Best J Options to Sydney
Dec 28, 2013 | 8:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
Best J Options to Sydney
Hey folks - I have a speaking gig in Sydney in May. The host has agreed that at 6'4", asking me to fly in coach to Sydney is a non-starter.
Flying out of Toronto, the obvious answer is Qantas out of either LAX or DFW. But did I see that their biz seats were angle-flats?
I'd like a seat I can actually sleep in, and angle-flats or pods that are shorter than 6'4" are awful. It doesn't matter that it's only an inch or two too short... if it's too short, it's too short. You cannot fit tab A into slot B.
I was considering CX if I had to. I haven't flown J with a lot of OW partners (I'm a Star guy who's making the switch this year.) Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Flying out of Toronto, the obvious answer is Qantas out of either LAX or DFW. But did I see that their biz seats were angle-flats?
I'd like a seat I can actually sleep in, and angle-flats or pods that are shorter than 6'4" are awful. It doesn't matter that it's only an inch or two too short... if it's too short, it's too short. You cannot fit tab A into slot B.
I was considering CX if I had to. I haven't flown J with a lot of OW partners (I'm a Star guy who's making the switch this year.) Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Dec 28, 2013 | 9:07 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: AUS, LAX
Programs: AA EXP - 2.4 MM, Admirals Club, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Avis Presidents, National Exec
Posts: 1,655
While I don't dissuade you from J, if it is only due to your height, Qantas does sell exit row seats for around $150 per flight, they'd likely suffice and assist in the height concerns, but otherwise, it is a very long flight. Qantas IFE is really great and the Economy food service is much better than that of US carriers. LAX to BNE on Qantas Economy was much better than NRT-DFW on AA; those are the only two times I flew economy overseas.
Last edited by BrianV; Dec 28, 2013 at 9:21 am Reason: Changed LAX-SYD to LAX-BNE, forgot that I connected there. My statement is over a 747-400 out of T4, not a 380 from TBIT
Dec 28, 2013 | 9:14 am
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP 5MM; Hertz President's Circle; Hilton Gold
Posts: 111
Can't speak to the height issue as I am only 5'9" but I have done LAX to SYD on Qantas in J and found it quite easy to sleep. Seat was similar to AA NGBC seats but more comfortable. Just avoid window seat to avoid the climb over issue. I was on 747. I think they are now using the 380 on that route which is likely to be better.
Dec 28, 2013 | 10:48 am
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: LAX
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Hey folks - I have a speaking gig in Sydney in May. The host has agreed that at 6'4", asking me to fly in coach to Sydney is a non-starter.
Flying out of Toronto, the obvious answer is Qantas out of either LAX or DFW. But did I see that their biz seats were angle-flats?
I'd like a seat I can actually sleep in, and angle-flats or pods that are shorter than 6'4" are awful. It doesn't matter that it's only an inch or two too short... if it's too short, it's too short. You cannot fit tab A into slot B.
I was considering CX if I had to. I haven't flown J with a lot of OW partners (I'm a Star guy who's making the switch this year.) Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Flying out of Toronto, the obvious answer is Qantas out of either LAX or DFW. But did I see that their biz seats were angle-flats?
I'd like a seat I can actually sleep in, and angle-flats or pods that are shorter than 6'4" are awful. It doesn't matter that it's only an inch or two too short... if it's too short, it's too short. You cannot fit tab A into slot B.
I was considering CX if I had to. I haven't flown J with a lot of OW partners (I'm a Star guy who's making the switch this year.) Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:17 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,156
The person paying may have agreed to a cabin higher than economy, but has the host actually agreed to business class?
Qantas offers premium economy from US-Australia , for example
If business class has been approved, then Qantas's business class does have horizontal flat beds .
I wouldn't take CX since the extra 2000 miles is too much
For Canada-Australia, I wouldn't be recommending the Qantas flight out of Dallas due to the extra stop. I would go for YYZ-LAX-SYD if it was me
Qantas offers premium economy from US-Australia , for example
If business class has been approved, then Qantas's business class does have horizontal flat beds .
I wouldn't take CX since the extra 2000 miles is too much
For Canada-Australia, I wouldn't be recommending the Qantas flight out of Dallas due to the extra stop. I would go for YYZ-LAX-SYD if it was me
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:21 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: JFK/LGA
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Dec 28, 2013 | 12:26 pm
#9
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The cost of the ticket hasn't been checked, so don't know whether it is cheaper or more expensive. 2000 miles is too far a detour and adds 4.5 hours to the outbound journey and an extra 6 hours to the inbound
Adding an extra 10.5 hours to the travelling time sounds horrendous
Adding an extra 10.5 hours to the travelling time sounds horrendous
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
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Mostly agreed, though even in economy, maximizing time on QF and minimising time on an AA narrow body is desirable. The shorter flight from DFW to YYZ makes QF from DFW worth considering, at least. On the return, the QF nonstop SYD-DFW is a clear winner to me.
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
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The cost of the ticket hasn't been checked, so don't know whether it is cheaper or more expensive. 2000 miles is too far a detour and adds 4.5 hours to the outbound journey and an extra 6 hours to the inbound
Adding an extra 10.5 hours to the travelling time sounds horrendous
Adding an extra 10.5 hours to the travelling time sounds horrendous
But yes, 10.5h would be pretty nasty, unless you're up for some yum cha or fantastic street fare in Hong Kong ^
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:41 pm
#12
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,156
If having to take an AA flight anyway, spending another 90 mins on the 1 AA flight doesn't seem that big an issue.
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:42 pm
#13
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,156
Looking at lowest fares, it does seem that Cathay is about an extra $1000 over Qantas
I would still be checking with the person paying, that agreeing not to travel economy does mean that they will pay for business rather than just premium economy
Last edited by Dave Noble; Dec 28, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Dec 28, 2013 | 12:53 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: JFK/LGA
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Posts: 281
QF cost in business is over $10k with sale fare on return
CX cost in business is $8100
12 May, with no time (but 4h at the airport), return 16 may just as sample dates:
YYZ
01:40 HKG
05:00 +1 0 28:30
77W
Cathay Pacific
CX139 HKG
09:00 +1 SYD
20:10 +1 0
333
seems like 14h is time enough (but yes it adds the travel time, although I would do it for the food:
CX829 YYZ
01:40 HKG
05:00 +1 0 38:40
77W
Cathay Pacific
CX111 HKG
19:00 +1 SYD
06:20 +2 0
333
CX cost in business is $8100
12 May, with no time (but 4h at the airport), return 16 may just as sample dates:
YYZ
01:40 HKG
05:00 +1 0 28:30
77W
Cathay Pacific
CX139 HKG
09:00 +1 SYD
20:10 +1 0
333
seems like 14h is time enough (but yes it adds the travel time, although I would do it for the food
:CX829 YYZ
01:40 HKG
05:00 +1 0 38:40
77W
Cathay Pacific
CX111 HKG
19:00 +1 SYD
06:20 +2 0
333
Dec 28, 2013 | 1:00 pm
#15
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,156
Without knowing dates and availability, going by lowest fares offered, Qantas's lowest fare is CAD7017 r/t
Without making the journey even longer , there wouldn't be time in the 5 hours between flights to leave the airport at HKG
Without making the journey even longer , there wouldn't be time in the 5 hours between flights to leave the airport at HKG