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Old Aug 23, 2019, 5:17 pm
  #1  
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747 vs 380 in J

I have an upcoming trip LAX-CPH and see that DL has 2 options
1. LAX-AMS-CPH 747/737
2. LAX-CDG-CPH 380/319

Ill be in J and looking for recs - do they both offer lie flat seats for the TATL? What else differentiates them? I don’t remember flying a 747 so pardon my ignorance

Thanks,
H
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 5:30 pm
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Both are operated by DL partners (presumably under DL flight numbers which is why they appear to be DL flights)

747 is KLM; A380 is Air France

Go with KLM, the AF A380 does not have lie flat J seats

Or if you can find one that goes on DL 118 you'll get the DL 777 with new D1 suites (looks like 12pm departure with 1h40m layover at CDG to make the DL metal version work)

Last edited by Duke787; Aug 23, 2019 at 5:35 pm
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 5:33 pm
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Thanks, I hadn’t realized that these weren’t DL metal
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 5:35 pm
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Neither will be on Delta metal. LAX-AMS will be on KLM metal on a 747, and LAX-CDG will be on AirFrance metal on a 380 (or perhaps you can get a 777).

LAX-AMS will have lie flat seats and 2-2-2 seating. It will have an upper level of just business class seats arranged 2-2, and on the first level, in the nose of the plane, there are two "throne" seats, 1A and 5A, I believe (more like a Captain Kirk seat).

LAX-CDG on a 380 will have angled flat seats. Avoid. If you can get it on a 777, it will be 1-2-1 and lie flat. That and the food/wine choices (AirFrance's will be more "eclectic" but also better quality food, definitely better wine) are the main differences.
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Last edited by btonkid12345; Aug 23, 2019 at 6:53 pm
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 6:04 pm
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Thanks! This info is just what I needed.
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 10:21 pm
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Originally Posted by btonkid12345
LAX-AMS will have lie flat seats and 2-2-2 seating. It will have an upper level of just business class seats arranged 2-2, and on the first level, in the nose of the plane, there are two "throne" seats, 1A and 5A, I believe (more like a Captain Kirk seat).
Sold. I'm going to specifically go out of my way to find this opportunity! Haha!
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 10:27 pm
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Originally Posted by doubleA
Sold. I'm going to specifically go out of my way to find this opportunity! Haha!
I've done 1A once and it was like flying in a private jet. Right in the nose of the plane. Pilots upstairs.

The Captain Kirk seat was much more exposed, but in the middle of the action on the 1st floor.
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Old Aug 23, 2019, 11:03 pm
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Flew a quick southern European tour:
- Outbound: KLM B747, ORD to AMS
- Return: CDG A380, CDG to JFK

NO comparison!

A380 upper deck was nice, but it was a whole upper deck of business class.
B747 was 12-16? seats of business class - SO much quieter. Much more personalized service with two FAs to attend.


On the B747, friends traveling with us both ways lamented how the FA spent so much time talking to us about our travels.
On the A380, we were and felt like just another class of service.

B747 is our choice EVERY time!

Oh, and the 747 pilots were a delight to talk to - allowed us to take pix in cockpit, A380, we talked to pilots, but no pix.

Last edited by BHammy; Aug 23, 2019 at 11:06 pm Reason: added info
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 12:24 am
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KL747 has three single seats in J, all on lower deck. 1A, 4A, and 4E. 1/4A are windows with no aisle seat next to it. 4E is the throne seat in middle of cabin. Note 4E has no air vents, although KL keeps planes cool, so shouldn't be an issue.
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 8:26 am
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I’ll try to snag one of these seats on the 747. Will Delta or KLM charge me for seat selection in J?

Last edited by Herrick; Aug 24, 2019 at 8:34 am
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 8:29 am
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I’m amazed to hear that in 2019 AF is still using angled J seats. I thought every airline had lie flats for trans Atlantic flights.

Wow.

Last edited by enviroian; Aug 24, 2019 at 8:37 am
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 8:35 am
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Totally agree. Also not loving the 2-2-2, but realize that I may have been spoiled by Emirates all these years.

Hopefully AF get their act together by 2029
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 9:17 am
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AF is getting their act together on the rest of the fleet but recently announced plans to withdraw the A380 by 2022 so seems like they've decided it's not worth making the same investment in the A380 which makes sense
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 9:37 am
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Originally Posted by BHammy

A380 upper deck was nice, but it was a whole upper deck of business class.
Premium economy and a small cabin of coach are also on the AF 380 upper deck.
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Old Aug 24, 2019, 9:53 am
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Originally Posted by Herrick
Totally agree. Also not loving the 2-2-2, but realize that I may have been spoiled by Emirates all these years.

Hopefully AF get their act together by 2029
Emirates is 2-3-2 in biz on their 777 with angled lie flats. Nothing about which to be spoiled.
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