KLM Flying Dutchman - Upper or Lower Cabin WBC 747-400

We reveived our seat assignments today for a KLM flight from AMS to NBO. The good seats are not available. Nothing in any of the bulkheads nor row 77 on top so we are looking at a regular WBC seat. Maybe they will open up later, but I can't book them myself becasue the trip is booked through NWA.

First time on this plane, so don't know the benefits, if any, of being up top. If there aren't any, I'll just stay on the bottom so we can exit the plane faster and get in the visa line.

So, which do you prefer, the upper or lower cabin on a 747-400.

Thanks,
Duane

This is more of a KLM question, so should probably be moved to that forum.

upper deck is better. BTW last week I took a seat up there and FA's held the herd in coach at bay while the upper deck pax disembarked. ^

I prefer upstairs. It is quieter and darker, less people using the lav, and more storage available. On every single flight I've taken aboard a 747 with NW the flight attendants have held everyone back from deplaning until the top cabin was empty.

Mod Hat On....

I'll Move this to KLM ...
thezipper
NWA Moderator

Mod Hat Off


Persoanlly I prefer the UD

I think the best feature of the upperdeck is the fa to passenger ratio which is 1:12 whereas on the main deck it is 1:18, unless the purser helps out, which, at the best of times, would only be during the peak of the meal service.

I think the best feature of the upperdeck is the fa to passenger ratio which is 1:12 whereas on the main deck it is 1:18, unless the purser helps out, which, at the best of times, would only be during the peak of the meal service.

This is true, but then if you have given up on eating KL WBC food, as many of us here have decided, especially now with the "chinese" month (noodles with tofu anyone?) the lower deck feels a lot less cramped, much more open space, I really like it down there. And, you can leave the plane too before the Y disembarks... One is ushered through the pantry to the exit....

This is true, but then if you have given up on eating KL WBC food, as many of us here have decided, especially now with the "chinese" month (noodles with tofu anyone?) the lower deck feels a lot less cramped, much more open space, I really like it down there. And, you can leave the plane too before the Y disembarks... One is ushered through the pantry to the exit....

I prefer 4F on the lower deck.

But upper deck has the distinct advantage of the nice bins by your side (if you have the window seat).

When it comes to feeling safe, I think I feel safest on the upper deck because it only has one entrance on the rear.

Eljakim

We reveived our seat assignments today for a KLM flight from AMS to NBO. The good seats are not available. Nothing in any of the bulkheads nor row 77 on top so we are looking at a regular WBC seat. Maybe they will open up later, but I can't book them myself becasue the trip is booked through NWA.


Thanks,
Duane

KLM often holds row 77 to be assigned on the day of departure.
You can always request this seats when you check in and you may get them.

Upstairs = part of the fun of flying 747 and good sleeping with lots of space to put your stuff in window seats

Downstairs = very private cabin feeling, easier to see outside (windows normal height)

Upper deck on NW/KLM is most coveted. I almost choose it over anything on the lower deck.

The lower deck, unless you are towards the front of the nose (then again row 1 has limited space due to the curving of the plane), is not so great for people who rank privacy and quietness on their number one priority.

9 D, E, F might be the worst seats in WBC, period.

9 D, E, F might be the worst seats in WBC, period.Especially because row 9 is in economy class on KL, period. :D

Johan

Both have their merits.

Upper deck is often unofficially reserved as 'adults only', has that nice, small-cabin feel, has the extremely useful 'shoe lockers' by the window seats, and a better staff-to-pax ratio.

Downstairs in the nose is, however, very quiet, free of engine noise, and have that 'first class' feel. The wardrobes at the front are generally available to passengers, and 1A/K are very private and offer an excellent, almost forward view due to the curvature.

I like row 1, because you get get past you neighbour (when sitting in the window) without any problems.
Also the "frontal-side view" is nice.

For those of you who haven't seen it before, there is a web site dedicated to identifying the best (and worst) seats by airline, by aircraft:

Seatguru.com

SunLover

Indeed both have their merits.

The lower deck is more spacious and less engine noise but service is usually very slow if it's full and the single cabin attendant is not helped by colleagues (most of the time).
I prefer 4EF but the drawbacks are that you sometimes hear the noise from the Y-cabin.
What really annoys me is if the curtain is not shut and you feel this cold draught in your neck. I always pull it tightly shut when that happens...!
Same with the toilets, some people cannot read the sign "WBC (only)".
Sometimes flight attendants park a trolley in the passage from Y-cabin to the WBC toilet. The other day with a box of snacks - now that is a friendly gesture for both Y-pax and the C-pax!

On the upperdeck the service is faster.
But it is noisier there and it seems more bumpy too.
What I dislike most are the flight attendants walking up and down all night to entertain the pilots, especially the less petite ones that come thumping down the aisle.
:D :D
On the upperdeck row 77 is the best because of the legroom, I prefer seats A and K because of the little closet for your personal things.

oh yeah.... the noise...

I also love 77 a and K.... but the noise... front lower cabin is so much queieter... just forget about eating and one is fine down ther

Especially because row 9 is in economy class on KL, period. :D

Johan


Sorry, I'm an idiot. I saw this "moved thread" in the Northwest forum.

I will also be flying this route/plane. There are four people in my family.

Does anyone know if Row 1 is also reserved for assignment on the day of departure? Also, if I can't get Row 1, and if Row 77 has to wait until day of departure, would you prefer Row 2 below or Row 74 or 78 above?

72 A&B are the bulkhead seats on the left side of the upper deck. Are they too close to the lavatory? On Northwest these are two of the best seats on the upper deck because they are set back a very large distance from the bulkhead. Just wondering how good they are on KLM.

I row 1 too close to the seats on the other side of the aisle?

I am about 88 days out and NW said that the entire row 77 for AMS-NBO was already occupied. I asked if they were just blocked and she said it looked like they were occupied.

What I dislike most are the flight attendants walking up and down all night to entertain the pilots, especially the less petite ones that come thumping down the aisle.
:D :D
On the upperdeck row 77 is the best because of the legroom, I prefer seats A and K because of the little closet for your personal things.

This string appears to be rive with idiotic comments. Get over the Chinese food issue, row 9 being y/cl i.s.o. c/cl... Last time I checked nobody was twisting your arm to fly KLM!
It is a flight safety concern that cabin crew check on cockpit crew on an hourly basis. Get over it or get a seat downstairs. Life's really simple in that sense! Make a choice and stick to it! Just be glad that due to increased security not every Tom, Dick and Harry flying coach is accompanied by thumping c/a's to visit the flight deck!
77K has got my name on it - even liked it with the new c/cl seat! Hardly fly anything else. 01K (or A) is a good alternative though. 77A less desireable especially when facing 1 (or more on the all pax 747) less petite f/a's! Really....:mad:

This string appears to be rive with idiotic comments. Get over the Chinese food issue, row 9 being y/cl i.s.o. c/cl... Last time I checked nobody was twisting your arm to fly KLM!
It is a flight safety concern that cabin crew check on cockpit crew on an hourly basis. Get over it or get a seat downstairs. Life's really simple in that sense! Make a choice and stick to it! Just be glad that due to increased security not every Tom, Dick and Harry flying coach is accompanied by thumping c/a's to visit the flight deck!
77K has got my name on it - even liked it with the new c/cl seat! Hardly fly anything else. 01K (or A) is a good alternative though. 77A less desireable especially when facing 1 (or more on the all pax 747) less petite f/a's! Really....:mad:

Well some people just lack a sense of humor.
Nobody is twisting your arm to read this forum.
Let's be friendly here and leave the frustrations elsewhere please.

A factor to reckon with upstairs is passengers putting their (smelly) feet onto the side bins - SO you have a pair of feet right next to your head! And they do'nt appreciate it when you tell them politely to remove their feet as that is NOT the place for them.:mad:

Personally I prefer row 1 downstairs especially if you want to rest and have some privacy.:)

I once had the pax behind me place his bare feet on my headrest as soon as I reclined my seat. Not once, but twice. The second time I used physical force to remove them.

Johan