I'll be traveling to Melbourne in July, and it looks like one of my options is through LHR to MEL, probably on QF30, definitely in economy. I was wondering if those of you who've been on this flight would be able to give me some insight about the seats to help me choose between a window and an aisle seat. The Ultimate Seat guide does not have information about economy seats on the 747-400.
So, here are my 2 questions:
1. Are the window seats cramped on the 747-400? I flew Air France on their new 3x4x3 configuration of the 777-300ER, and the window seat was really cramped, as the seat was right up to the fuselage wall, and the armrests were really thin.
2. I usually prefer window seats, but if it is very cramped, I'd rather go with an aisle seat, but according to seatguru.com all aisle seats have the entertainment box beneath. Do these boxes reduce legroom a lot? Do they take up a lot of space (like on the A330 for example), or are they placed vertically, and it doesn't affect legroom to much?
I would appreciate any comments you might have about these seats, and which one is more comfortable.
Of the two, I think the aisle seat is marginally better, but neither one qualifies for "comfortable".
Quote:
Originally Posted by gusd
1. Are the window seats cramped on the 747-400?
Yes. And of course, you'll have to ask two other people to move when you need to get out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gusd
2. I usually prefer window seats, but if it is very cramped, I'd rather go with an aisle seat, but according to seatguru.com all aisle seats have the entertainment box beneath. Do these boxes reduce legroom a lot? Do they take up a lot of space (like on the A330 for example), or are they placed vertically, and it doesn't affect legroom to much?
The boxes reduce legroom by about half the width. (If you're lucky, the middle seat may be empty and you can put one foot there.) And of course, you have to move when either of the other two people want to get out.
Frankly, the only good thing about the aisle is that it's not the window, and the only good thing about the window is that it's not the middle seat. Just spend the trip thinking of what a good time you'll have in Australia.
__________________ When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty. - George Bernard Shaw
Alternatively, you could request the window seats toward the rear of economy where the outside 3 reduces to 2 (70A or 70K onwards?) Here there is greater room between the window seat and the wall plus you only have 1 person to clamber over on a full flight.
Of course, the downside is that being toward the back there is usually less choice when it comes to meal options and you'll be one of the last off/at the back of the queue to clear immigration.
I have done QF29/30 quite a few times and I used to prefer the window seat. It is cramped and the arms rests are thin (so is 95% of economy) but I actually liked the closeness of the fuselage as I would put my pillow against it to sleep.
I now prefer the aisle seat due to the fact that, as RadioGirl stated, you don't have to ask two other people to move when you need to get out. I don't mind it when someone else needs to get out - it gives me a chance to move about. I'm not very tall so I've never found the entertainment box to be a problem.
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP/LTS, LH SEN, AFKL Plat, BD*G, PC Amb/Plat, SW-G, UA/AA cardboard, Hertz 5*
Posts: 7,664
Quote:
Originally Posted by gusd
1. Are the window seats cramped on the 747-400? I flew Air France on their new 3x4x3 configuration of the 777-300ER, and the window seat was really cramped, as the seat was right up to the fuselage wall, and the armrests were really thin.
AF fortunately are one of the few airlines which operate a 777 with 10 across in Y. Generally speaking, most premium carriers (which in most circumstances, AF would be considered part of the club) only squeeze in 9 across on these aircraft. QF despite loving to cut it's own FF programme fortunately does not try to squeeze passengers in like AF (or EK). 10 across is restricted to QF's 747-400s which are wider than a 777.
FWIW, a 777 has a cabin width of 5.86m whereas a 747-400 has 6.1m, a difference of 24cm.
I therefore think you will be quite comfortable on a QF plane in Y as opposed to flying on AF.
If going for an aisle seat, ask for the middle block - D or G seats. Chances are they won't put anyone next you (nobody likes the E or F seats) but if they do you will only have one person climbing over you, whereas a C or H seat will have two who can climb over you.
Dave
__________________
Being shaved again for the World's Greatest Shave, for the Leukaemia Foundation - please sponsor me.
Chances are they won't put anyone next you (nobody likes the E or F seats) ...
If I had to have a middle seat, I'd prefer E/F to B/J, and I do ask for them (fortunately, not had to do this for decades).
B/J are the worst of all worlds. Someone (window) may ask you to get up so they can get out, and you have to ask someone (aisle) to get up if you want to get out.
In E/F, at least nobody asks you to get up so they can get out. So it's one step ahead of B/J.
However, I personally prefer windows. I don't like being woken up by others in the middle of the night. And it's very nice if the airline doesn't put anyone in the middle seat.
Thank you everybody for your comments and suggestions. It seems that it's not going to be an easy decision. Both have advantages and disadvantages. But I agree it it's going to be an aisle seats, it will be either a D or a G seat.
AF fortunately are one of the few airlines which operate a 777 with 10 across in Y.
Yes, but unfortunately they are the ones I fly, which includes KLM. The only positive thing about the AF 777-300ER is that there are no boxes at all, I don't know how they solved this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Traveloguy
I therefore think you will be quite comfortable on a QF plane in Y as opposed to flying on AF.
So, the flight took place. The entertainment box info on seatguru.com is not how things were actually on this flight. I flew on VH-OJN, City of Dubbo, and I had seat 50C. The seat map:
Yes, they are. I found the aisle seat much more comfortable. The arm rests are very thin though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gusd
2. I usually prefer window seats, but if it is very cramped, I'd rather go with an aisle seat, but according to seatguru.com all aisle seats have the entertainment box beneath. Do these boxes reduce legroom a lot? Do they take up a lot of space (like on the A330 for example), or are they placed vertically, and it doesn't affect legroom to much?
Well, guess what? No box under 50C on the aircraft I flew, not under any of the C seats, at least not under the ones I saw around, I didn't check all the rows. The boxes were under B, D, G, and J seats. With the aisle seats, the box is actually outside of the leg of the seat, so it does not reduce legroom. It does, however, reduce legroom with the B and J seats.
Window or aisle seat on Qantas 747-400 LHR-MEL?
