Can I help you

You sound delightful!

Blackheathflyer

I have a pretty clear recollection of flying UD econ LHR to ORD in the late(ish) 1980s on a BA 747 where the rear part of the plane was entirely freight.

Can I help you

We had a couple of combi aircraft at this time so possible.

CKBA

No idea if it was a -200 per se, but back in 1991 flew BA LAX-LHR on the upper deck of a 747 in economy. I can't find the actual boarding passes, but had 64BC, 65HJ and 69HJ scribbled on the ticket stub - probably as 'available' seats since we were booked on the upper deck but at check in they had moved us to the lower deck. I 'protested' so they stuck us back on the upper deck, although I think the check-in agent had the last laugh since we were seated next to a massive Polynesian guy who, without being prejudiced, occupied a couple of seats on his own - and given the 3+3 across in economy, it was somewhat of a squeeze anyway!

PlatAAagain

My pals and I used to do the exact same thing in the last row of first on the AA 727's going DFW-CUN, except we usually flew as a group of 4 so we took up ALL of the smoking seats in FC.
Requests to swap were always declined.

- Plat

Robespierre

I managed to snag a seat in the UD from LAX to LHR in the mid ‘80s as a student who volunteered to courier some documents that had to be kept in my sight (and was given a strict briefing plus a piece of paper from HMG to this effect). It turned out there were rather a lot of documents and so they were locked in a good-sized suitcase that was not to be opened by anyone. At check in this caused a bit of a stir but the bit of paper from HMG did the trick and it was decided that the best thing to do was put me and the suitcase in the last row on the UD and give me an escort through security. Even better news was that the seats were the convertible Super Club ones and so me and the Suitcase had a very pleasant 10hr ride home tucked away out of sight.

Bar Operator

Another interesting story! What a welcome relief this thread is. I’m enjoying it.

whouse

No one mentioned other airline - I remember PANAM used the upstairs as a dining room for first, just like a restaurant first class passengers where advised dinner was ready and trooped upstairs. Then Singapore had two couches upstairs and if you were quick to bag one you could get a good sleeo.

Robespierre

I didn't get to fly on the UD in the 1970s but luckily have experienced the Qatar A380 which is the closest thing and probably better in many ways.

Best Classic UD trip was LHR-PHX on TWA in the mid 80s which had 16 J seats, which we had to ourselves as a family of 4, complete with our own Cabin Crew. Probably my best flight ever.

PUCCI GALORE

Robespierre you have stirred a memory. The TWA LAX International base was manned by extremely senior crew members. I vividly recall when the upstairs deck was a First Class bar. I was traveling to LAX in the late seventies I would think and the First Class fairy waved her wand for no good reason, but who was I to question that? I was in the middle of buying a condo in Waikiki and had to travel often. Upstairs was a bar - and it was usually manned by a lady of a certain age who rejoiced in the name of Dodo. She had a notice that was put on the bat which said "Dodo's Bar". The IFM (I think that they were called) was a gentleman by the name of Buddy. If he is still with us I would imagine that he'd be in his nineties by now. Everyone on that aircraft had to have a minimum of 35 years seniority, They always bid mid-week in order to be home for the weekend. Dodo's bar did a roaring trade - she could fix any cocktail for which she had the ingredients. Her Martini was superb but one of those and I'd have been spark out. Lunch was served downstairs and all I will say is that the seats may have been different and may not have transformed into beds, but what was served was absolutely superb.

I gather that upon request, Dodo would produce a cassette tape and enhace her bar with music. I always had this fantasy of dancing to the Village People's YMCA in her bar - but this was never to be. We had not heard of Frequent Flyers Points or Miles or Elite statuses and people were usually quite smartly dressed. We have progressed have we not?

Swissroll

I was a regular back in the day on the YYZ/LHR - even tho company policy was WT I flew enough to have status and always bagged the front row left hand side window seat, more leg room than first class, but neck strain looking up at the TV usually with some dire film playing

DoctorCopper

I referred to Pan Am’s restaurant in post 51.

Doc Copper

LCSinTexas

Mid- to late 70´s I remember flying in the nose of my first 747, and spiral stair up (to a bar? lounge? restaurant? I cannot remember, but remember it was special).
I was a small child at the time, but these are some of my first traveling memories, and they have scarred me... nay, made a lasting impression on me and awakened my passion for traveling
My parents have advised me we did this on both PanAm and Lufthansa, as well as a combi plane on Maersk Air(no upper deck on that one).

Fun thinking back

VSLover

these pics are really great!

that said, it looks mighty tight to be stuck at a window seat with the curve of the bubble!

Bellerophon

Did you mean on an Air India B747-200 by any chance?

I didn't think the first B747-200 arrived in BA until much later - mid 1977 if memory serves me correctly - and I don't remember the -200 ever having a lounge bar upstairs, but no doubt PG or CIHY will correct me if I'm wrong!

The upstairs lounge was great whilst it lasted!