LHR 744's

Hi all...I've just noticed that VS601 and VS602 have been changed from a 346 to a 744. I'm on these flights in June and July. A few questions....

- Which end of the Y cabin is best to sit at? If you use the 2-4-2 at the back few rows do you get your food last or do they start serving from the back first on a 744? Is it best at the back in Y?

- Do any of the LHR 744's have the new Y class seats (i.e. PTV handset in the back of the seat in front, not on the arm rest)? The only pics I can find of 744's on airliners.net have silvery backed seats and I can't see a handset so I presume old seats?

Thank you!

Firstly the closer the the front of the a/c you go it is generally more quieter here although if you do sit at the back try and get those right at the back as you get a bit more leg space as theres only 2 seats instead of the three due to the curving of the a/c I think that the food does come from the back so you would get first choice. (hope for the creamy chicken pasta).
Being at the front of Y cn have its advantages flying to the US as you can get to immigration quicker which can mean a long wait if you are at the back of the plane.

As for the PTVS all 744s have the great v:port but they dont have the new seats with the remote in the seat in front. those seats are only on the newest of the A346 and the chances arent great getting them anyway as i think that only 7 a/c have the new Y seats ( i maybe wrong but its around that)

Hope this info helps

If you're tall like me then you want to consider asking for bulkhead seats at the ticket sales desk before checking in. It'll cost you though. Get them to give you a price for an on-the-day upgrade to PE. You might be tempted to stretch to it, if it's a bargain and not far off the price of the bulkhead seats. I think I was quoted £120 for bulkhead and then £175 for PE upgrade. May be different on the day and will depend on your current class of ticket.

Sit nearer the front for faster getting on and off.

Some might also say that the front of Y is closer to the most structurally-reinforced part of the plane and you are more likely to survive a crash there. [:o)]

Last time I flew Y, I was near the back in the 4 part of 2-4-2. Terrible lack of leg room. No wait actually it was worse... I was in the three seats right behind a 4. So the TV and table wasn't even in alignment. Awkward and uncomfortable for someone who is 6ft1.

Looking forward to your trip report to see where you ended up and what you thought of it.

[honey lamb]

Just to say that last month when coming through JNB ALL the passengers were through Immigration before the luggage started coming through. The aircon was off in the baggage hall because of load-shedding (another way of saying power cuts) in which case you may be better off being at the back of the bus on the way over!

Thank you guys. Much appreciated!

So it looks like food in Y is served from the back then?? I might change our seats to there as I'd like it hot and have a full choice...is the creamy chicken pasta as good as it gets?? [^]

Also, our friends who are picking us up from JNB are not arriving there till about 11am (think the flight arrives at 8:30am) so we are not in too much of a rush to get off the plane and through immigration!

Just on the Y seats - are the new ones more comfy than the old ones??

Hi, just to add my comments, Food is served four point from the back and front of Y and meets in the middle. If you are sat close to the front of Y, you risk being near to the baby bassinet positions so risk having screaming babies next to you!
I would def go for the two seats together at the back 61 to 64 A/C or H/K as you get extra room down by your side and you get served first with everything. Only downside is you're last to get off.
None of the LHR 744s have the new Y seats yet, but they all have V-Port. New seats recline differently, the seat base slides slightly forward as the back reclines so feels like it's going further back, but dont think they're any more comfortable. The tray tables fold in half, so that gives you more room as well, and the entertain ment handset is on the seat-back in front of you so not stuck down by your side. But these seats are only on the 340-600 at the moment.

Just another consideration - turbulence is more noticeable at the back so if you are with anyone unsure of flying, keep forward.

well i think that the creamy chicken is to die for.
And you cant say that too often on airline food.

Definitely go for the 2 seats at the back, if you're lucky and you get the seats in the last row (64 A/C H/K) then you have the added advantage of being able to stand up behind your seat and still watch your screen. So while you're doing your DVT exercises, you can still be entertained.

Originally posted by DarkAuror
Definitely go for the 2 seats at the back, if you're lucky and you get the seats in the last row (64 A/C H/K) then you have the added advantage of being able to stand up behind your seat and still watch your screen. So while you're doing your DVT exercises, you can still be entertained.

DarkAuror - thanks for the insight. As well as having the room to the side of the seats back there in the A/C H/K is there any more actual seat pitch over and above the 31' on the rest of Y - even a couple of inches extra would be a bonus!!

As far I'm aware of, no! (Well, I hadn't noticed anything different! [:)])

Originally posted by Bill S
Just another consideration - turbulence is more noticeable at the back so if you are with anyone unsure of flying, keep forward.

I second that one. I'm a nervous flyer. Love it, but utterly convinced I'll die everytime. I had to be off work the last time I sat near the back. Seriously! I was a nervous wreck. I felt totally exhausted, like I'd been through a trauma. It was just constant bumping and dropping sensations.