Iwan2go

Hi all,

We're taking a flight LAX-CDG, and I see that seats in the upper deck, row 89, are available, two seats aisle and window, which I really like. The other choice is to get row 31, aisle and middle, on the lower deck.

We've never flown on the top level, though some comments I've seen say it's quieter. My concern is that we have a tight connection at CDG (on to Prague) - is it faster to disembark from the top level than the main level? As far as I can count...there would be 134 people in front of us on the upper deck, and about 190 on the lower deck. But I don't have any experience with how they disembark.

Thanks very much for any advice.

JaneB

I flew with Singapore airlines on their A380 and I was amazed at how quickly the loading and unloading took place. We were on the upper deck in coach class. Disembarkation was from the front and the back of plane.

Iwan2go

Thank you - that's what I was wondering! If they use both front and back exit, I'm set in a seat towards the back on the upper deck.

Anyone else?

Patty

AFAIK only 1 jetway is connected to the upper level and it's located at the front in business class. To disembark from the back, you'd have to go downstairs and disembark from the jetway connected to the front of economy.

JaneB

We have a stairway in the back of the plane as well as the front of the plane so departure was possible from front and back. But I am sure that the different airlines have different configurations.

Patty

On AF there's also a back stairway but that means walking through economy class downstairs because there's no jetway connected to the back of the lower level either.

simpsonc510

I watched a 380 (I can't recall which airline) at HKG airport. There were 3 jetways, two of them downstairs and one upstairs. I'm not sure if this is the standard procedure at all airports when it comes to the 380s.

Patty

The jetway configurations I've seen were either 2 (one up/one down) or 3 (one up/two down) but always connected to the forward part of the aircraft. That said, I have no specific knowledge of what SQ does.

rkkwan

I don't know how long the connection is, but I question how much it will really help by getting off the plane a little earlier. Say the chances of missing the connection are 5% and 7%, will you take the inferior seats? Or if the chances are 20% and 25% respectively?

I don't know the answer, but that's how I would consider about the situation.

Personally, missing the connection is just a chance. Having the inferior seats lower deck is a certainty. I'd take my chance and sit upper deck.

Iwan2go

Thanks everyone, especially rkkwan who put it in a nutshell. Upstairs it is! I did check again on seat guru and noted that row 89 has a limited recline, so I put us in row 91 instead. Row 90 looks even better, with more leg room at a cost of $94.00. Went to ask my husband if it's worth it, but he's asleep....the debate must have worn him out.

I appreciate your input, all!

JaneB

Just be happy you have the "upstairs" option for coach. We are flying LUFTHANSA A380 in March and all of the coach seats are downstairs (and in groups of 3) and only first and business is upstairs.