I believe this might be my first post in this forum. I posted a similar question to this as an add on question to a thread I started in the oneworld forum and realized the question was better suited for this forum.

First let me start by saying that I have read through countless posts in this forum regarding QF 763 and 743 products and services, but was unable to discern from them which product/service in J class was preferable on an International route since many comments were regarding Domestic service and since a direct comparison between International J class on these two types of metal was not found during my search process.

I am trying to make some decisions with regard to getting from Asia to OZ, CNS specifically. I am flying on an AONE4 so First Class is always a plus, but I don’t see that as an option from BOM or NRT to CNS on QF metal. Currently in my itinerary I have NRT-CNS nonstop on a 763 (7+ hours). Depending on how I arrange our Asia segments I am considering one of the following as possible other options:

BOM-SYD-CNS where BOM-SYD is a 743 (11.5 hours)
NRT-SYD-CNS where NRT-SYD could be a 763 or 743 (9+ hours)

Note that all options, including my current selection are overnight flights. There is one other option which is CX from NRT via HKG to CNS with First Class on the NRT-HKG leg. I do NOT want to consider this as an option at this point as I want to compare the QF 763 and 743 on their own merits. (Read between the lines: I may want to earn more miles if the comfort level is acceptable – on a quest for AA EXP in addition to a great OWE trip)

BTW, if I choose flights going from NRT to OZ, I would be doing a daytime return on CX J 773 class from BOM to HKG if that makes a difference. For BOM to OZ choice I would be on an F class service from NRT to HKG. While this matters in making my final decision, it should not with regard to the comparison of 743 and 763 J class on QF.

So back to the main question for which I am seeking an answer. Is International 763 J product/service or International 743 J product/service better? And why?

Also an underlying question since I will be doing this trip in April and May 2007: Are sky beds planned for either of these planes?

Thanks in advance for all your help.