Sep 26, 2019, 6:52 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
Qantas routes Australia to/from USA Canada
Looking for awards only on LAX-SYD route restricts your options.
AS award chart:---> https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...s/award-charts
Note these routes and/or aircraft type may change. Not all routes have flights every day.
May not be up to date
The QF A380 have first, business, premium economy & economy classes. Only the A380 has first class.
The QF B787's have, business, premium economy & economy classes. The B787’s do not have first class.
All QF B747's have been retired and sent to the Mojave desert. (July 2020)
QF starts to release their awards 353 days out to QF frequent flyers. But awards can be released any time out to departure. Anyone can join the QF ffp and then search for award availability. Be careful about mixed economy/business QF awards. These have an identifying symbol on the award flight.
A business class flight will give access to the Qantas Club or Qantas Business lounge. Major domestic airports have both a Qantas Club lounge, for mid level Oneworld status holders and paid QF club members, and a better Business lounge, with access by business class of service or top level Oneworld status. Domestic lounges can get very busy at morning and late afternoon peaks.
From QF web site QF seat maps
Qantas Australia domestic
Award availability on QF domestic routes in both business & economy is usually OK. Can be harder on longer routes (say 3~ 4 hour flights).
The workhorse of QF Mainline domestic fleet is the B737-800. QF have 75 of these in a 12J162Y configuration. Some schedules have a A330, some of which have international style business seats. These 2 aircraft types are also used on trans Tasman routes (Australia to New Zealand).
General Qantas information Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qantas
The QantasLink brand is used on regional routes to smaller cities and towns. The aircraft used are Dash 8's (de Havilland Canada DHC-8-200, Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 & Q400) in all an Y configuration, Foker 100 in all 105Y configuration and B717's in 12JY98 or 125Y configuration.
General QantasLink information Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QantasLink
Qantas information Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qantas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QantasLink
AA sub forum thread They have the same problems getting awards on QF and to AU/NZ & South Pacific--->
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) & related (consolidated)
AA MileSAAver award to / from Australia, New Zealand (master thread)
FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, miles, awards, etc. (consolidated)
AA Miles Award: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions (master thread)
Revisions
11 Jun 2022 QF announcements removed (except for 2) as AU is open and QF is flying AU<--->USA
15 Jun 2022 Deleted some dead links
11 Dec 2022 Remove redundant links. Revise routes
27 Dec 2022 MEL DFW added
25 Feb 2023 Formatting
13 Aug 2023 Added SYD-SFO
Looking for awards only on LAX-SYD route restricts your options.
AS award chart:---> https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...s/award-charts
Note these routes and/or aircraft type may change. Not all routes have flights every day.
May not be up to date
BNE-LAX B330
MEL-DFW B787
MEL-LAX B787 (was the first A380 route for Qantas on 21 October 2008)
MEL-DFW B787
SYD-DFW B787 A380
SYD-HNL
SYD-AKL-JFK B787 (from June 2023)
SYD-LAX A380 B787
SYD-SFO
SYD-YVR
GeneralMEL-DFW B787
MEL-LAX B787 (was the first A380 route for Qantas on 21 October 2008)
MEL-DFW B787
SYD-DFW B787 A380
SYD-HNL
SYD-AKL-JFK B787 (from June 2023)
SYD-LAX A380 B787
SYD-SFO
SYD-YVR
The QF A380 have first, business, premium economy & economy classes. Only the A380 has first class.
The QF B787's have, business, premium economy & economy classes. The B787’s do not have first class.
All QF B747's have been retired and sent to the Mojave desert. (July 2020)
QF starts to release their awards 353 days out to QF frequent flyers. But awards can be released any time out to departure. Anyone can join the QF ffp and then search for award availability. Be careful about mixed economy/business QF awards. These have an identifying symbol on the award flight.
A business class flight will give access to the Qantas Club or Qantas Business lounge. Major domestic airports have both a Qantas Club lounge, for mid level Oneworld status holders and paid QF club members, and a better Business lounge, with access by business class of service or top level Oneworld status. Domestic lounges can get very busy at morning and late afternoon peaks.
From QF web site QF seat maps
Qantas Australia domestic
Award availability on QF domestic routes in both business & economy is usually OK. Can be harder on longer routes (say 3~ 4 hour flights).
The workhorse of QF Mainline domestic fleet is the B737-800. QF have 75 of these in a 12J162Y configuration. Some schedules have a A330, some of which have international style business seats. These 2 aircraft types are also used on trans Tasman routes (Australia to New Zealand).
General Qantas information Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qantas
The QantasLink brand is used on regional routes to smaller cities and towns. The aircraft used are Dash 8's (de Havilland Canada DHC-8-200, Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 & Q400) in all an Y configuration, Foker 100 in all 105Y configuration and B717's in 12JY98 or 125Y configuration.
General QantasLink information Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QantasLink
Qantas information Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qantas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QantasLink
AA sub forum thread They have the same problems getting awards on QF and to AU/NZ & South Pacific--->
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) & related (consolidated)
AA MileSAAver award to / from Australia, New Zealand (master thread)
FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, miles, awards, etc. (consolidated)
AA Miles Award: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions (master thread)
Revisions
11 Jun 2022 QF announcements removed (except for 2) as AU is open and QF is flying AU<--->USA
15 Jun 2022 Deleted some dead links
11 Dec 2022 Remove redundant links. Revise routes
27 Dec 2022 MEL DFW added
25 Feb 2023 Formatting
13 Aug 2023 Added SYD-SFO
Consolidated Qantas (QF) Awards Availability/Booking/Routing Thread
Sep 25, 2019, 9:47 am
#316
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
It's looking pretty bleak out there right now for premium cabin QF awards. QF is holding premium cabin awards on most US routes for their own program. I did find one bone out there in case anyone can use it.
6/22 SFO-MEL 2J awards.
The one bright spot in the darkness is BNE. There are quite a few scattered LAX-BNE J awards.
ETA:
MEL-LAX 2J 5/15, 6/10, 6/25
SYD-DFW 2J 1/16, 1/24, 4/27, 4/30, 5/20
MEL-SFO 2J 6/12
SFO-SYD 2J 5/19, 5/26
6/22 SFO-MEL 2J awards.
The one bright spot in the darkness is BNE. There are quite a few scattered LAX-BNE J awards.
ETA:
MEL-LAX 2J 5/15, 6/10, 6/25
SYD-DFW 2J 1/16, 1/24, 4/27, 4/30, 5/20
MEL-SFO 2J 6/12
SFO-SYD 2J 5/19, 5/26
Last edited by skimthetrees; Sep 25, 2019 at 11:19 am
Sep 25, 2019, 8:18 pm
#317
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I tried to book LAX-MEL in J for next week. I've been checking daily and today I saw popped AS site when i checked a few hours ago. I got the space cannot be confirmed message. AA showed as available. BA site showed 2 seats.
Now its down to 1 seat as per BA and the booking still errors out. Its not my first choice award and have alternate plans but still super annoying.
Now its down to 1 seat as per BA and the booking still errors out. Its not my first choice award and have alternate plans but still super annoying.
Sep 25, 2019, 8:31 pm
#318
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: Asiana Diamond+, Qantas Gold, Virgin Gold
Posts: 59
Have wondered if / how QF and AA's joint venture might affect QF's tie-up with Alaska generally including rewards. They've strengthened the partnership in the last few years and AA isn't massive in Seattle anyway, so there may not be much overlap to worry about. But awards are tough to find, and while we put up with it, if AS stops offering 100% EQM for all QF flights regardless of fare code (which, admittedly, is a massive benefit for those of us who fly QF a lot), it's over for me and AS. I've only stuck with them for the 55K awards in J (which as you say, are hard to come by as it is) and the generous earning on QF-metal. But the trade-off, obviously, is no OneWorld access which is becoming increasingly annoying for me. I know there was chatter about joining OW as a Connect member, but then the trade-off may be a change in redemption rates as AS' general elite value proposition would be stronger.
I don't know what I want.
More award seats in QF J, that's it.
Sep 26, 2019, 7:10 am
#319
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I tried to book LAX-MEL in J for next week. I've been checking daily and today I saw popped AS site when i checked a few hours ago. I got the space cannot be confirmed message. AA showed as available. BA site showed 2 seats.
Now its down to 1 seat as per BA and the booking still errors out. Its not my first choice award and have alternate plans but still super annoying.
Now its down to 1 seat as per BA and the booking still errors out. Its not my first choice award and have alternate plans but still super annoying.
10/5 LAX-BNE in J now gone
Thanks a lot AS.
Sep 26, 2019, 7:38 am
#320
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Gold, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 141
Sep 26, 2019, 1:29 pm
#321
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 87
I'm getting married on 15 August next year, and I'm interested in going to Australia for my honeymoon. Starting to get into the window but not seeing anything on QF (searching via AS site) or CX (searching via QF site). Also keeping an eye on UA (have seen 2x Polaris LAX-SYD in early Aug, but not after the wedding) and OZ (lots of space US-ICN but little J ICN-SYD) via UA site.
(Side note: QF site is good, but I keep getting tricked by mixed-cabin China Eastern routes that still mark as J on the award calendar.)
A few questions: for QF, if there's no space at the window is it never showing up, or will it maybe filter out later (someone suggested it was released in batches)? Pretty flexible, as I think we'll also be moving/switching jobs around then so can be anytime after the 17th going into September. Also, chances of 2x F are zero (correct?) so should I just focus on J and favor 787 over A380/747 due to newer J product?
(Side note: QF site is good, but I keep getting tricked by mixed-cabin China Eastern routes that still mark as J on the award calendar.)
A few questions: for QF, if there's no space at the window is it never showing up, or will it maybe filter out later (someone suggested it was released in batches)? Pretty flexible, as I think we'll also be moving/switching jobs around then so can be anytime after the 17th going into September. Also, chances of 2x F are zero (correct?) so should I just focus on J and favor 787 over A380/747 due to newer J product?
Sep 26, 2019, 1:43 pm
#322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,035
I'm getting married on 15 August next year, and I'm interested in going to Australia for my honeymoon. Starting to get into the window but not seeing anything on QF (searching via AS site) or CX (searching via QF site). Also keeping an eye on UA (have seen 2x Polaris LAX-SYD in early Aug, but not after the wedding) and OZ (lots of space US-ICN but little J ICN-SYD) via UA site.
(Side note: QF site is good, but I keep getting tricked by mixed-cabin China Eastern routes that still mark as J on the award calendar.)
A few questions: for QF, if there's no space at the window is it never showing up, or will it maybe filter out later (someone suggested it was released in batches)? Pretty flexible, as I think we'll also be moving/switching jobs around then so can be anytime after the 17th going into September. Also, chances of 2x F are zero (correct?) so should I just focus on J and favor 787 over A380/747 due to newer J product?
(Side note: QF site is good, but I keep getting tricked by mixed-cabin China Eastern routes that still mark as J on the award calendar.)
A few questions: for QF, if there's no space at the window is it never showing up, or will it maybe filter out later (someone suggested it was released in batches)? Pretty flexible, as I think we'll also be moving/switching jobs around then so can be anytime after the 17th going into September. Also, chances of 2x F are zero (correct?) so should I just focus on J and favor 787 over A380/747 due to newer J product?
USA<---->Australia 2 off business class awards are hard to get with any ffp. Look at all airports BNE/SYD/MEL to-from SFO/LAX/ORD/DFW/JFK/HNL. Not just LAX SYD. USA/Au domestic flights as needed with cash or ff miles. Look for one ways. You do not need to fly the same route or airline/ffp out & back.
QF does seem to release awards from time to time. Sometimes a few seats (cancellations?) or a bulk lot of seats. Keep looking
Note few routes have F. Have you travelled international long business class before?
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia
- Air Canada AC (YVR – SYD BNE MEL) [Star Alliance]
- Air New Zealand NZ (LAX SFO ORD IAH YVR via AKL) [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (LAX – via Tahiti & AKL. Last segments on QF codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- American Airlines AA (LAX - SYD) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Delta DL (LAX – SYD) (VA & AS partner) [Skyteam Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ (LAX SFO HNL – BNE SYD MEL via Fiji) (QF, AA & AS partner) [NAN-ADL ceased 20 July 2019]
- Hawaiian HA (HNL – BNE SYD) (AA & VA partner)
- Jetstar JQ (HNL – BNE SYD MEL)
- Qantas QF (LAX SFO JFK(via LAX) DFW HNL YVR* – SYD; LAX, SFO*, ORD* - BNE; LAX SFO - MEL) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner) {* seasonal}{*BNE ORD from 20 April, 2020, *BNE SFO from 5 Feb 2020}
- United UA (LAX - MEL, LAX SFO IAH – SYD) (SFO - MEL from 20 Oct 2019)[Star Alliance].Reduced service IAH-SYD & LAX-SYD March 29 through October 25
- Virgin Australia VA (LAX – BNE SYD MEL) (codeshares with AC*) (DL & AC* partner) [*= some routes in 2017-18 link]
- and others via Asia & Middle East
Sep 26, 2019, 2:10 pm
#323
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
KE does have one J seat SEA-ICN-SYD on August 17th. Although KE awards are return pricing but can be combined with a different partner/route on the return.Better yet, there are 2 FJ J LAX-NAN-SYD on August 17th, 18th & 19th, 2020 and not mixed cabin itineraries. Too early to check the return. 55K Miles each & $48.70 in fees & taxes.
James
Sep 26, 2019, 2:40 pm
#324
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 87
For Aug 2020 you need to start looking & booking now. Take what you can find (immediately)
USA<---->Australia 2 off business class awards are hard to get with any ffp. Look at all airports BNE/SYD/MEL to-from SFO/LAX/ORD/DFW/JFK/HNL. Not just LAX SYD. USA/Au domestic flights as needed with cash or ff miles. Look for one ways. You do not need to fly the same route or airline/ffp out & back.
QF does seem to release awards from time to time. Sometimes a few seats (cancellations?) or a bulk lot of seats. Keep looking
Note few routes have F. Have you travelled international long business class before?
USA<---->Australia 2 off business class awards are hard to get with any ffp. Look at all airports BNE/SYD/MEL to-from SFO/LAX/ORD/DFW/JFK/HNL. Not just LAX SYD. USA/Au domestic flights as needed with cash or ff miles. Look for one ways. You do not need to fly the same route or airline/ffp out & back.
QF does seem to release awards from time to time. Sometimes a few seats (cancellations?) or a bulk lot of seats. Keep looking
Note few routes have F. Have you travelled international long business class before?
Awesome list! KE does have one J seat SEA-ICN-SYD on August 17th. Although KE awards are return pricing but can be combined with a different partner/route on the return.
Better yet, there are 2 FJ J LAX-NAN-SYD on August 17th, 18th & 19th, 2020 and not mixed cabin itineraries. Too early to check the return. 55K Miles each & $48.70 in fees & taxes.
James
KE does have one J seat SEA-ICN-SYD on August 17th. Although KE awards are return pricing but can be combined with a different partner/route on the return.Better yet, there are 2 FJ J LAX-NAN-SYD on August 17th, 18th & 19th, 2020 and not mixed cabin itineraries. Too early to check the return. 55K Miles each & $48.70 in fees & taxes.
James
Sep 26, 2019, 2:51 pm
#325
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,035
off topic
FJ Airbus A330-200 business class is lie flat at 8° angle. So not horizontal to the floor
https://www.fijiairways.com/en-id/ab...ays/our-fleet/
Not sure what aircraft type they fly NAN to Australia
But far better than nothing
on topic
https://www.fijiairways.com/en-id/ab...ays/our-fleet/
Not sure what aircraft type they fly NAN to Australia
But far better than nothing
on topic
Sep 26, 2019, 3:24 pm
#326
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
off topic
FJ Airbus A330-200 business class is lie flat at 8° angle. So not horizontal to the floor
https://www.fijiairways.com/en-id/ab...ays/our-fleet/
Not sure what aircraft type they fly NAN to Australia
But far better than nothing
on topic
FJ Airbus A330-200 business class is lie flat at 8° angle. So not horizontal to the floor
https://www.fijiairways.com/en-id/ab...ays/our-fleet/
Not sure what aircraft type they fly NAN to Australia
But far better than nothing
on topic
If OP doesn't have a change/cancel fee waiver I would look at it as a $250 insurance policy that doesn't cost a penny unless you need to use it, to confirm a pretty direct route for a "couple" traveling "together" on their honeymoon. If something more desirable presents, you pay your policy and move on. Holding out for something on QF will be a challenge I wouldn't recommend without a back-up plan in place and via Asia would add 8-10 hours to the journey on flying time alone. As newlyweds, I don't anticipate traveling in different cabins or on different flights would be desireable. Of course, to each their own, and I respect that.
James
Sep 26, 2019, 5:13 pm
#327
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: NZ
Posts: 1,556
I'd definitely consider this option with a stopover in Fiji - a great place to spend a few days at the beginning of your honeymoon!
Sep 26, 2019, 5:40 pm
#328
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 87
All good info, thanks! I had never looked into the FJ hard product but had just heard they were "recliners." Good to know that they're pretty much lie-flat and that the A359 will be actual lie-flat. I'm MVPG, so I will book a non-Tuesday FJ flight as a backup and keep an eye on QF/CX.
Sep 26, 2019, 5:49 pm
#329
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
off topic
The 1st of 2 just rolled out of the paint shop on Sep 11, next up are her engines.
on topic
I too would seriously consider the A359 with a stopover in Fiji before continuing on to Sydney over QF's 789. I haven't had the chance to fly this Airbus yet+Fiji for a few days make this very appealing.
The 1st of 2 just rolled out of the paint shop on Sep 11, next up are her engines.
on topic
I too would seriously consider the A359 with a stopover in Fiji before continuing on to Sydney over QF's 789. I haven't had the chance to fly this Airbus yet+Fiji for a few days make this very appealing.