Will it really be an A346 into SFO?

Have just booked my March trip for Palm Springs (via SFO) and am very, VERY disappointed to learn it's scheduled to be an Airbus on the way out, rather than the 747s I'm used to. I used to fly via LAX but changed becasue I much prefer the space in the nose of the 747, and I actually find the A346 much more claustrophobic[n]

What are the chances of it being changed back to a 747? If there's no chance then I'm going to change dates!

SFO is scheduled to be operated by a A346 for the whole of the winter season.

[:X]

Very little chance unless the 346 goes tech.

BTW Whats the issue with the 346 ? I am off to Palm Springs in Dec (via LAX) and very happy to be on a 346.

HG

I can confirm that it's a 340 today on he SFO - LHR run (VS20) as I'm in the club house in SFO with Claire, looking out of the window -

[Neil]

Just for future info, it does state the a/c type if you click on the flight number on any of the booking pages, might save you having the same problem again. IIRC it is May time before SFO goes back to a 747.

We actually enjoyed our first A346 UC flight recently, yes it is different to the 747 but i thought better in some ways, each to their own I suppose.

According to the current schedule which is still subject to change, SFO is due to be operated by the B744 from 28 March 2010 to 30 October 2010.

[Neil]

Thanks for confirming Tink, be nice to have a 747 do our flight back from SFO.

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
According to the current schedule which is still subject to change, SFO is due to be operated by the B744 from 28 March 2010 to 30 October 2010.

Oh that's a relief. I'm trying to decide on dates in June for a trip to NorCal and either SEA or YVR but when I click on the flight number on the booking pages it doesn't specify the aircraft. As far as I'm concerned the 747 rules!!

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
According to the current schedule which is still subject to change, SFO is due to be operated by the B744 from 28 March 2010 to 30 October 2010.

Oh that's a relief. I'm trying to decide on dates in June for a trip to NorCal and either SEA or YVR but when I click on the flight number on the booking pages it doesn't specify the aircraft. As far as I'm concerned the 747 rules!!


I would proceed with caution HL if you only want a 747 on this route. As tinks said the current plan may be for a 747 but I have heard that this is unlikely (from a FSM I often fly with). Only a gypsy's warning but hey she has been right about other things in the past.

HG

I would be interested in the pros and cons of the bloody Airbus over the fine Boeing product. Please provide some granularity, as I will maybe be coming over early next year.

GJ

quote:Originally posted by rod10
it's scheduled to be an Airbus on the way out, rather than the 747s I'm used to


I know, it's like the world has ended [:#]

I flew the Airbus to SFO (in PE) a couple of weeks ago, and it is certainly much quieter than the Boeing, however it was much slower (about an hour longer than the 747) - we flew a bizzare routing over LAS as opposed to down over Washington and Oregon as is normal.

No idea whether the change in route was as a result of the Airbus or other factors.

quote:Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
I would be interested in the pros and cons of the bloody Airbus over the fine Boeing product. Please provide some granularity, as I will maybe be coming over early next year.

GJ



How wonderful that you are coming to our Shores - I feel a special supper coming on ..

IMHO if you are flying Upper (which I know you will) then there is very little difference to either service or suite to be noticeable. Yes it is different metal but I for one have never based a flight on whether it is an airbus or boeing as both get me to my destination in the style I want at the same time.

Bottom line: Go with the one that suits your route.

HG

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
[quote]
Oh that's a relief. I'm trying to decide on dates in June for a trip to NorCal and either SEA or YVR but when I click on the flight number on the booking pages it doesn't specify the aircraft. As far as I'm concerned the 747 rules!!


Our flights to / from SFO in August are showing a 747 on the seat selection pages. Being new to this UCS malarkey It would be good to have the opportunity to try the different configuration (particularly since I've snagged some seats very close to the pointy bit) but if it changes to an A346, so be it. Nothing I can do about it, the aircraft wasn't part of my decision and on past experience a couple of glasses of red and I'm in the land of nod oblivious to my surroundings anyway..



Paul

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Very little chance unless the 346 goes tech.

BTW Whats the issue with the 346 ? I am off to Palm Springs in Dec (via LAX) and very happy to be on a 346.

HG


For starters, seats are two-across (in the nose of the 747) so there is a wonderfully luxurious feeling of space. Also, there's room to stand and stretch, without bumping into othr pax and without the need to step aside to allow others to squeeze their way through; a minor issue, perhaps but it's an inconvenience I really don't enjoy.
When boarding the 747, you have room to move around and get sorted with complete ease and no stress, without having to step back into your suite everytime someone wants to pass![n] The Airbus has, for me, a feeling of everyone being crammed in together, and rather tightly packed at that... The nose of the 747, especially since removal of the IFBT station has the feel of a secluded lounge, known by only a few, that just happens to be racing through the air [8D] Whereas the tube-like Airbus is too similar to the charter flights I used to take to the Med years ago (ok, not quite[;)] but you get the idea?)

I'd summarise by saying the Airbus cabin lacks the feeling of space and freedom to move, and it feels to me, to be a lesser product than the more opulently spacious 747 nose cabin. As others have said, each to their own...

PS. Interestingly, it is a 747 on the return leg![^]

quote:Originally posted by rod10
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Very little chance unless the 346 goes tech.

BTW Whats the issue with the 346 ? I am off to Palm Springs in Dec (via LAX) and very happy to be on a 346.

HG


For starters, seats are two-across (in the nose of the 747) so there is a wonderfully luxurious feeling of space. Also, there's room to stand and stretch, without bumping into othr pax and without the need to step aside to allow others to squeeze their way through; a minor issue, perhaps but it's an inconvenience I really don't enjoy.
When boarding the 747, you have room to move around and get sorted with complete ease and no stress, without having to step back into your suite everytime someone wants to pass![n] The Airbus has, for me, a feeling of everyone being crammed in together, and rather tightly packed at that... The nose of the 747, especially since removal of the IFBT station has the feel of a secluded lounge, known by only a few, that just happens to be racing through the air [8D] Whereas the tube-like Airbus is too similar to the charter flights I used to take to the Med years ago (ok, not quite[;)] but you get the idea?)

I'd summarise by saying the Airbus cabin lacks the feeling of space and freedom to move, and it feels to me, to be a lesser product than the more opulently spacious 747 nose cabin. As others have said, each to their own...


Thanks Rod,

I have flown in both in double digits this year so aware of the differences but it is not a deal clincher for me. There are many, many UC seats NOT in the pointy but if a 747 - some being 4 accross against the 3 accross on a 346. I agree that if in a group then Zone A on a 747 is The place to be - been on a couple of V-Flyer groups this year where we took advantage (?) of this area and space, but as a single flyer it would not bother me where I sat (except Not upstairs).

I am content to be on a 346 in the same way as I would be content to be on a 747 - on both I choose me seat Very Carefully indeed (on a 346 I like to face the 'wall').

Both my Bose on both are quiet, both offer me the opportunity to be seved G & T, red wine and dubious quality food, and both have the bar to walk up to for a chat with crew when bored. Thats all the boxes I need to tick to hand over my for a flight and be a happy pax [:D]

HG

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by crispin
I flew the Airbus to SFO (in PE) a couple of weeks ago, and it is certainly much quieter than the Boeing, however it was much slower (about an hour longer than the 747) - we flew a bizzare routing over LAS as opposed to down over Washington and Oregon as is normal.

No idea whether the change in route was as a result of the Airbus or other factors.




The 346 is a lot quieter than the 744, however it really isn't that much slower, cruise is .83 against .85 of a 744.

The reason for the strange routing going on right now is the jetstream is moving all over the place, right now it is flowing pretty much north - south till it hits Vegas then it's heading due east. The 'bend' has been moving south for the last week or so.

If you go to THIS and play with the settings you can see what the jetstream has been up to for the last few weeks and how it messed with flights to the west coast.

quote:Originally posted by rod10
The nose of the 747, especially since removal of the IFBT station has the feel of a secluded lounge, known by only a few, that just happens to be racing through the air


D*mn. Now I'll be cross if it changes to an A346[:w]

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
as a single flyer it would not bother me where I sat (except Not upstairs).


HG

May I ask, why not upstairs?

quote:Originally posted by pjh
HG

May I ask, why not upstairs?




I find it too hot upstairs to sleep for my liking (on VA metal - fine in BA Club)

HG

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by pjh
HG

May I ask, why not upstairs?




I find it too hot upstairs to sleep for my liking (on VA metal - fine in BA Club)

HG


Should have been up there the other week - it was freezing! [;)]

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by pjh
HG

May I ask, why not upstairs?




I find it too hot upstairs to sleep for my liking (on VA metal - fine in BA Club)

HG


Should have been up there the other week - it was freezing! [;)]


I think VS are trying to save some money on the heating bill, it was freezing on both our recent flights, most unusual.

Neil, darling, VS knows you dislike the warmth, so they gave you something more appealing. They would have arranged for pervasive gloom if they could have.

GJ

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by pjh
HG

May I ask, why not upstairs?




I find it too hot upstairs to sleep for my liking (on VA metal - fine in BA Club)

HG


Should have been up there the other week - it was freezing! [;)]


I think VS are trying to save some money on the heating bill, it was freezing on both our recent flights, most unusual.


Was that upstairs on a 747 then ?

HG

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy

Was that upstairs on a 747 then ?

HG


No, I was just making a general comment. Usually I find any VS a/c way too hot, yet both our flights it was freezing, even the CC were complaining about how cold it was.

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy

Was that upstairs on a 747 then ?

HG


No, I was just making a general comment. Usually I find any VS a/c way too hot, yet both our flights it was freezing, even the CC were complaining about how cold it was.


I can't think of a more appealing milieu for you, Neil! An entire planeload of complaining people...combined with the clouds out the window you must have felt in heaven. [:p]

GJ