Flying in the upper deck is on my travel to-do list!

No, it's my fault. I later added the "why" to the original post after you initially responded.

Isn't that a bad thing? Smaller ratio means less FAs per PAXs. Or is that actually a good thing?

My first time in the upper deck of a 747 was in Y flying SA. The two flights up there were pretty terrible. Since then even when J was an option on the Upper Deck I've flown on the Lower Deck. I'm convinced you deplane faster too.

That's interesting that you say that. Don't they usually let most of first and business off first before the main cabin?

Depends on the airline, but when I've flown upper deck, 'we' usually come down the stairs and out the door before economy gets to move out.

FYI: The new 747-8 Intercontinental will have two stairs leading to an expanded upper deck. Check out those new planes when they go into service on KE and LH.

Flying J, UD wins hands down for less noice, less mega-plane feeling.

As per flying in the "nose" - Yes please, but on most of the flights on 747's I do, that's the F cabin.

Have you seen any interiors? So far, the exterior looks good.

http://www.boeing.com/randy/archives..._747a_lg1.html

Hi,


I like the Upper Deck with the J cabin ( on BA I like the seats by the exit doors)

On BA you have the side bins to put stuff in during the flight. With only 20pax in a 2-2 layout it feels more like a private get almost ( well as close to a private jet that I will get to fly!)

Regards

TBS

I flew SFO - SYD in the UD of a United 747. It was like flying on a cloud. Our FA (28 years of experience) was brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, and took wonderful care of all of us. It was a night flight, pretty much everyone in the UD knew how to be comfortable and not disturb others. Most everyone except the FA slept through much of the flight, although some watched movies or read, but the light from the IFE and reading lights wasn't intrusive. It was much quieter and relaxed up there. I think I slept for a solid 8 hours, which I can rarely even do at home. (Notice I am posting at 5:00 am!)

The SYD - SFO flight, with a similarly experienced FA was nice, but not as nice as the SFO - SYD experience. That first FA really made the difference. I've flown international biz a number of times, but this flight was the closest I've come to international first. I cannot praise that first FA enough, but he spoiled me for my future travels.

So far, the Boeing in-house mock-ups have been publicized:

http://www.newairplane.com/747/design_highlights/

With the exception of BA and CX, I always travel on the lower deck. Lower deck is often less crowded (my flight the other day was 26/26 upper deck and only 10/21 lower deck). Plus larger overhead bins on the lower deck so easier for storage.

However with CX (prior to the latest new business class) the upper deck seats were 6 or 7 inches longer when converted to beds than the lower deck, so upper it was. And with BA the 2+4+2 is a bit crowded for me on the lower deck.

Even so, I can walk a lot faster out of the lower cabin than I can out of the upper one where you have to slowly navigate the stairs as the lower deck passengers waltz off the plane.

Probaby a bunch.

For example, is Saudi still operating 747 Y upper dek?
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Saudi...368/1905092/L/