armouredant

Whilst I have never lain in state, nor had my cadaver preserved for ninety-four years by a team of dedicated specialists, I have had a wander up to Lenin's tomb. If I was credited with formation of the Soviet Union and depending on my circumstances like wishing to be revered long after my demise as an ideological figurehead I may just consider opting for it but would not go out of my way for it. The standard Russian political burial does still have a lot to offer, especially the Kremlin Wall Necropolis if having served as leader between 1917 and 1985 and even during state funerals when all you want is to rest eternally it ticks the boxes.

Flying Yazata

As I'm also picky myself regarding details like that, I didn't hesitate to correct myself. Yes, not the A350-900, but the larger A350-1000.

toadman

I've had the rare opportunity on 3 occasions to fly upstairs on the 747. I had hoped for that chance in April of 2020 out of SEA, but BA cruelly has denied me this chance by the old bait and switch! I'm now on a 777.

lloydah

The UD is simply the best cabin on that aircraft. Have chosen it several times before over the nose. I'm lucky enough to have flown a couple of times on Lufty's 747 with the 8 seat/beds on the UD before they went the way of all things and that was superb. The size of that cabin is what makes it special never mind the crew pax ratio which is a great bonus too.

clubman

Or just call them A350s like the rest of us, and you won't get it wrong... ;-)

And it's another one for the upper deck here.

firstlight

Our next flight is on a 747; UD (62 A 62 K of course) overnight, back in first (1k, 2k) daytime so getting the best of the 747 I think (plus it's a late notice reward flight on a companion voucher and only 118k avios plus £1000 for both of us)

Not tried a 350 yet so will be interesting to compare.

T8191

Another vote for the UD here, and I'll dribble on to say why.

• CC/pax ratio
• Lavatory/pax ratio
• DYKWIA sense of exclusivity
• Just 24 of us up there

And more significantly, the sense of SPACE. Wide cabin with only 2-2 seating, and in my preferred seat the open space for the UD emergency exits.. In 63B I have SPACE around me, not an enclosed tube full of people. The side bins [accessed by iWife in 63A] are a bonus, and she can escape easily from there without climb over issues. The wider aisle is another 'space' bonus, and with 63J offset behind me by a foot or so I don't even see anybody else.

I am heartily sick of the 777 deficiencies for storage, and the 'flying dormitory' factor. And the procession of WT+ pax using 'our' lavatories, and the general to-and-fro movement of people and things.

I really don't know why we paid extra for 1A/K on our next 744 trip.

corporate-wage-slave

Usually it's no more than 20 passengers, but that's just my experience. Still, 2 crew for 20 is about as good as it gets this side of the A318.

YYCCL3

Now, perhaps T8191 was referring to 24 people inclusive of pax, cabin & flight crew...

SonicStar817

I've experience both this year, with the 747 upper deck experience being the most recent on my LHR-JFK flight last month as an op-up from WT+. I agree with others that its quite nice up there, however I did enjoy the Club Suite on the A350 back in August. Opportunities for the Club Suite and/or A350 will be there for long time from now, so might as well get in as many 747 flights while we still have them around.

hyperspace

here I am all sad and envious of everybody already being able to experience the Club Suite while I'll have to wait for who knows when an a380 will be refurbished and fly LAX-LHR, my usual route....instead you all got me really excited, my next flight is in April and on a 747, for which I'll now

mnhusker

My wife and I just did LHR to TLV in the A350 Club Suite and it was wonderful. Best seat I have ever been in.

But coming home (My wife's 60th B-day trip) I AUP'd us to Club World because we could get 63 and 64 J on the Upper Deck of 744 going LHR to ORD.

That is the best experience we have had in the air, better than F in United's 747 to hawaii, F on American to Japan.

Great seat, very wonderful personal attention, just a fabulous way to travel.

Too bad nobody wants the 747-8 to keep the Upper Deck experience alive.

alex67500

To be honest, I've often wondered why the UD wasn't saved for F, but I'm sure there was a conscience decision made somewhere. However, since BA are now reducing most F cabins to 8 seats, maybe they could fit them up there on a new version of the aircraft?

(I know, they're retiring the birds... One can only dream!)

Cap'n Benj

Everyone has always raved about the UD window seats amongst all the other criticism CW has received.

With the new IFE a CW UD window seat is still very much one of, if not THE best business class seats in the Sky

smiles in the aisles

I believe the reason to split the Club cabin across two decks was due to wheelchair access. If the entire First cabin was located upstairs, then customers who cannot climb stairs would be excluded.