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747: Upper Deck vs. Lower Deck

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747: Upper Deck vs. Lower Deck

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Old Mar 11, 2012 | 12:08 am
  #46  
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Originally Posted by Ducati
Isn't that a bad thing? Smaller ratio means less FAs per PAXs. Or is that actually a good thing?
Good catch. Of course, I meant smaller PAX to FA ratio.
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Old Mar 11, 2012 | 7:43 am
  #47  
 
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Originally Posted by tonywestsider

I can't find that thread. Perhaps you can.
I remember it, but cannot find either.

A couple of upper deck economy classes:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Japan...446/1582032/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Mahan...B3M/1560910/L/
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Old May 3, 2015 | 1:01 am
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Originally Posted by CMK10
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.
Just flew FRA-YVR on Lufthansa in J upper deck. I had not had a chance to be in "the bubble" since years before when some airline (can't recall which) had a Y upper deck configuration, and I still remembered the feeling of peace and isolation compared to the rest of the plane - it made even Y feel like business. Upper deck in J is the best in my books, and yes, there is a slight delay in disembarking compared to lower J but honestly the quiet is well worth it.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 2:14 am
  #49  
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Originally Posted by robertoYYJ
Just flew FRA-YVR on Lufthansa in J upper deck. I had not had a chance to be in "the bubble" since years before when some airline (can't recall which) had a Y upper deck configuration, and I still remembered the feeling of peace and isolation compared to the rest of the plane - it made even Y feel like business. Upper deck in J is the best in my books, and yes, there is a slight delay in disembarking compared to lower J but honestly the quiet is well worth it.
And of course if you're lucky enough to fly F they hold everybody back until you're out first., (but those days are soon to be over on the 747s)
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Old May 3, 2015 | 2:23 am
  #50  
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I always enjoy the upper deck of both the 747 and A380 vs the lower deck. I find it's typically quieter and more private.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 3:40 am
  #51  
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I have flown 747 UD J with BA but my next flight is a first timer with KLM AMS to LAX. We have UD 77K and 77J on the outward daytime flight with 1K and 1J in the nose back overnight. So it should be a interesting comparison.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 5:20 am
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i love the very rare occasions that I've been on the upper deck. IT doesn't feel quite like a private jet (I imagine!) but it's nice to doing a very long trip on what seems like a small, quieter plane.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 8:56 am
  #53  
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Originally Posted by LilyTraveler
i love the very rare occasions that I've been on the upper deck. IT doesn't feel quite like a private jet (I imagine!) but it's nice to doing a very long trip on what seems like a small, quieter plane.
I agree. But the downsides are too much for me in many cases. Biggest one being that if you are international and flying to a destination with a slow Immigration check-in you end up behind a long line of people who were on the main deck.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 1:48 pm
  #54  
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We have always preferred the upper deck. Flew Sydney to Hong Kong in February and it's peaceful quiet and if you time it right you can get down the stairs quickly and disembark right after first.
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Old May 8, 2015 | 6:36 pm
  #55  
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If flying Business Class then I'll always choose the upper deck. Less foot traffic, quieter, makes for a much easier restful sleep. that's my main priority these days. After takeoff, in go the ear plugs, eye shades, and i'm out.
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Old May 8, 2015 | 9:10 pm
  #56  
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I have travelled many times on the upper deck. I don't get the fascination with being in the upper deck over the lower deck.
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Old May 8, 2015 | 9:27 pm
  #57  
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If the nose section on the 747-400 (or -300) is BC, I prefer that (seated in row 1) to the upper deck. More light, more spacious/less enclosed due to high ceilings, and much less noise and traffic. No one is going to walk to row 1 unless they have business to (FAs, other pax in row 1 or other pax to the closet, if any, and FAs with business there). I find it way too busy on the UD with pax, FAs and flight crew going to and from.

Of course, UD on the -100/200 (probably very few left) is nice and quite quiet, almost as quiet as the nose.
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Old May 9, 2015 | 4:28 am
  #58  
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Originally Posted by Annalisa12
I have travelled many times on the upper deck. I don't get the fascination with being in the upper deck over the lower deck.
Agree. Flexible floor bouncing your seat around, and tiny overhead lockers (if the airline hasn't installed new ones) meaning you have to store hand luggage at the top of the stairs.

Some passengers dislike the very idea of a 737/757/A320 operating a long haul business class flight, but are quite happy to sit in the upper deck of a 747 in a cabin roughly the same as one of the narrow-bodies.

It's fun once though
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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 6:26 pm
  #59  
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There is no comparison--the 'nose' of the 747 is the place to be. It is by far more quiet and serene than the upper deck. It's no coincidence that most airlines place their F cabins there.

Last edited by joer1212; Oct 18, 2016 at 3:35 pm
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Old Jan 22, 2019 | 2:08 pm
  #60  
 
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Anyone fly on the upper or main deck of a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I recently? Flying solo Newark to Frankfurt, and not sure if there are any differentiating qualities... thanks!
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