V-Flyer

Hi all,
Just booked some seats for this flight and noticed that there are Economy seats on the upper deck. However, they are all currently shaded as unavailable. Will these open up for online check-in or are they all pre-reserved?

Thanks!

oceanscape wrote:Hi all,
Just booked some seats for this flight and noticed that there are Economy seats on the upper deck. However, they are all currently shaded as unavailable. Will these open up for online check-in or are they all pre-reserved?

Thanks!

They open up just before OLCI - sometimes sooner depending on loads

my understandind is that they are only opened up if the plane is full so don't rely on them being available.

my advice is to request the bests seats you can now then check again when OLCI opens

Hi oceanscape

I'm fairly sure they always open up at OLCI, so that's when to grab them as HL suggests. I flew on VS01 last month and there were just 8 of us in economy in the bubble. UC up front had 9 of the 10 seats taken, so we felt quite privileged! It had a private jet feel to it - there were only 170 pax in total.

Quite a contrast to my flight today. There were 370 pax on VS19 (G-VHOT) which means one passenger (= off duty crew member) was on a jump seat.

Thanks for the helpful replies!

I'm really confused - just used the "Which aircraft?" tool here on V-Flyer and it suggests the LHR-SFO route mostly uses 747s with configuration 3, which doesn't have the economy cabin on the upper deck.

Has it recently changed, or am I missing something? Thanks!

oceanscape wrote:Thanks for the helpful replies!

I'm really confused - just used the "Which aircraft?" tool here on V-Flyer and it suggests the LHR-SFO route mostly uses 747s with configuration 3, which doesn't have the economy cabin on the upper deck.

Has it recently changed, or am I missing something? Thanks!

The database hasn't been updated in a long time - all LHR 744's are Config 4.

Tinkerbelle wrote:

oceanscape wrote:Thanks for the helpful replies!

I'm really confused - just used the "Which aircraft?" tool here on V-Flyer and it suggests the LHR-SFO route mostly uses 747s with configuration 3, which doesn't have the economy cabin on the upper deck.

Has it recently changed, or am I missing something? Thanks!

The database hasn't been updated in a long time - all LHR 744's are Config 4.

Have they all got V-PORT too?

scnickr wrote:

Tinkerbelle wrote:

oceanscape wrote:Thanks for the helpful replies!

I'm really confused - just used the "Which aircraft?" tool here on V-Flyer and it suggests the LHR-SFO route mostly uses 747s with configuration 3, which doesn't have the economy cabin on the upper deck.

Has it recently changed, or am I missing something? Thanks!

The database hasn't been updated in a long time - all LHR 744's are Config 4.

Have they all got V-PORT too?

Yes they have.

I'd definitely recommend the upper deck - I flew to SFO in December and the service seemed much better than downstairs.

Having managed to grab the upper deck on both legs of the journey, it seems that the bubble seats are released for reserving about 1hr before OLCI opens (thats my experience anyway) so worth double checking.

Our outbound flight was very empty, only about 12 economy passengers upstairs and downstairs was pretty empty too so seems like you can always sit up there. The only slight downside was on the return when the plane was very full - there isn't much overhead locker space for travellers.

The food/drinks service was very quick too. We got two servings of ice cream (I'm sure that isn't normal) and a top up of wine was brought over in an actual glass which was nice (again I'm sure thats not normal).

I'd also highly recommend a window seat, you get the benefit of a view (which I like) and unlike downstairs there is a fairly large ledge between the seat and the window which I used to stretch out on. It's also hand for putting the blankets etc when not in use (although they must be stowed for take off and landing).

Despite mixed reviews from travellers I have to say I was a big fan. As it seems like economy on the upper deck is only a short term thing, I'd definitely grab the chance to sit up there while you can.

Enjoy San Fran!!

Do rows 79 and 80 have restricted recline, being they are the last ones?

And do they have the side storage bins like upper deck PE has?

Thanks!

No side storage bins in Y on the upper deck.

Does anyone know what the leg room is like up there? I'm presuming that there are no ELR seats? Also are you off the plane quickly or are you one of the last off?

nayobaby2003 wrote:Does anyone know what the leg room is like up there? I'm presuming that there are no ELR seats? Also are you off the plane quickly or are you one of the last off?

There are no ELR rows up there, but there are 6 exit row seats in row 75. In my experience they are great seats, although on one of the 747s they don't have IFE. The other seats have standard economy legroom. The window seats get an extra ledge (but not a storage compartment like you do with PE in the bubble) and you do see the odd leg stretched out on there.

Getting off you are amongst the first to go. This is one of the great benefits of economy in the bubble. In fact the poor souls :w in Upper in the bubble have to wait for you to go down the stairs first. All the PE and economy pax at the rear are held back until UC downstairs and the bubble have emptied.