Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA 747-400 Upper Deck or down below?

Hi all,

I'm a very tall guy (6'7"ish) traveling in December with wife and 2 kids (1YO & 3YO) from JNB-LHR on a 747-400. Currently booked into 62H&I and 63H&I but was just given option as *Alliance Gold to book in upper deck in rows 85 & 86. A search couldn't turn up details on if the Upper Deck has greater pitch than economy down below. Should I keep my 62H area seats with legroom to stretch or move up top to the "exclusive" area? Thanks!

I have never flown it, but I am sure that the upper deck is very popular due to more pitch. Not sure whether you have an exit row now or not (which might be even better than upstairs).

SmilingBoy.

Unfortunately we can't book kids into the exit rows. So, I need to find regular seats with plenty of legroom. Just talked to the Florida rep who assured me upper deck and lower deck coach both have identical pitch, but the website and seatguru show they are different. Thanks for any help clearing up the confusion!

I'm almost sure your Florida rep is wrong. Quoting from
http://ww3.flysaa.com/en/en_content_frameset.html?contents=/in_flight_information/Lounges_Cabins/za_lounges_cabins_intro_content.html

"ECONOMY CLASS MILLENNIUM PRODUCT ON THE B747-400
[...]
- Seat pitch on the main deck matches competitors at 31”. [...]
- The upper-deck features a generous 35” pitch, with preference given to Voyager card members.
[...]"

So if you can't get an exit row on the main deck, go for the upper deck with 10 cm more legroom. I have only flown business class on SAA, so I can't confirm this personally. But I am almost certain to have read threads on FT confirming the statement on the SAA website. I also remember that non-Voyager members with seat reservations on the upper deck complaining that ther were moved to the lower deck if Voyager members came to check-in. But this was pre-*A, so *G might be fine now, too.

SmilingBoy.

The upper deck does have slightly more seat pitch, and is generally a much nicer environment, with a more personal service. I prefer to sit in the very front seats of the upper deck (row 79) as these seats have a little more pitch, and no one (except pilots) walk past you, making it very dark/quiet/easy to sleep. However, the armrests in these seats do not go up, and the seats might be slightly narrower. I'm 6'4" and find these seats okay for my legs. My wife always chooses the window seat and she is able to stretch her legs out on the large storage boxes along the side of the plane.
Not sure how these seats compare to row 62...

DEFINITELY go on the upper deck! It's not luxurious (it's still Economy), but it's miles ahead of what you'll find downstairs. Greater pitch, more private atmosphere, and those storage bins along the walls.

No doubt about this: choose upper deck for the reasons mentioned. The only drawback is that the overhead storage bins are very small, but there is a huge storage area at the back of the upper dech (next to the stairs), which you can use for your carry-ons