Need advice selecting seats, United 747, economy class

[Duchan]

We'd appreciate some seat selection advice.



My wife and I are flying SFO-SYD and return on United, economy class on a 747. The flights are on 8-Sep and 22-Oct so as of now there are plenty of choices available to us.



Most rows in economy class are configured 3-4-3. However, there are three rows in the rear where the plane narrows (rows 59-61) that are configured 2-4-2. The window and aisle in these rows seem very appealing. We're wondering if there is any reason why we should not pick them. (I might note that seatguru.com likes the window seat in these rows because there is room on the side to store small pieces of luggage.)



Our alternative will be to get two aisles, side by side.



To forestall some responses, there are a couple of alternatives that we've already ruled out.



One is to get a window-aisle in a 3-4-3 row, hoping that the middle seat will stay empty. We don't want to take that chance even if the 3rd passenger switches with one of us.



A second possibility is to try to get an upgrade. I think this is most unlikely. Our tickets are from a consolidator at 2/3 the regular price. Also, we are infrequent flyers. The last time we flew United was over a year ago so I doubt we would have much chance at an upgrade.



Many thanks for any suggestions you have.

[jfrenaye]

I know that plane! UGH. Guru is correct about the extra luggage space, but you also have the lavatories near there and it tends to be a place to congregate when people are walking around.



On that length of glight, I would make sure you have a moveable armrest for additional comfort so that eliminates the bulkheads.



What I might suggest are the front economy cabin two aisle configuration like row 33 or 34. Second choice for me would be toward the front of the rear economy section like row 53, 54, 55 in the same configuration. You will get a few rows back from an infant if there are any.



123 456X X90 (Where X is your seats. You can slide your legs to the aisle when the trolleys are not going back and forth.



As for the upgrade, most condolidator fares are not upgradeable and unless you are a very FF I would not count on it. However, you can check with your travel agent before you leave to see how crowded Economy PLus or Business looks and (as far as capacity) and you might try at the check in counter--you never know.



By the way, the seats att eh back of the plane are typically reserved for internet booked reservations.

[Eileen Sellers]

In a row of 4...you could book 1 aisle and 1 center...the opposite aisle will get taken but the seat in between the aisle and center will probably remain empty. And if it did fill, it probably wouldn't be a big deal for that person to move over ..they are still in the center.

[DCTravelAgent]

I usually do the aisle/window in a 3 across and I have also resorted to Eileen's suggestion about the center 4 across.



Both almost always work. In fact, the only time it has not worked was when I did above suggested in the center 4 for myself and my husband! We were going to London from JFK and some guy chose to sit between us thinking my husband would give up the aisle. He was kind of nasty about it when I suggested he switch with me in the middle. Unfortunately I was not at my best and we kept the seats as they were and traded the aisle halfway through climbing over this guy all the way. Unfortunately for him, he figured he'd wait me out and then I was figuring I'd wait for him to give up as we kept climbing over him. We were both being a$$holes! :lol:

[jfrenaye]

DC--



At the risk of offending all of the UA fliers out here, they are without a doubt the most arrogant rude fliers anywhere. It is unusual if I find a nice United frequent flier.



I was going to Sacramento from BWI and my girlfriend and I were in fist but we could not sit together--last minute reservation--so with 12 seats in first, I asked the owman sitting on the aisle next to her (3c) to switch with me (1d). An aisle for an aisle. She looked at me like I had asked her to give birth to my kid. She spat some venom about how she is a muckety muck and how she always sits in 3C and she would never give it up. OK *****--onto my seatmate--asking him to give up a window for a window. Apparently I diod not realize he was also a muckety muck and alsways sits in 1E and there was no way he was mkoving closer to "that coach cabin".



Well, with nothing to do, we carried on our conversation over their heads, made frequent trips to the lavatory at the most innoportune times--you know laptops out, meals being served, or just dozing off. We even joked about seeing if the FAs could get us a plate of beans (you get the drift) to see if we could force the situation. (BTW the FAs thought it was a great idea)



Another time--also on a UA flight to the Caribbean, same situation with a honeymoon couple going TO the honeymoon. The FA asked if someone could switch so the honeymooners could sit together and no one that would have made a difference would. I offered but I was alone and my seatmate was refusing to move!





OK I know way off topic and sort of a rant, but...



I feel better now

[agentplus]

:( Aisle seats in a 747 are NOT directly across the aisle from each other, but they still are the best bet unless you get aisle and next to aisle in the middle section. Then at least you are crawling over each other and not over strangers.

[June Hall]

Personally I'd take the 2 aisles in the same row middle section in the back section of the aircraft. Because last time I flew this route, all passengers in the back section ended up with an entire row to ourselves. In the other coach sections it was one passenger per seat, every seat filled. Loved seeing their jaws drop when they came back to use the lavs. We were all stretched out with pillows and blankets...