Blackcloud

All 6 747-438ER and 3 of the best 747-438 will be refitted starting next year as they pull F from the non-A380 routes.

NM

Not yet. No 747's have Skybed Mk II at the moment, and not likely until next year at the earliest. And then it won't be all the 744s getting them.

kudublesbok

Hi folks, this is my first post on FlyerTalk. I am a Platinum QF member but achieved and maintain my status all on discount economy flights (so does my boss, so it's hard to argue). As such, I fly a lot on 747s to/from Europe and USA. Generally I have been choosing a window in the twin seats down the back (view, side room, etc.) . In October I return to Oz on LA~Bris rather Syd or Melb and I note that I'm on a 2-class 747 with standard 2-class plan. QF have given me 26K - row 1 window in std Y (no PE) and I'm a little nervous:
1. While bulkheads mean no seat in front, I hate trying to sleep with feet jammed against the wall. How much space is in that recess they talk about?
2. I'm also nervous re the width of the seats with table and screen in armrest.
I'm just under 6ft and 75kg, so not huge, but I'd love to hear from anyone else who has sat in these seats with comments. Seat Guru warns caution but says "good seat". Cheers,

serfty

Welcome to FT

There is a significant cut-out/indent toward the base of the bulkhead in front of your seat. At 182cm or thereabouts you should be fine.

Note Qantas are adding PE to thir 2 class 744 over the next months and row 26 on these aircraft will bw no more.

See here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...ng-config.html

kudublesbok

Many thanks. So you think this seat is at least worth a "test"? ..not annoyingly narrow either? I have been bumped to row 34 PE (bulkhead) a few times now on 4-class Europe flights and I've actually been annoyed by the proximity of the bulkhead (although 34PE on 4-class doesn't have a cut-out due to toilets and kitchen in front) when trying to sleep. Thaks again....it's about time they added PE to the 2-class flights...I have done Frankfurt quite a lot and often wondered why they havent added PE.

kudublesbok

Hi, thanks for this. I posted a quick reply but I think moderators are checking it? Im not sure of the rules. It sounds like you think 26K is at least worth my trying....I gather you havent found the reduced width too annoying?
I have quite often flown the Frankfurt route (in the twin seats at the back) but wondered why they didnt introduce PE. It will be welcome.
One other query....I know seats 80A/K are good on the A380 but I have a couple A380 flights coming up and these seats are taken on one flight. For someone who likes the window is there any specially good option?....Im thinking I'll just sit a couple rows back up the front of Y to beat the immigration queue.

chris1979

Hi All,

flying QF F for first time in March next year.

1A and K are blocked (or not available on the seatmap) and currently got 2A.

was just wondering wether 3A or 4A are better to go for (travelling alone)? I do like the sound of the extra storage that 4A has.

thanks.

grov

The curtained-off quiet mini-cabin with its own toilets is also a big plus. Used to often travel in 26A/26K and never found the width a problem, unless a really big guy was placed in the centre seat. The windows beside 26A/26K are nicely placed to wedge the pillow against, allowing a very comfortable night's sleep in these seats. Can highly recommend these seats - grab them while they are still available.

serfty

Shame this region will be PE in the imminent future.

og

Choose 3A or 3K if alone. 1A / K are space constricted and have no overhead storage and people accessing the cupboard (sometimes for bag storage - if the FAs allow it ). But if no bags, 1A/K are great as you can feel more isolated from the riff-raff in the back of the F cabin. 4A/K might get galley noise and have proportionally more passing traffic - but have the extra space next to you. 2 A/K are too close to the centre 2 seats.

ashill

80K is as good a coach seat as there is on any plane, of course: infinite legroom, not difficult to get out without disturbing row 79, not technically an exit row (and therefore no charge and reservable at booking by an AA Sapphire like me), and the ability to store my stuff at my feet during flight without any risk of it being trampled on.

However, for a couple, I wouldn't fly 80JK; 80J is a below average seat, one of the few times my very short wife has been uncomfortable in an economy seat. (She can be reasonably comfortable in pretty much anything.) The housing for the entertainment system in 79J makes for very limited space under that seat either for belongings or feet. The immovable armrest between 89J and K is also a considerable drawback.

The light from the galley was also mildly bothersome when trying to sleep as passengers kept opening the curtain without closing it behind them.

All things considered, for a couple, I'd probably just take a regular pair anywhere in the middle of the coach cabin over 80JK.

(For a single traveler, I'd still take 80K in a heartbeat.)

steve_w

Just flown QF30 23K LHR HKG (I've blagged F being used as J both times I've done this flight previously) and I can't believe how poor the stowage is on the Skybed I - it's a good job they are replacing them. Nowhere to put anything, can't stow a laptop or a (thick) book sensibly. The bed itself was fine, got about 5 hours kip ahead of going straight into the office in HK - but I had to juggle all my bits and pieces. BA J and CX J have way more stowage.

Or did I miss a hidden compartment?

anat0l

I've only flown Skybed I at the bulkhead, i.e. I don't get a compartment in the "hump" of the seat in front of me to put stuff.

Can't say about stowage space but CX J you would be lucky to find a place to put a laptop around where you are if you can manoeuvre successfully in the "coffin".

Couldn't you put some what not in the literature pocket? Maybe not a laptop...

Briz.QFFBoi

Hi Chris,

My partner and I are flying LHR-HKG in July next year in F classic seat rewards and have got 2A/3A atm. Agent said 1A/1K were blocked - but no one is presently shown as seeted there - she said its common for them to leave 1A/1K blocked in case a full fare F wants them - but that they its equally common for them to come available a week or so out if no-one has slipped in.

Briz.QFFBoi

My partner and I are in 11A and 11B on the A380 Syd-Sin (QF31) in May next year. We chose these two as they are on the opposite side to the lounge - so as to avoid disturbance from users of the "couch".

Any feedback on 11A/11B would be appreciated