Hi,

I am supposed to be doing a couple of business trips between SYD-NRT in the next few months.

I am aware QF and JL proides non-stop, and CX via HKG. I was leaning towards QF, but noticed there is no F cabin/service for the segment (was thinking about upgrading). Also, their 747 business seats look like these "flat, but sliding down" ones which are not my favorite.

For JL, it says "operated by JO" - I wonder if it's like JD for QF (i.e., cheap subsidiary)? Either way, probably there're lots of cutbacks in service due to JL's financial situation. CX has flat seat, but it adds connection time.

I can use JL F @ NRT and QF F lounge @ SYD due to my OW emerald status.

If I expand options to *A via AKL/SIN etc, then it makes my decision even more difficult.

Appreciate if anyone who flies/flew this segment could share his/her experience/thoughts.

Thanks in advance,

Yep.QF and JO/JL are the direct options.
JO is Jalways which is just their long-haul affiliate. AFAIK no real difference, definitely not a JQ.
JAL uses SkyFlat Shell seats on its SYD-NRT route
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/int...at/index1.html

Which frankly are very similar to the QF SkyBed Mk I - so skyslopes either way.

From memory JAL flies during the day and QF overnight so that may make a difference.

Personally think its a short enough flight to go direct on the sloping seats

JL and JO have no real difference, JO just leases aircraft from JL and has a cheaper crew cost.

QF is switching from a daily 333 to 6x744,1x332 in a few weeks, they are using the 2 class 744 pulled from AKL-LAX. JL has a daily 777.
Both QF and JL fly south (NRT-SYD) overnight. QF flies north overnight, JL during the day.
SYD-NRT
JL772 0815-1705
QF21 2145-0630+1 (wed 2145-6040+1)
NRT-SYD
JL771 2000-0635+1
QF22 2030-0700+1

I would go for QF. Yes, not F option (how would you upgrade anyway?) but a decent J service.
CX adds a stop and while the seat is flat it feels a bit like a chicken cage so it is not my cup of tea. But the big advantage of CX is the fact that you get more miles!

I would go with whichever airline serves your preferred schedule, you could even mix them up on the return leg.
I prefer the food on JL/JO over QF.
I would prefer CX, to get extra miles and time in the Wing/Pier, of course only if I had the time to spare. CX seats are narrow but I find all the J seat options acceptable.

I was booked on QF for NRT-SYD about this time last year and I changed it to try to JL. I think I wrote a quick comparison afterwards. You may want to do a quick search on the QF forum.

As mentioned, seats are pretty much the same. JL's service is a lot better, QF is probably slightly better on the food front. JL has a better dinner, QF has a better/bigger breakfast. QF has better amenities. QF will probably give you jammies for an overnight flight, JL won't give you that.

I would go with Qantas, the Skybed is slightly better and JAL can do equipment swaps to a non Shell flat seat trust me it has happened to me on a lovely day flight from NRT-CGK, I would have been very annoyed if it was the night flight in the opposite direction. If you want the direct flight

NZ does not really work as the Tokyo flight leaves at 9:30am in the morning from Auckland so unless you want to overnight in Auckland, much better product than Qantas or JAL.


Also CX is not so good as the flight from HKG-NRT would be on a regional plane without the new business seats.

Perhaps like people have said depending on your schedule JAL on the way up and Qantas on the way back for the first one and then decide which one suits you best.

Unless you want more miles and better IFE (CX), pick QF for nonstop.