747 J Seat Selection (nose cone vs. upper deck)
Apr 7, 2019, 9:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,988
747 J Seat Selection (nose cone vs. upper deck)
I am flying SFO-SYD on QF 74 in J with a companion. Trying to decide between 1A/B (nose cone) and 11 A/B (first row upper deck). Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Apr 7, 2019, 11:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF WP (LTG), AA, SPG Gold, IC Plat Amb, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold.
Posts: 804
Some personal preference, but I always like the upper deck, for the "private cabin" feeling, with only the upper deck PAX and two Flight Attendants just for that cabin. The nose tapers, and has a closet in the front in front of row 1. It was nice as the F cabin, but not so much for me with the J seats there.
Apr 8, 2019, 4:37 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
I’m not a fan of a bulkhead or wall right infront of me. Row 2 or 12 in the 744 works nicely (for me). UD seats bounce when heavy footed crew walk past. LD gets a better window view (slightly forward and better ground perspective). Front of UD won’t be early off the aircraft whereas there’s a better chance on the LD if door 1 is used. More chance to store large carry on bags in LD overhead lockers.
Apr 9, 2019, 1:07 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,988
Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning toward row 1 vs. row 11 (rows 2 and 12 aren't available), but I'm relatively tall (about 6'2''), so I do worry about feeling cramped due to the curvature/tapering of the pointy end. I found a trip report that suggests it's not actually that cramped-feeling, though, and that even the aisle seats (1B and 1J) don't seem that close together. I think we'll stick with 1A/B for now, which I had to call Qantas to request (even as OW Emerald)... took two agents, a supervisor, and about 90 minutes of my time to make it happen.
Apr 9, 2019, 3:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
I've done both...
- If you've never done the upper level, do that in row 11 or 14. Much more quiet I think than lower deck.
- However, on my upcoming trip to SCL we've booked row 1 which is kinda need to be in front of the pilots when flying (and the angled views) ... but selected it because 11 wasn't available.
Apr 9, 2019, 3:57 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
For me, the 'nose' is preferable. Upper deck has low ceilings and bounce in the floor. Plus, it's pretty much the same as flying a 737 transpac. You can always walk up the stairs if you haven't done it before.
Apr 10, 2019, 9:01 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: AUS
Programs: QANTAS, Oneworld
Posts: 84
DFW-SYD Upper Deck Failure
The last time I flew in the Upper Deck on a 747 was between DFW and SYD. The IFE was down, at-seat power was down, and the personal reading light was also down for the whole cabin. QANTAS sort of made-good on the shortfall, but It was simply a terrible J experience!
So my advice is don’t fly in the Upper Deck.
So my advice is don’t fly in the Upper Deck.
Apr 11, 2019, 5:41 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
Apr 11, 2019, 5:03 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
The last time I flew in the Upper Deck on a 747 was between DFW and SYD. The IFE was down, at-seat power was down, and the personal reading light was also down for the whole cabin. QANTAS sort of made-good on the shortfall, but It was simply a terrible J experience!
So my advice is don’t fly in the Upper Deck.
So my advice is don’t fly in the Upper Deck.
Apr 12, 2019, 4:50 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,170
on QF their 747 seat 1 does NoT have angled view like other airlines. there is large closet at fron so your seat 1A barely has angled pilot view... also leg room was limited...
i would say row 2 is way roomier than row 1. but you disembark later than others.
i like the openness of main cabin vs the upper deck
i would say row 2 is way roomier than row 1. but you disembark later than others.
i like the openness of main cabin vs the upper deck
Apr 12, 2019, 5:25 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
on QF their 747 seat 1 does NoT have angled view like other airlines. there is large closet at fron so your seat 1A barely has angled pilot view... also leg room was limited...
i would say row 2 is way roomier than row 1. but you disembark later than others.
i like the openness of main cabin vs the upper deck
i would say row 2 is way roomier than row 1. but you disembark later than others.
i like the openness of main cabin vs the upper deck
Apr 12, 2019, 5:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Little old dog box, in Adelaide
Programs: Now back at base level for these 2:QFF-now NB, Virgin-Velocity-NR
Posts: 404
On my very short flight, I loved the upper deck.
BNE - SYD in J!
Short flight for me, and no comparison, of course to the long flight you will take, but I would do the bubble again upstairs.
Have flown the EK 380 as well, both J and F upstairs, also short stints, to various cities (Au - NZ before EK pulled out of Au - AKL direct flights).
BNE - SYD in J!
Short flight for me, and no comparison, of course to the long flight you will take, but I would do the bubble again upstairs.
Have flown the EK 380 as well, both J and F upstairs, also short stints, to various cities (Au - NZ before EK pulled out of Au - AKL direct flights).
Apr 13, 2019, 12:01 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
On my very short flight, I loved the upper deck.
BNE - SYD in J!
Short flight for me, and no comparison, of course to the long flight you will take, but I would do the bubble again upstairs.
Have flown the EK 380 as well, both J and F upstairs, also short stints, to various cities (Au - NZ before EK pulled out of Au - AKL direct flights).
BNE - SYD in J!
Short flight for me, and no comparison, of course to the long flight you will take, but I would do the bubble again upstairs.
Have flown the EK 380 as well, both J and F upstairs, also short stints, to various cities (Au - NZ before EK pulled out of Au - AKL direct flights).