Club World: Any tips for a middle seat novice?
May 11, 2019, 6:12 am
#1
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Club World: Any tips for a middle seat novice?
I’ve been assigned a main deck middle seat on this evening’s overnight flight to HKG. This will be a new experience for me, so I’m unfamiliar with the screen arrangements between the E and F seats and the degree of personal privacy they provide. Any insight would be greatly appreciated
May 11, 2019, 6:20 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
I had one of these last year. It’s a bit claustrophobic although you are entirely surrounded and when the screens are up it’s very private. Screens on each side. Or it’s a case of having two faces staring at you!
And you have two options to get into the aisle so pick the one where you don’t need to clamber over someone’s legs!
And you have two options to get into the aisle so pick the one where you don’t need to clamber over someone’s legs!
May 11, 2019, 6:22 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
I’ve been assigned a main deck middle seat on this evening’s overnight flight to HKG. This will be a new experience for me, so I’m unfamiliar with the screen arrangements between the E and F seats and the degree of personal privacy they provide. Any insight would be greatly appreciated
May 11, 2019, 6:37 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Hope for an opup!
But if main deck I assume you are referring to the middle pair of seats (EF) on theA380 rather than the upper deck with the single middle seat.
If so, there are currently 3 blocked aisle seats on the upper deck if you are able to switch.
But if main deck I assume you are referring to the middle pair of seats (EF) on theA380 rather than the upper deck with the single middle seat.
If so, there are currently 3 blocked aisle seats on the upper deck if you are able to switch.
Last edited by madfish; May 11, 2019 at 6:43 am
May 11, 2019, 6:43 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
I had one of these last year. It’s a bit claustrophobic although you are entirely surrounded and when the screens are up it’s very private. Screens on each side. Or it’s a case of having two faces staring at you!
And you have two options to get into the aisle so pick the one where you don’t need to clamber over someone’s legs!
And you have two options to get into the aisle so pick the one where you don’t need to clamber over someone’s legs!
May 11, 2019, 6:47 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 263
There is a screen and it'll go to about half way down the seat squab. While this doesn't sound like much it is in my view fairly effective.
I've flown next to a stranger a few times in this config and while not ideal isn't too bad.
I've flown next to a stranger a few times in this config and while not ideal isn't too bad.
May 11, 2019, 7:07 am
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Thanks for help. I can visualise the set up thanks to your descriptions of the screen arrangement. I loaded some content onto my iPad to watch on board so am happy there is at least a barrier to prevent any light spilling into my neighbour's space.
I received an opup earlier today and obviously enornously thankful to have been selected.
I received an opup earlier today and obviously enornously thankful to have been selected.
May 11, 2019, 7:56 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,435
It’s more private than WT+ at least...
My biggest concern is shifting around while asleep and either disturbing your neighbour or being disturbed by them! The overall space isn’t too claustrophobic though the hop over for aisle access is annoying.
Always worth checking with guest services should something more desirable pop up close in.
My biggest concern is shifting around while asleep and either disturbing your neighbour or being disturbed by them! The overall space isn’t too claustrophobic though the hop over for aisle access is annoying.
Always worth checking with guest services should something more desirable pop up close in.
May 11, 2019, 8:04 am
#11
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
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I have taken the middle seat pair as a single passenger fairly recently, on a 747 and it was like having a private suite really, with copious space. It wasn't a bulkhead, which would have been even better, but as it happened one of the aisle passengers didn't use his foot-stall at all, for some reason. These are 747 photos below, but I think the 380 is identical. The 787 middles are better than aisle seats for me, not least the extra side room and the side cabinet.
In:
Out:
Still it is always worth having a conversation with someone in the First Wing to see if there are any late changes and other options. If you get the pair to yourself I would certainly stick with that over an exposed aisle such as at the front of a cabin section.
In:
Out:
Still it is always worth having a conversation with someone in the First Wing to see if there are any late changes and other options. If you get the pair to yourself I would certainly stick with that over an exposed aisle such as at the front of a cabin section.
May 11, 2019, 11:33 am
#12
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Yes, at the First Wing, we viewed the available alternatives and settled with an upper middle seat. Now cozying in, earphone operation checked, seat motor operation check, glass of fizz check.
Of particular note, since the dawn of The White Company era, this is the first time I’ve taken a middle solo seat. The bedding container does fit inside the secret locker beneath the right arm rest, providing you remove the duvet. Fortunately the duvet fits inside the low level drawer. So despite the slight asymmetry everything appears to be balanced.
Thanks again for your help
Of particular note, since the dawn of The White Company era, this is the first time I’ve taken a middle solo seat. The bedding container does fit inside the secret locker beneath the right arm rest, providing you remove the duvet. Fortunately the duvet fits inside the low level drawer. So despite the slight asymmetry everything appears to be balanced.
Thanks again for your help
May 11, 2019, 12:20 pm
#13
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: 63,803
And here is the picture of how that storage area works. This is just in the single middle seats of the 787s and 380s.
May 11, 2019, 1:53 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 833
Thanks CWS for the secret locker pic. I’ve flown on the middle solo seat once before and I completely missed it!