A380 J IFE Box
 

I flew 3 sectors on the A380 in J a couple of years back. My only criticism was the big carpeted box at my feet which effectively gave me the choice of placing my legs either vertical or horizontal.

I was idly watching someone's video diary today and it seemed that these boxes didn't exist at their seats.

Is this a seat row lottery, or has a refit got rid of it?

Flew AKL-SYD-DXB in July on A6-EOF (one of the latest A380's) and the box wasn't apparent. However on the DXB-LHR leg, I was on A6-EDW (one of the early A380's) which had the IFE box and older J class look (no bling around the screen). The new J seat can move forwards and backwards too, making it easier to put your legs up during take-off and landing if, like me, you're not quite 6 feet tall. :)

This box is not related to IFE, rather a flap with a stowage beneath to stow your shoes. About two years ago the A380 JCL seat had a slight refresh and the shoe box was removed.

What IFE box ?!?
Are you talking about the foot rest flap that comes out when you bend your seat back ? (in older version of A388)

I think the OP is talking about the flap that raises to provide additional support to the seat when it goes into flat mode - that's been removed, yes. As you say though, nothing to do with IFE :)

Well I suppose I really should have posted this picture. I always felt that it looked as if it was supposed to tilt, but wouldn't, or maybe the carpeted bit might flip open, but it wouldn't. However, now that I think about it , does the whole thing hinge up. Never thought about that - doh!

Either way, it was a pain in the legs, not to mention another place I could mention!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ek-a380-j.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...-ek-a380-j.jpg

Ah yes, that's the one - it actually automatically raises to provide support when you turn the seat into bed position, like a gigantic door wedge.

Yes, that thing you circle rises in a support / footrest kind of way. Wasn't particularly useful.

The shoe box is under the cushion that's under the TV. You need to manually lift it up... but it's not very easy to retrieve said shoes without climbing in there.

On my first EK A380 J trip I desperately tried to open the support flap thinking that's where the shoe box was...

The newer gen setup is much more practical

And the new seat setup doesn't roast your shoes in the box! :D (or squash them...!)

Yep. This shoe box was OK for sports shoes but not for regular leather shoes (insufficient height and length).
I confess I put them in the window side bin ... after wrapping them in another airline's shoe bag.

Anyway, that's all old stories, thanks to "new" design.

Just for the anecdote : overhead bin also grew larger in the "new" version (more height). In fact, the "old" ones were too low.

So is the thing I am moaning about history on the newer planes?

thanks,

Hedgie

Yep.
This space is now empty, and you can slip your shoes inside.

To be precise, it's "new" cabin design, which includes electric window shades, bigger IFE screen, touch screen IFE controller (positioned next to the seat, and no more under the screen), and bigger overhead bins.

The change was made from A6-EEF, going by previous posts here.

But there are still older versions with this seat in service am I correct or are all J class seats being refreshed?

Yes, quite a lot of older versions out there :)