Qantas Trans-Tasman Business Class

[puchu]

Hi folks, first time poster here.

I have a question about Trans-Tasman J seating. I'm flying AKL-MEL Qantas J in the early morning for the first time and was wondering which seat is the best for a) overall experience and b) views leaving AKL and arriving in MEL. Would be glad to hear your advice - thanks in advance!

Edit: I should note that seats 1F and 2F have been blocked, all other window seats are available and that I am currently in 2A.

 

[kermatu]

puchu - there's no guarantee of views in my experience, given take-off / landing direction can vary, cloud cover etc.

The Auckland the airport is some distance from the city, but it's pretty scenic around the airport. You are usually into the clouds and over the ocean within minutes, so not that great. Right side is probably marginally better as you will see the city in the distance once the craft turns west to Oz.

Landing in Melbourne which I've done probably 50+ times, I think better views tend to be on the left hand side. But no guarantee you see anything if the plane lands from the north.

I'd stick with 2A. Row 2 is my preference. More legroom (as you can put your feet right under seat in front). If you have seatback IFE you can also use this gate to gate (Row 1 must stow).

But you do risk having 1A put their seat back which will limit your room a bit. but not too much. And on some craft even rows 2 and 3 have pull out screens so you have to stow them for takeoff and well before landing.

Row 2 gets served pretty quickly, and 2A will have very little risk of your preferred meal being unavailable.

Hope this helps.

 

[kermatu]

Just some further thoughts on the overnight MEL-AKL flight while I remember:

- service was very quick. No dawdling with drinks or meal. Basically straight after the attendants were able to move (though seatbelt sign still on), William served a couple of drinks to guys who had asked pre-takeoff, then came to the other pax to take orders. Supper served fast too. Light load though.

- the muffins and juice were served as descent started. So to me this was trying to allow as much rest/sleep as possible.

- while the cabin was dark, William or the CSM did walk by occasionally. And the CSM was still pretty attentive when I once just raised my head and made eye contact - he and the other FA he was chatting to jumped up and came to see what I needed. There was no sense of it being a chore, or of them trying to maximise their own rest time or opportunity to chat.

Obviously these are crew dependent, but good signs for me.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If I were you, I would keep seat 2A.
For the 737, its not really a lot of choice, either row 1, 2 or 3 and thats it.

 

[opusman]

What views are you expecting leaving MEL? Unless you find a bunch of ugly skyscrapers exciting.

95% of the flight is over water.

Auckland would be pretty from the air but I'm not sure the flight path would ever go over the city.

 

[trixydoza]

What views are you expecting leaving MEL? Unless you find a bunch of ugly skyscrapers exciting.

95% of the flight is over water.

Auckland would be pretty from the air but I'm not sure the flight path would ever go over the city.

Bah humbug much? Maybe you're jaded, but first-time posters might not be.

 

[PaulST]

If time isn't an issue and you're looking for a great view, fly via Queenstown!

 

[puchu]

Thanks for the advice everyone - I will stick with 2A.

What views are you expecting leaving MEL? Unless you find a bunch of ugly skyscrapers exciting.

95% of the flight is over water.

Auckland would be pretty from the air but I'm not sure the flight path would ever go over the city.

I've only visited Melbourne once before and was stuck in aisle seats on that occasion, so no expectations.

 

[TheBOSman]

What views are you expecting leaving MEL? Unless you find a bunch of ugly skyscrapers exciting.

95% of the flight is over water.

Auckland would be pretty from the air but I'm not sure the flight path would ever go over the city.

Most of my most recent AKL arrivals (beginning of this year) have gone just south of the city to the north of the airport, followed by a 180 degree turn right-hand turn to line up with the runway for a landing to the west. This enabled this view while seated on the left side of the aircraft on a SYD-AKL flight (I believe it was the later of the morning departures, as I was connecting from LAX at SYD, and I have slightly corrected the photo for clarity).
.

 

[Deleted member]

I can just see my mums house !!

 

[blackcat20]

What views are you expecting leaving MEL? Unless you find a bunch of ugly skyscrapers exciting.

95% of the flight is over water.

Auckland would be pretty from the air but I'm not sure the flight path would ever go over the city.

I've also experienced some great views of AKL coming in to land...

 

[Mattg]

I've also experienced some great views of AKL coming in to land...

The great views of AKL are usually to be seen on the left hand side of the plane on arrival if 23L is being used. Not so common on departure.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

From SYD they always seem to do a big turn out a bit over the (is it) Orakie/Hobsons Bay yacht club way and then come down over Papatoetie/Manukau way.

 

[Capricornus]

That is surprising as when I used to regularly fly WLG-SYD in J the FA told me they rarely saw under 7 pax there and from my experience it was usually 7-10 pax, they noted that the EK alliance did increase the loading. I however not flown WLG-SYD that often in the last 18 months, and that would have been twice in Y. I wonder if the low loading had anything to do with the day of the week as I remember once that I took a QF117 (same flight before they renumbered it to QF163) flight years ago and Saturday night there were only 30 something pax in the entire plane, I was in J with 2 others.

Flew QF163 just the other week and QF164 back (both mid-week flights on Tue/Wed) in J. Both times J cabin only had 1 spare seat. Seems to be good J loads for QF TT.

Really enjoyed the Jetconnect service, and the meals.

One minor negative was no amenity kit on the return flight (as departure is before 6pm). My skin starts to get dry on flights longer than 2hrs irrespective of what time of the day it is.

 

[Altair]

My skin starts to get dry on flights longer than 2hrs irrespective of what time of the day it is.

Did they stop stocking the ASPAR hand lotion in the J restroom on the 737?
ASPAR is the brand they provide in the Trans Tasman amenity kit, well it was when they first introduced it. Hold it does that mean I have flown QF J in the last 12 months?

 

[Capricornus]

Did they stop stocking the ASPAR hand lotion in the J restroom on the 737?
ASPAR is the brand they provide in the Trans Tasman amenity kit, well it was when they first introduced it. Hold it does that mean I have flown QF J in the last 12 months?

They still stock it, so had to walk up to the bathroom several times.

 

[RichardMEL]

Russ, there is always the LA(N) metal in J.

Occasionally they (LA) do carry the QF flight number, so you can earn the full gamut of SC flying LA metal QF flight number, SYD - AKL.
I have only done it in whY, tight as, next time I go across to NZ, or come back to Au, will try LA J with a QF flight number.

What exactly do you mean by "Occasionally"?

As far as I am aware, it's a daily codeshare.

 

[RichardMEL]

Back to the side discussion of the EK lounges:

In SYD the lounge is pretty basic IMHO and I found it (visited pre SYD-CHC flight) to be a bit dull in terms of offerings, though I suspect pre the evening departures for long haul flights to Asia and DXB it is much better. Not even close to the QF F lounge of course.

Haven't bothered with the MEL EK lounge given it's right next to (more or less) the QF F lounge. No contest.

the AKL EK lounge, as others have said, is really pretty well stocked with F&B (specially compared to the QF "F" lounge, bar the ice cream ). I've walked in there (EK) and seen enough food (specially the cakes and stuff) to feed a small nation. The bubbles are orange, and that's nice, and other top shelf spirits of a decent J qualiy (IMHO) and the warm food buffet had a whole bunch of options. I tried a few and found them fine, but did not indulge too much pre and F flight (for obvious reasons ).

I found getting to EK early (eg prior to around 1600 either winter or summer schedule time) and it's pretty quiet and you get a wide selection of seat options, so I have taken a quiet seat and staked out a spot, then the busy factor doesn't bother too much if I'm reading a book or watching something on my tablet, with the odd visit to the loo or for a drink or something. I can definitely see the merit in moving to the QF lounge though.

Yes, the QF "F" lounge is far more quiet and those big chairs are comfy. The F&B is... well.. basic (or was when I was last there, with some party pies being the "hilight") and the drinks selection so-so.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the info re: lounges. I'm flying EK F AKL-SYD in two weeks (on a QF no.) and was keen to hear which lounge I should use. Seems like EK is the best.

 

[jackthomas]

Thanks for the info re: lounges. I'm flying EK F AKL-SYD in two weeks (on a QF no.) and was keen to hear which lounge I should use. Seems like EK is the best.

Can second that the EK lounge in AKL is fantastic, was there for the first time last week.