DNA666

Does anyone have any info on the route im heading out to san fran on A380 but returning from LAS in march 18 , slightly concenred now after not doing quite enough research before i confirmed booking. Seems not all the 747 s have been refurbed and concerned i am flying on a really old ac that might not be safe and provide a rubbish flight. Seated in WT+ so thats fine but worried flight will be awful and concerned about age of the ac they use on that route.
If anyone can provide info perhaps a pilots insight or someone who has done route etc.. i would be very grateful to hear should i see if i can upgrade is there much chance of that? At airport ?.... hoping they might change ac type before i go.

Can I help you

Welcome.
We don't fly unsafe aircraft, what pilot would risk their own lives?

mikeyfly

Welcome to FT DNA666

The main issue on the return flight will be the ropey In Flight Entertainment. Food, drinks will be the same as all other WT+

Make sure you take a decent tablet with plenty of loaded viewing and you'll be fine.

Upgrade at airport to CW if available will be towards $990 which is crazy with the current exchange rates. However keep checking Manage My Booking in case you get offered a cash special into Club world

The _Banking_Scot

Hi DNA666,

Welcome to flyertalk and the BA forum!^

I just returned from Las Vegas last week in a B747.

Whilst it is an older 747 and with not the latest IFE it is perfectly fine and safe ( BA would not fly the aircraft if it was not safe) . It might not be the newest and you may spot some grime but in terms of safety , I have no worries.
Also as WT+ is just behind F if they use door 1 at LHR T3 then you can be off the aircraft just after first and ahead of club world.

You can ask at check in at LAS if they are offering upgrades for sale.

Not sure about an aircraft change- there were rumours here that it could have an A380 but not sure if it is a firm rumour or more of a wish list

Regards

TBS

Cymro

I wouldn't worry about safety - although the aircraft are old, BA has a very good safety record and the aircraft are still held to the same standards.

I have done WTP to LAS on a 747 and I can't really reassure you about the quality of the cabin or the entertainment, but the plane won't be falling apart around you, noisy, or bumpy.

The unrefurbished 747s also have a smaller business class than the most recently refurbished ones, which reduces the chance of an upgrade on the day.

I was a BA silver at the time, no chance of an upgrade, but I would keep looking because all WT+ tickets are upgradeable so if you do have avios, or can get a cheap upgrade at the airport, it'd be a good use of miles because a flat bed on an overnight flight is a truly wonderful thing.

DNA666

Thank for the responses. Apologies if it came across that there flying unsafe ac what I meant was there's higher chance of problems or being rickety.
Yeah kind of wish I had booked to return on a route where it's not used but it's just the way the hol worked best for me. Hopefully I will be lucky and get a refurbed one but on a route like that I guess I won't. If I prepare for the worst I might be pleasantly surprised

corporate-wage-slave

Welcome to Flyertalk and to the BA board DNA666. I guess one of the features of being in tune with this forum is that it throws up the various things you can do about this, a number of LAS regulars go via LAX in order to get the A380. But there is a well discussed (less well informed!) rumour that LAS is getting an A380, and it is seen as one of BA's high net worth destinations.

So long as you take a bottle of water on board with you (so you can keep refreshed on your own timetable) and your own IFE (just in case there are problems there) everything else should be fine going out to LAS. It's quite a long day flight but the seat should be comfortable enough. It's certainly not the newest cabin around but you'll be more comfortable than down the back. Coming back is a bit more tricky, but once you get to sleep then all will be well.

Lioneye

You'll be fine - just don't read too much flyertalk 😁. Have done the route in first and cw and both were great. The 747s are fantastic aircraft and although BA's are creaking a little they are still a great way to fly......Relax and enjoy.

mikeyfly

c-w-s its only the return night flight; and its WT+ they'll be fine ^

oldone

An older looking un-refurbished 747 it is not necessarily older than a refurbished 747 and indeed the frame could be younger that the refurbished one, both equally very safe.

PETER01

Another welcome aboard DNA666 and from a safety point of view this is quite fascinating and you will see how far these old birds get checked in detail. I hope LAS does get an A380 and it wouldn't surprise me if one was to be deployed on that route.

Cheapskate22

I'll be going against the trend here, by saying that when I last flew out of LAS a month ago the flight was cancelled because of an oil leak found after we'd boarded. So on that experience I'd have said they are pretty crappy old planes, but one example does not make a trend!

But...I'd be happy for it to happen again if I'm honest. Took my €600 compensation and went to the casinos for the extra night!

Sprodo

I did this flight last week, due to cancelled flight the day before due to strikes the outbound was very busy and uncomfortable in Y - my first one for a while.

Thankfully got offered a Ł175 upgrade to WT+ on the return which I snapped up. Service was good as only 8 in cabin, and got a good 6 hours sleep. IFE was a bit poor in terms of screen and film choice but other than that all good.

DNA666

I have chose seats also ,any one advise on whether I have chose correctly outbound row 62 as 61 on A380 is unavailable as infant cot row does this get released nearer the time or should I move a little further back to avoid infants, return leg row 13 again same does row 12 get released or should I move further back.??

Geordie405

When I fly WT+ on the Mid-J 747 to LAS then I usually prefer 16J as it means no one behind me to either kick the seat or use it as a springboard to leverage themselves into / out of their seat. However, it does mean it's next to the galley but I have rarely been disturbed by light or noise. It also means that you're usually the penultimate passenger in that cabin to be served but, again, it's pretty rare that my meal choice isn't available.