A380 - Upper or lower deck?

joaniemerc

Thanks for all the useful info above.

We're going to California in September and have booked BA flights on the A380. We've selected twin rows in upper deck in row 70-something - I think the first row behind the exit seats.

I'm going to try and bag the exit row seats when they go on sale - my only worry about exit row seats on a long flight is - do you get people standing in front of you to stretch their legs, hang around etc?

That would really irritate me, especially paying £50 each way pp.

zagfles

joaniemerc wrote: »

Thanks for all the useful info above.

We're going to California in September and have booked BA flights on the A380. We've selected twin rows in upper deck in row 70-something - I think the first row behind the exit seats.

I'm going to try and bag the exit row seats when they go on sale - my only worry about exit row seats on a long flight is - do you get people standing in front of you to stretch their legs, hang around etc?

That would really irritate me, especially paying £50 each way pp.

Sometimes, though the A380 has a good area at the back on the lower deck to stretch your legs. You can get down to lower deck in flight, though I assume they close the stairs if there's a bit of turbulence.

malkie76

OP may wish to consider lower deck for IAD. The still use the mobile lounge 'people eaters' for international arrivals. AFAIK they can only reach the lower deck of an A380 meaning you must disembark from the lower deck potentially putting you at the back of 400 passengers into immigration (which is often a few hours at IAD).

Typically the First and business passengers disembark through the front door on the lower deck into their own mobile lounge which leaves before the one or two mobile lounges for plus and economy passengers leave from the middle and rear doors.

[edit]

You enter and leave through the same door in the people eater (ie last on, first off). So, if you want to be near the front of immigration then stand as close to the entrance as possible.

vivatifosi

jackieblack wrote: »

I don't usually manage to sleep on planes either
Unfortunately, flight home is 777, but definitely worth knowing for future trips

Jackie last time I flew BA 777 home from Orlando they had a fantastic audio channel that you could listen to that really does send you to sleep. Managed to sleep for six hours of a seven and a bit hour flight. Definitely worth a shot for anyone who has trouble sleeping on planes.

littlereddevil

I don't like the 380 but I think the 242 is the best option

colinw

I have flew on the 380 3 or 4 times now and agree it is a nice flying experience. First flight I was slightly dissapointed as the view from the window was blocked due to the massive wing. That was just bad planning by me! I have only ever sat downstairs and did not even realise economy was available on the upper deck! I am due on an Emirates one end of next month on the way to Hong Kong. I might check if the upper deck is available. Nice spacious plane to fly on though. Have a good time!

Just checked upper deck on Emirates is restricted to Premium Class...that will explain why I have never been up there.

davetrousers

People are mentioning 777s on this thread, without stating whether it's a 300 or 200. BA's 300ERs are pretty new, I flew to LAX on a BA 777 300ER G-STBF and it was only 4 months old at the time. Some of BA's 777-200 are easily over 10 years old.

Just make sure you know what you're comparing.