On our first trip to Europe with another family member besides my wife, I was able to book WBC (on NW) and went out of my way to fly a 747 (DTW-AMS). Because I was Plat at the time, getting the upper deck was no problem.

To this day, we still just have to say "upper deck on a 747" and eyes glaze over and sighs are forthcoming. :)

I agree with LondonElite - if you can do it internationally, I'd definitely go for it. Domestic US? Maybe, if the deal is right.

When I flew NY to Tokyo a decade ago in the upper deck of a 747, I guess I did not know how lucky I was. It was a pretty unique experience - almost like a private jet. Not a lot of other passengers up there with me, and no other cabins behind, so it was a little surreal.

So, that said, yes, if the incremental price isn't too much, and you're flying over an ocean, I would do it.

I've flown upper deck a few times. In the 90's, I'd get it on DEN-IAD from time to time. Domestic J seat/service. Not that exciting.

In '07, I flew up there IAD-FRA in LH F. That was fantastic from start to finish. ^ If you can find a way to get that, I'd do it for sure...although from what I hear finding LH F award seats has gotten more difficult in recent years with partner miles.

In '12, I flew up there SFO-HKG in UA J. It was a very good experience - better than downstairs J for sure - but I wouldn't have rerouted or paid extra to get to it.

I like the private feel of the upper deck, although the newest F/J pods already feel pretty private anyway.

While the 747-400s are winding down, the 747-8 will be in passenger service for some time longer. So the opportunity to ride in the upper deck is not quite disappearing entirely.

If it is something you want to do and have the cash, go for it.

If you want to postpone, there will be other opportunities, though maybe not as convenient / cheap.

I got operationally upgraded to it once (NRT-EWR, I believe) and even got the left bulkhead (lots of extra room). There was the small chest between the seat and the window for storage, and it was all very nice, but I wouldn't say it was really that special compared to other J options with other aircraft over water. Of course it beats flying in back by quite a bit, but that could be said about the nose section as well. I think it took some 3 or so nose op-ups over the years to finally draw an upper-deck op-up.

The main thing I liked about that window seat upstairs is that it was good footroom for sleeping. It's the only time I've ever flown in a lie-flat pod and been able to sleep on my back. (Usually I have to curl up and side-sleep to fit into the pod.) Upstairs on UA, my feet went onto that storage space all night. ^

I get your point, but I think it's actually more a matter of personal opinion than an absolute.

Some people find the cabin itself quite unique, perhaps because of the more difficult access, in fact.

What I find quite interesting is that the posts here that are most strongly in the "Nope, not worth it." camp seem to be coming from people who have flown in the UD many times, and perhaps have a wealth of unique experiences like the UD, nose, A380 UD, intl F/J, etc. Their perception of "special enough" is likely to be quite different from that of someone who has never set foot in the UD before.

For all we know, OP might be enthralled by the coziness of the UD. Dismissing the attempt outright is akin to telling someone they won't like licorice and therefore they shouldn't try it even once.

this is as good a place as any to repeat what I have posted probably a dozen times in various other threads, although I'm now modifying it slightly -- Newton's Law of the Online Forum -- "For every self-proclaimed (earlier posts used 'so-called') 'expert' opinion, there is an equal and opposite self-proclaimed 'expert' opinion"

I've been upstairs on -100s (TW and UA domestic, UA ORD-HNL, and UA NRT-SEA; all in the mid 1980s) as well as on -400s (VS, LHR-JFK, 2008; DL, HNL-ATL, 2009) ... the relative privacy made these flights feel very different from the typical travel experience

my son was 17 when we took the VS flight, and to this day I get (generally good-natured) static from him every time he rides in the back ... more so, of course, when I've ponied up cash or miles for his ticket

would I do it again? probably not ... particularly on a long-haul, the nose is about a private a section as upstairs (depending, of course, on the airline), and schlepping a carry-on -- even a laptop bag over my shoulder -- up and down the stairs really isn't pleasant

Add: just discovered that Virgin Galactic recently acquired the VS 744 that we rode on, and is converting it to a satellite launcher

I really do think it's something every airplane enthusiast should do at least once.
I still occasionally pay extra to do it, even after these many years.

LH no longer has F class on its 747-400. Nose and UD are new business class. 8 F seats are in the nose of a 747-8, with the stretched upper deck being business class. The hybrid solution LH had for its 747-400s whereby you has 8 F seats on the upper deck and 8 beds next to them (real beds, where the other 8 F used to be) was the best, but now sadly gone.

^ Exactly.

That was my absolute favorite configuration of any airplane I tried. I was very thankful to experience it a couple times and very sad it is not longer offered.

If the desire is specifically the UD on a 747, then go for it. Personally I prefer the UD on a 380, at least in BA or LH configurations, and there are plenty of those flying for many years to come.

Wow...that would have been a truly unique experience. My LH UD experience was with the 16 F seats.

Still a great trip with great service in the air and on the ground... ^

Worth a trip just to sit in the upper deck?
 

I'd say yes! I love the upper deck and fly it every chance I get. I love the quietness, having all my stuff right next to me...it feels like being in a private jet to me (NOT a 737). Being out of SFO I am glad I have a couple years left. I also love being able to open up and hang my garment bag in the closet behind the stairs. That said I miss Air France upper deck First Class on the -200. Now THAT was an experience!

Way back in the 1970's when I was a child, I saw a number of Hollywood movies where the upper deck of a 747-200 played a prominent role. It really made an impression. While I flew allot as a child, it was always narrow bodies and my lifelong dream was to someday ride in the upper deck of a 747. It wasn't until ~2004 that it ever happened, and in the years after that I flew in dozens of 747 upper decks to the point where it it's no big deal at all.

None the less, while I will freely admit that riding in the nose is a nicer ride and is 'better', and the upper deck in reality, is really not that special. I still chose the upper deck every chance I get based on childhood whimsy.

Alas, for a while I was flying round trip TPAC in 747-400's almost monthly. My travel patterns haven't changed but 747's have entirely disappeared for me. 777-300ER's have entirely taken over in my world.