NW 747-400 Upper or Lower Deck/Best Seats in BusinessElite
Apr 24, 2008, 1:26 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
I've been thru NRT a couple of times up front in the 747 and have two words for you: Upper deck. Period. You are so far from the engines you can't hear them. The air going over the top does not seem to be as loud as in the main cabin. It is quiet.
Usually not full and one or two FA's. 24 seats. Best pax/FA ratio you will likely ever find. Seems more like a private jet ride, not a commercial flight.
No room for a large rollaboard, but the side bins on window seats are huge and will hold about a 7 inch wide bag plus all you pillows, blankets, goodies and all. Upstairs window is the way to go.
I agree with seatguru.com: 73A is the best seat. When they say "the bulkhead is miles away" believe it. With 73B fully reclined you can drive your car between their feet and the bulkhead. (If you can sneak your car past TSA.
) 77A and 77K are also great.
The upper deck of a 747 is a wonderful flying experience. Don't miss your chance to enjoy it. ^
Usually not full and one or two FA's. 24 seats. Best pax/FA ratio you will likely ever find. Seems more like a private jet ride, not a commercial flight.
No room for a large rollaboard, but the side bins on window seats are huge and will hold about a 7 inch wide bag plus all you pillows, blankets, goodies and all. Upstairs window is the way to go.
I agree with seatguru.com: 73A is the best seat. When they say "the bulkhead is miles away" believe it. With 73B fully reclined you can drive your car between their feet and the bulkhead. (If you can sneak your car past TSA.
) 77A and 77K are also great.The upper deck of a 747 is a wonderful flying experience. Don't miss your chance to enjoy it. ^
If you have a rollerboard, put it downstairs or if you have time they can stow it behind 80K
Apr 24, 2008, 3:08 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cologne, Germany / Bedford, Virginia
Programs: FB Plat lifetimer,BA, US, LH
Posts: 401
I must disagree to the most here.
On the 744 10AB are the seats to go. Look yourself
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4...nachbarnp5.jpg
On the 744 10AB are the seats to go. Look yourself
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4...nachbarnp5.jpg
Apr 24, 2008, 5:48 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lansing, MI USA, DL DM
Posts: 922
I just finished two trips to MNL within a three week period... Sat in 10A, 73A & 77A. Here are my thoughts.
10A: Wonderful seat, easy to get in and out without disturbing your seatmate, good window views, easy access to carry on luggage. Service is delivered in about the middle of the cabin (which is not bad), and there seems to be constant traffic to the Lav. (But the good thing is that the Lav is right there.) Best thing about 10A is the fact you are one of the first to deplane and if you just have carry one’s you can zoom through immigration & customs. Two drawbacks: One is the fact there is too much room between you and the bulkhead and I pretty much have to get out of my seat to get things that brought on board, and there is no real good place to store them when you are done with them, other then to store them in the overhead bin again. Second, it is MUCH busier on the main deck.
73A: Like 10A, a bunch of room to the bulkhead and easy access when your seatmate is fully reclined (which I personally like). That is where the similarities end. Like others have said, the upper deck is very quiet and private and the service is superb. The 2 FA's who work up there start at opposite ends of the cabin to serve meals and it is very efficient. You have to love the side bins as you can put all your crap in there to retrieve during the flight. Two drawbacks: First. You can be one of the last WBC passengers off the plane and by the time you get to the exit, "Y" class passengers are disembarking through the front door and you can get in a longer line to clear immigration & customs. Second there is a bin that can usually hold your carry on luggage upstairs but it is a real pain to haul it up and down the narrow stairs. (Leave it in the main deck bins)
77A: Like 73A lots of space between you and the row in front of you, all the upper deck goodies (peace & quiet / side bins), but the window is behind you when you are sitting up and it is a bit of a pain to look out. I try to avoid 77K, as I stated earlier, I like to be able to get out without bothering my seat mate and with the FA chair in front of you that takes away some space. Not a big deal but it is different than 77A.
Just my 2 cents, but if I had to rank first to last I choose 73A, 10A and then 77A. Enjoy your flight...
10A: Wonderful seat, easy to get in and out without disturbing your seatmate, good window views, easy access to carry on luggage. Service is delivered in about the middle of the cabin (which is not bad), and there seems to be constant traffic to the Lav. (But the good thing is that the Lav is right there.) Best thing about 10A is the fact you are one of the first to deplane and if you just have carry one’s you can zoom through immigration & customs. Two drawbacks: One is the fact there is too much room between you and the bulkhead and I pretty much have to get out of my seat to get things that brought on board, and there is no real good place to store them when you are done with them, other then to store them in the overhead bin again. Second, it is MUCH busier on the main deck.
73A: Like 10A, a bunch of room to the bulkhead and easy access when your seatmate is fully reclined (which I personally like). That is where the similarities end. Like others have said, the upper deck is very quiet and private and the service is superb. The 2 FA's who work up there start at opposite ends of the cabin to serve meals and it is very efficient. You have to love the side bins as you can put all your crap in there to retrieve during the flight. Two drawbacks: First. You can be one of the last WBC passengers off the plane and by the time you get to the exit, "Y" class passengers are disembarking through the front door and you can get in a longer line to clear immigration & customs. Second there is a bin that can usually hold your carry on luggage upstairs but it is a real pain to haul it up and down the narrow stairs. (Leave it in the main deck bins)
77A: Like 73A lots of space between you and the row in front of you, all the upper deck goodies (peace & quiet / side bins), but the window is behind you when you are sitting up and it is a bit of a pain to look out. I try to avoid 77K, as I stated earlier, I like to be able to get out without bothering my seat mate and with the FA chair in front of you that takes away some space. Not a big deal but it is different than 77A.
Just my 2 cents, but if I had to rank first to last I choose 73A, 10A and then 77A. Enjoy your flight...
Apr 24, 2008, 12:38 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Texas
Programs: CO NW DL AA SPG Hyatt
Posts: 260
upper deck for sure (not to be missed, at least try it once). window for sure to get the full effect flying and on the ground. K seat heading to Asia because u may see some nice views of Alaska coastline (depending on actual flight path of course, but most times i find theplane tracking just off the coast on and off). 77 (exit row uppder deck if u can get it. otherwise, my next favorite seat ever is 1A or K in the nose, best forward visibility from a window with the exteme curvature of the fuselage. ummm, getting hungry for flying just thinking about it again.
Apr 24, 2008, 2:55 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
It's been nice reading this thread. Thanks for all the information. Amazingly, it'll be only my first time flying NW internationally (having flown them domestically solely these past few years) and we'll be jetting in 73A/B per the advice here on the 744.
Apr 24, 2008, 3:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: NW/DL GE, CO GE
Posts: 286
upper deck for sure (not to be missed, at least try it once). window for sure to get the full effect flying and on the ground. K seat heading to Asia because u may see some nice views of Alaska coastline (depending on actual flight path of course, but most times i find theplane tracking just off the coast on and off). 77 (exit row uppder deck if u can get it. otherwise, my next favorite seat ever is 1A or K in the nose, best forward visibility from a window with the exteme curvature of the fuselage. ummm, getting hungry for flying just thinking about it again.
Apr 24, 2008, 3:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador, Avis Chairman's
Posts: 7,445
You wont regret it... lots of room! and great service from the FA's on the UD
Aug 26, 2008, 1:54 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: 30 West
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K, Ex-DL Plat, SPG Plat, IC Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 266
NWA doesnt operate any 747-100, they operate 747-200 but only in the freighter fleet.
Personally, I prefer the upper deck. Its a little more private, not as many people milling around and hopefully no crying kids either.
Down side, no overheads. It has a sidewall for luggage stowage and they are smaller than a typical overhead.
Personally, I prefer the upper deck. Its a little more private, not as many people milling around and hopefully no crying kids either.
Down side, no overheads. It has a sidewall for luggage stowage and they are smaller than a typical overhead.
Aug 26, 2008, 5:44 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: CO Gold, UA Premier Exec
Posts: 1,539
NWA doesnt operate any 747-100, they operate 747-200 but only in the freighter fleet.
Personally, I prefer the upper deck. Its a little more private, not as many people milling around and hopefully no crying kids either.
Down side, no overheads. It has a sidewall for luggage stowage and they are smaller than a typical overhead.
Personally, I prefer the upper deck. Its a little more private, not as many people milling around and hopefully no crying kids either.
Down side, no overheads. It has a sidewall for luggage stowage and they are smaller than a typical overhead.
Aug 26, 2008, 8:22 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 182
As a kid, I always LOVED the upper deck of a Pan AM 747. But, I'd agree it's not appropriate if you have carry-on bags that might not fit the seat-side storage bins' more finite width. Also, there's the issue of lugging said bags up the (presumably) spiral steps.
I went into a restored 747 FC cabin recently at the Hiller Aviation museum in SF, and when I traversed the steps up, my first thought was what a pain that would be to lug my usual carry-on stuff up today. My second thought was, how in heck did Dad manage to get our stuff up there all those years ago :-)
I went into a restored 747 FC cabin recently at the Hiller Aviation museum in SF, and when I traversed the steps up, my first thought was what a pain that would be to lug my usual carry-on stuff up today. My second thought was, how in heck did Dad manage to get our stuff up there all those years ago :-)
Aug 26, 2008, 8:31 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
I prefer the upper deck. It is more private. In addition to the luggage bins on the side of the seats, NW has a few storage closets on the upper deck. But it is hard to get to carry-ons that don't fit in the side bins. They may also have overhead storage. The stair case is not spiral on the 747-400, like the old 747=200s.
Aug 26, 2008, 9:36 pm
#28
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
Let's see if the readers of our Northwest Airlines forum can add to the discussion. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Aug 26, 2008, 9:56 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
NWA doesnt operate any 747-100, they operate 747-200 but only in the freighter fleet.
Personally, I prefer the upper deck. Its a little more private, not as many people milling around and hopefully no crying kids either.
Down side, no overheads. It has a sidewall for luggage stowage and they are smaller than a typical overhead.
Personally, I prefer the upper deck. Its a little more private, not as many people milling around and hopefully no crying kids either.
Down side, no overheads. It has a sidewall for luggage stowage and they are smaller than a typical overhead.
I've been told to store my bags in the lower level luggage compartment before, so you don't always need to lug it upstairs.
Aug 26, 2008, 10:48 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
Programs: Cruise addict and AirBNB Plat :)
Posts: 3,312
I'll be flying in the upperdeck of the B744 for the first time in October.
I will have two carry-ons, one laptop backpack and one rollerboard. If I board early, will I be able to store my rollerboard upstairs or do I have to leave it in the main cabin compartment? If so, where's the main cabin compartment located or is there an FA present by the stair to assist you with storing your luggage? I don't want to make it so obvious that I'm a rookie to the upperdeck
I will have two carry-ons, one laptop backpack and one rollerboard. If I board early, will I be able to store my rollerboard upstairs or do I have to leave it in the main cabin compartment? If so, where's the main cabin compartment located or is there an FA present by the stair to assist you with storing your luggage? I don't want to make it so obvious that I'm a rookie to the upperdeck