Hi to all,

When travelling Club my seat of choice has always been 14A. I have never opted for the upper deck as the forward cabin has less seats then on the UD and I have always find it to be very comfy and quite. Service too has always been attentive. Also in my experience, the upper deck seems to fill up much faster as it seems to be everyone�s first choice hence my 14a! I have a few flights booked in J so was wondering about taking 64k on a LHR-JNB just to "check it out".
I have seen many threads about this topic but never in comparison to the small forward section (70j config). The two main questions I have about UD and 64K
1. Does the very small cabin not give a bit of a claustrophobia feeling being so small?
2. I still enjoy very much looking out the window even though I�ve done this route umpteen times! So was wondering if the view from 64k is obstructed by the wings as it is at the rear of the UD and do you still get the same view angle that you would get on the lower deck in terms of being able to see down below?

Thanks in advance,

WT

1. I haven't experienced this. The UD feels more secluded, guess it's more of an Embraer or Concorde-width cabin (not that I ever got to go on one of those!) and it has more of a private feeling. The ceiling is lower but I've never felt claustrophobic there.

2. You don't get the same view angle but it is still a nice view. Less ground view and more sky.

Go for the window seats, any window because of the stowage which is really useful. But having said that some seats offer more access.

I've got a couple of shots from 64K in my TR:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...d-lhr-jfk.html

I've flown in 13A too and it is probably a similar view. You can always walk down the stairs to door 2 if you want to take photos.

I've never flown in 14A. In my opinion 64K is the best seat in Club World. Exceedingly private, 3 window boxes to yourself and 3 windows. Close to the stairs so you can get off quickly and it's a window seat with direct access to the aisle.

I would go in 14A and this is where I generally travel. Although the UD is more quiet I find it can get too warm.

14A is just as private just like 64K both have direct aisle access

If you are going to go upstairs I would go for 62K, its a bit cooler as its next to the emergency exit and you can also have the crack with the crew that sit in front of you. The UD does have the side bins for the window seats which you prove very useful

Theres no right or wrong here its all personal preferance.

I love it when people worry about feeling claustrophobic in a Club World Cabin - pity all the cattle rammmed in further back.

UD is the best! However, The biggest drawback is the you have to wait for a long time to leave the aircraft (and then at immigration because there will be many people in front!).

UD feels much more spacious and less claustrophobic because of the bins by the windows... Makes a huge difference. Also great for storage. Go UD - you won't regret it!

There must be people accustomed to the larger private jets, and maybe even the A380, who find BA's F cabn claustrophobic; whereas I find it bliss, but I'm really comparing to CW.

I do find all CW seats cramped. When people who can't afford business class speculate how exciting it must be, I reassure them that their sofa at home is a great deal more comfortable.

As for 64A/K, the wing isn't really a problem blocking the view down - the wing is significantly further back. In fact row 64 can't be much further back than row 14, and 62 is certainly further forward.

I wonder if there is any difference in the noise levels between the various CW cabins. I can't say I've noticed much. They're all a horrendous din compared with F.

I prefer upper deck. Here's why.

a)
On the main deck, you typically have 8 seats across over 2 or 4 rows per cabin section.

The upper deck however has a configuration with 4 seats across over 5 rows which gives a "different" sense of space. In the upper deck, you do not have the middle seats which I think leads to the real sense of claustrophobia in a cabin.

b)
On the main deck, the walls on each side of the window seats are vertical and close to these seats meaning there isn't really any "space" in between.

On the other hand, the upper deck window seats are next to a slanted ceiling with storage bins on the side and a lot more space above these bins keeping you away from the fuselage and the windows. This results in a much more airy atmosphere.

Some say the upper deck can get a bit hot, I think it's fine and generally the seat next to the exit row is a little cooler (and one of the least claustrophobic seats you can get on the plane). The passengers on the upper deck also seem to be the most experienced flyers, the kind that have done it many times before and just want to be left alone, resulting in what I deem to be a much more quieter cabin.

Give it a try, only real way for you to know for sure if you'll prefer the UD or main deck Change is good!

Really depends on how claustrophobic you are.

I suffer from it a bit and I would say you don't really have too much to worry about being on the upper deck compared to say the middle seats in the main deck - I would rather fly on a Alitalia 777 than be stuck in those.

1. Not at all. The aisle is very wide and that adds a lot to the sense of space, IMO.
2. Try 60A/K or 61A/K (unless you're on my flight!). Good views - a full 4 windows - unimpeded by the wing to any material degree.

Except, of course, when the front wheel is retracted/lowered.

The first time I was in F and heard that I almost ran for the emergency exit!

Thanks to all for all the info!
Taking everything into consideration I think I will stick with 14a on the outbound as it is a day flight and will muster up the courage and do the return on the UD in 64k! Will report back when I return!

But while we are on the topic of seating I have a further two questions which I hope you will kindly be able to help me with! (mods plz feel free to add to title I cant seem to change)

1. Divider up or down?! I was told by Cabin Crew on many occasions that the only time the divider needs to be down is for the safety demo. So at all other times (including takeoff and landing) it could be up. So if I (window seat) want the divider up and the other passenger on the isle wants it down how is this settled??? I know this seems like a funny question but on a recent trip about an hour before landing Mister isle decided he wants the divider down The one thing I absolutely hate on CW is having to sit face to face with a stranger! Never the less I didn�t put the divider back up as it didn�t feel quite right or maybe I just didn�t have the guts. I am just wondering if any of you have had this issue and how you dealt with it. I realise that mister isle wanted to look out the window and I didn�t have the heart to close the shutters which I guess could be one way of dealing with it. Any insights or experiences you have had with this?

2. Is it possible to purchase an empty seat on BA? ie, pay for 8 and use only 7 with one spare? or pay for both isle and window and sit in window with no one occupying the isle and therefore divider can stay up or even better down with no "stranger" looking me in the eyes???

Thanks again

WT

Up it is if I am involved. It seems kind of logical to me that the only reason for putting the divider down is if both pax agree on that.

Unless I'm travelling together with the pax on the other side that is...

For your second question - yes, AFAIK you can buy more than one seat for yourself. To keep it in FT spirit, you will usually only get miles for one ticket though

I always find that an awkward time - when to push the button for the divider so I dont have to look at someone's ugly mug (unfortunatley I have never had the pleasure of sitting next to a female supermodel but I guess it would then be her awkwardness since she would be looking at my ugly face).


As far as mister aisle the divider should always be up (other than the safety briefing) unless both passengers agree therefore he should have asked you if you were ok with it which you can easily reply you would like your privacy. If he wants to look out the window then he should have checked in at t-24 to get a window seat.

Personally, I've always had a chat with the person enxt to me and strike up a conversation and usually it last for the first 20 -30 minutes of the flight but it is always awkward when to push the button.

Finally 64K is in my opinion the best CW seat - always get it if I can - otherwise 64A is a close second but always a chance of getting booted from that seat due to bassinet.