Hi there - has anyone flown on QF17 to LAX recently on the early evening flight in business - now gets in at around 2.

Hi there - has anyone flown on QF17 to LAX recently on the early evening flight in business - now gets in at around 2.15pm? how does it compare to the a380 (now departs in morning) and what is customs like at that time of the day at LAX. thanks!

I actually prefer that flight because the 5pm departure is perfect for dinner -> movie -> sleep -> breakfast -> arrive, unlike the early morning departure where you have to force your body to go to sleep in what is your 'afternoon' if you're on the A380 flight. The later arrival into LAX is not so great for onwards connections if you're going to the east coast, but otherwise I'd say it's preferrable.

The QF B747 J product is identical to the A380 product, save for the lounge/bar area at the front of the A380 which is kind of pointless and no one really uses anyway. Just make sure you select a non-middle seat if you're downstairs on the 747.

LAX customs is luck of the draw. I'd say it's no worse at 2pm than early morning, but I've never had what I would classify as a 'good' run through LAX customs no matter what the time of day.

One other minor thing - in my experience the SYD and MEL evening flights have a higer rate of parking at a remote bay in LAX, which means bussing to the terminal. A minor annoyance. 

Many thanks for thorough answer! I'll be taking this flight. 

Any seat preference? - I've read 5J or 5B lower deck. But I usually prefer upper in the exit row 14. 

No worries. AusBT have a really good article on the best seats on the 747:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/the-best-seats-in-business-class-on-qantas-refurbished-boeing-747