747 V A346 UC to LAX

Hi,
Firstly sorry if this has been covered before couldn't find it using search. If it has please feel free to lock the topic and point me in the correct direction.

I will shortly be booking my first UC trip and having only flown in Y on 747s don't have any first hand experience.
Looking at the excellent "WHICH AIRCRAFT WILL I BE ON?" section it seems I will have a choice of the VS9 (747) or VS23 (A346) I will only be flying out UC [:(] as the miles won't stretch both ways.
The question is what are the pros and cons of UC on each type of aircraft?
Many thanks in advance for your comments



edit to thread title be mod to make subject clearer..Nick

Ahh a good ole 747 v. 343/6 question. You're right, this has been discussed aplenty, however on a quick search I couldn't locate any obvious past posts.

You'll find answers in both ways however I was a 747er but am slowly being converted to the 346. Upstairs on a 747, particularly on a US-UK return in UC has many fans, for the small cabin and quietness, plus high lavatory:people ratio, downstairs on a 747 is certainly more fun around the bar, it's wider and has more space. However the 346s are newer (and I think it shows), they're quiet and smooth and if you're travelling alone the seat config I think makes it extremely private.

What are your likes/dislikes and I'm sure someone will have an answer!

The 747 has a wider suite at shoulder level,but either aircraft cabin is still a nice place to be.

[Nottingham Nick]

I tend to agree with JP here - both are very nice. For me, the UC experience is not a Boeing or Airbus issue. I would look more at how the flight times suit you.

Depending on where you live the later plane may mean that you don't have to travel to LHR the night before... alternatively the attraction on arriving at LAX at 3.30pm instead of almost 7pm may appeal.

If the timing make no difference to your planning, then the later plane outbound means you get to spend longer in the Clubhouse, without an early morning start.
Coming back - if Revivals appeals, then I would definitely go for the VS008.

Nick

[ChuckC]

I am a huge fan of airplanes and to me, the 747 is truly the "queen of the skies". That bias revealed I have also enjoyed two recent UC experiences on the A346. The 346 is sleek and whisper quiet. I noticed little difference in personal space on the 346.

When flying from LAX I choose the aircraft based on arrival time and the ability to enjoy Revivals (so, that'd be VS8). Going back to LAX I exercise my bias and fly the 744.

Chuck-

[Scrooge]

When are you planning on doing this trip as VS last year switched VS7/8 to a 346 for the winter if I remember correctly,I don't know if they are planning on doing it again this year,but that would make it an easy answer,fly the 346 [:p].

Anyways,assuming that they are offering a 744 then I would say flip a coin on the VS 7/23 flight,but upper deck on the 744 VS 8 flight LAX-LHR is the place to be for the flight home.

When are you planning on doing this trip as VS last year switched VS7/8 to a 346 for the winter if I remember correctly, I don't know if they are planning on doing it again this year, but that would make it an easy answer, fly the 346

I am looking at April 2007 flying with a friend and will be flying back from SFO PE I want to book early to ensure I get upper deck seats, unfortunately my miles won't stretch to UC both ways (or more accurately my miles won't stretch to 4 UC legs as I am using my miles for both of us).
We will be staying at Heathrow overnight (the Park Inn have a great deal) so flight time is not an issue I never sleep on flights.
After reading your comments I am leaning towards the 346 although seats 6 A+K on the 744 do appeal as it looks like you can have a conversation with each other without disturbing other passengers.

I have flown Washington 4 times in UC this year on the A346. Give me the 747 UC any day - even if its one of the LGW configured aircraft. The spacioness of the UC area in front of the bar bears no contrast to the way the seats are packed in on the 346. With some 48 UC seats on the 346 its getting far from exclusive and the pax-loo ratio leaves a lot to be desired. I would chose the 744 every time. The only thing I have had on the 346 which I have not had on the 744 is a serious tail strike - but that is another story.

At the end of the day it is personal choice.