Oct 1, 2015, 9:14 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
This thread is for the discussion of upgrades (using systemwide upgrades / SWUs or mileage+ copay) for the LAX-SYD-LAX route. This flight began with three class Boeing 777-300ER, but has changed to a two class Boeing 787-9.
Inaugural flights:
LAX-SYD: 17 Dec 2015 AA 73 Flight duration 15:05
Lv LAX 21:50 Dec 17 PST / 05:50 18 Dec GMT
Ar SYD 07:55 Dec 19 EADT / 20:55 18 Dec GMT (same day)
SYD-LAX: 19 Dec 2015 AA 72 Flight duration 13:50
Lv SYD 12:00 Dec 19 EADT / 01:00 19 Dec GMT
Ar LAX 06:50 Dec 19 PST / 14:50 19 Dec GMT
General discussion of the LAX-SYD-LAX route is at:
AA to operate LAX-SYD with 77W (inaugural 17 December 2015) archived
AA LAX-SYD-LAX 77W AA73 / AA72 (17 Dec 2015)
Was operated with Boeing 77W / 777-323ER to 8 Nov 2017
Changed to Boeing 787-9 in November 2017.
Inaugural flights:
LAX-SYD: 17 Dec 2015 AA 73 Flight duration 15:05
Lv LAX 21:50 Dec 17 PST / 05:50 18 Dec GMT
Ar SYD 07:55 Dec 19 EADT / 20:55 18 Dec GMT (same day)
SYD-LAX: 19 Dec 2015 AA 72 Flight duration 13:50
Lv SYD 12:00 Dec 19 EADT / 01:00 19 Dec GMT
Ar LAX 06:50 Dec 19 PST / 14:50 19 Dec GMT
General discussion of the LAX-SYD-LAX route is at:
AA to operate LAX-SYD with 77W (inaugural 17 December 2015) archived
AA LAX-SYD-LAX 77W AA73 / AA72 (17 Dec 2015)
Was operated with Boeing 77W / 777-323ER to 8 Nov 2017
Changed to Boeing 787-9 in November 2017.
LAX-SYD AA 73 / 72 Upgrade & Waitlist Discussion
May 13, 2019, 6:30 pm
#631
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
Seems like there is a pattern of 1 or 2 people clearing consistently ... on a list of 15-25 upgrade requests.
Good load management by AA I guess!
Good load management by AA I guess!
May 25, 2019, 2:25 pm
#633
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,247
May 25, 2019, 9:14 pm
#634
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: AA Fortress, no MRs for me!
Programs: AA Exec Plat (LT Gold), SPG Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 309
I am flying SYD-LAX tomorrow (May 27). Showing J3 @ 27 hours before departure, flight goes C2 via EF Alert. Called in and got my upgrade.
May 26, 2019, 2:42 am
#635
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 369
May 26, 2019, 11:01 am
#636
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: LAX, SNA, LGB
Programs: AS MVP, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 38
Thanks for that DP. Down to 9 seats left on my LAX-SYD flight in July already. I'll have to bank on C space opening on EF and calling in like you.
May 26, 2019, 5:25 pm
#637
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
May 27, 2019, 8:32 am
#638
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
May 27, 2019, 8:39 am
#639
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,247
Indeed. Sadly, this year I couldnt find any good deals to take advantage of them. Well, atleast from my O&D cities (and one of those was CLT, which is the definition of absurd when it comes to airfares)
May 28, 2019, 8:51 pm
#640
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Both flights went went out with a full J cabin with only about a dozen unallocated seats showing a few days out.
Jun 23, 2019, 5:55 am
#641
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 68
Spouse and I were #5-6 outbound to SYD on AA73 last week; not a single soul cleared. It was looking good until T-48 when the remaining J sold out. 
On the return AA72 this morning, we were #1-2 but there was only one J available so we passed to sit together in PE and let #3 have it.
On the return AA72 this morning, we were #1-2 but there was only one J available so we passed to sit together in PE and let #3 have it.
Oct 23, 2019, 5:22 pm
#643
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
When you get on the upgrade list has no bearing. This far out, the only meaningful guess anyone will be able to take is based on the day of the week and season you're flying. So summer down under, departing on a Thursday...will most likely be a tough upgrade. But again, this far out, anyone's guess.
Oct 23, 2019, 5:26 pm
#644
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
When you get on the upgrade list has no bearing. This far out, the only meaningful guess anyone will be able to take is based on the day of the week and season you're flying. So summer down under, departing on a Thursday...will most likely be a tough upgrade. But again, this far out, anyone's guess.
Platinum [OW Sapphire] is mid level status. Likely will be higher status pax on that flight Plat Pro(Sapphire) & Exp Plat (OW Emerald)
Is the flight LAX-SYD or SYD-LAX?
Oct 23, 2019, 6:59 pm
#645
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 5
Lax-syd and I was told by AA rep on the phone that when you get on the upgrade list does matter.