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
#2446
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
I think my long legs help me in this instance - not so much when u/g doesn't clear
And IIRC Bunky just posted in UA fleet thread that final 747 has ISP in back to keep your devices working for the WHOLE flight ^
Maybe not keeping up with DL this time: just read DL will retire 5 more 744 by year's end.
#2447
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
#2448
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 493
I'm an upstairs guy, but am looking at a situation where 17J is the only remaining UD seat on my upcoming flight. Also prefer windows, and am looking to get some sleep. My inclination is to take 7A. Will I regret it?
#2449
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
7A is OK, but it's a whole different world downstairs
#2450
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 493
Ended up in 15K after all...pays to check back every now and again! Don't think I've ever had the pleasure of flying BF downstairs on this plane, so this will help me preserve that record.
I can still remember my first UA international upgrade, which was an op-up on SFO-NRT in 2004 (I think...), last one on the plane after a late inbound connection. Upstairs in a barcalounger. Wonderful experience going from the anxiety of a near mis-connect to the serenity of the UD, as you say a whole different world up there, and I was hooked!
I can still remember my first UA international upgrade, which was an op-up on SFO-NRT in 2004 (I think...), last one on the plane after a late inbound connection. Upstairs in a barcalounger. Wonderful experience going from the anxiety of a near mis-connect to the serenity of the UD, as you say a whole different world up there, and I was hooked!
#2451
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Indeed.
Last trip to Asia was SFO-PVG, and when they rebooked SFO-KIX pax onto our plane my chances of u/g evaporated and I got to experience E+
Luckily u/g cleared on the way back, but late and all UD seats were already occupied. Sadly, no last minute vacancies for me.
Last trip to Asia was SFO-PVG, and when they rebooked SFO-KIX pax onto our plane my chances of u/g evaporated and I got to experience E+
Luckily u/g cleared on the way back, but late and all UD seats were already occupied. Sadly, no last minute vacancies for me.
#2452
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott-Gold
Posts: 621
Does anyone have any idea if there is a noticeable difference in outside air noise between 13A and 15A? Sometimes sitting closer to front is more noisy because of air being split. Its easy to notice when you walk from front to end of cabin, how the noise changes from air noise to engine noise, but there is usually a sweet spot.
I am facing the incredibly tough question of 13A or 15A and from what I can gather they seem exactly the same.
I am facing the incredibly tough question of 13A or 15A and from what I can gather they seem exactly the same.
#2453
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Never noticed any difference in noise in that short a space.
But my hearing isn't great
But my hearing isn't great
#2455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
My preferred seat is either 15A or 15K. Highly recommend either one.
#2456
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
#2457
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
The Upper Deck is an great experience. GF will provide more individual private space and service. Some couples find GF to provide too much separation, some couple are OK with it -- especially the center seats. All GF have aisle access which may be desired over BF.
Since the is your first time UD and traveling with a companion, I would stick with the UD and save the miles for another day.
Since the is your first time UD and traveling with a companion, I would stick with the UD and save the miles for another day.
3A&3C for closest across the isle? Or
4C&4H for further away from the window seats on both sides?
#2458
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
The 4th row is not the best one in this cabin due to galley proximity, but row three is no great shakes either.
If I were to chose, I would go in row four in a day flight, and row three in a night flight.
#2459
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 16
Does the 747-400 have economy outlets and media streaming?
Hi,
I am flying on a United 747-400 from Chicago to Japan in 3 weeks. According to seatguru, this plane does not have power. But I recently stumbled onto this posting:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ir_Travel.html
It references a thread on this forum, but I can't seem to find the info on the 747-400. Has anyone flown on a United 747-400 recently and can confirm that the economy seats have power?
Thank you.
I am flying on a United 747-400 from Chicago to Japan in 3 weeks. According to seatguru, this plane does not have power. But I recently stumbled onto this posting:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ir_Travel.html
It references a thread on this forum, but I can't seem to find the info on the 747-400. Has anyone flown on a United 747-400 recently and can confirm that the economy seats have power?
Thank you.
#2460
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
I think some do now have power in coach. A friend flew SFO-HKG last week and he said his Y seat had power. I don't think all 747's have been converted though.