QF A380/747 Syd-LHR

[kezsco]

I know there have been lots of comments regarding QF A380 vs 747. However, this has mainly been discussion about the J product. I am a Y traveller. I travel to Europe twice a year in Y, but usually to Frankfurt (2 class 747).

This year Xmas, I will be travelling via LHR to get to my final destination (BSL). With that in mind, I have the choice of A380 (QF31) or 747 (QF1). The dilemma is that the A380 will be approx $150 more (each way) than the 747. I want to travel on the A380, but is it worth it? The seats don't look any different... the loads should be the same (packed). I hear that you'd arrive feeling fresher in the A380, is this true?

Can people enlighten me as to their own opinions on the Y differences?

Thanks again

 

[Flashback]

If you can provide specific dates and flight numbers, someone here can look up the seat map and see if 80A/K are available ; if so, then I'd go for the A388.

 

[moa999]

Seat pitch - same
Seat - A380 has slideable forward seats that means person reclining doesn't impede space as much
IFE - A380 has more reliable and far better Panasonic IFE and larger wide screeens (and tail-cam)
Self-serve - A380 has the self-serve snack bar and fridges
Cabin pressure - A380 lower pressure which should mean you arrive more refreshed

Is it worth $150 each way. Probably not.
If a non-Qantas Club member I would be more inclined to spend my hard-earned on a lounge membership (discounted corporate rate if you become a Gold member) so you can have a shower at BKK/SIN in the middle, and use the lounges at the airports.

 

[NM]

For Y travel I would take the A380 over the 747 if possible.

• Better and more reliable IFE
• "Sling" footrest for Y seats
• greater pressure differential meaning cabin pressure is equiv to a lower altitude than 744

 

[ozavanti]

Im a bit like you Kezsco in that i am self funding trips to the UK and as such end up travelling whY class up to 5 times a year.... thought just got myself QF-SG in doing so which should make things a little easier.

I have also been through the same dilemma regarding the A380 v 747 and the premium that QF (are starting to) place on A380 services. Thankfully to date i have managed to fluke not being charged a premium for the big bird.

That being said from my experiences i would personally pay the extra for the A380 if needed too for the following reasons:

• I find that for me that seats in the A380 are better suited to my frame (1.78m), especially if you factor the front foot net which elevates the legs and helps to reduce the fatigue (in conjunction with flight socks), the 747's dont have footrests;
• The IFE is much better with the touch screen and from memory a bigger screen;
• I find the snack bars in the A380 much easier than having to go into a galley and ask Crew for things (i normally don't know what i feel like until i see it);
• The A380's aren't as dated as the 747 fleet although they appear to be less resilient in the toilet department;
• The crew (either operating from the UK or Australia) just seem happier on the A380, perhaps it still has some novelty for them as well?

According to Wikipedia the A380 produces 50% less cabin noise than currently flying 747 models and has greater cabin air pressure, equivalent to an altitude of 1,520 m (5,000 ft) versus 2,440 m (8,000 ft).

All i know is that I certainly feel a whole lot fresher after having been on the A380 than the 747 and makes my visits a whole lot more enjoyable.

Again if it was me I'd shell out the extra money especially in a peak season like Christmas where loads will be heavy.

Hope it helps.

Ozz

 

[JetLagged]

Im a bit like you Kezsco in that i am self funding trips to the UK and as such end up travelling whY class up to 5 times a year.... thought just got myself QF-SG in doing so which should make things a little easier. Ozz

Ozz and kezsco - if you are flying regularly to the UK/Europe - have you thought about booking one trip at least in reverse - use the Qantas UK website for legs 2 and 3 of a double trip during the year: I am flying to the UK twice more this year - will be flying over to UK next month and using return ticket portion in December, with booking a ticket from the UK for flight back in Sptember andthen 'home' to LHR earlier in December - saving heaps.

Given current exchange rates - flights in A380 would be about 998 pounds, or $1737 (depending on time of year, etc) compared with $2373 flying Sydney-LHR - so $500 cheaper for two legs.

 

[notzac]

Given the choice between the two, I'd certainly book the A380 over the B747 - the biggest reason for me is that it's significantly quieter in an A380 and you end up feeling far less fatigued at the other end.

Is it worth the $300 premium? Only you can decide that. Per JetLagged's suggestion, if you're travelling multiple times per year you may find it significantly cheaper purchasing ex-LHR.

 

[ozavanti]

Ozz and kezsco - if you are flying regularly to the UK/Europe - have you thought about booking one trip at least in reverse - use the Qantas UK website

Hi Jetlagged - I had thought about it, but benches it thinking it wasn't possible in practice, but very happy to hear it can be done. Many thanks

 

[JetLagged]

Hi Jetlagged - I had thought about it, but benches it thinking it wasn't possible in practice, but very happy to hear it can be done. Many thanks

I was concerned about the same, ozavanti - but checked with my TA and is perfectly fine - at the moment I am able to fly London to Sydney and Return in F (Saver Fare) for what it will cost be to do Sydney to London in J (Saver Fare). If flying J - even more of a saving (though, of course, not as many SCs).

 

[Princess Fiona]

I know there have been lots of comments regarding QF A380 vs 747. However, this has mainly been discussion about the J product. I am a Y traveller. I travel to Europe twice a year in Y, but usually to Frankfurt (2 class 747).

This year Xmas, I will be travelling via LHR to get to my final destination (BSL). With that in mind, I have the choice of A380 (QF31) or 747 (QF1). The dilemma is that the A380 will be approx $150 more (each way) than the 747. I want to travel on the A380, but is it worth it? The seats don't look any different... the loads should be the same (packed). I hear that you'd arrive feeling fresher in the A380, is this true?

Can people enlighten me as to their own opinions on the Y differences?

Thanks again

Princess Fiona junior flew to LHR with me on the A380 Sep last year, she in Y, me safely tucked away in 11J. Return was in 80A , thought it was the best flight she had ever been on ( has flown more than 10 747 flights on that route). Slept the entire LHR-SIN leg. From my point of view the noise reduction is valuable on the 380 esp if you don't have the ubiquitous Bose headphones

 

[futurism]

Ive done the 380 twice and the 747 twice in the last year or so

the 380 is better if you have no guarantee of a good seat, and it has some great seats of its own as mentioned elsewhere here

but if you can get 40G on a 747, its a fantastic seat
Ive had 40G there and back recently and slept nearly the whole way in both directions
bulkhead in front with cut out for your legs, bulkhead immediately behind, crew rest area to your right with curtains closed so its very dark, and not a lot of traffic

The noise doesnt bother me, white noise helps me sleep, if the plane was silent every time someone opened their ice cream or mars bar or sneezed etc you would get woken up, or you could get bose headphones.

 

[QF029]

I've got 40G to LHR and back in a few weeks but I'd be amazed if it comes close to 80 A / K (which I haven't had but have sat in 68A which is the EK equivalent).

 

[kezsco]

Thanks everyone for their replies. I am QP member, so will definitely be using the showers in either SIN/BKK and LHR.

I leave on the 18th of December, the good ones on the A380 (80k/a, 71D, row 79) are taken. Same for the 747...

I have a different question. If I take QF31, am I able to put in for an upgrade (using points) for only the SIN - LHR leg?

 

[Flashback]

Thanks everyone for their replies. I am QP member, so will definitely be using the showers in either SIN/BKK and LHR.

I leave on the 18th of December, the good ones on the A380 (80k/a, 71D, row 79) are taken. Same for the 747...

I have a different question. If I take QF31, am I able to put in for an upgrade (using points) for only the SIN - LHR leg?

You'd need to book as separate legs. I was lucky when I did my PER-MEL-SIN-FRA, QF rang me and offered an upgrade on the MEL-SIN leg (whY was solid booked) so I took it.