I took the same trip in December, and was seated in the same areas you mentioned both outbound (row17) and return (row27). I didn't see any noise difference for either area. The website at that time was not current for the seating arrangement. Row 27 is in a cabin behind 17. 27 is in the first row of the second cabin. The seats were different, and I liked row 27 better for the seat comfort. The seats do not recline as much as other carriers business class, nor do they have foot rests. I am 6 foot tall, and my feet hung off the bottom. For the return flight I brought a pillow to ease the pressure on the back of my legs and it helped. I also bought an inflatable neck pillow to help with the pressure on my neck-since the seats don't recline very far. I thought the service and food were OK. It was the first airline I have traveled on that had lots of full bottles of water that they gave out all the time.