sciconf

I recently traveled on it.
- we had 10mins of no power, no ac! Later I found out their generator was bad and were using external power. Downtime was due to switching to Jet engine power.
- Shortly after the fuel fume was inside the cabin - I was scared if the aircraft was faulty with leaks (might have read about it on the news) - is it faulty?
- Service seems rigid. They would not serve coffee until after the meal - only water was served
- United offered another full meal - Qantas does not but had quite a good snack option on one of the flight.
- With passengers reclined, it was hard to walk out of your seat (might be the same on other airlines)

Others seems to think that Qantas offers more comfort, but I might have had better experience with United.

How has been your experience?

What is a good carrier for this route? What other options with rewards or with cash?

Update:
I traveled on Economy

Mwenenzi

What class did you travel?
What is your definition of good?
Only interested SFO-SYD?
I thought you had done some other USA Australia flights in the last few years

Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia (not from all airports to all airports)
- American Airlines AA (LAX - SYD) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Air Canada AC (YYR – SYD, BNE, MEL 1 Dec 2017 to 1 Feb 2018 ) [Star Alliance]
- Air New Zealand NZ (LAX SFO IAH YVR via AKL) [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (LAX via Tahiti. Last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Delta DL (LAX – SYD) (VA & AS partner) [Skyteam Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ (LAX SFO HNL – BNE SYD MEL ADL via Fiji) (QF, AA & AS partner)
- Hawaiian HA (HNL – SYD BNE) (AA & VA partner)
- Jetstar JQ JQ (HNL – SYD BNE)
- Qantas QF (LAX SFO JFK DFW HNL YVR*– SYD BNE MEL) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner) {* seasonal}
- United UA (LAX SFO – SYD MEL) [Star Alliance]
- Virgin Australia VA (LAX – SYD BNE) (DL partner) MEL LAX restarting 4 April 2017
And others via Asia & Middle East

sciconf

I traveled on Economy

I recently traveled on United and remember the experience.
I had also traveled on Air Canada but don't remember - besides it is via Canada and not direct.

moa999

- most airlines use ground power. fuel is expensive. switching doesn't normally take 10min
- not normal but air is sucked in from outside when on the ground
- when you have 200+ pax in the Economy section, most airlines have various service rules
- yes. Qantas will often do snacks for some flights, depending on timing
- pretty standard in economy unless in exit row or bulkhead

FlyWithKaeMarie

I was a little surprised at a few of the points, then realised you flew economy. Standard tbh with most economy

og

APUs are sometimes faulty - on most airlines. Its permissable. It means no air con on boarding.

Fumes in the cabin can be detected on engine start-up. It indicates an old engine (putting it simplistically). Common to most airlines. Not nice, but can't do anything about it.

You are unlikely to get a drink that is not on the cart in the middle of a meal service. Aisles are blocked and it takes too long. I cannot recall coffee being offered during a meal service - only after it.

Trans Pac, I find UA does a better job than QF on catering.

Reclining seats are a PITA. Acceptable on long haul flights when sleeping, but otherwise its just rude.

sciconf

Totally agree. I think that US companies provide better customer service, and more practical (even with the security).

I had a grooming (tiny) pair of scissors - it made through TSA as a carry-on, on the international flight - but when I transferred to domestic in SYD, the security confiscated! Em, it was no threat on the international flight but all of a sudden became on a 55min flight! Mis-matched security policy - but then they allowed water bottles to pass through security.

deeruck

QF doesn't set security policy for the TSA or the Australian government

woodduck

I think you would have been on a 747 from SFO, right? That's what I was on last time I did it. The Qantas 747's are getting tired I have to admit.
I find Qantas's meal service and entertainment are pretty good. The comfort level for economy though is not great.

sciconf

- QF 73 & 74 - Boeing 747-400

United uses Boeing 787-9

Speaking of entertainment, on my way back, there was no sound from the movie - changed head phones but still none. Before the movie start, there is some music but there is no audible sound of the characters speaking or other related sound - they were silent movies - all movies.

- Once before it was Airbus, was too cold and you can not reach the roof to adjust the airflow & got sick when landed - I sent feedback to QF but they didn't seem to care.

fly747first

But the UA 747s are in even worse condition and no personal TVs in economy.

jmoorfoot

The thread is about travel between Australia and USA. UA DO NOT use 747's on this route & haven't done for a considerable time. Also, ALL of the remaining UA 747's will be gone by the middle of November.

QF still has 11 747's. 2 are planned to be retired in 2018 with another 3 in 2019. No plans have been announced for the remaining 6. QF still use these between SYD & LAX, SFO & YVR.

pwacher

serfty

Actually, while Qantas service can indeed hit and miss, QF ex SFO flights specifically had a reputation for minimalist if not quite non existent service.

SYD/SFO had a reputation as a "party" slip and FA's were often in recovery mode as they worked the flight back to SYD.

Not sure if it is still the case with the recently resurrected route.

pwacher