AA's SYD-LAX flight

[Moindardt]

Wife and I flew this (She's EXP on AA) and we used the SWUs to upgrade from Y to J. Overall, it was horrible and I can't see why anyone would ever pay for this flight. Prices seem to be the same as QF and, well, it's pretty awful overall.

Can I point out you paid for Y and got a FREE upgrade to J. Yes, it used a SWU but cost you nothing in points or cash, it was FREE.

We are doing it for the almost the same reason as you, the SWU's and the fact that even during holidays, it is pretty much a guaranteed FREE upgrade. And on AA numbers it 1x EQM. I know we can book QF flights as AA codeshare but you can't use SWU's and you can't upgrade with QF points.

I have spoken to a number of EXP's who fly it a lot recently (trying to find out about SWU's etc) and comparing it to the Transcontinental and 777-200 which I have flown. It seems pretty consistent with the AA forums on FT. The reviews are mostly positive with the hard product basically the same as CX. The soft product is never going to be as good as QF.

As the experiences seems to be the same across the board I am just going to add a few comments. They are never proactive and you always have to ask, but it is slowly getting better. The headphones are always a battle because of their BS stocktake, including them collecting them an hour before the end of the flight. Most of the time they will never do the coats (on 2 flights I asked repeatedly for them to take it and they always said they would come back). Wine is always cough. Never have the steak. Always have an ipade or book with you. It is quite a bit better on the food and wine in F but the service is still lacking.

We are more interested in the seat/bed, acceptable IFE, the full base miles and "FREE" upgrade to J. If it wasn't for that, yes, we would probably be flying QF, but if I am comparing QF Y and AA J, I know which one I am choosing.

 

[drewbles]

Umm :shock: :!:
On the upside it looks like the PJ's and seat are ok.
I have opted to take this flight to LAX in June. I will now make sure I eat a hearty breakfast washed down with some quality Champers in the Flounge, take the headphones, pop a couple of melatonin and sleep through :mrgreen:

I'm on it in a few weeks. I selected it as I find Skybed II terrible. I love the CX J seats (but hate their lack of a/c vent so AA has that). I never rated QF's food offering in J personally, but having flown AA extensively within the USA and to LHR from JFK a few times, i'm prepared for average food. Currently only a 120 minute connection in SYD, so am trying for an earlier flight out of MEL to ensure I get a good breakfast in in the F lounge.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Booked my wife in F, award ticket, for early Nov.
Only paid $143 for taxes, good value.

Called the call centre and got a J award seat for the return to BNE in early Dec.

Cheers
BF

 

[Finale]

Sitting in a flagship lounge at LAX waiting for AA73 to Syd in F. The food wasn't very appealing so I had dinner at Qantas lounge instead. Only about 5-10 min walk via connector. Funny how Qantas lounge is so much better in AA home country.

Heard about escort service but I didn't get anyone, which I couldn't care less. Not sure if it's because it is an award ticket or terminal 4 is empty with no line at all.

Edited: A lovely lady called my name in the lounge and apologized she didn't meet me at checkin. Looks like it is because I arrived too early (Hilton LAX didn't change the clock lol)

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Look forward to your F opinion(s).

Cheers
BF

 

[Limewood]

I'd stay away from Escort Services

 

[casanovawa]

Wife and I flew this (She's EXP on AA) and we used the SWUs to upgrade from Y to J. Overall, it was horrible and I can't see why anyone would ever pay for this flight. Prices seem to be the same as QF and, well, it's pretty awful overall.

Good:
* Hard product is fine, if you like the CX seats. I do like that they have air vents available (CX doesn't in PE at least and I was hammered last time I flex CX J on the 330, so don't remember)
* good storage in seat.
* PJs somewhat unique; just not a lot of AA routes offering them, so that's cool.
* plane is new
* TBIT connector open so at least if you have status, you can use the QF First lounge.
* WIFI was fast and worked well!
* umm, that's all I got.

Bad:
* service. I don't know where to start.
- refusing the headphones was like pulling teeth. They tried to force them on my wife, she had to refuse 3x. Pax before her (man) refused them and they didn't blink twice. She definitely got a gender bias vibe.
- never took her blazer on either leg, even though it was hanging on coat hook. They took mine once w/o asking, and once after being asked.
- we barely got service. Used the call light 3x on trips; 6:30 was the quickest they took to get to us. They also never turned off call lights, so I had to do that each time, which is annoying.
- food was inedble. absolutely inedible. I'd say we are pretty tolerant of bad airline food, but this was the worst. The beef tenderloin (usually safe on old US Air flights) was beyond well done, and the lamb on way back was even worse. Probably the worst J food I've ever had by a mile and worse than most Y food I've had.
- wines were terrible. I have the habit of researching menus when I board, and all the wines were < 12 bucks a bottle USD. Doesn't hold a candle to QF.
- other service issues include complete rudeness, abject annoyance at being asked for anything and no refills the entire flight unless called. Sure, there's a self service bar, but when you leave the seat belt light on THE WHOLE FLIGHT, you're not exactly encouraging people to get up.
* I do hate the flip out TVs. Gives you nothing to do on approach or take off if you're following the rules.

I could go on and on, but it was terrible. I wouldn't fly it revenue if I have a choice of QF that's within 20% of the cost. It's just not worth it. Soft product is even worse than the old US Air product, and that's saying something.

Gawdd it wasn't that bad, flew over and back, paid Y with SWU with my son, for $2300 return in J for the two of us can't beat it, if you don't like flying it fine, more chance of SWU for the rest of us....

Nearly 60,000 AA miles we got between us (I'm EXP) meaning an F flight back from ME for $100 or so was just icing on the cake...

 

[Finale]

Just got off the plane this morning.


- Was on 2A. F is not a big step up from J. There was 0 privacy. I like the space next to the seat under the desk(?). Felt quite safe storing stuff while sleeping. I had a good 8 hour sleep.
- Flight attendant was quite attentive.
- Food & drinks were ordinary, maybe business class standard (or worse) on other airlines.
- Cabin was too bright to sleep without an eye mask due to the light from the galley that seemed to be on the whole time. Those on first row might be annoyed.
- I didn't see slippers but saw a pair in J seat on the way out. Might be hidden somewhere.
- Both toilets are small and didn't offer anything other than soap and paper. Sink looked dirty as it is flat.
- Ground service was nothing to write home about. Maybe great if the terminal was busy.
- Flagship lounge was pretty sad for first class.


Anyway I think J in mini cabin will do just fine. I wouldn't spend points or money to fly their F again.

 

[travs]

Gawdd it wasn't that bad, flew over and back, paid Y with SWU with my son, for $2300 return in J for the two of us can't beat it, if you don't like flying it fine, more chance of SWU for the rest of us....

Nearly 60,000 AA miles we got between us (I'm EXP) meaning an F flight back from ME for $100 or so was just icing on the cake...

Yes, for SWU or an OP-Up, it's a good deal - LOL. It's sure better than Y. That really wasn't my point.

My point was, given that it's the same cost as QF and others, it's not worth paying for it. If it was cheaper in J than other carriers, it would be worth considering.

 

[travs]

Can I point out you paid for Y and got a FREE upgrade to J. Yes, it used a SWU but cost you nothing in points or cash, it was FREE.

Um, what's the point of pointing that out? I mentioned that. Are you saying that because you are upgraded, you can't either review or critique something? Or, that you can be treated poorly by the airline?

And no, it wasn't "FREE"

• It costs a large sum to get the upgrades. This wasn't done w/ straight miles, SWUs are earned by putting your b*tt in AA seats every. single. year.
• Their Y fares are at a premium transpac. The Cheapest Y fares were ~750 USD when the AA flights were booked; the AA tickets costs 1400 USD each. So, for the "free upgrade" as you claim, it cost us $1200 USD more than the cheapest economy tickets.

They are never proactive and you always have to ask, but it is slowly getting better.
The headphones are always a battle because of their BS stocktake, including them collecting them an hour before the end of the flight. Most of the time they will never do the coats (on 2 flights I asked repeatedly for them to take it and they always said they would come back). Wine is always cough. Never have the steak. Always have an ipade or book with you. It is quite a bit better on the food and wine in F but the service is still lacking.

We are more interested in the seat/bed, acceptable IFE, the full base miles and "FREE" upgrade to J. If it wasn't for that, yes, we would probably be flying QF, but if I am comparing QF Y and AA J, I know which one I am choosing.

So, I think we're saying the same things. Service is terrible. It's a poor J product that isn't worth the full freight fare. It simply doesn't compare to other airlines on the transpac route, save perhaps the other US carriers. The primary difference is that you seem to be excusing their shortcomings because it was "free".

 

[Foreigner]

My son's on today's flight. I'll hear what he has to say.

 

[travs]

I'm on it in a few weeks. I selected it as I find Skybed II terrible. I love the CX J seats (but hate their lack of a/c vent so AA has that). I never rated QF's food offering in J personally, but having flown AA extensively within the USA and to LHR from JFK a few times, i'm prepared for average food. Currently only a 120 minute connection in SYD, so am trying for an earlier flight out of MEL to ensure I get a good breakfast in in the F lounge.

FYI, I have had success calling AA and getting on QF400 from MEL w/o a difference in price. It doesn't come up when you book online, but agents can do the reservation. i'm like you; if I connect in SYD, I want as much time as possible for my connection. QF400 gives you an extra hour in the lounge, which is a good idea IMO.

 

[drewbles]

Yes, for SWU or an OP-Up, it's a good deal - LOL. It's sure better than Y. That really wasn't my point.

My point was, given that it's the same cost as QF and others, it's not worth paying for it. If it was cheaper in J than other carriers, it would be worth considering.

I would happily pay for it over QF. Skybed is outdated and in desperate need of replacement. I love the CX/AA J seat, don't care about the service as much as I do the seat.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I would happily pay for it over QF. Skybed is outdated and in desperate need of replacement. I love the CX/AA J seat, don't care about the service as much as I do the seat.

Having just returned from SYD-SFO-SYD in J, the QF service leaves a lot to be desired these days, so I'd probably try it for a better seat too.

 

[drewbles]

Having just returned from SYD-SFO-SYD in J, the QF service leaves a lot to be desired these days, so I'd probably try it for a better seat too.

The last time I flew QF J long haul was LHR-SIN-MEL, a week before they moved to DXB. The CSM was amazing on the flight from SIN to MEL, and from LHR to SIN was terrible. Unfortunately on the whole, I find QF long haul crew far 'worse than better'.

I have a QF long haul J coming up, but have a points upgrade to F in place, which at this stage is looking pretty good to clear. I opted for AA on the way out purely for the seat, rather than gamble for a MEL-LAX with F upgrade.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Some QF J cabin crew are in dire need of an attitude adjustment. I kid you not I have had better service on AA domestic F than QF international J, and that's saying something.

 

[drewbles]

Some QF J cabin crew are in dire need of an attitude adjustment. I kid you not I have had better service on AA domestic F than QF international J, and that's saying something.

I've probably flown AA domestic F over a 100 times, and I can count on two hands the number of bad egg's i've had in the cabin. Mostly, the AA crew in F are excellent. They also love chatting to an Australian accent

 

[gbetox]

It seems that AA looks after QF's frequent flyers better than QF looks after its own, at least on Y...

Whilst on QF I have to pay for exit row seats, on the SYD/LAX/SYD AA flights I am able to get exit row seats for free (as a newly downgraded SG).

Hopefully, the flights on Y won't be so bad...

 

[Timtammi]

Just returned from the US and flew AA SYD-LAX return in J on AA72 and AA73 purchased as QF codeshares. Was very impressed. MUCH cheaper than QF when I booked, seat is great, service was good, food nearly as good as QF (and service much faster), nice cotton pj's, good Cole Haan amenity kit. All in all very good flights. Feel free to ask questions.

 

[maz1]

Just returned from the US and flew AA SYD-LAX return in J on AA72 and AA73 purchased as QF codeshares. Was very impressed. MUCH cheaper than QF when I booked, seat is great, service was good, food nearly as good as QF (and service much faster), nice cotton pj's, good Cole Haan amenity kit. All in all very good flights. Feel free to ask questions.

Oh that is such great news!