Upper deck economy seating?

Hello,

Having read v-flyer for a while now I decided it was time to register!

I'm flying to SFO this December in economy and wondered what the general consensus is on the upper deck seating? I've never flown in the bubble before so I'm keen to give it a go!

Also, when are these seats allocated? I am presuming I will be given the option to select them at OLCI.

Thanks!!

Always choose the bubble if you can get it - definitely quieter and I think better more attentive service! Enjoy SFO

In your title you have put economy seating, I am assuming you mean premium economy?

In your title you have put economy seating, I am assuming you mean premium economy?

No I believe the OP is referring to economy. In case you didn't know:

Premium Economy is on the upper deck of LGW 744's.

Economy and Upper Class are on the upper deck of LHR 744's.

When do the upper economy seats get released for requesting? At OLCI?

When do the upper economy seats get released for requesting? At OLCI?

If they're available now then they're available - unless 60% or more are already requested, in which case the seat map will show as full until OLCI.

[Darren Wheeler]

Upper deck economy on a LHR 747 isn't in the same league as PE on LGW. For a start, the cabin is narrower upstairs and has a more pronounced curve to the walls and ceiling. Add in 33 economy seats and it can feel cramped, especially window seats due to said curve of the walls.

This photo gives you an idea

Why does VS mix UC and Y upstairs. Seems an odd mix. UC and PE I can understand.
Surely it means the UC pax have to wait for all the Y pax to leave before they can get off ?

[Darren Wheeler]

Why does VS mix UC and Y upstairs. Seems an odd mix. UC and PE I can understand.
Surely it means the UC pax have to wait for all the Y pax to leave before they can get off ?

It was done when Upper yealds were low but Y yealds on the rise. Problem was that almost as soon as it was done, upper yealds improved.

The Upper deck economy usually opens up on on line check in, I managed to get it both ways on LHR-EWR-LHR, if you get an aisle seat it does not feel cramped at all, on the return leg drinks and food were served really quicky allowing the cabin lights to be dimmed for most of the flight (Unlike economy down stairs which can take up to 3hrs into the flight, after all the drinks. meals and clean up etc etc. I did exit the plane before the U/C pax but this makes no difference as they get the luggage first but it does help at immigration! If you can get a seat upstairs then I reccomend it always

I agree with rickj2802 - I've flown in the upper deck economy seats 4 or 5 times this year and definitely prefer it to the lower deck. It feels quieter, the service is quicker and you can exit quickly. Also note that if you are by a window seat you have quite a big ledge next to you which can be good for stretching out and/or storing things like blankets, pillows, bags, magazines (but not during take off/landing). The crew will hang jackets in the wardrobe for you too, which I don't think you normally get in economy.

One downside is the limited space in the overhead bins - but the crew can put bags elsewhere if necessary.

You can reserve these seats when OLCI opens. If you can get the front row by the doors, you get loads of leg room but I expect they charge the extra fee? Alternatively the back row is good - you can recline your seat without disturbing anyone behind.

Hi CoolFlyer and welcome to V-Flyer.

As RickJ and BeardedFlyer say, upstairs in the bubble in economy is a good place to be. I wrote a trip report about my experience in the bubble on VS45 earlier in the year. You get a more pleasant environment, better service and quicker disembarkation. The only downside is less space in the OH bins. Go for it if you can.

Cheers

Martin

A big thanks to everyone for all the help and advice on the upper deck.

Definitely sounds appealing, I'll see if I can grab a bubble seat when OLCI opens, hoping I might even make SEQ1!!

My experience is that ecomony is the bubble becmoes available a couple of hours before OLCI opens.