Reply to: Airbus A380 Cattle Class

[minestrone]

I am 6 2 and had no problems sitting in the upstairs economy with Singapore a380s.

Flown virgin atlantic 757s a few times since then and found them smaller and more uncomfortable.

[BigRed]

When was that? International players going economy? Must be a while back. The sponsor of one of the sevens teams I used to play for used to fly a couple of south pacific guys over for tournaments in Europe and they insisted on travelling business class otherwise they wouldn't turn up. The modern Scotland players earn a quid or two and besides, I can't imagine Richie Gray would even fit in the whole of economy class, never mind one seat.

It was 11-12 years ago. About 6 of us spent most of the flight in the food prep area helping ourselves to the free drinks for the one leg of the flight.

[Wanderer]

Oh, and if you are going economy avoid British Airways and Qantas - their seats are smaller than average. Singapore/Malaysian/Emirates are much better.

[Wanderer]

What's it like? I've heard that its better to get a seat in the economy section of the upper deck. But if that's where the best seats are it would be logical to expect this to be crowded as well.

I like the upstairs on the A380. Have a look at the seat maps and you will see that there are fewer seats up there with 9 across rather than 10. The cabin is narrower there though and your seat is a little distance from the window so it's not so easy to lean on it. On the plus side, there is a small storage bin between the seat and the window where you can put your stuff which is useful. Having tons of stuff kicking around my seat and on the floor drives me mad.

Upstairs on the 380 is also slightly quieter but there isn't much in it. This is a very quiet aircraft and it makes a big difference on long trips so I'd always go for the 380 over the 777 if I had the choice.

Weighing up whether or not to go business. It's a 13 hour flight.

Simple choice in my book. If someone else is paying then I'm going business. If I'm paying then I'm going economy and I'll spend the money I save on a better hotel, dining and entertainment at my destination.

[Ticktock]

Hopefully not Germanwings: Passengers stuck on lost bus as flight leaves - The Local

Yes... yes it is Germanwings. BA don't seem to fly direct, so not using points this time.

[DirtyDog]

Malaysian & they don't have premium economy unfortunately. It's a hell of a jump up to business from economy.

There's a "tried and tested" review of the A380 business class - Tried and Tested: Malaysia Airlines A380 business class - SeatPlans.com

[darmstadt]

Going to Berlin in a couple of months and we're booked on Lufthansa's budget airline. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least it's cheap and a short flight.

Hopefully not Germanwings: Passengers stuck on lost bus as flight leaves - The Local

[DirtyDog]

I know what you mean. I've done so much travelling paid for by clients over the past few years (so minimum Prem Econ, up to First Class for one client) that I'm a bit spoiled too. Before that I'd always fly myself economy, or on budget airlines.

I went to Madeira a couple of years ago, my first holiday abroad for years. To fly direct the only choice was EasyJet... a bit of a shock to the system!
Luckily I clocked up enough miles to buy Business Class tickets the last couple of times my wife and I went on holiday.
Going to Berlin in a couple of months and we're booked on Lufthansa's budget airline. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least it's cheap and a short flight.

If it's not on points or someone else's bill, I'll go economy. Unless there is a good deal on upgrades on the day - a few years back my wife and I flew back from New York and paid an extra $500 each to upgrade from economy to first class. It was her birthday weekend, and the dollar was nearly $2 to the pound, so seemed a bargain to get a better night's sleep.

Current client will pay for business class flights over five hours, which all of mine would be. Downside is that they are so expensive, I don't get to take them very often.

[Mich the Tester]

My first long haul to Thailand had the Scottish rugby team on board in economy going on a tour of Australia. It was a bit claustophobic.

When was that? International players going economy? Must be a while back. The sponsor of one of the sevens teams I used to play for used to fly a couple of south pacific guys over for tournaments in Europe and they insisted on travelling business class otherwise they wouldn't turn up. The modern Scotland players earn a quid or two and besides, I can't imagine Richie Gray would even fit in the whole of economy class, never mind one seat.

[d000hg]

Very little indeed, looking at those seats.

There are times being a skinny runt* (even one with a bit of a tummy) is useful.


* that's an R Cojak in case you weren't paying attention and are still trigger-happy

[Gittins Gal]

I know what you mean. I've done so much travelling paid for by clients over the past few years (so minimum Prem Econ, up to First Class for one client) that I'm a bit spoiled too. Before that I'd always fly myself economy, or on budget airlines.

I went to Madeira a couple of years ago, my first holiday abroad for years. To fly direct the only choice was EasyJet... a bit of a shock to the system!
Luckily I clocked up enough miles to buy Business Class tickets the last couple of times my wife and I went on holiday.
.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

It's the ones packed with oikish Brits heading for the Costas that you want to avoid. Oddly I took a Vueling flight recently from Alicante to Ibiza and it was practically empty - so budget flights aren't always bad.

[scooterscot]

Being a peasant I'd never experienced anything >economy until last year. For our honeymoon, we flew Virgin Premium Economy to NYC and booked the Virgin Clubhouses at JFK and LHR. It's spoiled me now; what a wonderful way to travel - on the way out the Mrs had her nails done while I did a bit of geeky plane watching and drank lots of beer.

This is how the hook you in. The Mrs & I many moons ago were travelling to India from UAE, economy. At the gate our boarding cards were taken, the seat number crossed out and replace with 2A 2B, we're like, eh? The we're on-board like giggling children unwrapping the presents on Christmas more.

Look (as the economy passengers walked past) I said to the wife, I lift my feet and they touch nothing!!

http://youtu.be/QKGnFaeelOM?t=2m26s

Skip to 2:46

[Ticktock]

Being a peasant I'd never experienced anything >economy until last year. For our honeymoon, we flew Virgin Premium Economy to NYC and booked the Virgin Clubhouses at JFK and LHR. It's spoiled me now; what a wonderful way to travel - on the way out the Mrs had her nails done while I did a bit of geeky plane watching and drank lots of beer.

I know what you mean. I've done so much travelling paid for by clients over the past few years (so minimum Prem Econ, up to First Class for one client) that I'm a bit spoiled too. Before that I'd always fly myself economy, or on budget airlines.

I went to Madeira a couple of years ago, my first holiday abroad for years. To fly direct the only choice was EasyJet... a bit of a shock to the system!
Luckily I clocked up enough miles to buy Business Class tickets the last couple of times my wife and I went on holiday.
Going to Berlin in a couple of months and we're booked on Lufthansa's budget airline. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least it's cheap and a short flight.

[vwdan]

This one time Mrs Scooter & I flew over to NY for the weekend on business for valentines. On the return trip at JFK in the business lounge there was the option to have a facial (you dirty bugger you, the other one). Then there was a knock knock on the door some 20 minutes later, madam your flight is waiting. Unknown to Mrs Scooter and myself the flight has completely boarded and the only reason we were not taxing out was because Mrs was having some treatments applied...

Being a peasant I'd never experienced anything >economy until last year. For our honeymoon, we flew Virgin Premium Economy to NYC and booked the Virgin Clubhouses at JFK and LHR. It's spoiled me now; what a wonderful way to travel - on the way out the Mrs had her nails done while I did a bit of geeky plane watching and drank lots of beer.

[scooterscot]

My first long haul to Thailand had the Scottish rugby team on board in economy going on a tour of Australia. It was a bit frightening.

FTFY