Hey you all CI experts.
What are the best seats when traveling with a companion in J class.
If we take CI, it'll be LAX-TPE, so I'm assuming the new 747. Do people prefer the upper or lower deck? Any particular seats?

I really want to try Dynasty Supreme from IAH-TPE, but it is $900 more. is it worth it compared to the new 747 via LAX (keep in mind, this is a pleasure trip so company not paying).

Thoughts?
Thanks!

all I can say is you wont be dissapointed by spending an extra $900

Upper deck on the LAX-TPE 747 is all C class. It's quieter on the upper deck and I think very desireable. I believe the exit row is Row 10. Tons of leg room in Row 10.

The only downside to flying the upper deck is if you carry a lot of carryon items. Dragging bags up the steps can be inconvenient.

10 A or K is best, you can pull down the crew seat and really stretch out.

I find everyone wants to sit upstairs and it gets ful where as downstairs you often end up with 2 seats

For LAX-TPE, I believe CI flys the new config. From the website, it looks like only the J/K side has the crew seat but the A/B side doesn't. Can anyone confirm? Also, is row 10 still the exit row? What are people's preference on the new plane, AB or JK?

Thanks.

on the new config with the signature interior, the crew seats on the upper deck are located in front on 10JK only. Nothing in front of 10AB. However, not a whole lot of difference because there's a lot of leg room for the exit row seats. You'll only notice the difference during takeoff and landing.

personally i still prefer J/K because leaving LAX, i can see the CA coastline...and sometimes the flight path takes you over vancouver so it's nice...

They are still running a mix on this route so not guaranteed new config. I prefer downstairs as upstairs is usually full of tourists who have splashed out on an upgrade and usually have not travelled in C before and usually like to make the most of all the free booze and food

Thanks for the info. Is there a way to check if the flight we're on in Jan will have the new interior? Or is it still too far out to know? Also, what seats would you recommend downstairs for 2?

Does the old interior have power ports? I hope we get the new planes!!

Lots of tourists traveling in upper deck for the LAX-TPE route? Really? Biz class for that route is usually filled with seasoned Gold/Emerald/Paragon members. Upgrades are difficult to get if not booked early. And there is no D class available for those purchasing tickets in the US, so unlikely that there are that many "tourists" paying for an upgrade.

Personally, I prefer downstairs (row 18 or 19) for the spaciousness. But when traveling alone, and especially when traveling on the horrendous new config planes (in biz class), row 10 has the best seats, no question. The old config has much much more comfortable seats but the inflight entertainment is not as sophisticated (and no power port). New config has more gadgets but not worth it for a 12-13 hour transpacific flight.

Is there more legroom on row 18 or 19. From the seating charts, it looks like row 17 are the bulkhead rows. Does row 17 have extra legroom. I will be traveling with a companion. Thanks.

Anyone else have an opinion as to best seats for 2 for old and for new interior?

Finally, does anyone know if we can check in advance which aircraft will be used? we're flying on Jan 18th on the evening flight and coming back Jan 29th on the afternoon (4ish?) flight.

THANKS!!

sorry, i was referring to the spaciousness of the cabin, downstairs vs. upstairs. rows 18 and 19 do not have extra leg room. don't know about bulkhead for row 17...never liked having a wall in front of me. would rather stretch out and put my feet underneath the seats in front of me.

I agree with above and downstairs is always goood for being 1st to the customs which in Taipei is great, I have cleared customs in as little as 11 minutes from touchdown with CI on a flight from HKG

I'll be flying SFO-TPE in April. I chose 10A based on Steve's recommendation. Does anyone know if 10A on the SFO-TPE route still have the crew seat?

Thanks!

yes it does

I had row 17 on the "very old" configuration and it was not good at all - not enough space between the seat and the wall, it's better to have seats in front of you where you can stretch your feet (under the seat in front of you). Maybe it's better on the "current-half-old" (not the signature) planes but I assume not.