Let’s start with the basis that all business and first class seats are amazing. We’ve gotta remember that anyone sitting behind that curtain would gladly trade you for any seat in your cabin, perhaps even trampling over fellow passengers just for the opportunity to enjoy a seat which turns into a bed and also happens to serve free champagne. With that said, not all these amazing seats offer the perfect experience for your trip, so were going to address each one!
Boeing 747
First Class Solo: 2A or 2K.
Why? 1A,1K are reserved for Gold members and are close together. 2 offers amazing privacy.
First Class Couple: 1A,1K or 2A, 3A or 2K, 3K
Why? 1A,1K if you’re gold. Close enough to talk. If not, 2a,3a or 2k,3k. Middle seats suck!
Business Class Solo: 62A, 62K or Any Upper Deck Aisle.
Why? Endless legroom window seats on Upper deck. Direct aisle access, only 4 across.
Business Class Couple: 63J, 63K or 62A, 62B.
Why? Only 4 across, private, spacious, extra legroom, direct aisle access for both.
Airbus A380
First Class Solo: 2A, 3A, 2K, 3K
Why? More spacious window seat, good privacy, quiet away from galley slightly.
First Class Couple: 3E, 3F or 2A, 3A
Why? Window seats are best, but 3E,3F offer quiet and good space away from stairs.
Business Class Solo: 59A, 59K, 50B, 50J, 53A, 53K
Why? Direct aisle access. Potential noise in 59 or 53, peaceful in 50, but near lavatory.
Business Class Couple: 50A, 50B or 53J, 53K
Why? Privacy, no one to step over, near front of cabin by stairs, amazing lav.
Boeing 777-200
First Class Solo: 1A, 1K, 2A, 2K
Why? Windows win in BA first. More space, excellent privacy.
First Class Couple: 1A,2A Or 1E, 1F
Why? If you need to talk 1E,1F is private, if you don’t 1A, 2A are the best seats.
Business Class Solo: 15A, 15K
Why? Direct aisle access, only noise from lav, multiple windows, extra legroom.
Business Class Couple: 15E, 15F or 15A, 15B or 15J, 15K
Why? Direct aisle access for both, extra legroom, rear of cabin privacy.
Boeing 777-300
First Class Solo: 1A, 1K, 2A, 2K
Why? Windows win in BA first. More space, excellent privacy.
First Class Couple: 1A,2A Or 1E, 1F
Why? If you need to talk 1E,1F is private, if you don’t 1A, 2A are the best seats.
Business Class Solo: 16A, 16K
Why? Direct aisle access, only noise from lav, multiple windows, extra legroom.
Business Class Couple: 16E, 16F or 16A, 16B or 16J, 16K
Why? Direct aisle access for both, extra legroom, rear of cabin privacy.
Boeing 787-8
First Class Solo: No First Class on this plane.
First Class Couple: No First Class on this plane.
Business Class Solo: 1B, 1J, 7A, 7K
Why? Direct aisle access, no one climbing over, privacy of front or rear of cabin.
Business Class Couple: 3A, 3B or 1J, 1K
Why? No perfect solution, but nice mini cabin, direct aisle access for both…
Boeing 787-9
First Class Solo: 2A, 2K
Why? Great window seat, maximum quiet away from galley. All seats are good though.
First Class Couple: 1A, 2A or 2E, 2F
Why? 1A,2A for great seats and extra space. 2E,2F if you wanna talk and face inward.
Business Class Solo: 13A, 13K, 6B, 6J
Why? Privacy in back of main cabin or front of mini cabin, direct aisle access.
Business Class Couple: 7J, 7K
Why? Direct aisle access for both, private, small cabin, lav on other side.
Is It Worth Paying To Reserve Seats?
Seat reservations are free for OneWorld Sapphire members and above after inputting their frequent flyer number into their reservation. If you don’t have status you’ll be asked to pay, or wait until the 24 hour mark. It really depends on your finances and pickiness. If a seat fee means nothing to you, go ahead and select a seat if a winner is available. If you don’t mind climbing over people or having people climb over you and are just excited about the bed, the food and all the other perks, save your money for the destination…
BETTER ADVICE – Book with an airline that delivers what it sells and doesn’t despise it’s customers!
(As many of us, Gilbert seems to have a blind spot when it comes to BA. I can honestly say I’ve not had as bad an experience since choosing alternatives when I stopped using them last year, despite the loss of direct connections on majority of routes. Vote with your bookings for BA to revert to a modern version of it’s former self – truly world class)
I have to disagree on the A380 50B & 50J are best to be avoided the footwell is exposed o anyone walking to and from the lavatories. The curtain will brush against your feet anytime someone walks through the curtain, and also people constantly bumping into your seat.
Flying ORD-LHR tomorrow. 64A became available this morning (Silver). Tried to grab it, but wasn’t allowed as no association with an infant 🤔. Will have to settle for 63J.
Can you please advise on best seats for the 777 on BA9? It only has ties 1 to11 in business so none of the planes you have mentioned specify what’s the best seats on those? I’m particularly interested for a couple travelling as I can’t work out any combination that works for both partners travelling. Thanks
My wife and I will be flying BA 747 London to-Las Vegas in Business Class in a couple of months and, being Silver Exec, have already booked free of charge seats 62J & 62K as a couple on the upper deck.
However, while the article recommends 62A & B and 63J &K as the best seats for couples, it does not say why the author thinks that seats 62A & B are better than 62J & K; or likewise why 63J & K are better that 63A & B.
In essence what extra benefits 62A and B have over 62J&K and also same between 63J & K and 63 A &B.
Would appreciate the author’s clarifications so that I can decide whether to change my seats to 62A and B.
thanks
Jawa
All the same. Just depends which way you’re going for better news.
Are seats 3E and F both along side each other on series 380 so that one can see the other at all times
hi – hearing that there is very little space in 63k to get around the seat/storage bins back to exit are….can you clarify? Wife and I have 63 B/J but could switch to 63 j/k – but only if we don’;t have to step over 64J to get out of 63k.
Hi Gilbert, on the B747 I think you should add 62JK to the Business Class recommended seats. Best Regards, Darran.