I am flying QF 16 from BKK-MEL next week. The scheduled aircraft is a 747-300 (currently configured only in J/Y?) and have gotten a row 3 seat assignment. Does QF frequently substitute a -400 so I might be able to get a first class seat (row 1-4 in the -400s)?

The first time I had flown QF in a long time I got such an upgrade as the QF flight from HNL-SYD (scheduled on a -200 in J/Y was substituted by a -300 in F/J/Y).

Unlikely I'm afraid..QF rarely change
aircraft type except in case of breakdowns.
As well, they are very sparing with their
upgrades; unless BC is overbooked and you
are an elite-level FF you can pretty well
forget it.

whughes - I think Terenz is asking if the aircraft would be substitued with a 747-400 offering First Class seats BUT still in a two class configuration, and that if he would end up sitting in the First Class section of the aircraft (but still have J class service).

Terenz - the answer is no. QF is basically going through an aircraft shortage because of the one that is currently undergoing major repairs in BKK after the 'incident' last year. The 747-400s are the workhorses and they would put them where First Class service and fares are needed. The only times I have seen QF substitute F for J is within Australia and only between Melbourne and Sydney - on QF3, and on the odd occasion between HNL and SYD, since that flight codeshares with Canadian flights coming from Vancouver and Toronto respectively.

Additionally, now, only the B747-400 aircrafts offer First Class. The B747-300 only has a 2 class confirguration. Mind you, there is only one flight which QF operates between MEL and BKK which uses a B747-400, but on that day, it is a 3 class service.

[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 01-15-2000).]

I am precisely hoping that they -300 will be substituted by a -400 on that day. The flight shows completely sold out in J/D (on both QF & BA inventories) so I am surprised that I even got an award seat.

Since I've got 3J, i can hope and have nothing to lose (I would hate to have a row 5 seat and be reseated who-knows-where).

terenz: I was checking ITN for QF 9 SIN-LHR inventory for October, and it shows completly sold out in D as well, but the AA RTW desk had no problem booking it. So I doubt the QF inventory listing in on-line CSR is accurate.