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View Full Version : What's upstairs on a BA 747-400?


Laarbruch72
2nd Jan 2009, 22:32
I'm off to Vancouver tommorrow out of Heathrow on a BA 747-400. Being a lowly paid servant of HM forces, we could only afford economy. I checked in tonight and got a pair of seats down the back near to the exit... I'm happy enough with that to be honest.
Thing is, a relative (BA employee) has said he can maybe try and get us an upgrade, and he keeps going on about the possibility of being "upstairs" (i.e. the upper deck). What on earth is on the upper deck on a 747? Is it basically the next level up (Is it world traveller or club traveller or something?) or are they all just in front of economy?
I know it's not the really good stuff, as that's in the front of the main deck!

What are the chances of a BA employee getting to upgrade his brother in law?

As I say, I'm perfectly happy with my seats and I'm looking forward to my first BA flight in many years, so don't see it as me being on the scrounge! He offered, I'm not that bothered. I just wondered. :)

PS: What are the seats down the back like? (row 52)

student88
2nd Jan 2009, 22:38
I believe it's the business class product. A friend of mine who works for BA managed to get my sister upgraded to business class on her flight home from Brazil, she said she sat upstairs. I think it depends on how much notice the captain of the flight gets/ is prepared to upgrade pax/availability in that class.

Good luck! :ok:

newbagr
2nd Jan 2009, 22:41
Upstairs on a 747, you can find a quieter club world (business class) cabin with only 20 flat beds and 2 crew serving you. Its the same service really but it IS really nice up there:-) I hope you do get a nice seat and enjoy your holidays:-)

Human Factor
2nd Jan 2009, 23:08
Unless you're paying (or ideally, someone else is paying) for the extremely expensive seats near the nose on the main deck, the best seats by far are on the upper deck in Club. They are usually the first ones to go as it's almost as if you're in your own private jet. Hope you make it up there, you won't be disappointed.

jghill
3rd Jan 2009, 05:51
One tip, from someone who enjoys the upper deck - if landing at airports known for slow immigration (for example, MIA), then make damn sure you bolt down the stairs as soon as the seatbelt signs are off.

Technically, FIRST should be allowed off, then Club World (what you are if you're on the upper deck), then World Traveller Plus, then World Traveller (Economy).

In reality, what usually happens if the layout downstairs is First, WT+, CW, WT, is that First and WT+ manage to get off and into the immigration queue before you've had a chance to pick your stuff from the overhead lockers. It's important that you get to the foot of the stairs as soon as is possible.

Howard Hughes
3rd Jan 2009, 08:53
The Captains wallet!:}

Seat62K
3rd Jan 2009, 09:04
What's upstairs? Seat 62K, that's what!

manintheback
3rd Jan 2009, 22:36
If its been through the full refurb its got a small spa at the back, rather nice bar where you can chat to the pilots and large screen tv with comfy sofas.

Hartington
4th Jan 2009, 11:10
*Officially* upgrades should, I believe, only be one cabin. This means, in your case, World Traveller to World Traveller Plus. I wouldn't sniff at that.

"Upstairs" is Club World, and very nice it is too. The word "Club" does actually have some meaning if you can get seated here. There are Club World seats on the main deck and they are equally comfortable but somehow, upstairs is just so much more intimate. That makes it all sound like something out of this world. Remember, you are on an aircraft!

If you do get the upgrade enjoy it.

Seat62K
5th Jan 2009, 07:20
Does anyone remember flying on BA's 747-136/236s with Club on the upper deck? Because the upper deck wasn't "stretched" this felt even more like flying on an executive jet. The "cradle" seats weren't bad, either.

Hotel Mode
5th Jan 2009, 08:41
This means, in your case, World Traveller to World Traveller Plus.

WTP doesnt count as a class in the ICAO rules, so WT to club is only a single class upgrade.

13 please
5th Jan 2009, 17:47
Hi Hotel Mode,

We're told that WT to WT+ is counted as an upgrade.

raffele
5th Jan 2009, 19:19
I have an uncle who works at BA and he has got me upgraded before, only to World Traveller Plus though. I've also been upgraded at check in (a sort of apology/minor compensation for a late running flight causing a missed connection in London), again to WTP. There were a couple free seats in Club World on both occasions so I'm guessing that BA only permit 1 class upgrade (ignoring ICAO rules on cabin classes).

When my uncle got me upgraded, he wrote a letter to the CSD for the flight and it was handed to her with the other paperwork for the flight. When the flight was fully boarded and the doors shut one of the crew came to find me and moved me. Just after take off the CSD came over to me, introduced herself and wished me a pleasant flight.

Best of luck for your upgrade and fingers crossed for that upper deck upgrade!

midnight_aviator
5th Jan 2009, 21:26
World traveller plus! Bah!!!

The only way to travel is First, or Club Class as a minimum. I don't do peasant class!:=

silverelise
6th Jan 2009, 11:45
What on earth is on the upper deck on a 747?
There be dragons! :eek: (old leathery ones with badges that say "Purser") ;)

Rush2112
7th Jan 2009, 04:41
When I first moved to Jakarta, BA flew 033/034 LHR - KUL - CGK return, and I used them a few times for home leaves.

The upper deck of the 744s then (95-96) had a swimming pool, nightclub and a casino, which they had to close when flying over Saudi airspace as their Shariah Laws forbade gambling.

The flooring was blue shagpile carpet, while the walls and ceilings were in an off-white shagpile as well, I assumed at the time this helped with the sound insulation.

Clothing was optional for us SLF, and there was a minimum alcohol intake of 3 bottles of Krug (or equivalent). Happy days.

CR2
7th Jan 2009, 06:43
Its noisier upstairs at the back due to airflow coming off the "hump"... :zzz:

silverelise
7th Jan 2009, 07:01
But there aren't any seats aft of the stairs in the hump?

It's the "raid the larder" pod and the galley (there may be a loo there too, can't remember since I switched to Virgin from BA long ago)

aviatordom
7th Jan 2009, 17:15
I've yet to experience the luxury of travelling on anything above economy:sad:

Still been upstairs on a BA 747 though. As i've mentioned millions of times before, i was invited to visit the flight-deck after landing at Heathrow.

Forget first-class, the jumpseat is where i want to be on a flight!;)

strake
8th Jan 2009, 03:50
Seat62k

Yes, I do remember the smaller BA 747 Upper deck. Used to fly quite regularly to Dulles on them in the early nineties. Cradle seats, an extensive menu printed on nice cards, a washbag that was worth keeping and a nice cozy environment but not the coffins that we now have to reside in.

To contrast and slightly off topic, I've just flown into MSP on Northwest for the first time. They go out of T4 which, after all the BA years seems strange and somehow "wrong".

The business service on Northwest? "Whaddya want? Fish or meat....?"

"Sigh"

apaddyinuk
9th Jan 2009, 18:07
There be dragons! (old leathery ones with badges that say "Purser")

Been a while since youve been upstairs I take it? No Pursers up there anymore, generally just two junior crew....and I must admit, the service is a lot more consistent and easy going as a result!

Seat62K
9th Jan 2009, 22:07
Lack of consistency has been my experience of Club World. At its best it's absolutely superb; on other occasions it's been a case of being missed out when drinks are served (the window seat problem), the meal service not being cleared away, or too many PA announcements after departure on "short" Sleeper flights from eastern US and Canadian cities when those of us who have already dined want to sleep.
Having said that, though, seats 62A and 62K are, in my opinion, the best in the sky!

apaddyinuk
10th Jan 2009, 18:54
Coundnt agree more with you 62K...On pretty much all you have said in that last post!

Brakes on
10th Jan 2009, 20:21
Laarbruch,
A very good source for seat layouts is Airline Seating Charts, Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru (http://www.seatguru.com) (seatguru.com). It shows arrangements for lots of airlines. One problem is that some airlines have different layouts for the same aircraft type (BA for example have two for the 747-400), but at least you get an idea what they are offering.
Brakes

tezzer
11th Jan 2009, 20:23
It was me that was upstairs, AMS - MEX. Plane was fairly empty, a sign of the times, perhaps ?

Not sure about the new KLM menu though, all very alternative !

raffele
11th Jan 2009, 23:44
Not strictly talking about BA 747's... :8

tezzer
12th Jan 2009, 01:27
Well no, I was talking about what's upstairs on the 747-Combi I was on yesterday. Wish my luggage had been with me, but I am told it made today's flight so should be with me this evening. Do they have manana in Mexico ?

silverelise
12th Jan 2009, 12:19
Been a while since youve been upstairs I take it? No Pursers up there anymore, generally just two junior crew....and I must admit, the service is a lot more consistent and easy going as a result!
Yep :ok:

I only use Virgin Upper now. Not used BA for ages, due to the aforementioned dragons/quality of service.

dscartwright
14th Jan 2009, 13:04
I get a chance to travel Club World once a year with BA, and I always choose upstairs on the B744 (four of us travel together and we always specify upstairs at the time of booking to avoid disappointment).

Frankly, even though someone else is paying the bill, I'm not all that bothered about First Class - with Club you get excellent service from top-class staff, and a lie-flat bed that even my 6'2" frame can get reasonably comfortable with. I've been bumped up to First with American Airlines in the past and it was nice, but not all that much nicer than the AA Business Class I usually used.

I'd quite like to try Virgin Upper Class sometime; looks pretty cool, but I've only ever managed Premium Economy.

mmurray
6th Feb 2009, 11:57
I once got on at Sydney and discovered my seat wouldn't stay completely upright. The QF flight was full of course so when I got back on after the stop at Singapore I got put up in the top for the trip to Heathrow. Very nice. You sleep so when you arrive your body clock is still out of sync but you aren't tired. Unfortunately it made all subsequent economy long hauls a little more tiresome.

Michael

beamender99
17th Feb 2009, 22:08
The only way to travel is First, or Club Class as a minimum. I don't do peasant class!:=


BA First class is the only place I know of where a gentleman can have a pee while watching the world pass by 35,000 ft below.

Before any adverse comments appear , BA loos have a little outside window in at least one of the loos.

R04stb33f
19th Feb 2009, 09:03
The upper deck of the 744s then (95-96) had a swimming pool,I assume that this is a joke....:O

PAXboy
19th Feb 2009, 10:15
Not at all R04stb33f. The feature that I liked was that, when the a/c banked and the pool overflowed, that it went down the special chute that curled around the spiral staircase. It made the most beautiful waterfall. The water then flowed into a small special locker, where it was pumped back upstairs.

R04stb33f
20th Feb 2009, 22:07
:eek: I am utterly astonished...

Ten West
20th Feb 2009, 22:36
Swimming pools upstairs?? Of course it's a joke! :rolleyes:

Everyone knows that all there is upstairs in a 747 is the loft with the Christmas decorations and the pilot's collection of Airfix kits. :ok:

PAXboy
20th Feb 2009, 23:25
is the loft with the Christmas decorations and the pilot's collection of Airfix kits. :sad: But, but [sniff] you mean that [gulp] the water down the stairs was only the overflow from the cold water storage tank??? :{

R04stb33f
21st Feb 2009, 16:01
ok, you rotters... I even googled for a good 5 minutes trying to find evidence of this.:rolleyes::D

nice one :O

MrWomble
21st Feb 2009, 17:35
Through a romantic relationship at the time I was "invited" by the CSD to move from WTP to First on a 744, a totally overrated service but it was worth it to see the looks on the other passengers face when I sat down in First!

backseatjock
21st Feb 2009, 20:39
Silverelise - you did the right thing switching to VS, as I have whenever I can.

Upper deck on BA still rocks when compared to the rather cramped downstairs cabins but no point in venturing anywhere these days to 'raid the larder' as there is usually precious little to raid, especially on return sectors.

As for today's 'washbags' well, in that respect it really doesn't matter where you sit whether you are on VS or BA, because they are equally poor. At least VS still have the sleeper suits though :)

backseatjock
21st Feb 2009, 20:41
62K - spot on, with all that you say. If ever 62A/K are not available though, 64A ain't that bad. What's your pref on a 777 though - 15?

Final 3 Greens
21st Feb 2009, 20:57
Having said that, though, seats 62A and 62K are, in my opinion, the best in the sky!

Sorry mate, 2A or K are better on the 744.

Seat62K
26th Feb 2009, 08:44
I've tried 2K but disagee with you, primarily because I like looking out of the window and although with 2K you have a choice of three windows the angle of the seat makes the view less good. My favourite upper deck seats seem more private.
The toilet window in First makes using it on the ground (if you're a man!) somewhat disconcerting!
As for Club World on 777s, in comparison with the 747 I don't like it at all. Same number of seats across in (I think) a less wide cabin.

b737800capt06
26th Feb 2009, 10:33
Have a look around at what the other airlines are doing, such a Virgin Atlantic etc

Yay!!!
26th Feb 2009, 16:38
I like the singapore airlines one

cheechm
26th Feb 2009, 17:53
There is almost more space on upper deck BA.. The seats are the same size but there are only 4 a breast...

(When I say more space I mean the seats are more spaced out)

ian16th
27th Feb 2009, 16:06
I'm coming in a bit late on this one.

In the mid 80's I used to fly quite regularly between JHB and various entry points of the USA at company expense. One day at LHR I picked up a BAA magazine that had an article about the the ratio of toilets to Pax.

The best ratio was Upper Deck on BA-747's, though you did have to share with the staff. This area was no-smoking business class. I seem to remember about 16 seats and 1 cabin attendant.

This became my favorite way to travel from then on.

Now I'm retired and pay for my own tickets, its Cattle Class :bored:

maxpaxfax
1st Mar 2009, 08:19
In the ealy 2000s, I was commuting regularly between London and KL, mostly on MAS 747s. For a time, they designated the last row on the Upper Deack as smoking seats at a time when most other airlines had a complete ban. 12C was my seat of choice as I recall.

Shortly after take off, it was always amusing to watch the consternation slowly spread through the cabin as I settled back with a stiff drink and a movie and sparked up the first fag of a 12 hour flight. Happy days. As a gold card holder I would even decline upgrades to First so that I could enjoy this filthy pleasure.

MPF