Sep 1, 13, 4:03 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

MMB/Expertflyer Aircraft Code: 388

Upper deck

Main deck

Summarizing based on comments thus far:

First

This post shows the seat map and individual seat ratings for First:

First Cabin A380 Seat Ratings
In order of rating:

2 A/K
1 A/K
3 A/K
2 E/F
3 E/F
4 E/F
4 A/K

Club World Upper deck

50AB and 50JK: the B and J seats don’t have anyone climbing over them. There’s nothing else ahead of these seats, so this area should be fairly quiet. However, the A and K seats ... would have to lean forward a long way to look out of the single window serving this row. Good if you like having a very private space and don’t mind stepping over someone to get out. Bad if you like looking out of the window.
50J for longest bed is the best. However, you only have a curtain between you and the stairs and right hand side forward loo. Should be okay but might be noisy. Partial barrier around feet.
51D and 51F: no half barrier either so very good for tall people and first row of CW cabin so good for food and ease of access to loo without any galley.
53AB and 53JK: the window seats have direct aisle access, so in theory these would be a lot like 64A and 64K on the 744. Unfortunately, potentially noisy.
56B has a bit of extra length but also a partial barrier.
59AB and 59JK: the window seats here also have direct aisle access. However, as others have mentioned, because the CW and WT+ cabins partly overlap at this point, these seats (and particularly the heads of the 59B and 59J passengers) are directly in line with the WT+ centre bulkhead bassinets, so possible noise concerns if baby behind. You can see the close proximity in the photo above for 60 DEF
Middle seats: since there's only a single middle seat, it's rather nice and isolated and private, at least while the dividers are up. When dividers go down it's face to face with your seatmates to the left and right. Couples who are using a middle seat will probably be better off choosing EF rather than DE, because the extra space to the right hand side of the E seat means the E and F seats are closer together.

Club World Main Deck

10J definitely winner for the most length but partial barrier around feet and galley noise may be an issue. However, also first to get food!
10A and 10K for window seats only. The rest have absolutely NO view as the wing is massive and all you see is reflecting Silver and a lot of flex!
There is a reported experience from 13AB of in-flight vibration and resonances which were enough to disturb sleep.
Avoid 15AB and 15JK due to proximity to the two loos that are right beside and behind this seat. (CW loo behind 15B and 15J, WT loo beside these seats although behind a curtain, near continuous use!)
General note: due to the curvature of the fuselage, the window seats on the main deck have a greater gap between the seat and cabin wall than the equivalent upper deck seats, thus providing more wiggle room for your legs and toes.

World Traveller Plus Upper Deck
Photos: courtesy of PETER01

Bulkhead seats: The legroom in the bulkhead rows of 60DEF, 61AB and 61JK is fairly good, but I’m not sure that I would take these for a night flight as you can still get closer to horizontal in the rows behind. If that’s your favoured sleeping position, the absence of leg-rests in those rows won’t matter too much.
Row 67: The quietness of the aircraft will mean that the toilets at the aft of the WT+ cabin are much more likely to be disturbing in this area (particularly to 67AB, 67DEF, 67JK and 68DEF) than, say, to 15AB on a mid-J 744.

World Traveller Upper Deck

Centre block bulkheads 70DEFG and 80DEFG have tables in fixed armrests, as one would expect. This noticeably constricts the width of the seat. The armrest between D and E is a conventional lift-up armrest – so if choosing these rows, D and E are better than F and G. Another thing about these bulkhead rows, which are in line with the exits, and the adjacent exit rows (70AB, 70JK, 80AB and 80JK), is that there is a noticeable hissing noise from the slipstream.
80D and 80E are the same and could be great for space or for couples that want to lift the armrest during the flight to get closer or sleep.
Rear cabin: any WT seat in rows 80 to 83 would be very nice indeed as long as: there is not a stag group pissing it up here when you want to sleep! Apparently, they may offer this cabin to groups so need to be a bit careful in selecting this exclusive cabin. Also, there is noticeable galley noise in this rear cabin, and it gets worse the further aft you get.

World Traveller Main Deck

25D is the throne seat on the Main Deck in WT. (no seat in front of them).

BA Airbus A380: Which are the best seats? Master discussion thread

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 10, 17, 6:40 am

#1426

PETER01

Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club

Join Date: Feb 2008

Location: UK

Posts: 9,328

I'd definitely go for 1K Jimmie76 ^

There may be a slight bit of activity near landing as the CC go into the cupboard as that's where they stow their stuff but it is a very private seat and the toilet was not an issue in any way for me. that's the cupboard in the first photo which is mine and the toilet is through the curtain. (The other photo is a random blog one)

I've chosen 1K for an upcoming flight to SFO as I think it's the best seat in the F cabin, not that there are really any bad seats!

http://www.travelingformiles.com/rev...0-first-class/

Jimmie76 likes this.

Last edited by PETER01; Sep 10, 17 at 6:47 am

Sep 10, 17, 6:49 am

#1427

Jimmie76

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)

Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Silver)

Posts: 14,495

Quote:

Originally Posted by The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

If you are keen on having a window to look out of I would go for 1A or K (maybe a slight preference for 1K) .You will be just behind the curtain for the forward lavatories but did not notice it on my flight back from HKG.

Regards

TBS

Thanks I'm now in 1K you both swung me. Oddly I don't know when it switched to an A380 as I thought I had selected 2K on the original 747 when making the booking. I also thought that leaving the pair free might benefit a couple who fancied sitting next to each other.

Sep 10, 17, 6:54 am

#1428

PETER01

Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club

Join Date: Feb 2008

Location: UK

Posts: 9,328

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmie76

Thanks I'm now in 1K you both swung me. Oddly I don't know when it switched to an A380 as I thought I had selected 2K on the original 747 when making the booking. I also thought that leaving the pair free might benefit a couple who fancied sitting next to each other.

That's very thoughtful of you ^

If 2F is free I would be pretty sure the CC would make that as a bed for when you want to sleep and you can keep 1K as the seat. Just a thought as I have had that done before in the F cabins.

Jimmie76 likes this.

Sep 10, 17, 7:17 am

#1429

PETER01

Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club

Join Date: Feb 2008

Location: UK

Posts: 9,328

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORDtoLHR

I have an unusual question about A380 seating on BA. I'm trying to find the seats where you are least likely to see people going to and from the bathroom. My travel companion and I are both pretty bad fliers, but she especially gets nervous when people stay in in the bathroom too long (she fears that they are either up to no good or suffering from a medical problem). This became an issue after our last international flight; we noticed an angry-looking teenage girl walking down to the bathroom, and a few minutes later there was a loud alarm throughout the cabin and FAs running all over the place. It was the dead of night and the whole thing was a little terrifying, to be honest. The girl soon emerged and stumbled back to her seat; not sure if she was vaping, smoking, or stuck in there. After that, every angry or drugged-out looking person going to the toilet made us irrationally nervous. Between that and witnessing an awful medical emergency right next to us (defibrillator brought out, etc.; it was a happy ending but a stressful few hours), we're trying to take measures to make sure our next trip is as calm as possible. And the bathroom thing is priority number one!

I have studied the seat maps and I'm thinking I'm left with two possibilities in the WT or WT+ cabins, but I need some help figuring it out.

1) Lower deck, front of WT (around row 20 or as close to the front as I can get). Do WT passengers use the bathrooms in front of this section, or are they reserved for CW passengers? If they are for CW it would be fine, especially if they are curtained off from WT most of the time. Edit: Nevermind, I re-read the Wiki and it looks like some of these bathrooms are for WT. Sounds like I need to be in WT+.

2) Upper deck, front of WT+ (around row 61 or as close to the front as I can get). This seems to be the safest bet because the WT passengers use the bathrooms at the back of the section. There are some good YouTube videos of the cabin and it looks perfect for this situation. But I'd prefer to save the money and do WT if possible.

Thanks for any information you can pass on, and I apologize for the neurotic request!

First of all welcome to Flyertalk and the BA Board ORDtoLHR and I am sorry to hear about how such things can be a bit frightening for you and your friend.

I would reassure you that before anyone can get on an aircraft there are obviously security checks done both visible to yourself but also behind the screens (passenger screening) so it is very extremely unlikely you will encounter anything untowards.

In relation to you seating query you are right in that WT+ near the front is the best place to be if you don't want to see any toilets. If you are far enough back in the lower deck cabins in economy again it isn't easy to see and the toilets are curtained off. You definitely don't want the small rear mini cabin on the UD but in that cabin at the back of the cabin there is OK (not the last row though)

Here is a seat map which may be able to help you in your choice and perhaps a quiet word with the crew about your fears beforehand and before the flight takes off this may be beneficial to yourselves.

My own view is if you can afford WT+ at a reasonable price from economy then it is definitely worth it but then again the money may be of better use at your destination.

A380 Seat Map

Pete

Sep 10, 17, 7:39 am

#1430

Jimmie76

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)

Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Silver)

Posts: 14,495

Quote:

Originally Posted by PETER01

That's very thoughtful of you ^

I just don't want to deprive someone who might have a greater need than mine.

Quote:

If 2F is free I would be pretty sure the CC would make that as a bed for when you want to sleep and you can keep 1K as the seat. Just a thought as I have had that done before in the F cabins.

I plan to sleep as soon as I can but thanks for the advice I'll have a go on my next 380 trip.

Last edited by Jimmie76; Sep 10, 17 at 8:05 am

Sep 10, 17, 7:47 am

#1431

msm2000uk

Moderator: Qatar Airways

Join Date: Jan 2014

Location: LHR/NCE/MIA

Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher

Posts: 8,505

One thing I'd add about 1A and 1K, is that the cupboard doors sometimes rattle.

This can become rather tiresome, especially when you're trying to sleep.

It is usually resolved by the crew putting some tissue between the gaps, but it's still a hassle at times.

M

Jimmie76 likes this.

Sep 10, 17, 9:19 am

#1432

ORDtoLHR

Join Date: Sep 2017

Posts: 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by PETER01

Thanks so much for your kind and informative response. I have faith in the screening system and in my fellow passengers, and intellectually I know that nothing bad will happen. I'd just prefer to be totally ignorant of how long people have been in the bathroom. I do find it pretty funny that a smoking teenager managed to trigger this fear!

I'm sure the flights will be fine regardless, but I'm leaning toward WT+! Despite the bad luck on my last trip, I found the BA crew to be outstanding, especially in how they responded to the serious medical emergency that occurred. I look forward to flying with them again and trying the A380 next May (last time was a refurbished 747).

PETER01 and Claranda like this.

Sep 22, 17, 7:13 am

#1433

cubedweller

Join Date: Feb 2010

Posts: 77

This is an oddly specific question but here goes...

Does anyone know if there are jetbridges for the upper deck at SFO or if Club World passengers on the upper deck go down the internal stairs before disembarking?

Reason for asking is I have a tight-ish connection and want to select my seat for optimum escapage, if you will.

Sep 22, 17, 8:17 am

#1434

Stewie Mac

Ambassador: World of Hyatt

Join Date: Mar 2002

Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !

Posts: 4,129

and another specific for Y

I am also on a 380 soon, and like cubedweller keen to deplane sharpish... but I'm in Y. Looking at the seatmap, it appears that there are fewer seats=fewer people in front of Y on the main deck compared to upper deck, so I'm thinking as far forward as possible on the main deck.

Anyone feel able to agree/disagree/comment?

And cubedweller, I think that BA as standard don't use the internal stairs for passenger movement either inflight or on boarding/disembarking... therefore there will be jetbridges attached to both decks. [but I don't have specific experience of SFO]

Sep 22, 17, 6:53 pm

#1435

RB211

Join Date: Jan 2010

Posts: 3,183

Yes, there are jet bridges for both upper and main deck on the A380 at SFO.

HOWEVER, the speed at which the jet bridges are moved into place, doors opened etc can vary greatly. In my totally unscientific experience, it seems that the lower deck seems to be connected first, but that's then a First & MD CW vs upper CW race. As for Y, I have no idea. Front of Y upper my be faster despite the fact that the main deck jet bridge is operational first, generally. That's where I would put my money if I had to, but given the choice I'd pass on the bet altogether. Also others may have opposing experiences/opinions.

rb211.

Sep 24, 17, 1:18 am

#1436

cubedweller

Join Date: Feb 2010

Posts: 77

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB211

THat's helpful, thank you!

Sep 24, 17, 1:37 am

#1437

corporate-wage-slave

Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club

Join Date: Feb 2010

Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer

Posts: 59,350

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubedweller

Does anyone know if there are jetbridges for the upper deck at SFO or if Club World passengers on the upper deck go down the internal stairs before disembarking?

I can't recall the precise arrangements at SFO, but normally while all three jet bridges are manœuvred into place at the same time, the First door will normally open first, because the CSD will be there with the paperwork. Particularly in the USA no-one leaves the aircraft until the paperwork is handed over, so First would normally be the first to disembark. Therefore if you have a tight connection, have a word with the CSD / CSM, ideally show the boarding passes, and they may allow you an early departure from downstairs. Essentially there is very little passenger movement on the stairs, particularly the front ones, if a door can't open (airbridge failure) then of course it does happen, but that's the exception.

However in my experience of these things, the benefit of this in any aircraft is usually an illusion. Within 5 minutes of doors open this aircraft, all aircraft, is usually surprisingly empty, and as a generalisation, people miss tight connections due to being 20 minutes out, not 2 minutes. I appreciate that CBP in the USA may also be a factor, but 14 First Class passengers, some on GE, won't make much difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie Mac

I think you will find that WTP and CW passengers are more nifty than the main deck, as another impossible generalisation. They are less likely to be en famille, and more likely to be regular flyers. I certainly wouldn't give up on the side cupboards and marginally improved service level for this. Again if you have a tight connection, given your stellar interpersonal skills and shiny card, I'm sure the CSD/CSM can assist you further if you have a clear need to be off quickly. But all of this counts for naught if someone gets lost in Duty Frees, LHR Terminal 5.

Sep 29, 17, 3:03 pm

#1438

laurelguy

Join Date: Feb 2015

Posts: 6

Hey guys. Are we in trouble? Flying LHR-LAX on A380 in January. Only seats left in first are 4F and 4K..so one of us in middle section and the other is in the single seat on the far right side of cabin. Are these just awful seats?

Sep 29, 17, 3:19 pm

#1439

Globaliser

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: London

Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.

Posts: 38,641

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurelguy

I think that a realistic view would be that there are no "just awful seats" in First, even if we here do love to try to count the number of angels dancing on a pinhead.

Sep 29, 17, 3:40 pm

#1440

RB211

Join Date: Jan 2010

Posts: 3,183

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurelguy

OMG no! As Globaliser implied, there are no bad seats in First. When you see all the machinations, navel gazing and dissection of the pros and cons of each individual First seat laid out here for all to see, they are all about fine degrees and the ultimate optimization, IMO. I've been in 4K on the '380 and found it to be a great seat. First in the A380 provides better separation of the middle seats than old 747 First, for example, so 4F should be good too. I cannot remember quite how 4F and 4K line up (or rather don't quite line up - I don't travel in First as much as I would like!) so you may not be able to easily converse, but there's always the buddy seat. Some complain about galley noise in the rear of First, but I'm a noise cancelling headset/ear plugs person so that didn't bother me. Just to be sure, I recommend taking those along with you if in doubt. Enjoy First; I find the seats to be very good and (99% of the time) the service is even better. If there's anything you need or want, just ask. The cabin crew are, IME, very helpful up front!

rb211.

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Show Printable Version

Email this Page