I flew QF 25 MEL-AKL-LAX just to see what it is like, before being dismembered. The loads were ridiculous! Less than 10 in J on both sectors, and only 2 pax went MEL-LAX. I guess everyone picks QF93 instead. So I now understand a bit better why QF rescheduled this flight (to be more convenient for AKL arrival) and is changing it to 737.

Having so few pax in J meant F level service (better FA to pax ratio than a full F cabin) and everyone had a separate row to themselved, not just an empty seat next to them. It is vey close to F service when J is half empty, the only problem is the skybed. The incline is just enough to interfere with my sleep, so that will keep me in F for the forseeable future (haven't tried the A380 J yet, which is touted as having a level skybed).

Where did you sit? How about the Y load?

Just the good news that QF would love hear.

Maybe so, although don't forget that QF is now the only major transpacific carrier operating between MEL/SYD/BEN and LAX/SFO with an inclined bed in J.

DL/UA/NZ/VA all offer a flat bed. The Roo route is starting to loo increasingly flat too with SQ/EK/CX/EY et al all offering a flat experience in J. Would not be surprised to hear that QF is looking to update the 744s which are not almost ready to retire up to scratch, even if it means implementing a DL/UA style bed for these aircraft.

How the tables have turned!

Thanks for trying out the J service so you can see how the rest of us has to fly.
I was just on QF4 (a no bed whatsoever service) and loads were 100% full in J and 95% in Y. But I have been on some ridiculously empty JL flights lately with 8 J pax on a 744.

I was in 4A -- just in case they sub'ed a 4-class 744, but no such luck. Still the J configured A zone is quite nice, and with an empty seat next to you it is actually nicer than F for a day flight. It is only for sleeping that there is a disadvantage. Y was about 70% full MEL-AKL and half full AKL-LAX (a lot of AKL origin pax, very few MEL-LAX traffic). I actually liked the break in AKL and the duty free shopping at AKL is quite good, also I could upload my work from the prior 5 hours from my laptop.

QF is sending emails to fill those TT empties and reduce the QFF risk

Limited offer: upgrade from Economy

More discussion about this here

The last few trans-tasman flights I've taken business was totally full.

I have noticed the same thing and this is to/from WLG that due to lack of competition does not have the J Sale fares.

I chose 4E on QF25 (AKL-LAX only) in Feb 10 for the same reason. Having nothing more than Bronze status on QF, if a 4-class 744 were subbed for the 74J, I would assume they'll toss me out of Zone A to allow high status QFers to sit in an F seat. Other than 4A, 4K, and me, Zone A shows empty. The UD is about half full. Rows 23 and 24 show 2/3 full.

The ones we did earlier this month AKL-SYD and MEL-AKL were almost empty, on the MEL-AKL only one other pax! We got truly good service ^

I am reading similar posts on other airline threads. This is obviously a sign of the global recession. Lets hope that the worst is behind us, and things will begin to pick-up.

I'm on QF133 later this week; 9's in all classes (except U) and there are no J seats showing as allocated. (The seat map has gone into the ~5 day pre-flight mode)

What is interesting(?) is that my front row Y seat is showing as allocated on www.checkmytrip.com and www.qantas.com/yourbookings but E/F is now showing "My" seat as empty.

Well it can only go one of two ways cant it? Either enjoy your upgrade, or dispair at your new seat 48E....

It's back ... however, on another flight in June a similar thing has happened, however, while C/M/T is showing the seat allocation, there is nor 'confirmation' tick not is any seat allocation appearing for that segment on www.qantas.com/yourbooking .