So we are on the inaugural QF A380 flight

[High Horse]

Before I begin, I just have to say you guys are awesome. These forums are great, I love reading them.

My clever husband won a competition through the Qantas inflight magazine, and his prize is 2 return business class flights on the inaugural A380 flight from Syd/Mel to LAX, plus 5 nights accommodation at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. There you go, someone really does win these prizes!

All we know at this stage, is that the flight will depart MEL in the second half of October and it looks like the return flights go to SYD? Don't know how that will work but anyway....

Qantas will allow us to extend our trip so we can add on 5ish nights in New York. So once the A380 schedule is bedded down, we need to arrange flights from LAX to any NY airport, as we want to do NY first.

Which airline would it be easiest for us to travel on, given that we really don't want to spend too much time in LAX, but don't want to risk missing the forwarding flight. My husband has Qantas Club membership if this makes transit time more comfortable. I know that QF fly LAX to JFK a few times a week, but not sure if this will match up with schedules, and also had a quick browse and didn't see how I could even make this booking.

Five months to go and counting..............!

 

[serfty]

Congratulations High Horse and welcome to AFF.

These prizes are there to be won - 10 years ago I won a trip to Ireland courtesy of a Jamison Irish Whiskey St. Patrick's Day promotion by dropping a business card into a box in the Sydney Qantas Club.


If not using Qantas to travel betwixt LAX and JFK I suggest you use American Airlines (AA).

• As a Qantas Club member you guys get access to AA's Admirals Club lounges when flying with them.
• Also you can both earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points when flying AA.

 

[Flying Fox]

I have to say a HUGE congrats to you for winning.

On a personal note I am extremely jealous and wish I was in your shoes!

Ask QF if they can arrange the LAX – JFK leg for you on either QF or AA. These would be your best bets.

If you are so inclined, I’m sure that everyone here would love a trip report from you on such a significant flight!

 

[DTM1]

Currently, by far and away the best connection from LAX - JFK is the QF flight.

However, not sure what will happen in Oct. I assume if the A380 leaves from Mel, then you'll be able to still hook up with the LAX-JFK flight on QF (while there's only a 1 hr gap atm, they will not leave w/o connecting QF passengers, and QF allow the booking).

Also, it depends on what class you want to fly. If you're flying Y, then it probably doesn't matter as much and you should just look at the cheapest airfare (AA, Delta, United Continental etc)

 

[thadocta]

Also, it depends on what class you want to fly. If you're flying Y, then it probably doesn't matter as much and you should just look at the cheapest airfare (AA, Delta, United Continental etc)

SUrely you jest - if flying LAX-JFK in WHY, then if able to book on QF 107 then QF wins hands down, compared to the LOTFAP carriers. Apart from the seating, the WHY service on such a leg would be close to what you would get in what is laughingly called 'First' on many LOTFAP carriers, and will definitely be far superior to what you get in 'Coach' on AA, DL, UA, CO, etc.

Dave

 

[thegurio]

Much like everyone said - i don't think jealousy quite covers it!!!

But well done, and yes a trip report would be great if it's not too much hassle, oh and some feet shots would be great!

 

[Flying Fox]

SUrely you jest - if flying LAX-JFK in WHY, then if able to book on QF 107 then QF wins hands down, compared to the LOTFAP carriers.Dave

Oh I forgot it was the US where Y is just a seat and nothing more. Definately avoid the US carriers. QF will give you good service.

But well done, and yes a trip report would be great if it's not too much hassle, oh and some feet shots would be great!

Can someone explain to me what 'feet shots' are? Sounds like a fettish or am I missing something (yet again)?

 

[serfty]

... Can someone explain to me what 'feet shots' are? Sounds like a fettish or am I missing something (yet again)?

Have a look at some of the images in QF009's trip reports ...

 

[DTM1]

SUrely you jest - if flying LAX-JFK in WHY, then if able to book on QF 107 then QF wins hands down, compared to the LOTFAP carriers. Apart from the seating, the WHY service on such a leg would be close to what you would get in what is laughingly called 'First' on many LOTFAP carriers, and will definitely be far superior to what you get in 'Coach' on AA, DL, UA, CO, etc.

Dave

Sorry, my fault for not being clearer. What I meant was that as between the US airlines, it would make no difference - I agree QF 107 would win hands down in any class.

Having re-read my e-mail, I'm not really sure what I meant by that paragraph ! :-|

 

[Dave Noble]

If booking the LAX-JFK separately, then it will not be possible to use the QF service since QF cannot operate purely domestically and so does not offer domestic US fares

I would consider looking at Virgin America which offers fares of $350 round trip and I suspect will be better than the legacy carriers

Dave

 

[High Horse]

Thanks for the congratulations! I would say we are very lucky, but my husband is still sticking to him being very clever as it was a 25 words or less entry... We are still absolutely stoked, its a great prize for a girl who wanted to be a FA, but wised up instead!

Really appreciate the tips, will try and get onto QF107 if that works, we just don't want to hassle Qantas.

Will definitely post a trip report if you are interested. Will be sending photos like mad from the Berry from as soon as we board till whenever they make us stop.

 

[oz_mark]

Thanks for the congratulations! I would say we are very lucky, but my husband is still sticking to him being very clever as it was a 25 words or less entry... We are still absolutely stoked, its a great prize for a girl who wanted to be a FA, but wised up instead!

Really appreciate the tips, will try and get onto QF107 if that works, we just don't want to hassle Qantas.

Will definitely post a trip report if you are interested. Will be sending photos like mad from the Berry from as soon as we board till whenever they make us stop.

I'd be interested in knowing what the winning 25 words were!

 

[Alanslegal]

Wow! Congrats!

I'm Jealous Jealous Jealous!

Am looking forward to a Trip Report later this year

 

[thadocta]

If booking the LAX-JFK separately, then it will not be possible to use the QF service since QF cannot operate purely domestically and so does not offer domestic US fares

Just spoke to QF about this, and as long as you fly in on them, you can do LAX-JFK, even if on a totally seperate PNR. They will use YY fares, which price out at full Y, so will cost a LOT more than you will be able to get on AA, so probably no point, but it IS possible.

Dave

 

[Dave Noble]

Just spoke to QF about this, and as long as you fly in on them, you can do LAX-JFK, even if on a totally seperate PNR. They will use YY fares, which price out at full Y, so will cost a LOT more than you will be able to get on AA, so probably no point, but it IS possible.

Dave

I didn't realise that there were YY fares on that domestic route; they don't show on EF, but if they do exist, as you say they would be v expensive

methunks that a Virgin America 1st return would be a lot cheaper

 

[futaris]

What about the possibility of using QF points? You might be able to get award availability, assuming the QFF award desk can book it for you, since you're coming in on a QF flight. You shouldn't be charged the 2,500 fee since you can't book those flights online.

 

[serfty]

I couldn't pull a YY fare from E/F either.

Note that YY fares are not always that expensive in comparison to other fares of a route and it is often worth the trouble to look them up.

 

[High Horse]

I'd be interested in knowing what the winning 25 words were!

Its a play on words involving on our surname, so I won't disclose sorry. Suffice to say that family and friends think it is very A380 prizeworthy.

Just spoke to QF about this, and as long as you fly in on them, you can do LAX-JFK, even if on a totally seperate PNR. They will use YY fares, which price out at full Y, so will cost a LOT more than you will be able to get on AA, so probably no point, but it IS possible.

Thanks so much for checking that out Dave. Full economy - ouch. We are currently in mega saving mode so we can possibly afford room service at the Beverly Wilshire! Will investigate QFF availability, otherwise a discount AA fare looks like just the ticket.

 

[Ikara]

"Its a play on words involving on our surname, so I won't disclose sorry. Suffice to say that family and friends think it is very A380 prizeworthy."



Not sure why you're being coy about the name thing, I assume that like all of these competitions the result will be published in the in-flight magazine for all to read.

JB

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks so much for checking that out Dave. Full economy - ouch. We are currently in mega saving mode so we can possibly afford room service at the Beverly Wilshire! Will investigate QFF availability, otherwise a discount AA fare looks like just the ticket.

Do have a look at Virgin; their in flight facilities do look a lot nicer than you'd get on AA domestic coach class unless you are using miles or are desperate for FF miles

Dave