744 vs. 747
 

Does this mean that 744 is a 3 class configuration plane while 747 is a 2 class?

744 means it is a 747-400 series whilst a 747 usually means a 747-100. 742 and 743 correspond to 200 and 300 series.

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As this question has been asked here in the QF forum, we can only assume this is in relation to QF. QF do not operate any 747-100's. So assume that 747 means any generic Boeing 747 product - in the QF case this could be 747-200, -300 or -400. Only the -400's are 3-class.

But soon QF will have 2-class config on some -400's so even seeing the 744 designator does not mean it will be a 3-class config.

As far as I know QF does not run a 3 class service on SYD-AKL route, so I was just a bit puzzled to see a choice of 744 and 747 for the coming weekend.

Occasionally, a three class aircraft services that route but it is still sold as two class and I have never seen it appear as 744 in the booking system.

I have flown in F (with full F service) between SYD-AKL several times this year; I would be most distressed if that service is now discontinued. I've taken to flying LAX-SYD by going LAX-HKG-AKL on CX and then AKL-SYD, solves jet lag and makes for a very nice trip (albeit takes a day longer).

Could it be that your F trips were on QF flights which continued on to EZE before this service was scrapped? Also, you can still fly to/from AKL in F, except it is QF321/322 on Lan Chile metal.

In the old paper timetables, Qantas used the "747" designator when the type of 747 (ie 200/SP/300) was not always set for a particular route. This occurred on routes where the classics were sometimes interchanged eg the old QF64 PER-SYD. A "744" is the designation for a 747-400.

How about QF26 AKL-BNE-SYD if you really must fly in F for a 3 hour trans-Tasman flight.