Upper class seat 12A/K or 15A/K on 747-400

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are going on a Virgin Atlantic 747-400 (config 4) flight from LHR TO LAX in a month, we were really lucky and managed to get a cheap upgrade to upper class, so I'm looking for some advice as to what the best 2 upper class seats are so we can make to most of the experience.
At the moment all seats are available, and I'm tied between 12A/12K and 15A/15K. I've heard varying reviews of 12, some saying they're a bit claustrophobic, and some complaining that there's no overhead storage, and you have to walk down the aisle to find a spare locker; however, to me they look like good seats for a couple. Has anyone had any experience with either of these seats, and perhaps could help me decide?

Many thanks!

Joe

[Neil]

Hi and welcome.

When travelling as a couple I am a massive fan of 12A/K. The lack of immediate overhead storage is nothing to worry about and you get a nice little extra bit of seat storage which more than makes up for it - plus it is much easier to communicate with your partner.

If you decided to go further back down the cabin, you would be better doing 2 A or 2 K seats rather than an A&K as the gap gets quite big and you wouldn't be able to talk without moving or shouting.

Cheers! We're only planning on taking a small rucksack each, so I imagine after take off we can keep them somewhere near our seat anyway?

[Neil]

Yes, there is space under the ottoman for a small bag, and then a little shelf over the front of the suite for extra space during the flight.

There is always plenty of overhead locker space, and it just means your bag will be a couple of steps further up the cabin.

I know I'm swimming against the V-Flyer tide here, but we always prefer A&K rather than 2 As or 2Ks. 15A&K is our very much preferred choice - near enough to see each other and share smiles, raise a glass, point to the view if there is one, menu choices, etc. You can't do this if you're both on the same side but I know I'm in a minority here.

Always surprises me that everyone who sits in 12 or 14 always looks utterly amazed and confounded that there are no overhead bins despite all the info about this on any and all seating plan websites.

Yeah, most seating review sites I've visited mention the lack of storage in 12 and 14, however, I didn't see it mentioned on the actual Virgin Atlantic seat allocation system. The lack of storage does bother me to an extent, I don't like the thought of my belongings being where I can't see them!

I wondered whether in 15A & K it'd be difficult to see and talk to each other, from the photos I've looked at it seems to be a significant distance between the seats; it's one of the main reasons why I'm considering 12A & K.
Although I'm yet to fly in upper, I agree that A&K config for couples seems to make more sense.

I also favour the front seats. It's almost like having your own little cabin up there.
If you are not first on just ask the cabin crew to stash your bag.
If you are first on then stick them in the nearest overhead.
Dick D

You can see each other without a problem (well, unless you're both heavily reclined) but I doubt you'd be able to hear each other unless you raised your voices which presumably you wouldn't want.
Maybe it depends how long you've been together - for an old married couple like us, much can be conveyed with a raised eyebrow!

Don't worry about the storage issue. In a crowded economy cabin with 300 other passengers yes, I'd want my belongings close by. But in a quiet Upper Class cabin with only 14 seats it really isn't a problem.

"The lack of storage does bother me to an extent, I don't like the thought of my belongings being where I can't see them!"

Understand your concern, you find some pretty shady characters in the Upper Class Cabin!

[Neil]

The lack of storage does bother me to an extent, I don't like the thought of my belongings being where I can't see them!

You can still daily see the storage bin with your luggage in, it would be about 4/5 feet from your suit to the nearest overhead bin, it really is a non issue,

[honey lamb]

Always surprises me that everyone who sits in 12 or 14 always looks utterly amazed and confounded that there are no overhead bins despite all the info about this on any and all seating plan websites.

Oh, some of the best fun in Zone A is watching people in rows 12 and 14 trying to open non-existent bins over their seats! Well worth leaving the CH early to watch.

The flip side of this is people who are in the seats underneath the bins. I once was asked to change my seat to 12K to accommodate a family and I was happy to do so. I knew there were no overhead bins over row 12 and so I scanned the still-open bins for one into which to move my not-very-large bag. The one above 16K had only one small case and a VS duvet in its bag. I shifted on to the case while I hefted up my equally small case, intending to put the duvet back on top of my case. Quick as a flash, yer man in 16K leapt up and removed my case but before I could protest, the cabin crew intervened and told him that the bins were not seat specific. I really had to laugh because the bin could have taken at least another bag, if not two!