Airbus A340 -UC

I have booked flights to Shanghai in September and I believe we will be flying on an Airbus A340. Any time in the past whaen I have travelled to Asia with BA or SIA it has always been on a 747-400. As this is my first time to go with Virgin UC ont this route I was surprised to see it was an A340 and not a 747-400. Has anybody flown this route and what is this aircraft like to fly on - I love the 747 as it always feels like there is loads of space due to the shear size of the aircraft - also as I am travelling with another person what seats would anybody suggest us book in advance?

Originally posted by porsche911
I have booked flights to Shanghai in September and I believe we will be flying on an Airbus A340. Any time in the past whaen I have travelled to Asia with BA or SIA it has always been on a 747-400. As this is my first time to go with Virgin UC ont this route I was surprised to see it was an A340 and not a 747-400. Has anybody flown this route and what is this aircraft like to fly on - I love the 747 as it always feels like there is loads of space due to the shear size of the aircraft - also as I am travelling with another person what seats would anybody suggest us book in advance?

It seems that the 747s ply the american routes and the 340's the far east most of the time. I have to say, though I'm probably in the minority, I prefer the 340 (except for the upstairs PE cabin on the 747). Hard to say why but I do.

As for seats in upper, personally I go for A10-17 or K2-7 but that's because I like to face the wall rather than another seat. You may differ on that. I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to advise on which seats to choose when travelling with a companion.

Chris

[Bazz]

Have a look at the seat maps.

You basically have a choice of sitting one behind the other or sitting opposate each other. If the former you can choose to face other suites /pax or face the back of a row of suites.

As with other configs, the bar/beauty therapist areas tend to be a bit more busy.

There haven't been that many posts on the A340 UCS because the refit is still fairly new.

Hope this helps a bit?

Has anybody flown on the a340 - what is the cabin like compared with the 747

Originally posted by porsche911
Has anybody flown on the a340 - what is the cabin like compared with the 747

Many times, in Premium and Upper. To my untrained eye, the Upper Class cabin looks essentially the same as on the 747. Look at the seat maps here for an idea of the layout.

Chris

Originally posted by porsche911
Has anybody flown on the a340 - what is the cabin like compared with the 747

Is it a 343 or a 346?
Id its a 346 then yes i have flown in uc on it, after recently flying uc on the 346 and the 343 i rather the 346 even though the cabin isnt quite as wide and its only one long cabin because i think the cabin is brighter and more modern[:I], i would choose any seat between K 2-7 because its away from the bar and you dont face anyone:D

enjoy your trip,
Chris

[Bazz]

Originally posted by cshore
...the Upper Class cabin looks essentially the same as on the 747. Look at the seat maps here for an idea of the layout.

Chris

"Essentially the same" what in that it has the UCS installed? The cabin is completely different in every other respect, from layout to positioning of facilities, I don't quite understand your point Chris?

I think that the A343 is a pretty good layout in UCS as you have the smaller B section which is more intimate complimented by the larger A section which has a more open feel.
Some have compared the A346 to a battery farm...

VS.

Originally posted by Bazz

Originally posted by cshore
...the Upper Class cabin looks essentially the same as on the 747. Look at the seat maps here for an idea of the layout.

Chris

"Essentially the same" what in that it has the UCS installed? The cabin is completely different in every other respect, from layout to positioning of facilities, I don't quite understand your point Chris?

What I mean is that I don't differentiate mentally between these two cabins. As far as I am concerned they are "essentially the same" in terms of what the seats look like, what facilities are available, the service you receive etc. I'm not the sort to get all anorakky aver whether it's better to have the beauty therapist in one place or another or to have toilets in differing positions. All much of a muchness to me, that sort of thing.

Chris