A380- QF12 Economy First Impressions

[Chris_Leo]

Hi all,

Thought I'd share a couple of first impressions re: economy class on the A380 QF12 flight (2nd I believe from LAX-SYD).

* Way too many people at the gate at LAX, resulting in substantial delays. I guess the hideous weather did not help!

* The LAX OW First Lounge was a joke...there was literally nowhere to sit!!!

* LAX sucks - even moreso with renovations currently in progress (the trek to the A380 gate requires walking through some pretty ghetto corridors!)

* The A380 is massive, and pictures really don't do it any justice. This bird has to be seen to be believed! Very impressive!

* Economy cabin appears to be larger than usual, however seating configuration is the same. Seated at front of aircraft near couple with child. Overhead baggage compartments still overcrowded, despite significantly larger bins. I wonder if this is because people are bringing more onboard, with the expectation that a larger plane will support more carry-on baggage.

* On board entertainment is awesome! Touch screen software worked like a charm - highly responsive and intuitive. Will be difficult to revert back to the previous generation software. Picture quality is excellent, as is the tilt capacity compared to previous generation. The amount of entertainment options is unparalleled, with practically whole seasons of TV shows available, as opposed to the 3 or 4 select episodes on the previous software.

* The road to take-off was lengthy, but once we were on our way, it was very fast. The noise on take-off has noticeably reduced, and lift-off was seamless (i.e. I didn't even notice we had lifted off the ground until I looked out the window).

* Economy seat is kind of weird, but in a good way. The whole seat slides/tilts forward which allows you to slide your feet under the seat in front of you (assuming you have not stowed baggage in front of you). This actually turned out to be a pleasant surprise, as I was able to stretch out in a flat position while sleeping (which I never thought possible in economy). The seat in front of you still enters your personal space, however, I'm happy to report that due to the new slide/tilt mechanism, this is nowhere near as intrusive as before.

* Cabin crew were excellent on this flight. You can tell that everyone was excited to be serving on the A380.

* Cabin food/beverage service remains unchanged.

* Did not venture down the back of the plane for the self-service snack area. Seemed like a huge hike for minimal benefit.

* Restrooms are brighter/cleaner.

Conclusion - the A380 economy product is a significant leap forward from the existing economy product. LAX still sucks!

[markh]

Great summary, can't wait to fly on the new bird !

[serfty]

Cheers, I'm booked on QF94 Nov 3, departing in ~6 hours.

(Waiting in the T4 F/lounge before wandering over to TBIT in an hour or so)

[serfty]

I had a good look at this last night and in my guesstimate order I think as follows. (Here's the seatmap)

Best Exit row seats (If you can get them):

1. 66A/66K - wall exit seat, no one to disturb you and 5-10cm of room between seat and wall.
2. 79B/79J - Inner exit pair with plenty of space in front; no A/K seats,
3. 66C/66H - Just like 46C/H-58C/H on QF 744's,
4. 66B/66J - Inner exit seats - can be laterally squeezy,
5. 66D/66E/66F/66G - designated exit seat - Bulkhead but much more room than at 50A/B/C or 51H/J/K - Non Bassinet position &
6. 79C/79H.

(With 79C/H many people bump the legs of a sleeping occupant as they walk through the curtains on the way down to the WHY "Bar".)

Other Seats:

1. Definitely 80A/K (No exit row A seat in front, privacy +) - these are not blocked so will go early ,
2. 71D - no 70D seat in front.
3. 70E - less likely to be bumped by aisle traffic - may have two screens to play with.

Note that all exit/bulkhead seats have PTVs stored under arm rests and need to be stowed for landing - can't watch tail-cam on take off.

The fuselage structure is such that it continues to curve outward up from the floor - perhaps 8cm between armrest and wall - double that at shoulders. So there's plenty of elbow/shoulder room at the windows.

[serfty]

• Interesting point about the Toilets; there are 8 for the 332 WHY seats:
  • 4 in the area between Zone B & C
  • 4 at the rear of the aircraft, behind zone D
  At one stage there was a queue of around 10 people wait for on of the toilets in front of my seat (66C). I went down to the back to check out the bar to find the 4 toilets down the back empty with no queue.
  
  It seems many of the 250 or so zone A and B PAX only see the front toilets, leaving the 4 at the back for the 80 odd zone D punters.

• Boarding at TBIT began 10:15pm, an hour before scheduled departure.
  
  I was seated by 10:30pm - boarding seemed complete by 11pm, however, push back was not until 11:30 with Midnight take-off.

• The overhead lockers are set back from the aisle more than 330s/744's and you have to reach over seated passengers to get up to them and their contents.

[Chris_Leo]

hmmm, i wonder if the delayed takeoff is something we will have to put up with for the medium term. at first i thought it was a combination of just getting everyone on board (logistically) and bad weather at LAX (raining), but if this happened in Melbourne...who knows what to think!

How did Melbourne handle such a large plane? Which gate did they use?

[serfty]

Departure was from LAX.

Arrival into MEL was to gate 9; it is one of the two gates that have dual multi level airbridges for VLA's (such as the A388).

[Chris_Leo]

aggghhh

i just checked my seat allocation for an upcoming A380 flight to SYD from LAX, and i've been allocated the seat in front of the empty space i.e. 69D. Not sure what to expect. It will be nice to not have to feel guilty about reclining during the flight, but I still have the passenger in front of me to contend with.

Did you see the 80A and 80K seats? Is it possible to squeeze out of those seats without disrupting your neighbours? (i.e. squeeze in front where the exit door is, and go around the 2 seats in front to gain aisle access)?

[serfty]

I checked that; it should be possible - you may have to step over the life raft cowling so as not to disturb the 79B/J passenger. The good news is there is a solid verticle handhold beside the exit door to assist.

[Alanslegal]

Hmmm...... some seats have IS stamped on them. Since I won't be travelling with any children needing baby seats special belts, I assume I may be kicked out of this IS seat should a parent need it, would this be correct?