Novice Fliers - A340-600 Economy Seat Advice Please

Hello all,
We've never flown longer than four hours before but will be on an A340-600 from Boston to Heathrow later this year.
It's just the two of us and my wife wants a window seat.
She wants to be on the left hand side of the plane.
We are quiet people.
I am looking at 41A/C or 42A/C because the stairwell means a blank wall or door(?) next to us rather than other people.
The problem is that the various seatplans differ slightly so that I'm not sure which row or rows have the stairwell.
I'd be grateful for any advice re these seats or others you might suggest as quiet.
Thank you.
Jerry

[mitchja]

Welcome to V-Flyer

I guess you have looked at seatguru seatmaps for the A346’s?

The map on there is a little misleading on there as that gap between rows 41 and 43 in the middle is actually the entrance down to the crew rest area so it has a door facing seat 41C.

There likely to crew coming and going through that door during periods of the flight which may become a little bothersome.

I’d personally go for the a set of 2 seats as far forward in the cabin as you can get.

Thanks James.
Seatguru and the VA site show the area slightly differently, note alignment of 43C and D:

Seatguru
Opera Snapshot_2018-03-12_221819_www.seatguru.com.png (45.49 KiB) Viewed 2290 times

Virgin
Opera Snapshot_2018-03-12_221948_www.virginatlantic.com.png (48.58 KiB) Viewed 2290 times

I didn't imagine crew would be using it that much, and I don't sleep on planes anyway.
Why do you suggest further forward is better?
Thanks.
Jerry

[mitchja]

The other minor issue you may encounter sitting in rows 41 - 43 on the A side of the cabin is the proximity to the washroom directly behind you.

I'll be completely honest with you and admit it's been many years since I last flew Economy on VS (I have done it though). People do say that's it's slightly quieter at the back of the economy cabin and you get a feeling of having a little more space as well with the middle section of seats dropping down to 3.

The only downside to sitting at the back of any aircraft is that the effects of any turbulence you may encounter are often worse the further back you go plus there's a big galley at the back of the A346's as well as more washrooms.

I'd personally always suggest sitting as far forward in any cabin as it means you get off slightly quicker which gives you a little head start for reaching immigration at LHR (not sure if you have been through LHR before but it can also be a fair trek from the gates to immigration in T3).

I couldn't tell you how busy immigration will be as I'm guessing you are US based and so you will using the visitors lines? At least you won't have to use those dreadful automatic immigration gates we now have to use as they are so slow and so fickle and often don't work properly! The manual desks are often quicker but unless you are with children we now can't use those

What ever happens, I hope you enjoy your visit to England, I just hope the weather behaves for you!!

Personally I really like travelling on the VS 340-600 aircraft in all the classes.

Many times in the past when we have been in economy, I have found that the side two seats work well.
Like James said, I too would also opt for the seats well away from the bathrooms and the constant noises from the galley which can be very busy throughout the flight. Your screenshot seems to show 39A&C are vacant and I would personally request those or two others even nearer to the front.

Thank you both for your help.
All the best,
Jerry

PS
I am still interested if anyone has direct experience of 41C, 42C, or 43C.

I've sat in 41D all the way to Joburg and didn't notice the door to the stairs being used at all (I guess it must have been). I wouldn't hesitate to sit opposite it, although there is nothing wrong with sitting as far forward in the cabin as you can. Unless I was going for a back row seat, I would normally go as far forward as possible (better choice of food, quicker getting off etc).

Thank you, LucyLu.