Last edit by: ssh
From SAT Lawyer's First Post:
Please also see: http://seatexpert.com/seatmap/320/Un..._First_&_Biz)/ and http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Uni...747-400_B.php]
What follows is my assessment of where to sit on the 744, which I sampled on a recent flight from SYD-SFO. I sat in E+ for three hours before a flight cancellation on Tuesday and in 15K in the upper deck in business for 13 hours the following day, so I feel sufficiently well-informed to dispense advice for those cabins. I cannot, however, make a recommendation for business class seating on the lower deck or the E- minus cabin, so with that caveat, here is my feedback on the upper deck . . .
Where should I sit in the upper deck? Any seats better than others?
Unlike the old configuration of the upper deck where certain seats – especially the exit row seats in row 15 – are appreciably better, on the new configuration, there is not really much to distinguish between the upper deck seats except for the limited caveats noted below.
What seats should I try to avoid?
There are only five seats that are nominally less attractive than the rest. 12 J & K are close to the forward lavatories and the flight deck so you can expect increased foot traffic and noise during the flight. The shell for 14K protrudes backward into the exit door area and partially overlaps with the exit door causing a nominal reduction in the view and a possible cold spot due to airflow penetrating the door seal. 17 J & K lose a good deal of privacy because they are visible from the top of the stairs and suffer from increased noise and light from the galley and traffic to and from the galley.
Window or aisle?
Window, definitely. And I say this as someone who is typically an aisle guy. You get the side bins for storage, the view, a little more peace and privacy being further removed from the aisle, and avoid the possibility of being disrupted by a seatmate climbing over you. Climbing over a seatmate in the aisle seat who is in the sleeping configuration requires a little bit of dexterity, but certainly is not terribly difficult for anyone who is at least 6 feet tall. Those who are substantially shorter than 6 feet may want to avoid the window, however.
Forward or backward?
Doesn’t really matter. Due to the pitch of the aircraft, those facing backwards will have their feet slightly below their heads in the sleeping configuration, but we are really splitting hairs here. Personally, I prefer the backward-facing view from the upper deck because you can see the wing and the engines.
What if I’m traveling with more than two people?
You will not be able to see or converse with the passengers whose feet oppose yours behind the wall adjoining the foot pocket and video panel. In other words, to give one example, the passengers in 15 J & K are fully walled-off from the passengers in 16 J & K. The shell of the seat also provides full privacy from behind. So, if you want to keep an eye on travel companions, you should try to sit diagonally across the aisle from one other. Passengers in 15 J & K, for example, will have a good view of passengers in 16 A & B, and vice versa. Actually, if you are travelling in a group of more than two and being able to chat is important to you, you'll probably want to sit in the middle section of the lower deck.
What happened to the exit row?
For all intents and purposes, it doesn’t exist. The seats in both rows 14 and 15 both back up to the exit area creating something more akin to an exit corridor. No extra legroom or particular advantage to these seats.
How is the seat for sleeping?
It’s a true, parallel-to-the-ground lie-flat seat, which is the big improvement. The arm rests on both sides can be manually lowered so that they don’t extend above the seat in bed configuration, which further increases arm and shoulder room. Unfortunately, for window seaters, there will be a healthy gap between the lowered arm rest and the side bins which means that the extra room on one side isn’t particularly useful since if you stick your arm far enough off the seat, it will essentially drop off a cliff with nothing to prop it up. As a 6-footer, my left foot was a little bit cramped due to the curvature of the foot-pocket, although this was not terribly bothersome. Both my seatmate and I felt that the seat lacked sufficient padding in the lumbar region of the back so we both woke up with sore lower backs.
What is the audio and video on-demand like?
For United and in comparison to the old configuration, great. The video screens are positively huge. There aren’t as many movies as one may find on airlines like Singapore, but still, there should be enough features to keep all but the most demanding and fickle passengers entertained.
As for the E+ cabin . . .
Seat pitch seems indistinguishable throughout, the bulkhead row 19 excepted. I don't care for the seats in row 19 myself because the hard bulkhead without cutouts effectively prevents all but the shortest traveler from stretching out his or her feet. This is true of both the outside seats as well as the middle section.
I would strongly advise against any D seat -- the aisle seats on the port side of the middle section -- because the audio boxes are beneath those seats and inhibit leg room for the left foot. There still should be enough room to place both feet, but only at a fairly sharp and uncomfortable angle.
As an aisle guy, I would go with one of the G seats. No audio box inhibiting leg room and landlocked middle seat passengers can access the aisle in either direction cutting in half your chance of getting bumped or bothered while you are trying to sleep.
There are still no individual seat-back video screens, unfortunately, so you are stuck with whatever programming UA runs on the main screens. Fortunately, the main screens have been upgraded to LCD screens. Sit at least a few rows back from row 19 to avoid being uncomfortably close to the screens.
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a United 747
#2342
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1
Hi guys I booked LHR to SFO in June and have just realised its a United 747 instead of the 777. I am hearing horror stories about economy on this aircraft! no wonder the price was so cheap.
I will be travelling with 3 kids 12 10 6. my question is have they added power points to the seats on these aircrafts yet?
I will be travelling with 3 kids 12 10 6. my question is have they added power points to the seats on these aircrafts yet?
#2343
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Hi guys I booked LHR to SFO in June and have just realised its a United 747 instead of the 777. I am hearing horror stories about economy on this aircraft! no wonder the price was so cheap.
I will be travelling with 3 kids 12 10 6. my question is have they added power points to the seats on these aircrafts yet?
I will be travelling with 3 kids 12 10 6. my question is have they added power points to the seats on these aircrafts yet?
Google is your friend:
http://www.united.com/web/en-Us/Cont...7/default.aspx
#2344
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Currently, approx. 65% of UA's 744s have been updated with power in economy. By June, there's a good chance it will be the entire fleet (finally!).
Note that the price of the ticket has nothing to do with the aircraft operating the route. UA swaps in a 744 for the summer due to increased demand for seats.
#2345
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: lax
Programs: 1k
Posts: 440
The Biz seats downstairs near the galley are the worst seats I have ever had.
The smell of food, chatter, noise, and consant clinging of glassware can drive one nuts.
Would rather be at the back of the bus in coach.
The smell of food, chatter, noise, and consant clinging of glassware can drive one nuts.
Would rather be at the back of the bus in coach.
#2347
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Does anyone ever get pushback from the FAs about putting a small roller into the closet on the UD? I have a Rimowa pilot multiwheel that is 19.7 x 9.1 x 17.5 which I am going to be using as my camera/gear bag instead of the backpack I carry.
My upcoming UD trip I'll be flying with my Mom so I will just grab my laptop out of it and store that in the window pocket and won't be needing any other access to the bag.
My upcoming UD trip I'll be flying with my Mom so I will just grab my laptop out of it and store that in the window pocket and won't be needing any other access to the bag.
#2348
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA-1K
Posts: 308
Does anyone ever get pushback from the FAs about putting a small roller into the closet on the UD? I have a Rimowa pilot multiwheel that is 19.7 x 9.1 x 17.5 which I am going to be using as my camera/gear bag instead of the backpack I carry.
My upcoming UD trip I'll be flying with my Mom so I will just grab my laptop out of it and store that in the window pocket and won't be needing any other access to the bag.
My upcoming UD trip I'll be flying with my Mom so I will just grab my laptop out of it and store that in the window pocket and won't be needing any other access to the bag.
#2349
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
With that said, don't plan on getting access to it until landing. FAs won't let you climb around in the closet during the flight.
#2350
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Ok this will be my first time flying that I've ever had what will be any issue with my carry on. I had seen the spaces in GF before but wasn't sure what the deal was with UD BF if it was maybe 1-2 below the coat closet or if they had the system down for it.
Only thing I ever use out of it in flight is my laptop which I'll just keep at my seat.
Only thing I ever use out of it in flight is my laptop which I'll just keep at my seat.
#2351
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
It can fill up, so suggest you not wait to board, otherwise you can be relegated to the overheads downstairs.
#2352
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
Although there was room in the closet upstairs, the FAs preferred to put it in a closet downstairs.
#2353
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Don't plan to dawdle getting on board (no reason to sit in the cheese and crackers Club longer than needed) but thanks for the responses makes me feel better so that I can bring it on this trip. And quite frankly it's not all that big.
#2354
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 187
Window seat has a small storage area. Plan ahead and put all the toys you want to play with on he flight in your personal item.
#2355
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Yeah that's wrong. Just ask the guy who was forced to take his rollaboard back downstairs on my flight to HKG last week. This happens all the time.