This trip is booked as five-continent oneworld Explorer fare. I'll be taking this trip with my coworker Mike, who occasionally posts on this board under the name NY Emerald Flyer.

This trip should see my enjoy three of the new First Class suites, Qantas, Cathay, and British Airways. After all three I'll post a comparason report.

The first segment of the trip is QF to Sydney. I was originally booked on the redeye flight to Sydney (there are two of them). dgolds adviced the daytime flight because, if you stay awake, you can fall asleep right away when arriving at your Sydney hotel. I called the American EP desk and explained that I wanted to get on the daytime flight. One of the benefits of the explorer fare is that you can change the flights at any time without penalty, as long as the routing remains the same. Problem: This is after the first transoceanic segment. The very nice agent said that she could override it, because I am an EP and have such a long trip in such a short time. It is excellent customer service like this that keeps me coming back to American.

Problem: Mike could not get on this flight, as he did not have such a kind agent. Oh, well...

My first leg on this trip was American's 3-class service to LAX. My g'f dropped me off at Logan because I didn't want to leave a car for some three weeks. I checked-in at the AA First Class/elite counter. The agent was impressed when I presented by booklet full of ten coupons. I was quickly issued my AA boarding pass, and was told that although she could send me bag to Sydney, I'd need to pick up a boarding pass with Qantas in LAX.

I relaxed at the Admiral's Club, prior to boarding the 767-200. It was an internationally configured aircraft, so I guess I have better luck than jAAck. I settled into the cabin and was offerred water or OJ, and the cabin eventually reached its capacity.

We departed ontime from the gate, and after only a little waiting time (remember, it's Logan!) we were skybound. Breakfast was offerred. I enjoyed an excellent omelette.

The plane had very nice Bose headsets, which made for a quiet flight. I was offered a DVD, which I gladly accepted, to view a movie. It is still annoying to have the video on your traytable, so I prefer the in-seat PTV systems. Actually, the best is when you have the regular PTV system, plus videos that you can plug into the in-seat system (like BA or even AA 777s), so you get the advantage of choosing your own movie without the disadvantage of having something on your lap.

Overall, an very nice AA transcon flight.

We arrived about twenty minutes behind schedule (combination of waiting at Logan and slow traveling). We parked very close to the Admiral's Club, so I decided to stop there to check my e-mail.

I received an urgent e-mail from Mike saying that he needed to meet with me tonight in LAX before our dinner in Sydney the day of his arrival (the day after my planned arrival).

I went to the Tom Bradley terminal and checked-in with the friendly Qantas agent. (No line at First Class check-in). I begged her to get on the later flight, she said that you are supposed to have to pay the $75 charge. I claimed that with a F ticket I should be able to switch without penalty. She told me what I already new: one of the restrictions of the fare is that you cannot change the first transoceanic segment. But, she said thanks to my oneworld Emerald status, and as there was space available, she would book me on the later flight. Another great customer service experience!

With my 10:30p boarding pass in hand and not wanting to spend 9 hours in a lounge, I called the Westin LAX to inquire about a day rate. None available for today. I called the Marriott LAX and they could give me a day room, but I’d need to vacate by 6:00pm. ($100 for the room).

I’m relaxing at the room now, doing a little work and sleeping and checking FT. At 6:00 I’ll go back to the airport and meet Mike.

More later.