Airbus A380: seating Q&A
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 1
I can't comment on the treatment of status pax travelling with non-status family on the UD, but I can confirm that QR do move non-status pax from the upper deck even if they have paid the extra fees for those seats. My guess is that doesn't bode well for non-status family members.
For our recent flights (QR909 and QR3) we had paid months in advance to reserve 26AB on the UD. I think it was around 250AUD each for the SYD-DOH leg, and 150AUD each for the DOH-LHR leg, so all up about 700-800AUD for the trip. My partner isn't a great traveller, so thought it worth the cost to have the comfort of the UD without anyone next to us. We couldn't check in online, and then I noticed a day before our flight we'd lost our seat confirmations. Tried calling QR who were typically unhelpful, and told us to sort it with the check in agent. Unfortunately our domestic connection was a bit late and so I didn't get to the check in counter in time to try and resolve it (was there 3 hours before, but obviously by then there's a big queue for Y). The check in agent was obviously trying to get thorough hundreds of passengers, so didn't give two sh*ts, and just told us to call QR for the refund. My partner and I ended up on the lower deck, not sitting together, me in a middle seat, but thank god she at least got an aisle. Not a great experience for a 24 hour journey!
Anyway, I think the moral of the story is, obviously no seat is ever guaranteed, but be extra cautious with the QR upper deck. Even if you've paid the seat selection fees, it's not a guarantee you won't be bumped. So make sure you are vigilant as departure day approaches, and get to the check in desk as early as possible if they've bumped you.
For our recent flights (QR909 and QR3) we had paid months in advance to reserve 26AB on the UD. I think it was around 250AUD each for the SYD-DOH leg, and 150AUD each for the DOH-LHR leg, so all up about 700-800AUD for the trip. My partner isn't a great traveller, so thought it worth the cost to have the comfort of the UD without anyone next to us. We couldn't check in online, and then I noticed a day before our flight we'd lost our seat confirmations. Tried calling QR who were typically unhelpful, and told us to sort it with the check in agent. Unfortunately our domestic connection was a bit late and so I didn't get to the check in counter in time to try and resolve it (was there 3 hours before, but obviously by then there's a big queue for Y). The check in agent was obviously trying to get thorough hundreds of passengers, so didn't give two sh*ts, and just told us to call QR for the refund. My partner and I ended up on the lower deck, not sitting together, me in a middle seat, but thank god she at least got an aisle. Not a great experience for a 24 hour journey!
Anyway, I think the moral of the story is, obviously no seat is ever guaranteed, but be extra cautious with the QR upper deck. Even if you've paid the seat selection fees, it's not a guarantee you won't be bumped. So make sure you are vigilant as departure day approaches, and get to the check in desk as early as possible if they've bumped you.
#107
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 171
The first post in the thread is quite clear on some of the pros and cons of some of the upper deck economy seating options but was wondering if anyone can share experience whether:
1) row 28 AB and JK recline more than a regular seat as they have a wall behind them
2) if the floor space around 30AB and JK is used for people to wait for the loo.
Note as OWE I can select any seat for free so row 25 also an option but I worry about the noise and inability to stretch legs out.
Seat map here for reference: https://www.aerolopa.com/qr-388
1) row 28 AB and JK recline more than a regular seat as they have a wall behind them
2) if the floor space around 30AB and JK is used for people to wait for the loo.
Note as OWE I can select any seat for free so row 25 also an option but I worry about the noise and inability to stretch legs out.
Seat map here for reference: https://www.aerolopa.com/qr-388
#108
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cardiff
Programs: qatar airways platinum
Posts: 733
The first post in the thread is quite clear on some of the pros and cons of some of the upper deck economy seating options but was wondering if anyone can share experience whether:
1) row 28 AB and JK recline more than a regular seat as they have a wall behind them
2) if the floor space around 30AB and JK is used for people to wait for the loo.
Note as OWE I can select any seat for free so row 25 also an option but I worry about the noise and inability to stretch legs out.
Seat map here for reference: https://www.aerolopa.com/qr-388
1) row 28 AB and JK recline more than a regular seat as they have a wall behind them
2) if the floor space around 30AB and JK is used for people to wait for the loo.
Note as OWE I can select any seat for free so row 25 also an option but I worry about the noise and inability to stretch legs out.
Seat map here for reference: https://www.aerolopa.com/qr-388
What noise at seat 25? If you mean from the bar, I have never been at the bar when it is particularly noise, unless you got unlucky and a large group of friends were travelling together. The bar is usually deserted or only one or two people
#109
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 171
People would queue for the toilet near seats 30.
What noise at seat 25? If you mean from the bar, I have never been at the bar when it is particularly noise, unless you got unlucky and a large group of friends were travelling together. The bar is usually deserted or only one or two people
What noise at seat 25? If you mean from the bar, I have never been at the bar when it is particularly noise, unless you got unlucky and a large group of friends were travelling together. The bar is usually deserted or only one or two people
I guess “slightly nosier” is somewhat subjective in terms of any additional noise being something that bothers you. Being tall I’m tempted by row 30 but am wary of toilet queuers who can also be chatting or knock into you.
#110
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 83
I have been in row 30 and don't recall any extra traffic caused by the toilets. My one beef with the window seats in that row is that you don't really have full/easy access to the extra side bins which are otherwise a nice little bonus of sitting upstairs. It's one of my favorite Y seats, though!
#111
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 433
First time travelling on QR.
I’ve booked the UD A380 seats using OWS for free on LHR-DOH and DOH-SYD legs.
By the time I take these flights it’s pretty likely (but not certain) I would have dropped down to OWR. Can I be confident my seat reservations will stick? I bagged 25A and 25K so keen to keep these!
Otherwise I may have to look at a TP run to tip back into OWS before the trip…
I’ve booked the UD A380 seats using OWS for free on LHR-DOH and DOH-SYD legs.
By the time I take these flights it’s pretty likely (but not certain) I would have dropped down to OWR. Can I be confident my seat reservations will stick? I bagged 25A and 25K so keen to keep these!
Otherwise I may have to look at a TP run to tip back into OWS before the trip…
#114
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 2,155
No, you would have to walk forwards through the galley or backwards through the bar and along the other aisle to get to the neighbouring seat.