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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 9:34 pm
  #140  
JHIN
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20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,980
Hey Experts - I'm curious about SFO to SYD seating. As I look at the seat maps that come up on Expert Flyer I noticed the front nose section is noted as being J class - BUT... some seats are occupied, empty and blocked!

What does "blocked" mean for a seat selection stand point? Will they become unblocked at some point? If they get unblocked can I select them? I realize it's J service in the nose using F seats sometimes but what is QF criteria for who gets to snag those seats? Will my AA elite status help me secure those? Thanks experts this might make for one great ones in a lifetime trip down under for my Mom if we snagged those.

Originally Posted by JDiver
I bagged this seat on SFO-SYD three class service (no F) with J service.

The F cabin is much smaller, feeling somewhat more intimate, and of course has the much greater seat pitch etc. than J (and no dreaded middle seat). The far-forward cabin is less noisy as you are as far ahead of the engines as you can get. I am 6'4" as previously stated, and I like the seat pitch (less so the "seams" left on the seat when fully extended).



The good: Intimate cabin, your own seat, no shared bits or even wall, and the seat with the greatest distance from others' seats (along with 3A). Some storage (Row 4 A and K have more storage in the bassinet area, but I watched the chap occupying that seat get bumped - both seat and feet - several times during the flight). 1A and K, BTW, are very closet-close, albeit the most private seats here - but the closet does get used, and light sleepers will undoubtedly get disturbed. Lav and galley immediately behind this forward cabin, so meal and drinks service come quickly, and you do not have far to roam to access services.

2, 3 and 4 EF are good for those flying with someone whey wish to converse with. All of these pods have guest seating for sharing meals or chat with another.

The bad: the cabin is appearing a bit worn, the seating pod a bit outdated, the seat / bed is somewhat narrow, overhead bins are a bit less commodious. The cabin itself can feel a bit like a college dorm, particularly if inhabited by larger numbers of adults with their sproggies or younger enthused people who don their pyjamas and then act like this is a slumber party laid on for them (my flight had all of these).

Executive summary: give me A380 12 E or F in preference (but I saved 20% of my already low Business fare by booking, er, ex-LAX, even though I was routed on AA to SFO for this flight and back to LAX from SYD on the A380). If I had been required to book a J seat, the SUD would have been my preference.
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