Does everyone ask for the 744 upper deck?
 

The past few times I have flown on a CX 744 in J, I have called for my seat assignment a few days before the flight. Each time, I am told that the upper deck is full or that only the last row is available. On these same flights, I have observed quite a few op upgrades as well in the lower J cabin.

What is happening here? Are all the revenue pax calling in advance for the upper deck or does CX block upper deck 744 seating for elite MPC members?

I have been op-upgraded a few times from Y to J in 2004, all the time they put me at upper deck. Last week returning to SFO from HKG, they upgraded me and put me at the lower deck, I ask them to see if they have upper deck offer, they said it's full. Then when I got to the lounge, I asked the same question, the staff give me a seat change to the upper deck. that was like 1.5 hours prior departure.

I like the upper deck, mainly because it's more quieter than the lower deck, and i like the extra storage space on the side, which I can store my shoes, laptops, amenities and etc..

Yes, apparantely the majority of J pax flying on 744s prefer the upper deck as oppose to the lower deck. I'll be in the upper deck tomorrow on CX839 and the reason why I chose to do so is because I have been advised by others that the upper deck tends to be a lot quieter and a lot more roomy. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Quieter but insufficient carry-on space
 

I rarely checkin baggage for my intnl flts as I am usually on very short trips or have alternate dress storage options at destinations. I prefer the usual roll-on and laptop. I find the upper deck inconvenient if I want to use my carryon rollon. It is not an issue if you want to stow away your roll-on or if leave it where there is space.

I stow my rollon downstairs, and carry a backpack with me that I throw in the locker upstairs. While I don't go down to access my rollon during flight, it is real nice to flip open the side locker and grab a sleeping pill from my backpack without getting out of my seat. But yes the rollaboards don't quite fit upstairs...

Maybe it's just the child in me that likes being "upstairs" on a jet, but I always try to get the upper deck when in J.

On short sectors, I prefer the Upper Deck. But on long hauls, I prefer the lower deck... only because it's not as stuffy.

Also, for last minute manual op-ups... CX staff tend to screen through the lower deck J class manifest before going 'upstairs'...

wow. you aren't satisfied by op-up alone, but you had to ask for upper deck seat change, and yet twice. You've got big guts u know, but I wouldn't have pushed my luck that far.

you mean for j to f upgrades?

I'm pretty sure Guy Betsy means, that when upgrading Y pax to J, they upgrade them to the lower deck J section first, and try to maintain the uppder deck for paying J pax.

My one trip where I paid for Y(leisure trip) instead of (client paid)J, I got op-upped on several sectors. 1 sector on the 74J, I'm pretty sure that the entire second (rear section behind entry doors) lower deck J section was op-ups. Guy next to me was, and heard several others comment about it. This made sense to me as it seems to be the least desirable J cabin since all of the Y pax pass through it at boarding. (note - I am not complaing - was very thankful for the op-up).

Also regarding the upper deck getting a bit "stuffy". It certainly can feel warm upstairs. I always wear a t-shirt under a button down, and strip down to the t-shirt for sleeping. downstairs I'm usually cold and keep the button down on...

i've slept in my undershirt and underpants in row 1 -- i am a very warm sleeper -- its so liberating that you can take off your jeans / pants under the duvet and no one would notice. cant do that on the anywhere else on the plane really. haha. sorry, a little OT.

Yes. That's what I mean.

Y to J upgrades do sometimes get pooled in one area but it's not always the lower deck. Though sometimes the lower deck get to be assigned as J seats, but Y service on inter asian flights when J are light. So these people get to sit upstairs.

If I am on a 747 with "2" lower deck J class cabins, then I prefer the last row of the second cabin. Since there is no galley behind it, the flight attendant traffic is much lower than in the first cabin as there are constantly FAs moving between F class and J class, as well as attending to other J class pax. CX attendants seem to need to rush through the cabin, disturbing my sleep.

I also dont' like the upper cabin, as it's more claustrophobic, the reduced storage space (I always get an aisle seat) and the fact that you know your neighbour is always going to climb over you. When I sit downstairs in a middle-aisle seat, the unlucky person in the middle seat may climb over the other side resulting in less disturbance.

I choose the lower deck because it feels more spacious to me. Last summer UA put the Mr and me upstairs and the day before we asked to move down -- probably made somebody happy.

I opt for lower. Row 12 is always my favorite, just in the middle. Interestingly, whether the aircraft is 744, 74J, 333, 34C, 346, row 12 happens to be my favorite.

Reason as others pointed out. It's simply got higher ceiling and less cramped. Also, on a not so full flight if you choose asile of the middle seat, it's almost definitely certain that you will have empty seat next to you. On upper deck, is very unlikely.

Also, you get to board off the plane very quickly.