A380 vs A330 Premium Economy
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 280
A380 vs A330 Premium Economy
Looking for a little advice prior to booking for flight next fall. Flying PDX-CDG. I'm planning on booking Premium Economy. I can fly PDX-SEA-CDG on an A330 to CDG or PDX-LAX-CDG on A380 to CDG. Cost is the same. SEA is a quicker domestic leg and a bit shorter overall, but I'm wary of SEA with all the weather/ATC delay issues they seem to have had there. LAX is always a zoo, but I hear that TBI is nice. Is there any difference in Seat/Experience quality between these two?
Last edited by Asquared1; Dec 30, 2017 at 10:27 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
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Looking for a little advice prior to booking for flight next fall. Flying PDX-CDG. I'm planning on booking Premium Economy. I can fly PDX-SEA-CDG on an A330 to CDG or PDX-LAX-CDG on A380 to CDG. Cost is the same. SEA is a quicker domestic leg and a bit shorter overall, but I'm wary of SEA with all the weather/ATC delay issues they seem to have had there. LAX is always a zoo, but I hear that TBI is nice. Is there any difference in Seat/Experience quality between these two?
The seat itself is basically the same with the same legroom... unless your in the seats I mentioned.
LAX can be a zoo BUT if you're connecting from Delta they have shuttle buses connecting Delta's 2 terminal with TBI. If you're connecting form Alaska / Virgin America, you can walk from Terminal 6 to TBI. Either way you won't have to go through security again unless you have to check in at LAX for your AF flight for some random reason. The SkyTeam / Korean Air lounge is nice at TBI but can be a bit crowded. Also the food option at TBI is amazing. T3 (Delta) has a shake shack. So yeah, I'd go with LAX.
Last edited by SkaterJasp; Dec 30, 2017 at 12:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Another reason to fly out of LAX on AF is you'll be able to purchase from the "A La Carte" menu ahead of time. It's basically an upgraded menu that ranges from $16 to $25 that you can have instead of what they're offering that day for the first meal. The main is a much larger portion and super tasty.
Last edited by SkaterJasp; Dec 30, 2017 at 12:10 pm Reason: Add attachment
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
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If you fly out of SEA, you get to ride that underground tram. Can't do that at LAX. That's all I can think of for SEA. If you're connecting from Delta, you can get a bus ride and see all the planes.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,265
Another reason to fly out of LAX on AF is you'll be able to purchase from the "A La Carte" menu ahead of time. It's basically an upgraded menu that ranges from $16 to $25 that you can have instead of what they're offering that day for the first meal. The main is a much larger portion and super tasty.
For the OP, last year I flew AF PE on the A380 out of SFO. Upstairs cabin. I was with a party of six. Not one seat was fully functional. Mine had faulty foot and leg rests and the seat has lost all its cushioning. These seats aren't that great for sleeping compared to lie-flats, but mine, without a working leg rest, was near useless. Other pax in the same cabin also complained about their seats. Possibly because the cabin was pretty shoddy, the flight crew was...let's say terse and generally unavailable. It was a lousy flight.
On the return, we flew in the small (3/4 rows) PE cabin on the 777. Equipment, crew, total experience was excellent.
I was traveling with two kids in their first long haul. After the outbound, they thought international travel was a terrible idea. "Our school bus is more comfortable!" The return flight, which they loved, saved the experience for them
That A380 was really tired.
To me, it felt like AF has made a business decision to just fly the A380 until it's done, with refurbishment only if absolutely necessary. I just avoid A380 flights now.
As an aside, catering out of SFO was pretty bad. Catering out of CDG was pretty good. Daily meals both ways.
Not sure if any of this pertains out of PDX or LAX. Just a data point.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
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As for the A380 PE seats... they're identical to the A330. I do think the seats could use a bit more cushioning like the China Airline ones but they seem to work fine when I was on it. I'd still much rather take the PE seat over the economy seats. I haven't tried the 777 version so can't really comment.
Also that meal was on the SFO-CDG flight... my neighbor wished he got it... the catering out of SFO for the regular menu didn't look too appetizing.
#7
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I think it was 90 days prior to departure... but you can't purchase it within 24 hours of departure.
As for the A380 PE seats... they're identical to the A330. I do think the seats could use a bit more cushioning like the China Airline ones but they seem to work fine when I was on it. I'd still much rather take the PE seat over the economy seats. I haven't tried the 777 version so can't really comment.
Also that meal was on the SFO-CDG flight... my neighbor wished he got it... the catering out of SFO for the regular menu didn't look too appetizing.
As for the A380 PE seats... they're identical to the A330. I do think the seats could use a bit more cushioning like the China Airline ones but they seem to work fine when I was on it. I'd still much rather take the PE seat over the economy seats. I haven't tried the 777 version so can't really comment.
Also that meal was on the SFO-CDG flight... my neighbor wished he got it... the catering out of SFO for the regular menu didn't look too appetizing.
The seats on the 777 I flew were identical as well, but they were fully functional and the cushioning was obviously in better condition. Also, the IFE was better on the 777 - larger, brighter screen in particular.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SJC / SFO
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I flew on both 77W W seat (on a plane that was not retrofitted) and A380 W seat and found somewhat more comfort on the A380 seat on the upper deck. As for the meals, keep in mind that if you choose a'la carte meal, you will forfeit any chances to get an upgrade later.
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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But, do you think AF will invest in refurbing the A380 fleet or just maintain them and fly them out? I've read the plane is far more expensive to operate than originally envisioned and not held in high regard by the finance guys.
Also, speaking of upgrades, how is the standard J meal on the SFO-CDG route?
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Thanks. I'm convinced. I'll choose a la carte meals today (still 4 months out from my next SFO-CDG leg).
The seats on the 777 I flew were identical as well, but they were fully functional and the cushioning was obviously in better condition. Also, the IFE was better on the 777 - larger, brighter screen in particular.
The seats on the 777 I flew were identical as well, but they were fully functional and the cushioning was obviously in better condition. Also, the IFE was better on the 777 - larger, brighter screen in particular.
#11
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#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 280
Thanks for the info.
On the A380 81 A and L look tempting, but a bit worried about not having a foot rest. The windows compartments seem to remediate any storage issues with not having a seat in front of you. Are the screens that come out of the arm rest as big as the ones on the seat backs?
On the A380 81 A and L look tempting, but a bit worried about not having a foot rest. The windows compartments seem to remediate any storage issues with not having a seat in front of you. Are the screens that come out of the arm rest as big as the ones on the seat backs?
#13
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
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Posts: 1,009
Thanks for the info.
On the A380 81 A and L look tempting, but a bit worried about not having a foot rest. The windows compartments seem to remediate any storage issues with not having a seat in front of you. Are the screens that come out of the arm rest as big as the ones on the seat backs?
On the A380 81 A and L look tempting, but a bit worried about not having a foot rest. The windows compartments seem to remediate any storage issues with not having a seat in front of you. Are the screens that come out of the arm rest as big as the ones on the seat backs?
Leg Room
Screen
Screen size compared to the meal tray. (This is the 2nd meal.. same as in Economy)