Seat selection in J Sydney/San Francisco QF73/74

[blackleghorn]

Hi

I am flying on QF73/74 in a couple of months between Sydney and San Francisco in J. Currently allocated 14B in upper cabin on the way over and 3F which shows in the back row of the old first cabin on the way back. It has been a while since I was on a 747 in J and just wondering peoples thoughts on these seats?

 

[Sdtravel]

Don't have experience in this product
But I think the general consensus is that old F is a pretty good seat and I assume that means that the other J seats are skybed mk1 ie angle flat.
Anything upper deck is regarded as good i think. Isnt 14 upper deck also an extra legroom exit row

 

[bosox76]

I assume you're flying solo? My personal preference was either of the single row 5 window seats, 3E or 3F as this gives direct aisle access and avoids anyone climbing over you, however I do appreciate the side bins that you get when in an upper deck window seat. Plus UD is a little quieter.

 

[mannej]

Don't have experience in this product
But I think the general consensus is that old F is a pretty good seat and I assume that means that the other J seats are skybed mk1 ie angle flat.
Anything upper deck is regarded as good i think. Isnt 14 upper deck also an extra legroom exit row

If Row 14 is the UD exit row, it will be skybed MkII, row 16 and it is MkI (I.e angled flat).

 

[blackleghorn]

Thanks. Yes flying solo. Sounds like 14A (which is available) may be a good swap for 14B on the way over to combine storage compartment with exit row, the row 5 options not available. On the way back I could swap 3F for 5B. But it does sound like 14B and 3F are pretty good options anyway.

 

[blackleghorn]

If Row 14 is the UD exit row, it will be skybed MkII, row 16 and it is MkI (I.e angled flat).

Thanks Row 14 is designated as the exit row in UD on this flight map

 

[mannej]

Row 5 is good for a solo when traveling on the refurbed birds, but if you are in the F section on the non-refurbs I'd stay put.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Hi

I am flying on QF73/74 in a couple of months between Sydney and San Francisco in J. Currently allocated 14B in upper cabin on the way over and 3F which shows in the back row of the old first cabin on the way back. It has been a while since I was on a 747 in J and just wondering peoples thoughts on these seats?

If you are in an unrefurbed plane on the way back definitely stick with the old F cabin - the mark 1 seats are just awful as a bed, while the old First seats are fine. If it does get changed to a refurb on the way back then you will still be OK, so it is the safest option. 3F would be one of a pair, so if you were able to get a single - 3A or 3K that would be better, but not a big deal.

 

[RichardMEL]

+1 for 5B/J for a solo pax on the refurbished birds

 

[Canny man]

I'm on the old bird on Friday and am really pleased to get the old F cabin. The bed is great, but more importantly its a much lighter and more spacious cabin than the newer fit-out. I'm a 5J fan on the new configuration when flying solo as well. 5B is OK, but a pain during boarding as all of economy enters through the door in front of you - and gets in the way of the champagne.... If these aren't available then upstairs is better as service is a little quicker and the cabin roomier.

 

[blackleghorn]

Thanks to all just one final question is there a way to know if the front cabin is refurbished? I see two layouts one with 4 rows in the front cabin, the other 3. The version I have has only the 3.

 

[cjd600]

That will be refurbished, and have no Row 4

 

[turnip666]

I'm on QF73/74 in April and can't access Upper Deck at all as an SG. Already have a decent seats but prefer Upper Deck.

Is upper deck likely to be opened T-80?

 

[RichardMEL]

On the inaug a month back I had 5B and really the boarding was no big deal. Once I put my stuff in the overhead and got out of the way of the throng it was fine I could sit there and chat and whatever and drinks were not interrupted

The amusing part was at the other end when we got to SFO and there was confusion as to which door they would use. 1L? 2L? then they had trouble with 1L so we went to 2L. You'd think SFO ground crew would have plenty of experience with 744's

anyway while 5J is way more out of the way I didn't find the issue that bad with 5B

 

[Canny man]

Easiest way to tell is that A and K come up as single seat rows. Other configs have seats as doubles except 5b/ and j

 

[ozmouse]

Wow, am i glad i tripped over this thread today. Im flying this thurs QF73. And yes seat selection offering is lower deck first section 4 rows, single seat A & K. So this is old first with old first seats? And MK-I angled out the back? Picked up 1K pronto!

Was treating this as a retro last trip on a 774 and dreaming of upper deck. But old seats - i dont think so. Will be retro in 1K of the nose. As stated... will die before the pilot!

 

[Sdtravel]

I had a non refurbished on a Saturday 2 weeks ago. I was in Y+. But the old bird was definately showing its age. Had to go back to the gate as back door wouldn't lock. IFE rebooted twice after getting into the air. Also IFE said we had arrived in SFO when we were still 30min before starting decent.

Got a refurbished on the way back which was much better. No problems at all.

Had awsome service on the return leg as well. Unfortunately the flight attendant wasn't wearing a name tag so i can't point it out to Red Roo.

 

[mviy]

I got upgrades to J both ways so didn't get much seat choice. However as SG I got upper deck on non-refurbished coming home and managed to change to an exit row seat sitting opposite the flight attendants.