Yes, it is time once again for the next installment in our series of PSAs - Public Seating Announcements.

Today, we talk about the Boeing 747-400. I flew my first one today, UA838 NRT-SFO, so here is what you want to know:

(Edit: I flew in F FRA-SFO on 10.30.05 so I have updated the First Class section.)


FIRST CLASS

First off, I prefer the 777 for First. The 747 is just too "closed in" and the aisles are narrower, as well as having the central table/magazine rack between Rows 2 and 3.

Row 1 is very close together. Best for couples, really. There is no overhead storage, so any large items need to go into the closet directly in front of you. The suites are farther back from the windows then the other window suites, so the view out the windows is actually the worst of any windo suite.

Row 2 is great for singles. It has the most "personal space" in the cabin, since the central table/rack does not extend to your row. Overhead space is a single bin, but it does swallow a legal-sized rollaboard sideways.

Row 3 is a bit more claustraphobic because of the central table, but on the plus side snacks and wine are within arms-length.

Row 4 and Row 5 are decent enough. The central E and F pair are best for couples. I didn't notice too bad light or sound issues in Row 5, and once the curtains go in, that should be greatly reduced. I was chatting with the Purser in the galley and she closed the galley curtain to help cut down on our noise.


BUSINESS CLASS - LOWER DECK - FORWARD

Think Rows 8 and 9 on the 777. SeatGuru says they have five inches less pitch then the rest of the plane, but they looked like the rest of the lower deck to me. Five inches would have been seriously noticeable, so take that with a grain of salt. What few people were there were fully reclined and extended. With the seat in front of you fully reclined, you have no chance of getting out of 7A/D/H or 8A/D/H, and even the aisle seats (B/C/F/G) will be dicey unless you are a contortionist. If you want to be able to get up mid-flight at night in the forward cabin, pick 6B/C/F/G.


BUSINESS CLASS - LOWER DECK - AFT

The AB and GH pairs have the same pitch as the forward cabin and most of the upper deck. No problems with full recline and extension. Galley light on Row 22 was non-existant - the people there were in deep shade. Row 23 was a little easier to see, but again, like Row 5 in First, the eyeshades and earplugs will ensure sleep. 22A and 22H have plenty of space to clear the slide bulge, so don't worry about that.

25CDF and 26CDF have exceptional legroom. Nobody was in those seats, but even with 25 fully reclined, a mildly dextrous person could get out of Row 26 and no problem crossing over Row 25 wth legrests extended.


BUSINESS CLASS - UPPER DECK

First off, it was a lot bigger then I expected. I was thinking 757, and it is more like 767. I could stand up in the center (I am 6' 2") and it is very wide. The windows are useless for ground taxi, however. Lower then a CRJ, you'll snap your neck trying to look out them. Once airborne, they do a nice job of showing you what's down below.

On the plus side, the side storage lockers are amazing. Each is roughly 20" long, 18" high, and 10" wide. They're like the side tables in 10A, 10F, and 11F on the 767-200, but longer and you can put things in them. The overhead bins are useless for anything bigger then a briefcase or laptop bag. They will not hold a standard roll-aboard. There is a deep closet to the immediate right of the stairs, but being the first one to put your bag in there means you're the last one to get it out. I had to unload everyone else's to get to mine, though the storage lockers in 17A for my two other bags meant I was first one to the locker.

I had 17A and, along with 16A, these are the two best seats on the upper deck. Yes, I know the Row 15 crowd is ready to pounce on the Reply button, but hear me out - First, you get two and a half side storage lockers, vs. only one and a half in Row 15. Second, if travelling as a couple, you need never fear being bumped out of 16AB or 17AB by an Air Marshall. Third, 16AB and 17AB have about 20% more legroom then any other row (15 excepted). Fourth, in 15GH you have the Flight Attendent jump seat in front of you. Only downside to 16AB and 17AB is that the air vents aim at the seat cushion and will not reach your head. The 747-400 is very hot inside at cruise - almost uncomfortably so - and the lack of cool air can be a problem with sleeping.

Rows 11-14, and seats 16-18GH have the same pitch as most other Business seats and, again, the window person will never get out if the seat in front is fully reclined. The bulkhead seats were able to fully extend their legrests. If mildly dexterous, 16A and 17A can get out when the seat in front of them is fully reclined and their neighbor in the B seat has their footrest fully extended.


ECONOMY CLASS - ROWS 32-34

If you sit here, pick Row 32. Legroom is equivalent to Economy Plus - 34". Think 1CD on the 757 - tight, but not tortuous. Rows 33 and 34 have the 31" pitch and I don't know how anyone with legs long enough to reach the floor could sit there. There are three 17" LCD monitors, one on each bulkhead.


ECONOMY PLUS CLASS - ROWS 35-44

First off, this is the tighest Economy Plus pitch I have ever seen. Compared to the 757 (36"), it's cramped. They say 34" and I believe it. Even the 737 does not look as tight. Compared to the horror farther back, however, these measly few extra inches are probably a godsend.

Second, 35A and 35K are unusable. The slide extends across the entire width of the seat so you get 34" of pitch, at best. Even if the B/J seats are unoccupied, you'd have to bend your knees at a 90° angle. 35BC and 35HJ are fine. There is a ceiling mounted 15" CTV (ala the 757) above your head. 36DEFG have about 36" of legroom and the projection screen right in front of them.


ECONOMY CLASS - ROWS 46-62

I couldn't cross a taxiway in these seats, much less an ocean. It's as bad as the 31" of the 757. You look at it, and you cringe. Seriously. How people survive it is beyond me, and I am not trying to be flippant here. You couldn't pay me to fly in it to Asia or Australia. Heck, you couldn't pay me to fly it to PDX.

Again 46A and 46K are totally unusable, due to the slide. Still, it puts them ahead of anything in Rows 47 or back. 46BC and 46HJ are the four seats to gun for. Galley light on the HJK side of Rows 46-49 can be bright. Again, CRTs for the Exit Row and projector for everyone else.