Seating choice

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trig42

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#232030 26-Mar-2018 14:48

Hi,

The wife, a friend and I are travelling AKL-DXB-CDG in May (Economy).

I am looking at reserving seats on the outbound leg AKL-DXB (and maybe Dubai to Paris as well).

I was thinking about booking us the into three seats in the middle row (of four) and hoping no-one is put in the other one. Or, just booking three on the side. My wife cannot stand being hemmed in, and will need an Aisle seat. I'm not too worried, but would rather not have to disturb (or be disturbed) others climbing over two people to get to the bathroom. I'm a big guy, 6'3", my wife is small, and our friend doesn't take much room either.

What do you think?

PeterReader

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#1983509 26-Mar-2018 14:48

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Linux

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#1983512 26-Mar-2018 14:52

Upstairs for sure but who are you flying with? I came back upstairs economy on Qantas from LHR - DXB - AKL and was great flight

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trig42

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#1983517 26-Mar-2018 14:54

I don't think I can get upstairs - poor.

Flying Emirates.

gmball

568 posts

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#1983539 26-Mar-2018 15:09

trig42:
I don't think I can get upstairs - poor.

Flying Emirates.

Try www.seatguru.com has specific details and benefits of each seat on each Airline and aircraft type. Very handy to check before pre allocating seats.

Oblivian

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#1983549 26-Mar-2018 15:12

AVgeeks do a lot of the leg work (in scary detail) sometimes for this sort of stuff

Down to the seat mapping and layout by registration/series, with recommended seats in each class :D

Looks like most the ones in AKL are EOx and sometimes EEx, Both tri-class ultra long range with cabin rests. But a few variations of it

http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=587925#p9064949

To verify the correct version of the A380 at the time of booking or at online checking, the follow rows may be used as reference: Economy begins at row 41 on the main deck and ends at row 8

https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Emirates_Airlines/Emirates_Airlines_Airbus_A380_B.php

The good news is, a few saying no clambering as the economy is more than roomy enough there...

Edit and while composing someone beat me :D

amiga500

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#1983566 26-Mar-2018 15:42

I think I'd go for the 3 seats on one side down towards the back. Then your family has complete control over the 3 seats. If you go for the 3 seats in the middle there's always the chance that you get someone annoying in some way next to you! If the flight has a lot of empty seats (unlikely!) you may be able to move around a bit & return to your allocated seat for landing?

I've flown Qantas A380 to London and back via Dubai & chose a left hand aisle seat in the 70's just up from the galley. I was amazingly lucky not to have anyone in the middle seat for all of those long haul sectors. Paying Qantas for seat selection was totally worth it. I think choosing a seat down the back & choosing it early increases your chance of no-one occupying the middle seat of three.

I get restless very easily & being able to stand up and walk about every couple of hours was a godsend. If you do go upstairs in the small economy area (if Emirates has that) be aware that some people have reported that this area gets quite cold sometimes. Even downstairs I found the Qantas A380 a bit cold on the way to Dubai from Sydney & was glad I had a second thin jersey to put on. Funnily enough, on the next sector to London the cabin temp. was just right. And on the way back the temperature was fine on both sectors.

Oblivian

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#1983575 26-Mar-2018 15:55

Actually looking deeper into the individual airframes, it's hit and miss if its the 540 seat cattle wagon or the no-you-can't-go-upstairs-commoner business units sent over. So there goes that theory. It'll have to be made on your individual booking selection knowing which of the class combinations they are sending that day.

Time for a test book using seatgurus tips on class selection to find the seat size and best rated

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kendog

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#1983771 26-Mar-2018 19:52

We flew Emirates to Paris and back in A380s in 2016. I chose them because I wanted to try the A380.

After looking at Seatguru we selected the back row (50) of the front section of the plan, where first class normally would be.
It was awesome!!!

There are only 8-10 rows in the front section, so it’s quieter. It’s in front of the engines so it’s quieter. There is no one behind you kicking your chair. There is no one behind you so you can recline whenever you want, even during meals. It was not too close to toilets or the galley (my fear before we boarded)

It was so good, I have booked exactly the same seats for our trip this June, only difference being we are flying via Auckland on their A380 instead of last time where we went from Wellington to Australia then connected on the A380 to Dubai.

Tinkerisk

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#1983910 27-Mar-2018 03:24

trig42:

What do you think?

Take 3 seats in a row with an emergency exit floor on one of the two side rows @ approx. 2/3 of the fuselage, regardless of upper or lower deck.

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DaveB

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#1984220 27-Mar-2018 12:06

trig42:

Hi,

The wife, a friend and I are travelling AKL-DXB-CDG in May (Economy).

I am looking at reserving seats on the outbound leg AKL-DXB (and maybe Dubai to Paris as well).

What do you think?

Not sure if your ticket allows for free seat reservation, but I have always used the Emirates App as it shows the current seat selections and availability. You can do this online through emirates.com also. I have done this in the past and at that time was flying economy. I noticed the flight was only half full and monitored it for a few weeks. I then reserved the middle seat of a window row a few days before scheduled departure. Luckily, the flight remained lightly loaded and I ended up with a row to myself. Slept comfortably for 8 hours!

Not quite as comfortable as upstairs though

kendog

325 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1984451 27-Mar-2018 18:13

DaveB:
trig42:

Hi,

The wife, a friend and I are travelling AKL-DXB-CDG in May (Economy).

I am looking at reserving seats on the outbound leg AKL-DXB (and maybe Dubai to Paris as well).

What do you think?

Not sure if your ticket allows for free seat reservation, but I have always used the Emirates App as it shows the current seat selections and availability. You can do this online through emirates.com also. I have done this in the past and at that time was flying economy. I noticed the flight was only half full and monitored it for a few weeks. I then reserved the middle seat of a window row a few days before scheduled departure. Luckily, the flight remained lightly loaded and I ended up with a row to myself. Slept comfortably for 8 hours!

Not quite as comfortable as upstairs though

It used to be free, now they charge unless you wait to reserve the seats in the last week or two before the flight (not sure exactly how long before the flight it becomes free)

DaveB

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#1984714 28-Mar-2018 09:20

kendog:
It used to be free, now they charge unless you wait to reserve the seats in the last week or two before the flight (not sure exactly how long before the flight it becomes free)

OK let's try and clear up the confusion here:-

Direct from the horses mouth so to speak https://www.emirates.com/english/help/faq/3524731/do-i-have-to-pay-to-choose-my-seat-on-emirates-flights

If you’re travelling in Economy Class on a Flex Plus fare, you can select a regular or a preferred seat (except on A380 upper deck) through Manage a Booking at no extra charge, from the moment you purchase your ticket.

If you’re travelling in Economy Class on a Flex fare, you can select Regular seats through Manage a Booking at no extra charge, from the moment you purchase your ticket. You can also pay to select a Preferred, Twin or an Extra Legroom seat

If you're travelling in Economy Class on a Special or Saver fare, there is a charge for seat selection. You can use the Seat Selection tool available through Manage a Booking to select, view the cost, and pay for your chosen seat.

Alternatively, you can also wait until online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight, and then select a seat of your choice for free. Please be aware that the ability to choose and reserve seats of your choice may be limited at this point. If you don’t pre-select a seat, we will allocate you one before your flight.

EDIT: Added 48 hours before flight