A380 - Upper or lower deck?

jackieblack

Booked some flights last night for self & DH, appears outgoing is on an A380. Never flown on one before.
We've selected seats on the upper deck in a pair by the window as seating on upper deck is 2-4-2 and 3-4-3 on lower.
Have since seen comments from people saying upper deck is a bit claustrophobic, lower deck is more spacious and less busy :think:, but if we went for the lower deck we'd probably pick an aisle seat and the seat next to it from the middle block and wouldn't want to sit with a stranger trapped by the window. (We will be in WT/economy)

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has flown on an A380
Thanks

LondonDreamer

I'm assuming it's a BA flight since you mentioned WT. I haven't flown the BA version yet (due to next year though) but have flown on A380s on other airlines many times since it was released. It's a beautiful plane, always my first choice when it's available on my route.

I wouldn't call the upper deck claustrophobic. It's smaller than downstairs but as the plane itself is huge, it's a similar size to normal airbuses. You get more in-seat storage on the window seats on upper due to the curve of the wall as well. About a third of the WT seats are upstairs but from my experience on other flights, the upstairs deck does tend to fill up first. So if it's not a full flight, you may find it's a bit busier upstairs than down. But normally, it should be quieter as the cabins are smaller - particularly the section in the tail which is only 4 rows.

If you do switch to downstairs, I recommend getting a pair in the middle block as you're thinking. One of you will be sitting next to someone (assuming your row is full) but they'll exit out of the other aisle so don't really get in the way.

Enjoy your flight.

jackieblack

Thanks, yes it is BA (LHR-IAD)
Happy to hear that the upper deck isn't too claustrophobic (although neither of us suffer), my last couple of flights have been on Easyjet (EDI-STN), so hoping upper deck would be a little more spacious than the 3-3 configuration on a A319!
This will be our first holiday as just a couple again since our honeymoon 23 years ago (DD off to Uni in Sept) so thought it would be nice to have a pair of seats to ourselves.

ibizafan_2

After doing quite a bit of research we have booked upper deck 380 seats on Singapore Airlines when we go to Oz in September. Unfortunately, we could only get them on the Sydney to Singapore return leg, but I think it will be well worth it from what the reviews are saying.

richardw

I sat in 36A on the lower deck. The wall curves outwards which gives a feeling of 'down below' which I didn't like at all. Upper deck for me.

LondonDreamer

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks, yes it is BA (LHR-IAD)
Happy to hear that the upper deck isn't too claustrophobic (although neither of us suffer), my last couple of flights have been on Easyjet (EDI-STN), so hoping upper deck would be a little more spacious than the 3-3 configuration on a A319!
This will be our first holiday as just a couple again since our honeymoon 23 years ago (DD off to Uni in Sept) so thought it would be nice to have a pair of seats to ourselves.

Aww, the A319 looks like a little baby plane next to the A380...


From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cambridgeflyer/6595128499

It does depend on the fitout, but an A380 has a maximum upper deck width of 5.8m. The A319 is only 3.7m. So it's over 2m wider, more than enough room for an extra aisle and seat over the 3-3 config.

Bennifred

Oh the A380 is a fabulous aircraft, ime! So much quieter than others and the atmosphere seems less stuffy as well. I always choose the A380 if it is available on the route I'm flying, I don't think the upper deck is at all claustraphopic - I think you'll love it!

Yinster

I flew last year from Heathrow to Hong Kong and can't say it was that claustrophobic in the upper deck. The first thing you notice is boarding when there are three gateways to go instead of just two. And you don't actually go up any stairs but instead the ramp from airside. The stairs on the plane are out of bound for the public. Except of course in emergencies.

It is pretty quick to board considering you have almost double the amount of people if it is full but I guess it helps with the three doors.

As with any flights it just depends if it is a full flight or not whether you have additional space.

We sat in upper deck both times and loved it. Perhaps cos the plane is so new but it was just clean and felt spacious in economy than the older planes. Also if you are in a 2 4 2 formation as in the top section you have additional storage space to the side of you. That was where I store my pillow, jacket and also ipad.

jackieblack

Thanks everyone
I'm feeling much more confident in our decision now
So exciting! I can't wait!

jackieblack

LondonDreamer wrote: »

Aww, the A319 looks like a little baby plane next to the A380...


From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cambridgeflyer/6595128499

It does depend on the fitout, but an A380 has a maximum upper deck width of 5.8m. The A319 is only 3.7m. So it's over 2m wider, more than enough room for an extra aisle and seat over the 3-3 config.

Aww, how cute!
That definitely puts it into perspective!
Thank you

jtr2803

I absolutely LOVED the A380, flew to Kuala Lumpur and back on one in Jan. Did Upper deck on way out and lower on the way back. Im fairness, I didn't think there was much of a difference, upper felt more intimate and easier to get service etc but I'd happily fly in either deck as long as I was on that plane! Loved the seats, actually managed to sleep for the first time ever, I don't normally get excited about an aircraft, seeing it only as a means to an end but I was thrilled when I realised our flight back from Dubai in June is one one