Syd - jfk - las - syd

[Aynat62]

Hi, I'm planning this trip for October 2011 (out on 9/10 and back on 22/10 or so) and I've been searching for info on this forum to my questions but haven't found them. I am new to all this airline booking stuff and have been saving my QFF points for an upgrade from economy HOPEFULLY.
According to the Qantas website (not going in as a QFF member, just a normal search) and it looks like my options are QF107 or QF11/AA for the SYD-JFK leg and QF108 or QF12 for the return trip from LAX. My options domestically between JFK and LAS and LAX seem to be American Airlines (a separate booking via the AA website) as the Qantas website can't seem help me with that.
My questions are:
1. QF107 is a 'non stop' flight to JFK. But clicking on the flight number also says it's a 'change of aircraft'. Does this mean I would go through customs in JFK as there is no stopping anywhere in the US besides JFK? Or does 'change of aircraft' mean we stop somewhere and have to change planes and go through customs at that point?
2. QF11 is an A380. Is economy OK on these aircraft for a long haul flight or is an upgrade worth it?
3. Would QF107 to JFK be a better trip rather than QF11 to LAX then AA from LAX to JFK? The flight durations aren't that different, I'm more concerned about service, comfort, entertainment, customs clearance times etc.
4. If I am able to upgrade is it better to upgrade on the way to the US or when returning back to SYD? How likely is it that I will be able to get an upgrade if I buy a Red-e-deal ticket?
5. Any other options for a QFF member for the JFK - LAS leg besides American Airlines? Any hints or tips?
6. If I book the JFK-LAS flight on the American Airlines website do I quote my QFF number there or via Qantas somehow?
Thank you so much. All answers are much appreciated.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Welcome to AFF!

QF107 to JFK has an a/c change from B744 to A330. You have to clear customs in LAX as well. That said, it is a great way to get to NY and beats AA hands down. AA coach class is terrible, and that flight is normally full on a 767.

As for the A380, QF won many design awards for the A380 economy seat. QF11 a great option. You will have to weigh up the pros and cons. Can you go QF11 to connect to the QF107 service? That would be my choice if possible?

LAS is only serviced by AA within the US so not many choices there for OW. Good connectivity from ORD or DFW, ok from LAX. Think you would have to go via ORD or DFW to get to JFK off the top of my head?

As for upgrades, I don't like your chances if you are a Bronze FF. It's based on status mainly.

Upgrade on the way back as you are more tired then!!

 

[parsonstrish]

I flew syd-jfk in Nov. Change of flt. to the 330 to jfk was all in the same terminal as arrival from syd, which was a bonus.

 

[Aynat62]

Thanks Boris! I will weigh up the QF107 vs the QF11. I will be going to Las Vegas after New York so can't see the point of trying for a connection from DFW or ORD. My planned route is Sydney to New York (7 nights) to Las Vegas (5 nights) then home to Sydney. I assumed LAX would be the best airport for a flight after visiting LAS.

I really hope I can get an upgrade. I'm getting a bit peeved with QFF because it's so hard to do anything worthwhile with the points and it takes ages to accumulate anything.

Hi parsonstrish. Thanks for the terminal info, that's a bonus.

 

[blackcat20]

AA coach class is terrible.

True. I flew JFK-LAX on AA and it was a very painful 6 hours. No meals included, so I survived 6 hours on 2 cans of coke (they dont take cash for meals, only CC...). Plus I found the seat back too short for my height, meaning I sat in a hunched position. And there seemed to be a complete disregard for the seatbelt sign, even when it was a bit bumpy :shock:

As for the A380, QF won many design awards for the A380 economy seat. QF11 a great option. You will have to weigh up the pros and cons.

I flew A380 MEL to LA. It might be because it was my first long-haul flight, but I didnt find it that comfortable. After a few hours, you might as well be sitting on concrete. Add to that the reclining AFL players in front of me, the kicking toddler behind, and the fact my knees were embedded in the seat infront before I reclined my seat (sliding the base even further forward), and it was a pretty miserable 13 hours. No sleep the entire flight meant I was sleepwalking around LA for a day.

 

[Danger]

Hi, I'm planning this trip for October 2011 (out on 9/10 and back on 22/10 or so) and I've been searching for info on this forum to my questions but haven't found them. I am new to all this airline booking stuff and have been saving my QFF points for an upgrade from economy HOPEFULLY.

I'll add what little I know (or think I know!) to the others' comments.

According to the Qantas website (not going in as a QFF member, just a normal search) and it looks like my options are QF107 or QF11/AA for the SYD-JFK leg and QF108 or QF12 for the return trip from LAX. My options domestically between JFK and LAS and LAX seem to be American Airlines (a separate booking via the AA website) as the Qantas website can't seem help me with that.

You can't commence your journey on QF107 LAX-JFK if you stopover (in LA greater than 24 hours; as opposed to less than 24 hours which is a transit) (doesn't sound like it will be for you, though). That said, I tried a dummy date on the QF website and the only options for SYD-JFK were QF107 or QF11 with a connection to AA, not QF107. However, the oneworld timetables seem to indicate you can indeed embark on QF107 in LAX, provided your transit is less than 24 hours. That is, QF11 SYD-LAX and then QF107 LAX-SYD. Others with more knowledge will hopefully chime in.

1. QF107 is a 'non stop' flight to JFK. But clicking on the flight number also says it's a 'change of aircraft'. Does this mean I would go through customs in JFK as there is no stopping anywhere in the US besides JFK? Or does 'change of aircraft' mean we stop somewhere and have to change planes and go through customs at that point?

I've nothing to add to the others' comments on this point.

2. QF11 is an A380. Is economy OK on these aircraft for a long haul flight or is an upgrade worth it?

Well, it's probably better than a 747 in economy and so there's your two choices right there. If you have the points, I'd put an upgrade. However, as mentioned, being a Bronze your chances aren't superb. My suggestion would be to put in for an upgrade on both sectors (out of and into Sydney). If you get the outbound you can cancel the inbound request (if you don't have the points). And be sure to put in your upgrade request exactly 90 days from departure as this is when the upgrade window opens.

3. Would QF107 to JFK be a better trip rather than QF11 to LAX then AA from LAX to JFK? The flight durations aren't that different, I'm more concerned about service, comfort, entertainment, customs clearance times etc.

As others have said, AA coach is near-on terrible. It would make for a very long journey SYD-JFK on QF but that would be my suggestion. On the LAX-JFK segment on QF you'll get personal TVs, complimentary food and beverages and the seatbelt sign will almost certainly be off for more than four or five minutes, unlike AA!

4. If I am able to upgrade is it better to upgrade on the way to the US or when returning back to SYD? How likely is it that I will be able to get an upgrade if I buy a Red-e-deal ticket?

Refer point two. That said, pay very careful attention to the booking class on the red e-deal. Certain red e-deals are not upgradeable. See here for information, in particular "Flight upgrades are not available on Qantas & Partner Classic Awards or airfares booked in E, N, O, P, Q or X class, which includes some Red e-Deal fares."

5. Any other options for a QFF member for the JFK - LAS leg besides American Airlines? Any hints or tips?

Covered by others above.

6. If I book the JFK-LAS flight on the American Airlines website do I quote my QFF number there or via Qantas somehow?

Yep. From memory, at the payment page, you get to indicate which FF program you're a member of and enter your number. Worse case, if you miss it, simply phone AA in Brisbane (be prepared for a loooooong wait) and ask them to enter it for you. And be sure to compare prices on aa.com and americanairlines.com.au for the JFK-LAS sector. Sometimes there can be reasonable savings using one site over another.

 

[gpr49697]

To Danger's point i just tried to book QF107 from sydney to JFK for march and it ws not available. on the OW timetable it does show but it did not on QF website, its worth doulbechecking and i agree travelling on QF A330 is much muich better than going AA from LA to NY.

 

[Aynat62]

Thank you so much everyone! All comments and suggestions are invaluable and much appreciated. You are all wonderful.

I'll try getting on the QF11 SYD-LAX then attempt to join the QF107 LAX-JFK. Sounds like I should avoid AA if I possibly can.

 

[parsonstrish]

Thank you so much everyone! All comments and suggestions are invaluable and much appreciated. You are all wonderful.

I'll try getting on the QF11 SYD-LAX then attempt to join the QF107 LAX-JFK. Sounds like I should avoid AA if I possibly can.

syd or even melb. to jfk is a long-g-g flt. if you have trouble sleeping on flts. i found melatonin worked a treat on the flt. back. unfortunately i didn't have anything on way over and slept minimally and felt unhuman upon departure. everyone has their own way of managing some sleep, i've sat next to folk who took med., drank or were able to just naturally snooze off.

if you do depart from syd upon arrival in lax there are qf reps. there to guide for the onward journey to jfk. have a great trip.

 

[Undercover Brother]

A380 Economy is the only plane seat I have been able to sleep on at all on long haul flights. The plane is also very quiet, big bonus.

 

[Maca44]

I assumed LAX would be the best airport for a flight after visiting LAS.

You might also consider LAS-SFO-SYD on QF74. San Francisco is a much nicer airport than LAX in my view, and flight times are similar. However, you 'might' have a better chance of an upgrade from LAX with SFO only having the one QF flight to SYD, and it's a 747 so better chance of the engines not falling off despite the age of the equipment.

 

[Aynat62]

Thank you to all responders. Just thought I'd let you know what I've done.

I have booked the QF107 SYD-JFK using my QFF points. It says it is a 747 all the way, so that is a free trip on a pretty good aircraft with no AA involved! Will need to get some sleeping tablets though....

On the way home I have booked the QF12 from LAX. I'll attempt to get an upgrade on this flight (need to rack up a few more points before then though!) and even if I don't get an upgrade I reckon I'll enjoy the A380 anyway.

Now all I need to do is get the domestic flights from JFK-LAS and then LAS-LAX, probably with AA, and I am done.

Thanks again everyone for your input.

 

[Maggs]

I'm booked on the Mel-JFK QF93/QF107. When I did a similar flight a million years ago, the LA-JFK couldn't pick up any domestic passengers, hence a pretty empty flight and plenty of room to lie down for a snooze. What is the capacity like these days ? (very much back of the bus seating)

 

[Heleigh]

The only thing I can advise you is to puchase you baggage for JFK - LAS leg - most US internal flights don't include baggage (except Bus and 1st).

 

[Danger]

A good point, Heleigh. However, AA has an extensive list of exceptions where charges are not imposed. Although the OP has no oneworld status, if he/she was to move up just one level to QFF Silver/oneworld Ruby, he/she would avoid charges.

The list is here.