SAN FRANCISCO to SYDNEY (SFO-SYD) on Qantas 747-400 in business class

I checked in at the international terminal, satisfied that my upgrade had been confirmed. For a while it looked like business class as well as economy might be oversold but no double upgrade for me.

I got a call from another FTer who was flying the same route but on United and was already airside. I headed through security, which had no queues at this early hour, and explored a few back passages but there seemed to be no way between *A and OW piers.

I then headed for the BA first class lounge, which is a little room within the terraces. The QF website confused me by referring to the San Francisco lounge having computers but no showers, when the BA lounge had showers but no computers. It wasn't until later when I double-checked that I saw the website refers to JL's lounge rather than BA's.

So instead of catching up on messages I showered, rested and drank, not necessarily in that order. The shower was very basic - collect a key from reception.

The first class lounge has a nose-on view of the a/c as it comes into the gate. The drink selection is modest - black on NM's JW index and Mumms for champagne. Food is some apples that look very plasticky, potato chips and sandwiches.

The lounge has an entrance to the airbridge to save going out to the gate.