UC seat recommendations?

Having flown to MCO this year in PE we thought it was going downhill a bit, so for 2008 we've pushed the boat out for UC. We're off to MCO again but want to make sure we get our seat choice just right. It's just my wife an I travelling so we were thinking about 6a & 6k. My wife isn't a brilliant flyer so likes the reassurance of me being close. Are we better off choosing the very front row, or better off sitting both on the same side 8a & 9a for example?

Are there any downsides to row 6?

Originally posted by eeef
Having flown to MCO this year in PE we thought it was going downhill a bit, so for 2008 we've pushed the boat out for UC. We're off to MCO again but want to make sure we get our seat choice just right. It's just my wife an I travelling so we were thinking about 6a & 6k. My wife isn't a brilliant flyer so likes the reassurance of me being close. Are we better off choosing the very front row, or better off sitting both on the same side 8a & 9a for example?

Are there any downsides to row 6?

Well it sounds like you have done your research and you are spot on - with 6A/K being opposite you will b e able to see each other, but its a bit of a shout to talk - with 7/8 or 8/9 you wont have direct face to face contact but you will be able to talk easily. But whatever you choose you wont be "next" to each other as the suite doesnt facilitate this.

Personally I found the 6 seats a little claustrophobic as there is a bulkhead in front of them and you get no "view" of the cabin - so I choose 7/8 A or K so that you can be next to each other but also have a better feel of the environment! I guess if you are coming back and want to sleep then 6 would be fine.

Maybe the best option is to opt for 7/8 or 8/9 on the way out and 6 on the way back - then you can let us all know in a TR what you thought?

Are all of the UC seats available for prebooking online? Or are any held back as part of the 40%?

Presume it's still 11mths prior to departure?

[mitchja]

The only UCS seats that are blocked on the LGW/MAN B744's are rows 11 and 12.

Regards

I can recommend the UC seats in row 8 & 9 on a LGW/MAN B744. Both rows have plenty of space in front of you (obviously, more on row 9) but are well away from the bar, which could generate noise (if anyone actually uses it).

In UC you are paying for space & IMO you would not get the feeling of as much space in 6A/K. The ottoman footrests for these two seats prectically touch each other & the bulkhead at the front of the cabin is close by. By going a couple of rows back, you cannot touch the feet of the person in the opposite seat & you get a bit of space in front of you.

If you want to be able to maintain eye contact with your wife during the flight, then 6A/K probably is the best choice. If you keep your seats fairly upright, then you should be able to peer over the divider between two seats on the same side, i.e. 8A/9A and talk.

Originally posted by Kraken
but are well away from the bar, which could generate noise (if anyone actually uses it).

...be rude not to!! [:w]

I'd go for 6A/K, especially if your wife would prefer to feel closer - in my opinion it's much easier to feel cut off if you're sitting "next" to each other.

VS.

The one thing to remember about 6a/6k is there is no overhead storage there, so you might want to be first onboard to ensure enough stowage space.

Storage space anywhere in UC can be a bit of a problem with no bins above the centre seats so boarding early is a bonus whenever if you have a lot of hand luggage.

VS.

Originally posted by VS045
Storage space anywhere in UC can be a bit of a problem with no bins above the centre seats so boarding early is a bonus whenever if you have a lot of hand luggage.

VS.

Eef is flying on a LGW/MAN 747 so no centre seats at all - but the point is still valid if you are in rows 6 or 7 as the overhead bins do start just above row 7! The crew will take care of you and store anything you cannot find a place for.

Eef is flying on a LGW/MAN 747 so no centre seats at all

oh, I seem to have overlooked that[:I]

VS.

If you normally board with anything of value in your cabin bags (jewelry, cash, other items of personal value) I strongly urge you not to choose 6A or K. Your bags will be elsewhere due to the lack of overheads, and even if they are locked, you will not have line-of-sight to the compartment.

When I travel with someone, we use 8K-9k if they're available, and swap sitting on either ottoman when we're not asleep. 8A-8K is also good, but one of you will need to get up to have a meaningful conversation without letting the rest of A zone listen in. 7K-8K or 7A-8A is not as good if you are taking on a maximum-size cabin bag, as the bins over 7 are usually full of stuff from the 6s.

If you stuff everything into the hold, pay my suggestions no mind! But the earlier warning about the 6s being a bit claustrophobic in comparison to the rest of the cabin is accurate, IMHO. Sat there only once, and once was enough!

6 A & K are my favourite seats for the LGW flights. They are closest together without anyone else walking past.
Last time I checked in I was told I had the most requested seats on the aircraft