Is the 787 on the SYD route for the long term?
Dec 19, 22, 5:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 851
Is the 787 on the SYD route for the long term?
Hi all,
Got an award flight booked for August next year on the 789 LHR-SIN-SYD. All the Club World seats are free (apart from the basinets and the crew rest in Row 7).
So as a lowly bronze, I am - for perhaps the only time in my life - thinking of paying to choose one of the very few direct aisle access window seats for the 23 hour flight.
But if it then going to change to a 777, do I get my money back or just the same seat number?
Got an award flight booked for August next year on the 789 LHR-SIN-SYD. All the Club World seats are free (apart from the basinets and the crew rest in Row 7).
So as a lowly bronze, I am - for perhaps the only time in my life - thinking of paying to choose one of the very few direct aisle access window seats for the 23 hour flight.
But if it then going to change to a 777, do I get my money back or just the same seat number?
Last edited by flygod; Dec 19, 22 at 5:24 pm
Dec 19, 22, 5:25 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,438
You can apply for a refund if the equipment changes and you don't like your new seat assignment.
From the paid seating terms and conditions:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...sandconditions
Seat refund form:
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...ing_claim_form
From the paid seating terms and conditions:
Refunds
- Paid seating is non-refundable, unless:
- British Airways changes your seat to an alternative seat and you are unsatisfied with the alternative seat;
- British Airways cancels your flight;
- you become ineligible to sit in an exit row and you inform us at least 48 hours in advance of scheduled departure of your flight; or
- you have paid for a cabin upgrade and do not wish to pay the difference to select your seat in the upgraded cabin.
- For the avoidance of doubt, paid seating will not be refunded if you:
- cancel your flight;
- are involuntarily upgraded;
- are considered unsuitable to sit in the seat type you have selected;
- accept a voucher towards a future booking that includes paid seating (see further the relevant voucher Terms and Conditions); or
- have booked a British Airways operated flight marketed by another carrier and choose to move to a different flight.
Seat refund form:
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...ing_claim_form
Dec 20, 22, 5:52 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA/VS Gold
Posts: 252
It's only recently gone back to the 777, up to the end of the Winter schedule (late March). When BA restarted flying the route during covid it was a 789. I'm hoping BA will update the Summer schedule as I have a flight to SYD in April and I'd prefer Club Suite.
Dec 20, 22, 6:11 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 627
Having spent almost all of this year (all but 3 of 42 long-haul flights) on a 777 or A321T and then having just got off a 11.5hr 787 sector the other day, I have to say I prefer that for any long-haul sector. Even if it means a less than ideal outcome in terms of cost / seat assignment.
The feeling coming off a 787 - skin, hydration, fatigue - is far better. I can only imagine its even more noticeable after 14 + 8 hour sectors!
Is there anyone who has a comparison between the 77W and 789 experience on the same ultra-long haul sectors?
The feeling coming off a 787 - skin, hydration, fatigue - is far better. I can only imagine its even more noticeable after 14 + 8 hour sectors!
Is there anyone who has a comparison between the 77W and 789 experience on the same ultra-long haul sectors?
Dec 20, 22, 6:17 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA/VS Gold
Posts: 252
Having spent almost all of this year (all but 3 of 42 long-haul flights) on a 777 or A321T and then having just got off a 11.5hr 787 sector the other day, I have to say I prefer that for any long-haul sector. Even if it means a less than ideal outcome in terms of cost / seat assignment.
The feeling coming off a 787 - skin, hydration, fatigue - is far better. I can only imagine its even more noticeable after 14 + 8 hour sectors!
Is there anyone who has a comparison between the 77W and 789 experience on the same ultra-long haul sectors?
The feeling coming off a 787 - skin, hydration, fatigue - is far better. I can only imagine its even more noticeable after 14 + 8 hour sectors!
Is there anyone who has a comparison between the 77W and 789 experience on the same ultra-long haul sectors?
Dec 20, 22, 6:44 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life
Posts: 4,478
I'm flying out to Auckland via SYD late March back late April, so have CS on way out and 789 on way back... will at least get to sample CS once at least...
Dec 20, 22, 6:50 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,527
I think this summer 787 / winter 77W arrangement will stick around - Singapore & Sydney tend to be quieter during the northern summer whereas they can use the 77Ws more productively over the Atlantic. Opposite situation in winter, 787s are good for maintaining US routes and routes to Asia/Aus are busier
Dec 20, 22, 12:25 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 851
Thanks folks for the feedback. Hadn't realised the alternative 777 would be CS. So not so vital which seat we get if changed to that.
Looks like I'll stump up the 100 a seat booking fee (cheap compared to transatlantic!) for the first time ever.
(and then a week later availability will appear on Qatar!)
Looks like I'll stump up the 100 a seat booking fee (cheap compared to transatlantic!) for the first time ever.
(and then a week later availability will appear on Qatar!)
Dec 20, 22, 2:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: UK
Programs: BA / IHG / Hilton / Hertz / Avis
Posts: 25
we are flying out 20/4 and back 7/5. both legs were initially 789, but received notice last week of change to 777 with new CS
Dec 20, 22, 7:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Melbourne
Programs: QF
Posts: 118
I think this summer 787 / winter 77W arrangement will stick around - Singapore & Sydney tend to be quieter during the northern summer whereas they can use the 77Ws more productively over the Atlantic. Opposite situation in winter, 787s are good for maintaining US routes and routes to Asia/Aus are busier
Dec 21, 22, 3:15 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,527
True, it's a bit of a compressed demand period though. April/May/Sept time I've been on some emptier BA flights to/from Singapore. In fact May/June the A380 terminating flight used to be cancelled on a few dates presumably due to low demand
