QF Points Flight - SYD to NY in Y Class

[katec]

Hi there,

I have finally accumulated enough points for the final flight I need on a trip I am planning in Oct/Nov 2011. It has taken me 3 months to get enough points and luckily there are still plenty of flights available.
I am wanting to book 2 seats from SYD to NY on October 28 in Y class (not enough points to go higher) and my preference is to fly on a A380 however it does not arrive in NYC until 22.20 which is very late especially when factoring in the time it will take to get to the hotel. Also I have read some posts which have mentioned that getting the aircraft listed for a flight is not guaranteed.

My question is do I choose a more convenient time to fly and hope the 747 is changed to a A380 or do I take the A380 and hope it does not get changed for an older aircraft?

Is the A380 worth it?

Thanks

 

[lsmi4126]

What connections are you looking at to get to JFK from LAX if you book QF11 (the A388 flight)? From memory, you usually have to transit through SFO to get for JFK (after QF11) if you don't book QF107 (earlier B744 flight with A332 connector to JFK from LAX).

You may find that the added hassle of the extra connection through SFO (or elsewhere) may not be worth the A380 if you're not a great fan a transiting through US airport (who is!).

Personally - I do everything I can to book as many flights as possible on the A380 trans pacific. Boarding a 20 year old OJ* series B744 is always a depressing experience after previous A388 flights. Having said that, my last SYD - JFK booking was on QF107 (with the LAX - JFK leg operated by the same B744).

 

[ReLoad]

What connections are you looking at to get to JFK from LAX if you book QF11 (the A388 flight)? From memory, you usually have to transit through SFO to get for JFK (after QF11) if you don't book QF107 (earlier B744 flight with A332 connector to JFK from LAX).

You may find that the added hassle of the extra connection through SFO (or elsewhere) may not be worth the A380 if you're not a great fan a transiting through US airport (who is!).

Personally - I do everything I can to book as many flights as possible on the A380 trans pacific. Boarding a 20 year old OJ* series B744 is always a depressing experience after previous A388 flights. Having said that, my last SYD - JFK booking was on QF107 (with the LAX - JFK leg operated by the same B744).

4x Trans pacific flights booked this year, all on the 388, all subsequently changed to 747's
What is worse, all of those Trans-pac bookings I was in 80A or 80K, DOH! and then double DOH!!

 

[Blackadder]

Another option could be to spend a day or two near LAX, then look at purchasing a AA flight from LAX-JFK/LGA/EWR.

 

[katec]

Unfortunately we do not have enough time to stop at LA for any length of time.
The A380 is SYD to LAX and then you have to transfer to an AA flight for LAX to NYC.
There is only one flight that does not change airlines and that is a 747 and already booked out for awards flights.

I think the A380 is the way to go.

Thanks for the input.

 

[waynet]

I flew QF 11 (SYD-LAX on the A380) and then AA 4 (LAX-JFK on a 767) twice in the past 9 months and got into JFK at about 9pm both times (and into Manhattan by about 10.30pm). (The last time I did this trip, 2 weeks ago, we landed early at about 8.30pm)

QF 11 arrives at LAX at 9.45am, and AA 4 leaves LAX at 12.35pm. The preceding flight, AA 40, leaves LAX at 11.10am. I have previously tried to make AA 40 only to have missed the connection due to being stuck in the immigration line at LAX (a large number of flights arrive at LAX in the morning, so you will spend a while queuing). As such, I don't think you can get into JFK any earlier if you are flying into LAX on QF11.

 

[reductionist]

I think the A380 is the way to go.

I don't think you'll regret it. It's one of the best Y cabins. The self-serve snack bar is a bonus.

Also when travelling to the US I'd rather arrive late in the day and go straight to sleep. Generally not possible if you're staying on the west coast.

 

[NYCguy]

Unfortunately we do not have enough time to stop at LA for any length of time.

There's nothing unfortunate about missing-out on Los Angeles.

 

[katec]

I must admit LA has never been on my 'Must see Places' list whereas I have always wanted to go to NYC.
Having said that, a 20 hour flight in economy is not something I particularly look forward too.
Anyway I have gone and booked the 14.05 flight from SYD to NYC travelling on the A380 for the SYD to LAX leg. Now I am just trying to decide on the seats to choose now that advanced seat allocation is available.....

 

[reductionist]

Now I am just trying to decide on the seats to choose now that advanced seat allocation is available.....

A lot of people will probably recommend 80A & 80K because there's no seat on front of them, so there's quite a bit of a leg room. Great if you are flying solo, not so great if you're travelling with a partner because the arm rests do not move for these seats.

 

[katec]

There have been alot of recommendations for these seats in other threads that I have read however they are not showing as available to me probably due to my status.
Also I notice that the bassinet seats are very close to this row and I would prefer not to be near crying babies.