Seat Choices in a 747 Business Class

[shunter2005]

Planning a trip to Italy for early 2024. In all these many years, I have never had the opportunity to fly in a 747 (always wanted to) and since they are almost obsolete, I would like to finally take trip in one. Found one airline still flying them. Going to fly business class, so for those who have flown business class on a 747, should I pick seats on the main deck or the upper deck? Looking for the best experience for a one time shot. One of my early bucket list to-do's. TIA.

 

[dspracing]

No help for you there but I'm certainly jealous!

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Reportedly Joe Sutter, who was the manager of the 747 design team, would sit in the 1st or 2nd row in the main cabin. Those used to be the best seats in the house.

 

[RitcheyRch]

I prefer the upper deck. Look at seatguru.com for airplane seating arrangements.

Airline Seat Maps, Flights shopping and Flight information- Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru

The ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities, flights shopping and airline information.

seatguru.com

 

[Markus]

It depends on what you are after: the upper cabin is less spacious, but it is more secluded: no Economy and Premium Economy passengers around. Also, with the A380 no longer being built, the opportunity for traveling on 'the second floor' is rapidly disappearing.

A 787 or A380 would most likely be a better travel experience. The newer planes are quieter, and a 747 is unlikely to have the airline's most up-to-date business class offering.

 

[Done-it-again]

@shunter2005 what @RitcheyRch said. The 747’s upper deck for business class is the best. I prefer it over the A380. Lufthansa I believe still flys 747’s.

 

[Markus]

Lufthansa I believe still flys 747’s.

Correct.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

It depends on what you are after: the upper cabin is less spacious, but it is more secluded: no Economy and Premium Economy passengers around. Also, with the A380 no longer being built, the opportunity for traveling on 'the second floor' is rapidly disappearing.

A 787 or A380 would most likely be a better travel experience. The newer planes are quieter, and a 747 is unlikely to have the airline's most up-to-date business class offering.

Flying in a 787 or Airbus kind of defeats the purpose of traveling on a 747 once before they are retired.

 

[Markus]

Flying in a 787 or Airbus kind of defeats the purpose of traveling on a 747 once before they are retired.

Indeed. But since the original poster is not an experienced traveller, he may still find the information to be of use.

When flying BA to the West Coast, before they retired their 747s during COVID, I always hoped that I would not end up in one...

 

[RitcheyRch]

Lufthansa currently has 19, 787-8 airplanes and 8, 747-400 airplanes.

 

[Done-it-again]

Lufthansa currently has 19, 787-8 airplanes and 8, 747-400 airplanes.

Lufthansa planes are usually up to date with seating and amenities. In general most of the European airlines are far superior than our domestic airlines.

 

[shunter2005]

Indeed. But since the original poster is not an experienced traveller, he may still find the information to be of use.

When flying BA to the West Coast, before they retired their 747s during COVID, I always hoped that I would not end up in one...

It's not that I'm an inexperienced traveler, I have just never taken a long haul flight where I could have ever flown in one. This will be my first time to ever go to Europe. I don't give two cents about going to England or France (except to go to Normandy one day). I just think the 747 is a great aircraft and I would like to experience flying in one before they are all gone. Going to fly Lufthansa, so a 747 over and maybe an Airbus 330 or 340 back.

In the big scheme of things, it probably doesn't matter as most of the flights leave in the afternoon and fly most of the night. I was just thinking the upper deck would be a pretty cool place to sit and sleep. Also, like the seclusion aspect of the upper deck.

 

[HBCraig]

Upper would be best IMO
I have flown that. But like what others have said the A380-800 business is legit, like really legit. Real silverware, real salt and pepper shakers, etc. It's awesome

 

[JL95]

This is also a bucket list item for me. Never lucky enough to get on one.

 

[cofooter]

Upper deck, seems less busy and better service IMO. Always my choice on long hauls to Asia.

 

[Singleton]

Upper deck. Less people walking by you. Easier to sleep, only a few people using the restroom.

 

[steamin rice]

I haven't flown business in a 747, I would think that the upper deck would be preferred just because it is unique to that plane. I was able to go business to Europe last year on a 787, and it was great.

 

[Racey]

It's not that I'm an inexperienced traveler, I have just never taken a long haul flight where I could have ever flown in one. This will be my first time to ever go to Europe. I don't give two cents about going to England or France (except to go to Normandy one day). I just think the 747 is a great aircraft and I would like to experience flying in one before they are all gone. Going to fly Lufthansa, so a 747 over and maybe an Airbus 330 or 340 back.

In the big scheme of things, it probably doesn't matter as most of the flights leave in the afternoon and fly most of the night. I was just thinking the upper deck would be a pretty cool place to sit and sleep. Also, like the seclusion aspect of the upper deck.

The overnight flights are great because in upper classes you will get an EXCELLENT meal, wine, liqour, etc. Watch a movie and comfortably fall asleep, then wake up for a great breakfast.

The last few times to New Zealand on ANZ i had excellent experiences. One time a leg was ANZ partnered with United, so a united plane, not even remotely close in quality or service to that of ANZ.

I flew on a 747 to NZ a few times when i was a child, these were the day when the headphones were tubes that plugged into the armrest, and each bulkhead was a theater screen, no individual screens. They played Mr. Bean in between movies, still have vivid memories of that.

Last times were all 777s which is a great plane, and very quiet when you are in front of the engines.

 

[HCP3]

The front lower-level seat would be my choice. You can see forward through the windows.

Skip to 3:58.

 

[shunter2005]

The overnight flights are great because in upper classes you will get an EXCELLENT meal, wine, liqour, etc. Watch a movie and comfortably fall asleep, then wake up for a great breakfast.

The last few times to New Zealand on ANZ i had excellent experiences. One time a leg was ANZ partnered with United, so a united plane, not even remotely close in quality or service to that of ANZ.

I flew on a 747 to NZ a few times when i was a child, these were the day when the headphones were tubes that plugged into the armrest, and each bulkhead was a theater screen, no individual screens. They played Mr. Bean in between movies, still have vivid memories of that.

Last times were all 777s which is a great plane, and very quiet when you are in front of the engines.

Agree. We flew on a 777 to Hawaii a few years back and it was a wreck. Flew first class for the first time in my life. Our seats were roomy enough, but the foot/leg rest wouldn't work. However, the Hawaiian Airline flight attendants kept bringing those damn Mai Tai's so I didn't really care. Flew back on an Airbus 340. Man, what a plane that was. Head and shoulders above the 777.

 

[Loo Dog]

Leaving for Italy today, biz class but on a triple 7. I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

[Done-it-again]

Lufthansa first class is top notch and so is the first class lounge. Not sure the plane, but it was on the smaller side.

A380 business. Sometimes it can take forever to load a A380.

 

[SBMech]

I remember flying in a 747 on Continental when I had just turned 18, had a bar in the upstairs where you could hang out, smoke and drink...fucking epic!

I think a year or 2 after that they banned smoking and deregulation happened, all the lounges/bars turned into seats....

How lucky were we to have still experienced a tiny fraction of the awesomeness of America in it's Prime!?!? Before nanny-bots killed all the fun in the world!

 

[Racey]

Agree. We flew on a 777 to Hawaii a few years back and it was a wreck. Flew first class for the first time in my life. Our seats were roomy enough, but the foot/leg rest wouldn't work. However, the Hawaiian Airline flight attendants kept bringing those damn Mai Tai's so I didn't really care. Flew back on an Airbus 340. Man, what a plane that was. Head and shoulders above the 777.

Definitely depends on the airline as each of them have their own specs on the seat type and layout. Some are awesome, some aren't so much.

That seat guru site is really good as based on your flight number it will know the exact plane you are flying not just the type, but the actual tail number. So you can see first hand exactly what you are in store for with pictures and layouts.

 

[Racey]

The front lower-level seat would be my choice. You can see forward through the windows.

Skip to 3:58.

That would make my decision for me right there, That is a view you will never get any other way. Not even the A380 as the entire forward section is cockpit and crew area.

 

[2Driver]

But like what others have said the A380-800 business is legit, like really legit. Real silverware, real salt and pepper shakers, etc. It's awesome

We flew to Palau and they had fake salt and pepper shakers. I told my wife, never again!

 

[sirbob]

Usually the front row seats are saved for the pilots on break - after trying downstairs and up, I preferred upstairs. It’s quieter, less people coming and going and you can always walk downstairs for a change of pace .

 

[Done-it-again]

The front lower-level seat would be my choice. You can see forward through the windows.

Skip to 3:58.

Usually the nose on the 747 is for First Class.

 

[havasujeeper]

We use to fly 747's to Hawaii quite a bit, and one thing for sure, the worst spot was towards the lower back. Those floors and wings flexed so much, I would get sea sick on the 5 hour flight.

 

[Markus]

Lufthansa planes are usually up to date with seating and amenities. In general most of the European airlines are far superior than our domestic airlines.

Actually, the international business class products of American and United have been really good for several years.

They have made a lot of money on their domestic oligopoly, and they have spent some of that money on their international business class products.

 

[Markus]

It's not that I'm an inexperienced traveler, I have just never taken a long haul flight where I could have ever flown in one. This will be my first time to ever go to Europe.

That is what I what I would consider an inexperienced traveler.

 

[Done-it-again]

Actually, the international business class products of American and United have been really good for several years.

They have made a lot of money on their domestic oligopoly, and they have spent some of that money on their international business class products.

Perhaps international, but flying domestically they don't compare. I 100% refuse to fly United and 80% refuse to fly American.

 

[Markus]

Perhaps international, but flying domestically they don't compare. I 100% refuse to fly United and 80% refuse to fly American.

Completely agree.

American First Class from SFO and LAX to JFK is very nice. The rest of the domestic network is pretty grim.

United domestic is to be avoided. I remember my first domestic First Class flight on United many years ago. Ouch what a disappointment.

 

[boatpi]

I’ve been to Italy twice in the last 14 months, business class both times, I’m blessed in life that’s the only way we fly other than flights of three hours or less.


Forget the 747 it’s gonna be a big air bus or 777 maybe. What airport are you departing from? If you’re on the West Coast, the best deal I ever found was with a spin off from Lufthansa leaving nonstop from Las Vegas to Frankfurt

and then any city in Italy after that. The lounge is Frankfurt is one of the nicest long does it ever been to. Open bar the food is 9 to 10 star gourmet. Depends on what portion of the airport you’re at some of the lounge is even have showers.

The seats are pretty good. The food is excellent and of course the bar never closes. Entertainment is outstanding, but all of this in is never as good as Singapore airlines go into Asia but then again, you get what you pay for it. The Asian airlines are over the top. And nowadays to Asia, you could pay $7000 round-trip.

An example on cost in a time of year where is considerably. I booked through Lufthansa, but the airline is called. EV discovery. Same airline, same flight attendant same pointing configuration and dates an LAX departure. This summer was $5400 round-trip into Rome returning at the Venice exact same days and almost the flight times with a little layover in the Frankfurt…. is $3450 out of Las Vegas!!
I found a few other airlines going into Germany, or that part of Europe, including Swiss air last year pretty comparable to Lufthansa. Aside from the lounge in Frankfurt was definitely a step above.

I would not recommend go on the cheap route going through London. The airport is insanity.

 

[RaceTec]

Go upper deck, probably never get a chance to again... Kind of a cool experience!

 

[ChumpChange]

I remember flying in a 747 on Continental when I had just turned 18, had a bar in the upstairs where you could hang out, smoke and drink...fucking epic!

I think a year or 2 after that they banned smoking and deregulation happened, all the lounges/bars turned into seats....

How lucky were we to have still experienced a tiny fraction of the awesomeness of America in it's Prime!?!? Before nanny-bots killed all the fun in the world!

Old coworker of mine was a flight attendant for Pan Am back in the day. He had some cool stories of flying.

 

[Racey]

Perhaps international, but flying domestically they don't compare. I 100% refuse to fly United and 80% refuse to fly American.

United are cunts, i made that mistake one time going to NZ from SFO because of dates. I'm in Premium Econ against the bulkhead to first class, after they finished serving us dinner about an hour or two later they haven't come by and we all had a bunch of paper and plastic trash left over from after dinner. So i gather up all the garbage from me and the two neighboring seats and walk back towards econ thinking there is a mid galley like ANZ, nope, keep going, single galley at the tail of the plane. So i have all this trash and I politely walk into the galley where 3 or 4 stewardesses are having a personal pow wow laughing and whatnot. I politely ask "excuse me ma'am, is there somewhere i can throw this away?" And this bitch turns to me and is like "Go back to your seat and we'll come get it later"..... I'm like WTF bitch, i'm tired of kicking this shit around on the floor..... I'm not taking it all the way back, It's like 11-12 at night, we are all ready to pass out and there is fucking garbage everywhere.

And one of the other stewardesses comes back from the other side of the plane on my way out of the galley and catches the tail end and rolls her eyes at the other one and flips open the trash door for me...

On ANZ when the Steward brings me my dinner he asks if i would like a drink for after dinner. "Yes sir a bourbon would be great", This guy brings me a stemless wine glass like half full of Buffalo Trace, I'm talkin like 3-4 shots of Bourbon, this thing is huge. I'm sipping it getting tipsy as fuck watching a movie and pass out. I wake up and my tray is put away, all the trash is cleaned up, seat is fully reclined, leg rest out,l i have a pillow under my head, and this mofo tucked me in with a blanket. That is service.

 

[boatpi]

Most flights to Europe are not American Airlines, but they code share. Don’t get stuck on Turkish Air.

 

[Willie B]

… Being offered up a trip for myself, my neighbor and her boyfriend… Via private charter jet… he is penciling together, the financial aspect of this… we would each be given a daily spending allowance and our of own private rooms…for first stop Vegas… neighbor girls choice anywhere there after… he said first what we all need to do is everybody needs to either get passports or renew them… as he is expecting to go worldwide… I told him why don’t we just keep it in the States so those of us that do not give jack about passports don’t have to deal with it …meaning me… he concurred… He had never thought of that…
…But when he got to the part about wardrobe… The vibe I got was he wanted to dress us like mannikins… had to tell him. Ol hippie era guy is of the mind set…freak freely and wear whatever the fuck you want…
… Neighbor girl said, make sure you tell him that she will need a new outfit for every occasion… his response… Not a problem…
… Is this ever going to happen… Of course not ., I think he’s just finding great pleasure in organizing the finances… which he said he never had to do before. He always paid somebody to do it..,in his own Lear Jet… mega millionaire status days…???,,,

 

[Loo Dog]

Swiss Air 777-300ER, LAX to Zurich, then on to Italy. Will report on service later. Tuscany here we come!

 

[Markus]

Most flights to Europe are not American Airlines, but they code share. Don’t get stuck on Turkish Air.

Turkish Airlines is usually very good. When things go wrong, they are horribly bureaucratic, though.

Even in their business class within Europe, they have a cook who makes freshly squeezed orange juice for the business class passengers.

Their lounge at Istanbul Airport is fabulous.

Their rates to from the United States Europe via Istanbul at least used to be very competitive, as you add a few hours of travel time by flying south east to Istanbul and then back north east to wherever you want to go again.

 

[boatpi]

Just a sidenote, here for those up plan on traveling abroad make sure your passport does not expire within six months
Some foreign countries cannot allow you in.

 

[Loo Dog]

Well…take Swiss Air off your list. Horrible food, and worse service from the smug, rude bitch serving our side in biz class. Not enough whiskey on board??? Fail.

 

[Loo Dog]

@shunter2005 I would look into SAS and connect thru Copenhagen, that’s what I’m going to try next time. They had really good pricing if you look well in advance, but I put the “pro” in procrastination! ITA also flies the only non-stop LAX to Rome route I know of, but it’s $$$.

 

[Markus]

SAS has a good Business Class from SFO to CPH, but you would connect to your final destination on the European premium economy product which is so-so.

SAS stopped flying 747s a long, long time ago. I was on the last ever 747 flight when I was in middle school...

 

[DLow]

Perhaps international, but flying domestically they don't compare. I 100% refuse to fly United and 80% refuse to fly American.

Who do you prefer domestic?

 

[Done-it-again]

Who do you prefer domestic?

I fly Delta as you have to stick with one to get the best returns with status. I feel Delta is the best out of 3 carriers (American,United,Delta). Continental was the best, remember going on business trips with my father

I would fly Alaskan but they don’t fly to places in need to go.

 

[Cobalt232]

We took the United 747's to Hawaii a couple of times when I was a kid. We didn't sit upstairs but snuck up there to take a look. Pretty cool.

 

[GRANT@FUNCO]

Anytime you have an opportunity to fly business on one of the GULF AIRLINES (Eimirates , Ethiad or Qatar ) you should experience it. Qatar airways is amazing.

 

[shunter2005]

@shunter2005 I would look into SAS and connect thru Copenhagen, that’s what I’m going to try next time. They had really good pricing if you look well in advance, but I put the “pro” in procrastination! ITA also flies the only non-stop LAX to Rome route I know of, but it’s $$$.

I would be flying out of Houston, but Lufthansa also flies out of Dallas and Austin and both could work for me. I can't fly from here on a 747, only New York/Frankfurt. So, I have to go to New York JFK and then to Frankfurt for a 747. Kind of a PITA, but I could live with it. Maybe I can find a return flight with a 747. As long as I get one ride on the big bird, I'll be happy. Still trying to nail down the dates to go. Got to figure the best time to go without the huge crowds if I can.