747-400 UC upper deck

Can someone remind me of the reasoning against sitting on the upper deck of a 747 in UC?

I normally sit downstairs at the pointy end in 15A/K if alone, or 12A/K as a couple.

I have sat upstairs before, but I really can't remember what it was like, which makes me think it was neither great nor abysmal.

If in Economy, I love sitting upstairs though!

Its the snooze zone so I don't think it gets a high level of service?

Having to walk up and down the stairs to the bar is reason alone

Late off the plane so could have a wait in immigration

[mitchja]

Narrower seats and smaller over-head lockers compared to the main deck as well.

Blimey! All good stuff, thanks!

Is there a reason for sitting upstairs!?

[mitchja]

No, not for me. Given the option, I'd never sit in J on the upper deck.

Thanks, mitchja.

I remember thinking the alleged 'snooze zone' was really not that much quieter than the 'non-snooze zone' downstairs.

No doubt Blacky will tell me that's because the 'snooze zone' is further away from the snooze-inducing nature of what's on offer at the bar...

I believe the seats are also 6 inches shorter...due to the curvature. Kinda like the UCDS middle seats, though it's not advertised, or even admittted to. Haha.

Still, though, even at 6ft length it's still better than UCDS. I'm 5'9" and I had to squeeze into the pointy corner lest I lose a toe in the aisle!

The snooze zone only applies to overnight eastbound flights I believe and when it's not like this, the upper deck can see decent service as there is a dedicated UC team for very few seats as compared to down below.

However, the aforementioned issued would lead me to not try it again. Despite it being cool to see the flight deck.

I'd have gone up there when it was all-UC but now economy seats are at the rear of the bubble, no way unless no other option exists.

You'll be delayed getting off, and the generally higher level of hubbub, lighting and slower service speed in the economy section might be of irritation esp if on a shorter night sector.

Wow, I think that's 100% against sitting upstairs!

All extremely good points, thanks again.

Wow, I think that's 100% against sitting upstairs!

All extremely good points, thanks again.

Back to your normal seat by the looks of it NYLON

Back to your normal seat by the looks of it NYLON

[Click! NYLON picks 15k]

Back to your normal seat by the looks of it NYLON

[Click! NYLON picks 15k]

Make sure you stick your head up there just to confirm you made the right choice ,then run back down the stairs to your still warm bar stool

Back to your normal seat by the looks of it NYLON

[Click! NYLON picks 15k]

Make sure you stick your head up there just to confirm you made the right choice ,then run back down the stairs to your still warm bar stool

"Excuse me, do you mind if I take a look at Upper Class upstairs? I just want to be certain it's not quite as good as UC downstairs, you see."

"Yes, of course. Would you like some champagne for your recce?"

Lol ,that's what I'd say ! Nothing like rubbing it in a bit

[honey lamb]

NYLON, just to re-enforce what the others have said, I can remember my acute disappointment in flying in UC in the bubble on a revenue flight. I should preface this by saying, that I had flown PE several times to JNB on the 343s and on our first trip to the USA in 2001 we were booked in PE to fly to EWR on a 747 in the bubble in the days when the split was UC/PE. On board, Aer John's seat was inoperable and we received an onboard upgrade to UC downstairs in the B zone. Of course we loved it and hankered after flying in UC thereafter.

Fast forward to 2003 and our flight to SFO. By that time we had flown on several occasions in PE to EWR and IAD in the bubble but still hankered after UC. However an unexpected windfall plus a fare sale made the flight to SFO in UC affordable and full of excitement I booked it. Bear in mind that this was when internet booking was in its infancy whereby the cheaper fare buckets were not shown and seat maps and selection were not available and booking with travel agents was the norm. We booked and asked for seats to be selected and were allocated 3A and C (these were pre-suite days even though VS had announced the introduction of them on the SFO route. We were gutted to learn that the aircraft had not yet been re-configured).

On the day of travel we took our flight from Cork to LHR, enjoyed the (old) Clubhouse and, although disappointed by the non-existent suites, looked forward to renewing our experience in UC, especially as, having paid for it, we felt entitled to all the perks. We hadn't really felt the same because of the upgrade. Imagine our upset and disappointment when we were directed upstairs! We had so looked forward to turning left but it was not to be! We were directed upstairs. I protested and that's when I learned that we were upstairs. It really wasn't special because have flown in PE in that cabin and what made it worse was, not only that we had to wait for PE to disembark but also that there was an elderly lady in that cabin who quite frankly should not have been there as she had mobility issues and could not manage the stairs!

We had 3A/C allocated for our return flight but on arrival in SFO went straight to a VS desk and changed them. Never again!!

Thanks HL!

Well, in my relatively short time on v-flyer, this thread might be the only one I've seen which has 100% agreement in responses to a query.

So far, anyway...

I remember when I flew to SFO in PE on the upper deck in 2001 (the CC doing the meals offered 'vegetarian coq au van' until put right by her mother who was sat next to me!) that on the website you had to check a box that you were mobile enough to get up and down the stairs when selecting a seat. I think it was also all PE upstairs too.

That was my one and only time upstairs but my first in PE. It was alright but nothing to make me fight to go upstairs again.

On a 747 it will always be the A-zone for me.

On a 747 it will always be the A-zone for me.

Will nobody stick up for the poor old UC 747 upper deck?

What a sad day...

[honey lamb]

On a 747 it will always be the A-zone for me.

Will nobody stick up for the poor old UC 747 upper deck?

What a sad day...

No! And why should we? Give me one good reason.

Jayz, even those in PE on the LGW configs complain about the presence of Economy in the bubble.

Jayz, even those in PE on the LGW configs complain about the presence of Economy in the bubble.

lol, HL!

Jayz, even those in PE on the LGW configs complain about the presence of Economy in the bubble.

lol, HL!

HL hath spake

Blessed be the words of the HL

I almost went for upstairs for my forthcoming trip to SFO, just for the hell of it before the 747's leave the fleet, so I could say I had done it.

Commonsense then prevailed and I booked our favourites 16A & 17A for going out and on the other side for coming back purely because I remember how nice the A zone is and I can't remember anyone on here ever singing the praises of upstairs - so i'll never know but hey am I bothered - nope not really - stick to what you know.

If you book BA club world then I think the upper deck would come into the equation!