Settling into the large, soft and roomy First Class seat, I start playing with the in-seat buttons – footrest up, seat recline – hoping for a flute of champagne to be presented to me in the First Class cabin on board this Qantas Boeing 747-400 – Alas, I am not flying anywhere today and its now someone else’s turn to test out the seat, but that’s ok, I’m inspecting the whole aircraft and will have a look at the seats in each of the 4 classes 🙂

Qantas operates a total of fifteen 747 jumbos, nine 747-400’s and six 747-400ER’s. This particular aircraft, registered as VH-OJM and named  The City of Gosford, delivered to Qantas in September 1991, is one of only two 4-class aircraft sporting Rolls Royce engines.

When I first boarded the aircraft, I was met by a beaming Sarah wearing the stylish new Qantas uniform. Unveiled in May, the uniform becomes standard across the company mid December.

Although looking a little tired, the First Class Cabin of the aircraft features 14 lie flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. With a seat pitch of 79″ / 200.7cms and seat width of 22″ / 55.9cms the seats feel roomy and discreet and come with an adjustable reading light, 10.4″ TV screen, over sized tray table and an ottoman to relax and stretch out or entertain a guest during the flight.

Next I move into Business Class on the main deck which features 28 lie flat angle ‘Skybeds’ in a 2-3-2 configuration with a generous seat pitch of 60″ / 152.4cms and seat width of 21.5″ / 54.6cms. Although closed at this time, there are also a further 24 seats in a 2-2 configuration located in the upper deck. Slightly narrower than First Class, these seats have a 9 degree angle flat and and slightly larger 12.1″ seatback touch screens.

The premium economy cabin, situated behind the main deck Business Class, features 32 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration with a seat pitch of 38″ / 96.5cms and seat width of 19″ / 48.3cms. The 10.6″ touch screen are located in the armrest console and the leg rest and increased recline would make for a comfortable journey.

Row 40, the first row of Economy on this aircraft, is located behind Premium Economy and in front of a lavatory giving it a very discreet and private feel. Although, having the TV’s located in the armrest consoles, means the armrests don’t lift up if you managed to have the row to yourself and wanted to lay down.  Configured mostly in a 3-4-3 layout, except for the very rear of the aircraft where its 2-4-2. The 255 Economy Class seats have a seat pitch of 31″ / 78.7cms and width of 17″ / 43.2cms and feature seat back AVOD streaming content from Qantas’ inflight entertainment system OnQ.

I was great fun to walk around and onto this massive aircraft and although its aging slightly, it has served Qantas and Australia well for many years and still has a few years left in her yet 🙂

~ Follow me as I review a couple of Qantas Domestic flights in Business Class in the coming weeks ~