JL J or QF J - NRT-SYD
 

I had to change my routings a bit after issuing the ticket as my plans have changed.

I initially had BKK-SYD route on BA, but now I have to do NRT-SYD.

I believe NRT-SYD is operated on A333 with QF and B744 with JL.

I just flew to DEL on JL 744 and the flight was very good. J was 50% full and F section was sold as J and allocated to elite members (when I asked the FA gladly showed me to an empty seat in F section and asked me to sit there... but since there was another person sitting in the window seat, I didn't want to disturb the guy... I will be sure to ask for row 1 on my return ;)).

So, anyways,

which will you choose? QF J or JL J? Both flights leave around same time so schedule is not an issue for consideration.

*Note that I have to waitlist for QF flight as it's full in D class.
*Note that I will fly QF to EZE from SYD few days after this flight.
*By the time I fly back to NRT, I would have been on three consecutive JL J flights in 777 and 744.

Not sure if QF still does this, but used to operate both 763 and 333 NRT-SYD and charged a lower fare on the 763 (non-sleeper seat). D was hard to come by on the 333 service. JL was operating old equipment on this route (worse seats than the 763). Don't assume this route is a premium route and has the same seat quality as your other flights on JL and QF. Check what is happening on your travel dates and specific flights.

On my flight dates, here's what it says in each airline's web schedule:

JL - Seasons executive class - Shell-flat seats (744 sold as two class)
QF - A333 (but no D availability)

I don't mind JL - actually the service is great on JL and since they have more J seats in the plane, I might have a light load and get an empty seat next to me, which I think would be better than flying completely full or nearly full QF J flight.

The 333 equipped QF21/QF22 are the only current QF metal services between NRT and Eastern Australia.

QF79/QF80 is a thrice weekly 763 service to/from PER.

Any other services were replaced by JQ metal on 18 Dec.

And let me tell you the 763 PER service has terrible seating in both classes but esp for what you have to pay for J. This route and the PER-HKG route (I assume using the same planes) are a disgrace to QF givne these are relatively long haul routes. Thankfully CX have introduced a bit better product for the HKG route - finally!!

On your first question - I think I'd take the JL product if I knew I was getting the F seats (which I did when I flew it) - very spacious and comfortable.

I had noticed that QF 168 NRT-BNE via CNS had been discontinued in favour of JQ.
Looks like it will be harder to find D availability for the next DONE or DCIR if wanting to travel NRT- Australia..... :(