Qantas to Launch SYD-AKL-JFK (June 2023)

[Himeno]

Interesting - another cost of ULH. They may need to carry heavier crew numbers in LAX and probably SYD to deploy to NAN.

Agree if predictable will be a LAX diversion and crew change but will be interesting to see how it pans out longer term Until the A350s arrive.

How often have the QF8 747/A380 flights had to divert to random South Pacific islands since they started the DFW flights?

 

[QF029]

Has there been an update on the AKL lounge redevelopment? I'm on QF4 next week and hoping it's ready so I can have a nice shower. Or maybe we'll end up in NAN?

 

[arrow]

Has there been an update on the AKL lounge redevelopment? I'm on QF4 next week and hoping it's ready so I can have a nice shower. Or maybe we'll end up in NAN?

It’s been partially refurbished (more softer tones), but the full redevelopment will occur in 2024

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Has there been an update on the AKL lounge redevelopment? I'm on QF4 next week and hoping it's ready so I can have a nice shower. Or maybe we'll end up in NAN?

Per the QF site the AKL lounge does indeed have showers. I should also point out that there are other lounges available at AKL that you may have access to if you have AmEx Platinum / Priority Pass such as the Strata Lounge located adjacent to the QF lounge.

 

[QF029]

It’s been partially refurbished (more softer tones), but the full redevelopment will occur in 2024

Thanks. Googling now I can see an update in Feb. For whatever reason I thought this was to be completed before the NYC flights which sounded optimistic. Not sure if I misunderstood or they changed the timeline.

 

[BNEFlyer]

How often have the QF8 747/A380 flights had to divert to random South Pacific islands since they started the DFW flights?

When QF8 was operated by the 747 it was scheduled as DFW-BNE-SYD, when it was an A380 there may have been the rare diversion to NAN or BNE but with the 789 I don't recall it coming to BNE. MEL-DFW and PER-LHR are both longer than AKL-JFK.

 

[NSun]

Per the QF site the AKL lounge does indeed have showers. I should also point out that there are other lounges available at AKL that you may have access to if you have AmEx Platinum / Priority Pass such as the Strata Lounge located adjacent to the QF lounge.

There is only one or two showers in the 'F' lounge and I would presume a couple of others in the J lounge. I've never had trouble using them but obviously demand will be higher once JFK flights begin.

I'm on the Points Plane on Friday so I have only 7 sleeps to go.

 

[justinbrett]

There is only one or two showers in the 'F' lounge and I would presume a couple of others in the J lounge. I've never had trouble using them but obviously demand will be higher once JFK flights begin.

I'm on the Points Plane on Friday so I have only 7 sleeps to go.

The shower situation in the AKL F lounge was a running joke on here.

 

[Brettmcg]

When QF8 was operated by the 747 it was scheduled as DFW-BNE-SYD, when it was an A380 there may have been the rare diversion to NAN or BNE but with the 789 I don't recall it coming to BNE. MEL-DFW and PER-LHR are both longer than AKL-JFK.

FYI - QF are having MEL-DFW tech crew spend up to a week upline in DFW to mitigate against any diversions on the QF3/4 services.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

One issue with jfk-akl in that direction is delays at jfk can be lengthy (moreover than flights from mel, per, akl, etc). I'm sure a number of us have had 60+ min taxis out to runway at jfk.

 

[QF029]

There is only one or two showers in the 'F' lounge and I would presume a couple of others in the J lounge. I've never had trouble using them but obviously demand will be higher once JFK flights begin.

I'm on the Points Plane on Friday so I have only 7 sleeps to go.

QF3 or QF4?

 

[AIRwin]

Looks like VH-ZNL may have the honour of operating the inaugural flight?

 

[arrow]

One issue with jfk-akl in that direction is delays at jfk can be lengthy (moreover than flights from mel, per, akl, etc). I'm sure a number of us have had 60+ min taxis out to runway at jfk.

Yes, this is going to be an issue. I actually don't see much benefit in doing JFK-AKL. AKL-JFK makes sense due to the ability to skip LAX immigration, but with JFK-AKL, the risk of delays etc. plus the lounges in JFK compared to the QF F lounge in LAX. I'd rather do JFK-LAX on AA and then connect onto LAX-SYD flight.

 

[NSun]

QF3 or QF4?

QF3

Looks like VH-ZNL may have the honour of operating the inaugural flight?

Looks like it based on the fact that it is scheduled to operate QF74 getting on Wednesday morning and QF3 is leaving from the same gate that QF74 is parking at post-landing.

 

[QF029]

Yes, this is going to be an issue. I actually don't see much benefit in doing JFK-AKL. AKL-JFK makes sense due to the ability to skip LAX immigration, but with JFK-AKL, the risk of delays etc. plus the lounges in JFK compared to the QF F lounge in LAX. I'd rather do JFK-LAX on AA and then connect onto LAX-SYD flight.

Anything except AA Flagship First is a fair step down from QF J if flying AA from JFK to connect at LAX/DFW. I'm on QF4 on Friday for this reason. The 2 things not ideal will be a lack of showers at AKL and having to go via SYD to MEL.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, this is going to be an issue. I actually don't see much benefit in doing JFK-AKL. AKL-JFK makes sense due to the ability to skip LAX immigration, but with JFK-AKL, the risk of delays etc. plus the lounges in JFK compared to the QF F lounge in LAX. I'd rather do JFK-LAX on AA and then connect onto LAX-SYD flight.

QF LAX Flounge has been pretty ordinary my last couple of visits (good, not great).

I haven’t tried them yet, but the updated lounges in JFK (Chelsea / Soho) look good.

 

[NSun]

QF LAX Flounge has been pretty ordinary my last couple of visits (good, not great).

I haven’t tried them yet, but the updated lounges in JFK (Chelsea / Soho) look good.

I'm going back on QF12 a week or so later and exiting NYC via LGA.

Although I've found the LAX F Lounge novelty has worn off since it first opened, I loved it last time I visited (the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2022) because they had panna cotta for dessert (my favourite dessert) and it was actually quiet because QF94 was cancelled and QF16 was off early. Although I do wish it had tarmac views and/or natural light.

 

[jpp42]

Anything except AA Flagship First is a fair step down from QF J if flying AA from JFK to connect at LAX/DFW. I'm on QF4 on Friday for this reason. The 2 things not ideal will be a lack of showers at AKL and having to go via SYD to MEL

Curious why you wouldn't opt for (NYC)-DFW-MEL for this trip. Yes it's only armchair seating for the AA leg in J, but it's only a 2- to 3- hour flight and you could avoid the extra segment in Australia, which of course is also only armchairs in J. Unless you're adamant on collecting extra SC's I'd think saving the extra leg would be worth it. Plus you have your choice of departure airports if LGA (or EWR?) might be more convenient.

 

[arrow]

QF LAX Flounge has been pretty ordinary my last couple of visits (good, not great).

I haven’t tried them yet, but the updated lounges in JFK (Chelsea / Soho) look good.

I’ve been to the Soho lounge (nb: QF4 guests can’t use Chelsea lounge as there’s no first class) and the QF F lounge in LAX is far superior even it’s the worst (in my opinion) F lounge in the QF network

 

[justinbrett]

I’ve been to the Soho lounge (nb: QF4 guests can’t use Chelsea lounge as there’s no first class) and the QF F lounge in LAX is far superior even it’s the worst (in my opinion) F lounge in the QF network

I prefer it to SIN myself.

I think most of the decline is in the staffing, and this isn’t unique to QF - have seen it in a number of industries in the US since covid.

As for Chelsea that will be up to QF to contract if it wants - I don’t think the no first class thing is much of an issue in the medium term with AA getting rid of its business class, and these QF flights are part of the JV with AA. AA Business Plus get access.