<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
The Upper Deck is great, 2-2 config, max of 20 people and two FAs so the service is always pretty good. IAD usually runs a 38 CW seat config (last time it was 70 CW seats) so the main deck is quite small although cosy is a better word. When I get a choice of flights to a destination offering 747 / 777 (eg. IAD) I always take the 747 regardless of cabin. </font>
Yup. I'll second (fourth?
) that. After 9/11, BA changed to using 777s on the LHR->SFO route for a while and I flew CW on them quite a few times. Not sure about staffing for CW on a 777 but the service was noticeably worse (rushed food and drink, less-flexible, horrible Raid The Larder selection) than the equivalent 747 flight. I think the 747 CW configs are, on the whole, broken in to smaller units than the mondo CW 777 cabin. As a result, things seem to be smoother running when it's busy.
I'll also put my hand up for CW on the upper deck of a 747. It's usually quieter and more relaxed. Altho', as it's a smaller cabin, I think you tend to notice things more. Like the French guy next to me last time with horrible flatulence *and* snoring. It was like a bad Viz comic for about 4 hours. My noise cancelling headphones just about cut him out but there were other sensory problems less easily dealt with.
Maybe all that space in the 777 cabin *could* be an advantage after all.
Scott...