2-class A380 experience?
 

Likely to be flying Y on the 2-class A380 MAN-DXB in early Feb. I've done J and Y on the 3-class A380. What's the 2-class version like?
- Can the upstairs seats be selected online as normal?
- Is the 2-4-2 configuration any more comfortable than the 3-4-3 downstairs?
- Boarding experience?
- Any tips, anything to be aware of?
- Did I miss a thread already covering all this?

Thanks,

Abhi

Hi there, haven't flown the 2-class myself, so can't help with your specific questions but yes, there was a thread (in fact, more than one IIRC) on the subject in general which you can read here

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emira...lass-a380.html

I seem to think there was also a fairly detailed trip report just recently. Not sure whether it was incorporated within the thread I've linked....haven't checked .....but if not then a search should bring it up.

Hi Abhi,

I flew the 2-class back in December and jotted down some notes in the thread subject2load posted above. For ease, here is a slightly shortened version:

- Seemed like the majority of the Plats & Golds flying in YCL were placed upper deck. I managed to glance at the manifest when the FA came to greet me and there were A LOT of Plats / Golds flying.
- The 2-4-2 seat config made the biggest difference. It was less cramped and much quieter than main deck.
- New ICE set-up was a great improvement. Clarity is fantastic for a YCL product.
- Toilets placed at the front of the cabin are huge compared to the rest of the aircraft. Seems like they have cut the FCL toilet / shower area in half, which is still larger than the regular toilets.
- No doubt a big point of contention moving forward was disembarking the aircraft. YCL was first to leave via U1L followed by JCL.

Overall it was a much more comfortable experience compared to sitting downstairs.

Cheers,
N.

What about extra leg room seats? I usually try and pre book 54D on the three class A380 due to the leg room to the side of the staircase. Is there anything with similar room upstairs?

To be completely honest, I didn't pay much attention sorry. From memory it was a pretty standard bulkhead with maybe a smidge more room but smaller compared to downstairs.

arrived yesterday into dubai on a 2 class 380.
There was some technical hiccup at the gate which took about 20 mins before we could disembark.

I was sat in the rear business class cabin, and by time i got off all of the upper deck economy passengers were off.. not sure if the front section went down the stairs.. or with the rest of the upper deck economy.

Business service was good though and the aircraft temperature was nice and cool.

Much better business than the triple 777 so i will switch to the afternoon service from BHX after March.

It may add 15 mins to immigration at BHX though if most of the economy passengers are already off before the business class. A pain but would rather q at BHX and have the 380 business seats any day of the week.

It's a joke that they don't get j off first.

It's impossible to do so if there's a Y cabin between UL1 and the J cabin - making Y pax stay in their seats is just not enforceable.

Still, if they reserved that cabin for HVC pax only, then everyone has fast track anyway, so no queue difference.

Thanks subject2load, I remember that thread from a while ago. but hadn't read it recently to see nmc980 and stanontour's comments. Assuming my travel plans go ahead, I'll try and do a trip report!

I just booked it for my sister. She's never flown EK before.

I said *if* they reserved it, which they don't :D

I thought you were a lawyer! You've started on the champagne tonight already haven't you....

Letting economy off before business, amazed nobody has kicked off yet.

On a diet before Tokyo. Also saving it for brunch on Friday!

I think there have been quite a few posts about it!

That said, EK don't offer priority disembarking - after all, what's that BA config with WT+ between F and J, haha!

The try and let first off first though and the last time I had to go down the front stairs they held the y pax back.