Available seat on 747 Upper Deck but I can't book it.
May 20, 2019, 8:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 179
Available seat on 747 Upper Deck but I can't book it.
Just made a CW booking LAX-LHR-LAX. When I try to select a seat on the BA return it shows the lower deck only. If I try and make a booking though BA for a one way (which I assume is the most expensive fare class), it shows 2 seats on the upper deck, one of which is the cot seat. Does anyone know how I can grab the other one? Never been upstairs on the 747 and would love to try it. I booked with Chase UR points so through Expedia.
Failing that, what window seat would you recommend on the lower deck? Thanks for your help.
Failing that, what window seat would you recommend on the lower deck? Thanks for your help.
May 20, 2019, 8:47 am
#2
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Just made a CW booking LAX-LHR-LAX. When I try to select a seat on the BA return it shows the lower deck only. If I try and make a booking though BA for a one way (which I assume is the most expensive fare class), it shows 2 seats on the upper deck, one of which is the cot seat. Does anyone know how I can grab the other one?
The J or C booking class condition explains why (as you suspect) you can get the seat if you book a one-way cash ticket.
Otherwise, if you have to pay to pre-allocate seats then only the following seats are available: 60B (on some flights), 63AB, 63JK and 64B. Presumably, none of these is the available seat that you are interested in?
May 20, 2019, 8:57 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de Actes Bénéfiques pour les Autres, BAEC Gold.
Posts: 1,486
Depending on which type of B747 it is, these will either be:
On the B747 with 86 Club World seats: 14A/K or 20A/K or 22A/K
Or on the B747 with only 52 Club World seats: 20A/K
May 20, 2019, 2:00 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 179
If you want a window seat, the rear ones in each cabin section give direct aisle access so you don’t have to climb over anyone to get out of your seat area.
Depending on which type of B747 it is, these will either be:
On the B747 with 86 Club World seats: 14A/K or 20A/K or 22A/K
Or on the B747 with only 52 Club World seats: 20A/K
Depending on which type of B747 it is, these will either be:
On the B747 with 86 Club World seats: 14A/K or 20A/K or 22A/K
Or on the B747 with only 52 Club World seats: 20A/K
May 21, 2019, 1:56 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
I'd bag the rear of main deck with aisle access one and then set EF alerts for any better seats if I really wanted them.
I am always surprised...
1) Just what a range of seats different people value as important to them and...
2) Just how often a seat that I assume is the best one on the aircraft and unlikely to be available becomes free using this method.
I am always surprised...
1) Just what a range of seats different people value as important to them and...
2) Just how often a seat that I assume is the best one on the aircraft and unlikely to be available becomes free using this method.
May 21, 2019, 2:05 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
One club world return flight and another short haul return flight would get you Bronze status and with that the option of booking your seat for free 7 days before the flight.
May 21, 2019, 2:15 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,027
Keep checking or put a seat alert on expertflyer for those upper deck seats available to pre reserve. Plans do change and seats free pub
Assuming you’re still downstairs at check in, check in for your seat but don’t print/email etc your boarding pass. You can then keep checking to see if upper deck seats free up due to misconnects etc. It’s surprising how much movement there can be on the seatmap before departure.
Assuming you’re still downstairs at check in, check in for your seat but don’t print/email etc your boarding pass. You can then keep checking to see if upper deck seats free up due to misconnects etc. It’s surprising how much movement there can be on the seatmap before departure.
May 23, 2019, 6:13 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 179
This sounds harsh but it does keep the seat selection free for those who pay for expensive flexible ticket or frequent fliers. All else equal, other alliances are much worse for frequent fliers as a result.
One club world return flight and another short haul return flight would get you Bronze status and with that the option of booking your seat for free 7 days before the flight.
One club world return flight and another short haul return flight would get you Bronze status and with that the option of booking your seat for free 7 days before the flight.
May 23, 2019, 6:20 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 179
Keep checking or put a seat alert on expertflyer for those upper deck seats available to pre reserve. Plans do change and seats free pub
Assuming you’re still downstairs at check in, check in for your seat but don’t print/email etc your boarding pass. You can then keep checking to see if upper deck seats free up due to misconnects etc. It’s surprising how much movement there can be on the seatmap before departure.
Assuming you’re still downstairs at check in, check in for your seat but don’t print/email etc your boarding pass. You can then keep checking to see if upper deck seats free up due to misconnects etc. It’s surprising how much movement there can be on the seatmap before departure.
May 23, 2019, 9:07 pm
#11
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it’s unlikely: with theoretical sitting, not all passengers can get all seats even at check in because ba tries to keep the more popular ones for its most frequent or full fare customers. For the same reason it’s very unlikely you’ll be given 64A even if it’s free: a lot of gold/silver/owe/ows customers will want it too and they will be the ones able to access it in all likelihood.
May 23, 2019, 9:16 pm
#12
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If 64B is booked by a Gold or Emerald at the moment and if the flight is not fully booked in the Club cabin, theoretical seating would block 64A for the comfort of the Gold/Emerald pax in 64B.
May 25, 2019, 10:45 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 816
In terms of LD seats on the 86J 747 I would probably shoot for 14A/K or 20 A/K over 22 A/K. 22K is not a bad seat but is affected on an overnight US flight by light coming through the bulkhead from W, where the cabin lighting stays on longer and is turned back on earlier.
May 26, 2019, 2:21 am
#15
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Is theoretical seating really such a blunt instrument - in that it would leave 64A blocked and send a late booking in fully paid J to, say, a lower deck middle seat as a result? I appreciate the desire to help very frequent fliers have a comfortable flight but leaving (probably) the best seat in the cabin empty does seem slightly mad...