Facing the Wall

[honey lamb]

I haven't yet flown in UCS in either the 343 or the 346 although I am due to later on this year. Although I have made seat selections (which I honestly can't remember without looking them up) I am dithering about whether or not I should choose those facing the wall. In the 747s you get to see the other pax, albeit at an angle, and I am wondering if the wall is a little bit claustrophobic? [:0] What are other people's experiences?

[HighFlyer]

Im a fan of the wall personally, always choosing the K side if i can.

My reasons? I like a little privacy, with the wall there you are not directly looking at someone (or their legs) and vice versa. I quite like the little confine i have going on there! You can see the faces of people in the A row, so your not completely cut off, but its nice to lay in your suite and not be looking directly at the people opposite you, and whatever they may be doing!

Also, having the wall side means that the only traffic is from that row, as opposed to being the non wall side where traffic is from both rows. Very handy for night flights as (hopefully) it reduces the number of people going back and forth.

Just my penneth worth ...

Hi HL

My experience on the 343 is that the UCS is a wonderful haven of tranquility and calm.... Unfortunately I can't comment on the wall scenario as by the time I've walked through the cabin and got back to my seat in row 50+ I'm so busy trying to concentrate on how best to fold my legs in some obscure yoga like position for the next 7 to 10 hours that panic has usually started to set in.

Apologies in advance for the 'truly useless' reply but you did ask for other peoples experiences [:w]

Had our first experience of a 346 last Thursday - very nice but needs more loos... If you're travelling alone, I'd go for 'facing the wall'. If not, I think the facing suites are preferable, as you can pull faces at/wave at/converse with your travelling companion opposite.

I have faced the wall - its really not that bad

If sitting you can see all other pax but when fully recumbent you can only see wall.

Unless of course there is sombody mindlessly queing for the loo!!!!

[ChuckC]

Hi Honey Lamb,
Will give you my opinion after flying VS7 next Sunday. Am in 3K. Thanks to Jaguarpig's photography skills, this is the view from that seat, looking over your left shoulder.

Chuck-

Which duo of 343 UCS seats would be considered optimal for waving--or conversing?

RR

[HighFlyer]

Which duo of 343 UCS seats would be considered optimal for waving--or conversing?

YouÕll either have to go one behind the other (so 5K & 6K or 8A & 9A) or across the aisle (4A & 4D)

Any that are one behind the other are fine, and my personal preference. The partition is low enough to be able to have a chat to your partner (albeit whilst having to turn your head back a little) while giving you some privacy. Across the aisle gives you a good view of your partner, but your conversation is a little more audible to the rest of the cabin.

DonÕt forget you can sit at your partners ottoman for dining, as well as for a natter.

Check the seat rating page here for members opinions on the seats and the seat plan for the A343

Originally posted by roadrunner

Which duo of 343 UCS seats would be considered optimal for waving--or conversing?

Not been on a 343, but on the 346 most of the A/D or G/K suites face each other - take a look at the seat map. We were in 8G & K, mainly for the bassinet postion in front of 8G. They're quite decent seats as you have a curtain between 8 & 7 which gives a little added privacy.

[mitchja]

I too prefer sitting across from a wall rather than facing someone of the A346's (not done UCS on an A343 yet but have chosen a seat facing a wall for the VS400 in March)

It's not at all claustrophobic and as Sarah says, does seem to be quieter.

My only minor niggle with A and K seats on any UCS A/C is the metal decompression grill that spans the lenth of the cabin between the seat and the cabin wall. These can be a pain when the UCS is in bed mode. The middle seats in all UCS cabins doesn't have this.

Regards

I've not done UCS in the Airbus yet either (coming up soon tho'!) and have opted for seat 3K facing the wall based on v-flyer experiences/ratings.

One other thing that has not been mentioned here yet is that the middle seats (D & G rows) do not have air vents above the seat (which are there on the windows seats A & K)

[HighFlyer]

My only minor niggle with A and K seats on any UCS A/C is the metal decompression grill that spans the lenth of the cabin between the seat and the cabin wall

James, Richard and I hit on a fab way to make the most of the room in the suite, which also helps avoid this issue. (Id actually forgotten all about this, but I think IÕll try it again on my next flight)

Talk about thinking outside the box É For some unknown reason, we were in our suites but had our heads down the ottoman end, I think we were laying like this so we could still have a chat whilst in bed mode, although we noticed that this new posture was actually very good and I got a lot of sleep that way round.

Firstly, it seemed a hell of a lot cooler, not sure if its because your head is closer to the gangway and the open space (and thus, increased air circulation), but I didnÕt feel as hot as I usually do in the suites. Also, it gives you more foot room, where if you are like me, you spend a lot of time foot/leg fidgeting in order to get comfortable. You also donÕt have that grate in the way of your head, or all the other stuff you shoved by the window earlier on in the flight (Amenity kit, Menu, Carlos, bottle of water etc)

And for me, being of smaller stature, the seatbelt actually went around my waist as opposed to slung around my lower hips whilst in bed mode.

We did get a few looks from the Cabin Crew as I guess we would do, going against the norm, but hey, anything to be different

[mitchja]

Great idea Sarah - you know, I'd never even thought about doing that [:?]

Hmmmm might have to give that a try on my next flight!!!

Regards

[HighFlyer]

James, I know É I hadnÕt thought of it myself before, I guess we all just do the norm! Tell you what, lets do a road test on the VS400?

I take it there are no safety reasons anyone knows of why the alternative position cant/shouldnt be adopted?

Could be on to another award winning tip brought to you by V-Flyer!!!

Maybe its the way I sleep in a suite, but I usually get my feet kicked a couple of times a night when I'm sleeping. I hope your head doesn't overhang the aisle like my feet do...

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by HighFlyer
James, I know É I hadnÕt thought of it myself before, I guess we all just do the norm! Tell you what, lets do a road test on the VS400?

I take it there are no safety reasons anyone knows of why the alternative position cant/shouldnt be adopted?

Could be on to another award winning tip brought to you by V-Flyer!!!

Ahem young lady, who's idea was it?

I actually turned that way so I could tickle your feet [:p]. But yes it was indeed very comfortable.

Thanks,
Richard

Only UCS I ever use on A346s is 17K which I like. I tend to not sleep on flights, so as it's near the bar I know I'm not the only one![8D] For me, sleeping in UCS is a waste of time and I prefer to make the most of my time![:I]

Cheers,
VS045

[preiffer]

No offense intended to you and your good lady, Sarah - (oops, wrong way round ) but the head-to-ottoman doesn't work that well if you're of taller build. Unfortunately, it leads to one or two "bumps in the night" from previous try-outs... [:I]

Prefer to be 'right way up too' - more shoulder room - not necessary if you have little sloping shoulders I suppose:).

facing the wall is best IMHO honey - 2K is good as you also get a nice big shelf to you right. Great for all your nick-nacks, polos {not}, book, handbag......

the wall wins hands down every time

had the pleasure of the wall or other passengers...

definately the wall does it every time for me

love it

Sorry, but the topic made me think of being stood in the corner for being naughty!;)

I am going to JNB in April and have 4&5K reserved, and is currently showing a 346. After reading these posts I fancy 2&3K(It saves fellow passengers the horror of looking at me)!!!!

However the VSS 'manage my bookings'shows there to be NO WC by 2K and the V-Flyer 346 seat plan shows there to be a WC NEXT to 2K.

Could someone please verify what is the correct configuration as I do not wish to spend 22 hours next to a khazi !!!

Many thanks

Mark.

Originally posted by marko
However the VSS 'manage my bookings'shows there to be NO WC by 2K and the V-Flyer 346 seat plan shows there to be a WC NEXT to 2K.

It's been mentioned before that there are 2 A346 configs - don't know if that's still the case or not, but see this thread and this thread...

Cheers

Michael