This Is How Much I Hate the 747...
Nov 2, 2010, 4:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I ended up watching Babies while eating dinner. That was weird.
On a recent 75E transcon, I just watched the map. Admittedly, that has always been my favorite channel. Unfortunately, DL no longer loads the foreign films on these planes.
Nov 2, 2010, 4:43 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Very true.
I'm 6'4" and didn't feel the least bit cramped in the beds on the 777LR.
Personally, I can sleep very well in the 747s and A330s "Minbari-style beds," but can't in the super uncomfrotable ones in 777s "flat-bed" BE (they are too short, and the head rest portion is so narrow that can't support head or pillow well, and also narrow at the other end for the feet also - really hard to sleep on those due to the odd and un-ergonomically designed shape of seat that only works for below average height people, if anyone, but certainly not for me (5'11"); IMO that poor design is just a lot of waste of space).
Nov 2, 2010, 4:49 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL SkyMiles, UA Mileage Plus
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I am happy with my routing. Just I can't stand the 747 with no AVOD. It makes for a very long DTW-NRT flight. After the 747, the 767-300 with no AVOD is my next least favorite plane. Try sitting on there from AMM-JFK when you take off at 1:20 a.m. for 12 hours. Rough.
You would never have survived several years ago when there was no AVOD.... that's why there are things like books, ipods, laptops, etc.... i have taken numerous flights without AVOD on the 747 (MSP - NRT) and lived to tell about it... yes, annoying, but it is not the end of the world....
Nov 2, 2010, 5:02 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
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The 767-400 lie flat beds are more cramped - they worked for me but I was using every inch of length of the bed, so anyone taller than me would likely have to bend their legs to fit. In comparison the 777LR has lots of extra room - surprised anyone would complain, I think the seats are great...
Nov 2, 2010, 7:08 pm
#21
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Unfortunately only on a few days. Most days it's 777ER service, which still isn't the 747 that the OP hates so much.
I like the 747 in BE almost as much as the 330 in BE, although my favorite is the 777LR. I hate the 767s, of which DL owns far too many.
I like the 747 in BE almost as much as the 330 in BE, although my favorite is the 777LR. I hate the 767s, of which DL owns far too many.
Nov 2, 2010, 7:36 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
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Stepping on a 15 hour flight and pushing all-in on the functionality of DL's AVOD is not a bet I'll ever make!
Nov 2, 2010, 7:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
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It's a matter of personal preference.
Personally, I can sleep very well in the 747s and A330s "Minbari-style beds," but can't in the super uncomfrotable ones in 777s "flat-bed" BE (they are too short, and the head rest portion is so narrow that can't support head or pillow well, and also narrow at the other end for the feet also - really hard to sleep on those due to the odd and un-ergonomically designed shape of seat that only works for below average height people, if anyone, but certainly not for me (5'11"); IMO that poor design is just a lot of waste of space).
Personally, I can sleep very well in the 747s and A330s "Minbari-style beds," but can't in the super uncomfrotable ones in 777s "flat-bed" BE (they are too short, and the head rest portion is so narrow that can't support head or pillow well, and also narrow at the other end for the feet also - really hard to sleep on those due to the odd and un-ergonomically designed shape of seat that only works for below average height people, if anyone, but certainly not for me (5'11"); IMO that poor design is just a lot of waste of space).
Nov 2, 2010, 7:43 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: DL Diamond, United GS, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 260
+1 - 6'3" and no issues at all with the 777LR flat beds.
The 767-400 lie flat beds are more cramped - they worked for me but I was using every inch of length of the bed, so anyone taller than me would likely have to bend their legs to fit. In comparison the 777LR has lots of extra room - surprised anyone would complain, I think the seats are great...
The 767-400 lie flat beds are more cramped - they worked for me but I was using every inch of length of the bed, so anyone taller than me would likely have to bend their legs to fit. In comparison the 777LR has lots of extra room - surprised anyone would complain, I think the seats are great...
Nov 2, 2010, 7:45 pm
#26
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i'm 5'11", 175 and found the 777LR to be extremely comfortable in BE. no problem with headroom at all. And I'm a side-sleeper and found it very comfortable. No side-sleeping on the stupid Mimbari-beds (well, no sleeping at all actually - you spend your entire time pushing back up against the foot bar).
Nov 2, 2010, 8:04 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Another trick that worked for me was to place a blanket under my legs, elevating them.
Nov 2, 2010, 9:05 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 710
There is a trick that works like a charm. You just have to position the seat belt in a certain way (think sitting on a hammock). May sound crazy but for years I slept like a baby on those NW seats with that trick. Honestly, I love the 777LR but I find the A330 and 747 WBC style seats a close second.
Nov 2, 2010, 9:07 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MSP
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Posts: 710
It was mentioned at the DL DO that all the 747s would be getting avod shortly! I always travel with an ipod, but Toddler Cellisttoo gets to pick the movies, and I can only watch Backyardagains so many times. I also invested in an external battery just for the 747 where there are no power outlets either in Y. 
Nov 2, 2010, 11:11 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2009
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i'm 5'11", 175 and found the 777LR to be extremely comfortable in BE. no problem with headroom at all. And I'm a side-sleeper and found it very comfortable. No side-sleeping on the stupid Mimbari-beds (well, no sleeping at all actually - you spend your entire time pushing back up against the foot bar).
777 was just a one-time flight (SIN-NRT), so that is based on a one-time experience. I just found it odd why make the head portion of the seat so much more narrow than the rest. Still of course it's better than the plain awful 767s, with very narrow seats, so your pillow is always either hitting person next to you or sticking into the aisle, either way not good. (IMO DL should have a smaller pillow version for the awful 767s 1980's style BE seats.)
Back to A330s and 747s BE, for me the trick is to put the foot rest at the right height (don't have it go all the way down), so that the tips of toes are touching it, thus making it unlikely that you will slip down. That, and of course don't wear "slippery" clothing.
For me still, in the DL fleet nothing beats the 747 upper deck in BE. I never sit window except there: love the roomy side storage compartments (perfect for pillow, blanket while don't need it, and pocket contents while sleeping - which I've learned to empty after once my phone fell through the big gap in the seat while sleeping and it took quite a while for me and the pax behind to fish it out form under the seat shell).