Club World: 747 Upper Deck or 777 (out of LGW) to Florida?
Jun 25, 2019, 12:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO, MIA
Programs: AA 2MillionMiler, BA ExecutiveClub, UA MileagePlus, AS MileagePlan
Posts: 449
Club World: 747 Upper Deck or 777 (out of LGW) to Florida?
Club World: 747 Upper Deck or 777 (out of LGW) to Florida?
Hello all,
I will be flying from London to either MIA or MCO in October. I have the option of flying the upper deck of a 747 or up front on a 777.
I’ve read about the refurb of the 747s and it looks like I would have a 40% chance of getting a fully refurbished 747 with the new IFE.
I don’t know what the 777s are like out of LGW.
Since it will be a daytime flight, I would like good IFE, but am really tempted by the upper deck of the 747, which will probably be the last time that this would be an option for me.
What are your thoughts about these options? Are the 777s out of LGW in better shape than many of the 747s to MIA? Anything else I should consider?
Thanks much.
Hello all,
I will be flying from London to either MIA or MCO in October. I have the option of flying the upper deck of a 747 or up front on a 777.
I’ve read about the refurb of the 747s and it looks like I would have a 40% chance of getting a fully refurbished 747 with the new IFE.
I don’t know what the 777s are like out of LGW.
Since it will be a daytime flight, I would like good IFE, but am really tempted by the upper deck of the 747, which will probably be the last time that this would be an option for me.
What are your thoughts about these options? Are the 777s out of LGW in better shape than many of the 747s to MIA? Anything else I should consider?
Thanks much.
Jun 25, 2019, 1:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: BA:Silver (thanks paternity perk) , HH:Diamond
Posts: 190
I’m shocked you aren’t going AA 
personally id take the 747 UD any day over the 777
plus a chance to upgrade to first? Last time I was on a LGW J flight it was a three class bird.
also would pick MIA over MCO also.
whats your destination in Florida, does the drive after sway your decision?
personally id take the 747 UD any day over the 777
plus a chance to upgrade to first? Last time I was on a LGW J flight it was a three class bird.
also would pick MIA over MCO also.
whats your destination in Florida, does the drive after sway your decision?
Jun 25, 2019, 3:53 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,899
Hi,
Given no preference on the airport to go into for your final destination I would go upper deck on the 747 ( MIA flights will go from LHR T3 not T5).
I do not know what AA 2m status is ( are you One world Emerald or sapphire?) but without status you may have to pay for the upper deck seats in order to guarantee a seat on the upper deck as they can be popular for pax with OW status.
Regards
TBS
Given no preference on the airport to go into for your final destination I would go upper deck on the 747 ( MIA flights will go from LHR T3 not T5).
I do not know what AA 2m status is ( are you One world Emerald or sapphire?) but without status you may have to pay for the upper deck seats in order to guarantee a seat on the upper deck as they can be popular for pax with OW status.
Regards
TBS
Jun 25, 2019, 5:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Hi,
Given no preference on the airport to go into for your final destination I would go upper deck on the 747 ( MIA flights will go from LHR T3 not T5).
I do not know what AA 2m status is ( are you One world Emerald or sapphire?) but without status you may have to pay for the upper deck seats in order to guarantee a seat on the upper deck as they can be popular for pax with OW status.
Regards
TBS
Given no preference on the airport to go into for your final destination I would go upper deck on the 747 ( MIA flights will go from LHR T3 not T5).
I do not know what AA 2m status is ( are you One world Emerald or sapphire?) but without status you may have to pay for the upper deck seats in order to guarantee a seat on the upper deck as they can be popular for pax with OW status.
Regards
TBS
It seems like an aspirational flight for the OP, otherwise I would pick the AA flight on the 77W in J vs. the BA options..
Jun 26, 2019, 3:05 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 439
Fly to MIA fairly regularly on BA, and these days it's almost always a 747. Worth noting it's very regularly the one with less business class seats and that means it's the 'older' style one as you mentioned. Having said this, I believe BA are 'refreshing' a few of these- I believe there's a thread on this forum indicating which of the older style ones have been refreshed with the new IFE
Jun 26, 2019, 11:44 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO, MIA
Programs: AA 2MillionMiler, BA ExecutiveClub, UA MileagePlus, AS MileagePlan
Posts: 449
Thanks for your responses.
As mentioned above, AA 2MM = Lifetime AA Platinum = OW Sapphire.
I've been on BA's 747 upper deck before but that was many years ago. I read through the 747 'refresh' thread which is what prompted my questions. In that thread, people have described the unrefreshed IFE as dreadful and since I have a choice of the two types of BA aircraft, I thought I'd ask about preferences. Seems like it will be the UD on the 747.
This is OT but related. Although I've been on the UD before, I don't remember: How do the window seat folks get out of their seat? Do they have to climb over the aisle person? I've seen pictures and looked at seatguru, but can't figure that out.
Thanks again.
As mentioned above, AA 2MM = Lifetime AA Platinum = OW Sapphire.
I've been on BA's 747 upper deck before but that was many years ago. I read through the 747 'refresh' thread which is what prompted my questions. In that thread, people have described the unrefreshed IFE as dreadful and since I have a choice of the two types of BA aircraft, I thought I'd ask about preferences. Seems like it will be the UD on the 747.
This is OT but related. Although I've been on the UD before, I don't remember: How do the window seat folks get out of their seat? Do they have to climb over the aisle person? I've seen pictures and looked at seatguru, but can't figure that out.
Thanks again.
Jun 26, 2019, 12:09 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,899
Thanks for your responses.
As mentioned above, AA 2MM = Lifetime AA Platinum = OW Sapphire.
I've been on BA's 747 upper deck before but that was many years ago. I read through the 747 'refresh' thread which is what prompted my questions. In that thread, people have described the unrefreshed IFE as dreadful and since I have a choice of the two types of BA aircraft, I thought I'd ask about preferences. Seems like it will be the UD on the 747.
This is OT but related. Although I've been on the UD before, I don't remember: How do the window seat folks get out of their seat? Do they have to climb over the aisle person? I've seen pictures and looked at seatguru, but can't figure that out.
Thanks again.
As mentioned above, AA 2MM = Lifetime AA Platinum = OW Sapphire.
I've been on BA's 747 upper deck before but that was many years ago. I read through the 747 'refresh' thread which is what prompted my questions. In that thread, people have described the unrefreshed IFE as dreadful and since I have a choice of the two types of BA aircraft, I thought I'd ask about preferences. Seems like it will be the UD on the 747.
This is OT but related. Although I've been on the UD before, I don't remember: How do the window seat folks get out of their seat? Do they have to climb over the aisle person? I've seen pictures and looked at seatguru, but can't figure that out.
Thanks again.
Yes the window pax need to climb over the footstool of the person in the row behind ie 60A climbs over 61B's footstool and 61A climbs over 62B's footstool. The exceptions being 62 AK ( exit door behind these seats) and 64 AK ( bulkead /wall behind these seats) - even on the main deck it is similar ( window person has to exit via the footstool of the row behind)
Regards
TBS
Jun 26, 2019, 2:35 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO, MIA
Programs: AA 2MillionMiler, BA ExecutiveClub, UA MileagePlus, AS MileagePlan
Posts: 449
Hi,
Yes the window pax need to climb over the footstool of the person in the row behind ie 60A climbs over 61B's footstool and 61A climbs over 62B's footstool. The exceptions being 62 AK ( exit door behind these seats) and 64 AK ( bulkead /wall behind these seats) - even on the main deck it is similar ( window person has to exit via the footstool of the row behind)
Regards
TBS
Yes the window pax need to climb over the footstool of the person in the row behind ie 60A climbs over 61B's footstool and 61A climbs over 62B's footstool. The exceptions being 62 AK ( exit door behind these seats) and 64 AK ( bulkead /wall behind these seats) - even on the main deck it is similar ( window person has to exit via the footstool of the row behind)
Regards
TBS
Sorry for the additional question: Is it true that 63B and 63J do not have anyone climbing over them? Seems like that would be correct since 62A and 62K do not have to climb over anyone.
Thanks again.
Jun 26, 2019, 2:42 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
That is correct. Also, for most (human) builds you can exit 63A/63K by squeezing through the gap between the seat and cabin wall into the emergency exit space between rows 63 and 62, so for these window seats you don't have to climb over anyone either.
Jun 26, 2019, 10:44 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
64 J is the best seat.. and 64 A.. when it gets available.. many threads about the upper deck.. I would ALWAYS choose it.. even over AA 777.. as the service ratio is almost first.. and the food nowadays is better than AA, too.
BUT .. if the OP only asks about IFE?.. I have no clue. I never really pay attention.
So comfort wise the upper deck is a lot better.. a lot more space and better service... and as mentioned.. will be gone in a few years..
OP.. take this as your lead.. and fly a piece of history..
BUT .. if the OP only asks about IFE?.. I have no clue. I never really pay attention.
So comfort wise the upper deck is a lot better.. a lot more space and better service... and as mentioned.. will be gone in a few years..
OP.. take this as your lead.. and fly a piece of history..
Jun 26, 2019, 11:26 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
I would go for the 747 upper deck. My worry is that since LGW services 777s that are two class (no first) and are typically much older aircraft / have had heavier use, you would get stuck on one of those. 747 Upper Deck gives you that peace of mind that you won't be on a rickety 777, and have a higher probability on a seat/cabin with less wear-and-tear.