hopes up until two ladies with three kids stormed in at the last minute and turned the flight into 6 hours of screaming. I'm not going to go into details (and potentially annoy parents on the forum), but let's say I welcomed the whole row to myself on my next leg.

The cabin itself is nice, (usually) quiet and cosy, the toilets are just there and generally not busy, the FAs are right there and help out with anything needed (I got the biggest glass of Whisky ever), so I was generally very satisfied (more on the way to LHR, though).

All in all, I appreciate all the tips and I'd definitely try to get a seat upstairs next time as well...

 

[ellen10]

So does anyone have any views on 36D.
My son has just selected it but we now are having second thoughts.
Seat guru says it has limited recline also.

 

[TomVexille]

So does anyone have any views on 36D.
My son has just selected it but we now are having second thoughts.
Seat guru says it has limited recline also.

Have a look at the last photo of nonpop's earlier post

1
View attachment 29479

2
View attachment 29480

3
View attachment 29481

4
View attachment 29482

Worst seat upstairs as it is opposite the toilet but is blocked by a false wall
View attachment 29483

tbc ...

 

[Deleted member]

Indeed, it'd have to be the worst seat imaginable. Whilst Economy seating in the A380 has many rows of 3 seats, they are next to the windows. This seat is next to a grey wall. It's 36D if I'm correct. It ought to be sold at a heavily discounted fare, or allocated to the most obnoxious person at check-in.

Pity the poor Bast*td sitting next to him then!

 

[Deleted member]

Thank you nonpop for the photos and commentary. I'm not a fan of whY even on short haul. But seeing those photos made me shudder. I would rather fly less often and do it in J.
I am curious though, I've never flown Y+ on any flight and was wondering what the real upside or downside is over Y or J ?
Is the seat not larger? But still receiving Y food and service?