QF15 + My Trip

[Auslad88]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums, but wanted to ask a few questions if i may. I noticed sometimes members know information about what kind of plane/config etc would be on a particular flight/date and i wanted to share/get any advice on what i have booked.

I have never been overseas before but i decided i wanted to go to the USA. When i booked the flight with Qantas in February this year (direct from the qantas website) , most flights were around $1800 each way between sydney and LAX, however there was a flight that was half that price that i decided to book - regardless of the layover that was involved.

Departure date is 09-12-2012
QF504 From Sydney to Brisbane
then QF15 from Brisbane to Lax

Return home on QF12 TO Sydney from Lax

These are my questions if anyone can help me

on QF15 i have selected seat 70k - is this a good seat? and is it really far from the window? looks like there is a gap?
on QF12 home i have seat 80A - also any advice on seating if this is not that good?

My other question i have is, when I'm in Sydney to board the domestic flight to Brisbane, do Qantas take the bags through to LA or do i get them in Brisbane and take them to the International Terminal there? I'm a bit confused as to what happens here, and where exactly i go through immigration. I'm not sure how early i need to be at the airport for the domestic flight etc as its pretty early in the morning - and have booked a hotel at the airport in case.

Anyway i would love any feed back on this, or seat tips - especially any news about refurb'd 747's etc - Don't suppose there is a way to know which exact 747 will be rostered for this?

THANKS in advance

 

[leemin]

on QF15 i have selected seat 70k - is this a good seat? and is it really far from the window? looks like there is a gap?
on QF12 home i have seat 80A - also any advice on seating if this is not that good?

I'm not a QF flyer, but it would appear you've chosen very well. Check out www.seatguru.com

 

[Katie]

Hi Auslad,

QF should send your bags through to LAX from Sydney. You won't need to collect them in Brisbane and transfer with them to the international terminal.
You should only need to arrive at Sydney airport an hour or so before your departure.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Auslad88]

Hi Auslad,

QF should send your bags through to LAX from Sydney. You won't need to collect them in Brisbane and transfer with them to the international terminal.
You should only need to arrive at Sydney airport an hour or so before your departure.
Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Katie I appreciate your advice

 

[RooAvery]

is QF12 an A380? If so, 80A is an awesome seat, some prefer 71D, the difference isnt much, but keep 80A if you already have it

if its a 747 then the above does not apply

 

[Auslad88]

is QF12 an A380? If so, 80A is an awesome seat, some prefer 71D, the difference isnt much, but keep 80A if you already have it

if its a 747 then the above does not apply

Acording to my "manage my booking" section of Qantas QF12 is a a380 and QF15 is 747 bu not sure if it's refurbished etc

 

[RooAvery]

Acording to my "manage my booking" section of Qantas QF12 is a a380 and QF15 is 747 bu not sure if it's refurbished etc

count the seats on the Seat Selection page of "Manage My Booking", I think 270 Y seats means new 3 class 747?

 

[Auslad88]

count the seats on the Seat Selection page of "Manage My Booking", I think 270 Y seats means new 3 class 747?

Do you think if I called Qantas tomorrow they might know ?

 

[RooAvery]

I doubt they will tell you, aircraft can change right up to the day or hour prior to the flight so anything they do tell you could very well be wrong

if you count the seats, or check if Y starts at row 43, even that could change as above.

 

[Auslad88]

I doubt they will tell you, aircraft can change right up to the day or hour prior to the flight so anything they do tell you could very well be wrong

if you count the seats, or check if Y starts at row 43, even that could change as above.

I will have a look. The only ther thing that was odd, the other day I received an email from Qantas saying that the QF15 had changed. The Only change was It arrives at LA 5 min earlier not sure if that Indicates a different plane lol

 

[richie9x]

is QF12 an A380? If so, 80A is an awesome seat, some prefer 71D, the difference isnt much, but keep 80A if you already have it

if its a 747 then the above does not apply

The only Qantas plane with a row 80 is the A380. So if he has selected 80A it must be an A380.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have never been overseas before but i decided i wanted to go to the USA. When i booked the flight with Qantas in February this year (direct from the qantas website) , most flights were around $1800 each way between sydney and LAX, however there was a flight that was half that price that i decided to book - regardless of the layover that was involved.

Departure date is 09-12-2012
QF504 From Sydney to Brisbane
then QF15 from Brisbane to Lax

on QF15 i have selected seat 70k - is this a good seat? and is it really far from the window? looks like there is a gap?
on QF12 home i have seat 80A - also any advice on seating if this is not that good?

My other question i have is, when I'm in Sydney to board the domestic flight to Brisbane, do Qantas take the bags through to LA or do i get them in Brisbane and take them to the International Terminal there? I'm a bit confused as to what happens here, and where exactly i go through immigration. I'm not sure how early i need to be at the airport for the domestic flight etc as its pretty early in the morning - and have booked a hotel at the airport in case.

Anyway i would love any feed back on this, or seat tips - especially any news about refurb'd 747's etc - Don't suppose there is a way to know which exact 747 will be rostered for this?

THANKS in advance

Check with the airport hotel you're staying in what time the shuttle departs for the airport as sometimes you need to prebook these. Make sure you tell them you're going to the domestic terminal T3 because if they ask where you're going & you say LAX they may take you to the international terminal.

I would aim to checkin no later than 60 minutes prior (aim for 90 minutes just to be safe) to departure at the SYD Domestic terminal 3. They will check your bags all the way to LAX and give you both boarding passes & the green departure card you need to complete and hand to customs at BNE Intl terminal.

On arrival at BNE domestic just head downstairs (no need to collect your bag) & make your way out the front of the terminal to the orange Tbus stop to the BNE internatioanl terminal. Just show your QF boarding pass to the driver and there will be no charge. On arrival at BIT all you need to do is make your way through customs to the boarding gate.

Note that sometimes security weigh your carryon so make sure no single piece weighs in excess of 7 kilos.

You will need to apply for an ESTA visa through the official site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ but beware of some of the bogus sites out there that will still issue the visa but charge you a lot more money. Keep the address of where you're staying in the US handy as you will need it when you checkin in SYD & plus for your form in the US.

With your seating on the 744 on QF15 70K is what I would choose if it is the second row of two seats down the back, if it's only the first row or two then I would move back to row 71 as this will allow you to stretch out your legs more due to there being no seat in front of you. The first row of 2 will either be row 69 or 70 depending on which 744 you're on. The seating is more like 70HJ than 70JK as the bulk of the space is between the 'middle' seat & the window.

As for 80K on the A380 that is probably the most sought after seat on the a/c so you well to score that one.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Almost certainly you will be on a refurbed 747 - the BNE-LAX route was the first to get these aircraft and all flights on this sector are on the refurbed versions (unless there's a last minute change for technical resaons, of course).

The reason it looks like there's a gap between your seat and the window is because there is a gap - it's very useful for you to store stuff (your carry-on bag, for example) during the flight, although you can't have stuff there during take-off and landing. I agree with ozbeachbabe's comment about choosing the second row of the two-seat block - if you're on a refurbed 747-400ER, row 70 is the second row and a great selection.

Have a great time!

 

[serfty]

OK - there's a lot of accurate information in the previous posts - to summarise:

• SYD-xBNE-LAX

• Get to SYD T3 by 5:30am which is 1½ hours before QF504 is scheduled to depart (at 7:05am).
• You check in at the special "Domestic Connection to International" desk.
• They will issue both Boarding Passes for QF504 and QF15 there.
• That's the last you will see of your bags until LAX.
• Upon arrival at BNE you need to exit the terminal flowing the signs for the T-BUS. (Here's a timetable link: Brisbane Airport - Transport Options)
• When the T-Bus arrives show your QF15 boarding pass for complimentary travel to the Intentional Terminal. (Brisbane International Airport Guide)
• At the BNE international terminal, proceed through emigration.
• QF15 would commence boarding at or soon after 10:45am.

Here's links to the currently scheduled 744 for QF15 that day¹ and the two 388 configurations (they may change but that's not really likely):

• http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744ER-58J36W270Y.pdf
• http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/A380-14F72J32PY332Y.pdf / http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/A380-14F64J35PY371Y.pdf

¹ Yes it is the refurbished model - I see on Dec 9th that 70A,70B,71A & 71B are all allocated.

The reason it looks like there's a gap between your seat and the window is because there is a gap - it's very useful for you to store stuff (your carry-on bag, for example) during the flight, although you can't have stuff there during take-off and landing. I agree with ozbeachbabe's comment about choosing the second row of the two-seat block - if you're on a refurbed 747-400ER, row 70 is the second row and a great selection. ...

Agree!

 

[Auslad88]

thanks so much to everyone who helped me on this one. I have been i really appreciate all the feedback especially about the process of checkin etc - (serfty & ozbeachbabe). and the seating advice JohnPhelan

I have one more question that i forgot to ask. I will be in New York in December also, and have booked flights to Vancouver from Newark (AC549). I also fly back from Vancouver into LAX for a final few days in LA before i head back on QF12. I've heard so many stories about the visa process and entry to and from the states. Flight back into the USA from Canada is AC550

1) is it true that all i need is my Australian Passport and a return airfare + proof of money in the bank to enter canada? My flight isn't really "return" its two separate flights booked separate with Air Canada? i read that i should have no issue getting into canada , but what about re-entering the states at LAX? I will only be in Vancouver for 5 days just for vacation purposes and have no criminal record (for the record). I read on these forums about someone saying that for them to re-enter the USA from Canada that he would have to go to a total different country and come back again? or am i getting that confused with something else?

Thanks again - your advice is so valuable to me

 

[ozbeachbabe]

thanks so much to everyone who helped me on this one. I have been i really appreciate all the feedback especially about the process of checkin etc - (serfty & ozbeachbabe). and the seating advice JohnPhelan

I have one more question that i forgot to ask. I will be in New York in December also, and have booked flights to Vancouver from Newark (AC549). I also fly back from Vancouver into LAX for a final few days in LA before i head back on QF12. I've heard so many stories about the visa process and entry to and from the states. Flight back into the USA from Canada is AC550

1) is it true that all i need is my Australian Passport and a return airfare + proof of money in the bank to enter canada? My flight isn't really "return" its two separate flights booked separate with Air Canada? i read that i should have no issue getting into canada , but what about re-entering the states at LAX?

I will only be in Vancouver for 5 days just for vacation purposes and have no criminal record (for the record). I read on these forums about someone saying that for them to re-enter the USA from Canada that he would have to go to a total different country and come back again? or am i getting that confused with something else?

Thanks again - your advice is so valuable to me

I don't know whether you've got to show proof of funds to enter Canada just for 5 days. If you were staying a couple of months I could understand it.

Just have all your eticket/itinerary receipts with you to prove you have onward flights out of Canada - it doesn't matter that they're in separate pnrs as long as you can present a copy of the ticket in case you're asked for it.

Your USA esta visa is a multiple entry visa for 2 years so it doesn't matter you've departed the USA for canada then returned again. Customs may ask you on arrival the 2nd time where you went & what you did so just tell them straight up what you did.

Having a folder with all your confirmations for airlines/hotels/esta visa etc in your hand luggage is a good idea as everything is all in the one place & easy for you to find should Customs ask for it.

Often you pre-clear US Customs as you depart Canada so you just arrive in the US as you would when you're travelling domestically.

Last year on the one trip we entered the US 3 times - once in LAX at the start, second in SJU after arrival after a Caribbean cruise then a third time after a 2 night stay in the Dominican Republic.

Even though we flew direct SJU/SDQ right after the cruise I hadn't realised SJU was part of the US as such so we had to 'enter' the US at SJU before flying on to SDQ. When we arrived in MIA the last time we were asked why we only spent 2 nights there but when we told them it was 2 night post cruise stay which they were satisfied with that.

 

[Alanslegal]

1) is it true that all i need is my Australian Passport and a return airfare + proof of money in the bank to enter canada? My flight isn't really "return" its two separate flights booked separate with Air Canada? i read that i should have no issue getting into canada , but what about re-entering the states at LAX? I will only be in Vancouver for 5 days just for vacation purposes and have no criminal record (for the record).

As what ozbeachbabe says, just ensure you have print outs of your travel itinerary including all flights and hotels, so that if you are asked at Canadian immigration you are able to point to the officer your travel plans, that you intend to be there for holiday purposes and that you have intentions to depart their country on the dates booked. There will be no issue entering USA again as long as your ESTA has not past its expiry date (they're valid for two years, with multiple entries). Again if you are questioned at LAX immigration, just go through the same process/answers as the canadian immigration.

Someone can correct me if this is incorrect, but I think you clear a special USA customs and immigration channel at Vancouver.

I read on these forums about someone saying that for them to re-enter the USA from Canada that he would have to go to a total different country and come back again? or am i getting that confused with something else?

No thats not true, you will be fine USA->Canada->USA as long as you are on holiday purposes. I would suggest you might have mistaken the above, with say, someone trying to reside in the USA permanently but flying to Canada so that their short term visa can be renewed upon re-entry into the USA.

 

[markis10]

Almost certainly you will be on a refurbed 747 - the BNE-LAX route was the first to get these aircraft and all flights on this sector are on the refurbed versions (unless there's a last minute change for technical resaons, of course).

Actually there is no guarantee, already this month a 4 class has operated on this route, while last month it was very heavy with 4 class traffic, DFW is the only destination thats guaranteed to have a refurb! If it was Sunday when the OP was travelling it would be a 3 class as OJU heads over to pickup the Olympians.

[TABLE="class: style7"]
[TR]
[TH]Date[/TH]
[TH]Registration[/TH]
[TH]Type[/TH]
[TH]Flight No[/TH]
[TH]Configuration[/TH]
[TH]From[/TH]
[TH]Via[/TH]
[TH]To[/TH]
[TH]Notes[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]30/06/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJM[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]01/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJL[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]03/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJT[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]04/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJQ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]05/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEJ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]06/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEB[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/66J/40W/187Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJQ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]08/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJG[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEB[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/66J/40W/187Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]12/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJQ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJH[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]14/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJL[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJQ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]17/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJQ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]18/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJL[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]19/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJQ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]20/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJC[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]56J/40W/275Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]21/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEJ[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]22/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEH[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]24/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJU[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]25/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJM[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]26/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEH[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]27/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJU[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]28/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OJM[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/52J/32W/255Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]29/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEH[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]58J/36W/270Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #FF9999"]
[TD]31/07/2012[/TD]
[TD]VH-OEB[/TD]
[TD]B747-400[/TD]
[TD]QF15[/TD]
[TD]14F/66J/40W/187Y[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Auslad88]

thanks again! i understand it properly now. I have made a special A4 folder that i can take, it has all my itineray's and booking confirmations in it. I'm staying in a total of 7 hotels on my trip, and i have spent the last week faxing/emailing authority forms for them to take the funds out of my account (which they have!) so everything is paid in full - so i have receipts to also prove that i have paid for my accomodation too ! Very exited, i chose a mixture of airlines (Qantas, Virgin America, AA, Air Canada), so it shall be interesting to compare the different airlines even if they are domestic. I also read somewhere that although my aircanada flight from Newark to Vancouver is treated as a domestic flight? It arrives at Terminal M in Vancouver.

Thanks Alanslegal & Ozbeachbabe

 

[Auslad88]

Thanks Markis10, it certainly would be great to have a refurb but i guess it comes down to a gamble!. Is there a way to tell ( maybe a week or so before the flight) which aircraft it would be? is there like a roster/time table for certain 747s etc? I downloaded that flightradar/planefinder app a few months ago and i noticed that the a380s' have some kind of sequence, - ie: QF93 goes to LA, and the comes back as QF12 then goes on QF1 or something else, kinda like a sequence? or is it just coincedence ?

Thanks