Best route USA-SYD in J
Jul 8, 2019, 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Best route USA-SYD in J
Looking to book SEA-SYD in J in November. Since QF doesn't fly direct to SEA, it looks like I have SFO, LAX, and DFW available as connection options.
Any suggestions on which routing would provide the best experience?
Thanks in advance. And apologies if there is already a thread on this, I did search but could only find topics on PE.
Any suggestions on which routing would provide the best experience?
Thanks in advance. And apologies if there is already a thread on this, I did search but could only find topics on PE.
Jul 8, 2019, 2:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
SFO is currently a 747 route, I believe may be changing to a 787 at some point. DFW/LAX are both a380. The a380s are in the process of being refitted but slowly so realistically it will most likely be the same product on all 3 (mark 2 Skybed). These are lie flats but a percentage of seats reputedly have a structural failing resulting in a droop to the legs when laid flat. The 787 has a different product
since you have to make a 1 stop anyway, unless you’re tied to QF, within oneworld you could consider JL SEA-NRT-SYD or CX SEA-HKG-SYD. Or do something really weird like EK SEA-DXB-SYD (can probably be booked as a QF codeshare but not my field of expertise), . Also American has a pretty competitive (IMO) product LAX-SYD
since you have to make a 1 stop anyway, unless you’re tied to QF, within oneworld you could consider JL SEA-NRT-SYD or CX SEA-HKG-SYD. Or do something really weird like EK SEA-DXB-SYD (can probably be booked as a QF codeshare but not my field of expertise), . Also American has a pretty competitive (IMO) product LAX-SYD
Jul 8, 2019, 2:38 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Looking to book SEA-SYD in J in November. Since QF doesn't fly direct to SEA, it looks like I have SFO, LAX, and DFW available as connection options.
Any suggestions on which routing would provide the best experience?
Thanks in advance. And apologies if there is already a thread on this, I did search but could only find topics on PE.
Any suggestions on which routing would provide the best experience?
Thanks in advance. And apologies if there is already a thread on this, I did search but could only find topics on PE.
Why QF? What not UA, AA, VA or DL? From SEA via Asia is a possible option. QF also fly USA to BNE & MEL.
For J class QF is not best seating, from reports on FT.
Some QF routes will be on the A380 (droopy J seats), newish B787 or an old B747. The last B747 Au USA flight is 3 Dec 2019 from this link
Jul 8, 2019, 2:39 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Thanks for the info. I am (probably) tied to QF because on the return my wife is joining me on a QF award ticket. I assume two one-ways will be cost inefficient. Also, I want to credit the flight to AS.
How much better is the 787? Worth a stop in BNE or MEL?
How much better is the 787? Worth a stop in BNE or MEL?
Jul 8, 2019, 2:46 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
AA international flights credit to AS ffp.
One way cash prices can be very high. More than half a return. Just need to do the research. That "two one-ways will be cost inefficient" is a brave assumption.
The flight for which your wife has(will?) the award may not be the best flight to buy a ticket for cash.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jul 8, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Jul 8, 2019, 2:56 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Has you wife got the QF award bucket now? Or to be obtained? Is this with QF ff points or an award on QF with ff miles from another ffp?
AA international flights credit to AS ffp.
One way cash prices can be very high. More than half a return. Just need to do the research. That "two one-ways will be cost inefficient" is a brave assumption.
The flight for which your wife has(will?) the award may not be the best flight to buy a ticket for cash.
AA international flights credit to AS ffp.
One way cash prices can be very high. More than half a return. Just need to do the research. That "two one-ways will be cost inefficient" is a brave assumption.
The flight for which your wife has(will?) the award may not be the best flight to buy a ticket for cash.
I’m flying for work, so I have more flexibility on price (but not infinitely so...double the cost probably won’t fly. Thus why a one-way on another airline is probably out of the question).
Jul 8, 2019, 4:44 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
The B787 J product is markedly better for the hard product. Soft product has been better on A380 for various reasons. Lounge at LAX is way better than SFO or DFW, also chance of delays due to disruption is a lot less (if that matters for your schedule).
Jul 9, 2019, 4:59 am
#8
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Newcastle, Australia.
Programs: QF Plat+ LTG/ OW Emerald, VA Plat, NZ Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Whatsit. Taxation is theft.
Posts: 2,637
I'm a big fan of the AA service on this route (in J).
Infinitely superior to the AA domestic service - some of the flight attendants were even born after the 19th Century.
Much better catering than QF, really good service for the price.
Infinitely superior to the AA domestic service - some of the flight attendants were even born after the 19th Century.
Much better catering than QF, really good service for the price.
Jul 9, 2019, 4:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: mostly MEL
Programs: QF WP LTG, HHonors Diamond, NZ Gold
Posts: 1,750
Left field ...
QF A332 J from HNL - maybe AS F/J SEA-HNL?
Can't imagine the lounge is anything like LAX but you get the better J product over the A380/B747 out of SFO/LAX.
Regards,
BD
QF A332 J from HNL - maybe AS F/J SEA-HNL?
Can't imagine the lounge is anything like LAX but you get the better J product over the A380/B747 out of SFO/LAX.
Regards,
BD
Jul 9, 2019, 4:54 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Thanks for all the input. SEA-HNL-SYD is an interesting idea. Would require an overnight, but maybe a day in Hawaii is not a bad thing :-). If I went the LAX route, Looks like AA outbound, QF return is also possible. Will look into that.
Fortunately the return is MEL-LAX, which has the 787.
Fortunately the return is MEL-LAX, which has the 787.
Jul 9, 2019, 7:02 pm
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Is the risk of getting a pre-upgrade J config gone now? QF used to use non-flat bed equipment on this route (as it is leisure rather than business route) but maybe all planes are upgraded by now? The lounge in HNL is pitiful, you are better off in the terminal 
Not sure you can presume same service quality as from LAX/SFO/DFW on QF. And beware of QF codeshares on JQ
Not sure you can presume same service quality as from LAX/SFO/DFW on QF. And beware of QF codeshares on JQ
Jul 9, 2019, 7:46 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Me too. A seat that works an simple but plentiful food without the pretence of fine dining. Their transcon service LAX-BOS/JFK/MIA is as good as the service to SYD. Even better, I'm often connecting from Central America through MIA, and the aircraft that does the MIA-LAX flight continues on to SYD, so no chance of missing my connection.
Last edited by bensyd; Jul 9, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Jul 10, 2019, 3:21 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: QF PS and spouse of QP Senior Lifer PS, UA, AA, DL, AS, AV
Posts: 762
Is the risk of getting a pre-upgrade J config gone now? QF used to use non-flat bed equipment on this route (as it is leisure rather than business route) but maybe all planes are upgraded by now? The lounge in HNL is pitiful, you are better off in the terminal Not sure you can presume same service quality as from LAX/SFO/DFW on QF. And beware of QF codeshares on JQ
Not sure you can presume same service quality as from LAX/SFO/DFW on QF. And beware of QF codeshares on JQ If you aren't in a hurry there are worse punishments than an overnight in HNL.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:16 am
#15
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Location: SYD
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