CONFIRMED: BA B787 & A380 layouts
Dec 11, 2012, 2:03 am
#31
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It might just be my eyesight, but the WT cabin on the lower deck (199 seats) has only two loos 
!! 4 lavatories appear to be shared between the WT and WTP cabins (159 passengers) on the upper deck.
Even assuming passengers will go up and down the stairs in a no-doubt futile attempt to find an empty lavatory, I think there will be a lot of leg-crossing on the lower deck.
!! 4 lavatories appear to be shared between the WT and WTP cabins (159 passengers) on the upper deck.Even assuming passengers will go up and down the stairs in a no-doubt futile attempt to find an empty lavatory, I think there will be a lot of leg-crossing on the lower deck.
Dec 11, 2012, 2:19 am
#32
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The 787 looks good for CW and WT+. I like the "middle" CW seat as it will be super private for a good nights sleep.
The A380 looks fine. Nothing special other than the reputedly very quiet cabin which is something to celebrate when you consider how noisy the 777 is aft of door 2.
As for the lack of lounge in C. Even when relaxed and refreshed in the CCR I can get to the furthest gate in less than 20mins and walk straight on the plane. It's not ideal, but hardly a big problem.
The A380 looks fine. Nothing special other than the reputedly very quiet cabin which is something to celebrate when you consider how noisy the 777 is aft of door 2.
As for the lack of lounge in C. Even when relaxed and refreshed in the CCR I can get to the furthest gate in less than 20mins and walk straight on the plane. It's not ideal, but hardly a big problem.
Dec 11, 2012, 2:22 am
#33
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The more general perception about both cabins is: "absolutely nothing special". It is clearly about cramming the maximum possible number of seats given the class-configuration, with apparently nothing new in terms of seats, common spaces, etc. I would say that BA is the only airline with A380 for which, when flying J I would prefer to be on an alternative aircraft (in that case, the 744 UD), while typically, on QF, AF, LH, KE and more I would choose the A380 over any older model for either seat or configuration reasons.
Dec 11, 2012, 2:35 am
#35
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The sad thing is, BA is not promoting new aircraft in the fleet as premium, and have decided to go for very mediocre placement in the market. That does sum BA up at the moment - only aspiring to be middle of the road.
Dec 11, 2012, 3:05 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Looking at the seat maps, I don't see any temptation to leave the current 744 UD. If BA could have brought themselves to give up 8 CW seats upstairs to make it 2-2-2, I think they could have made it feel a lot more special and spacious. Right now all I can see is 3 semi-dorms.
Dec 11, 2012, 3:10 am
#38
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Another point: any family travelling with more than one child is going to have to divide up. Also note the demise of the CW "play-pen" middle sections which were excellent for containing rascals. It would have been nice if BA could have kept a few "family" rows of 4xCW seats.
Dec 11, 2012, 4:15 am
#40
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Another point: any family travelling with more than one child is going to have to divide up. Also note the demise of the CW "play-pen" middle sections which were excellent for containing rascals. It would have been nice if BA could have kept a few "family" rows of 4xCW seats.
It is not stretching it at all.
It is a fact that with a 3-3-3 configuration on flights with seat factors between 51% and 66% some passengers will be free to choose to enjoy an empty seat next to them that they would not otherwise have been able to experience under 2-4-2.
For these passengers 3-3-3 is undeniably preferable.
Dec 11, 2012, 5:07 am
#42
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Dec 11, 2012, 5:11 am
#43
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I'm going to echo the view of most - the layouts are underwhelmingly bland and def BA pitching 'middle of the road'. I was secretly hoping they may pull a rabbit out of the hat with a new larger 'first suite' to try and compete with other airlines (i loved QF first, and SIN, havent tried others)
I'd also suggest not having some sort of premium lounge in T5C is a mistake. I recently went from there to BOS and our 747 went 'tech' so we had a 2.5hr delay whilst they found a replacement aircraft. We had to walk back thru the service tunnel to T5B and wait - we werent advised to go back to T5A as we'd be taken back to arrivals (on the train) and therefore have to go thru security clearance etc again which as we know can be lengthy wait, esp 'fast track' - dont know if this is correct but thats what we were told.
I'd also suggest not having some sort of premium lounge in T5C is a mistake. I recently went from there to BOS and our 747 went 'tech' so we had a 2.5hr delay whilst they found a replacement aircraft. We had to walk back thru the service tunnel to T5B and wait - we werent advised to go back to T5A as we'd be taken back to arrivals (on the train) and therefore have to go thru security clearance etc again which as we know can be lengthy wait, esp 'fast track' - dont know if this is correct but thats what we were told.