Looking for a recommendation between booking Qantas Business class and have a choice between the A380 and 747 (Mel-LAX).

Looking for a recommendation between booking Qantas Business class and have a choice between the A380 and 747 (Mel-LAX). I like the later flight time and the option to sit upstairs in the 747 but does the A380 beat it outright for comfort and quietness? Anyone that has experienced both and can provide and opinion as to which is preferable?

I have flown on both aircraft several times between SYD and LAX. The A380 is markedly quieter and is generally my preference - just don't sit in the front business cabin where the bar is - it can get very noisey. 

If you do end up on the 747, I quite like the downstairs very front section. There's something initimate and comfortable about that area.

the A380 is quieter. I did QF in buisness from SYD to SFO (744) and then LAX to MEL (A380). I do love the 747 but you are also upstairs in business class A380 and with the quieter ride i'd go the airbus all the way.

Thanks, yeah I've been up there in W previously which was great. But there's something a little unique on about that small cabin on the 747, or even in the nose that you can't get on the A380.

QF95 only gets the 400ERs, so you should be sure to get the same seat as you would on QF93 (you won't get one of the non-refurbished 747s).  I have previously chosen a 747 for schedule reasons over the A380 out of SYD and would do so again.  Upstairs on the 747 is often the quietest in terms of crew and other passengers.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like what I thought, personal preference seems to rule the day here with no outright winner. Many ppl prefer the quietness of the A380, others like the small upstairs or nose cabins of the 747. I might have to flip a coin.

Cheers

Damien

On the A380 there is a smaller cabin up front in the business section. Only 3 rows and very quiet. 

Upstairs on the 747 mini cabin is great especially if you get the exit row window - 14A or K - you have the side storage compartment and don't need to jump over your neighbor to get to the aisle. Sat there again recently on a SYD-SCL return trip and I think perhaps the experience was (marginally) better than the A380. I've never really noticed the noise difference between the A380 and 747.

My main reason to book A380 when I have the choice is to use my points to upgrade to first, which I do at every opportunity.

I've never seen anyone using the lounge (?the bar that defaultx mentioned) at the front of the A380 business cabin - but I usually go for 11A when I'm there which is on the other side, just in case. 

While the A380-800 J class experience is noticeably quieter than the B747-400ER, I still have a certain preferencce and fondness for the upstairs B747-400ER cabin. Why?

Noise-cancelling headset negate most of the wind-whistle noise in the upper deck while watching IFE. I also prefer the more personalised service upstairs, since there is only a single aisle, with 2 x 2 seating in each row. Your chances of an under-window private locker are greater on the B747. The lavatories also experience comparitively less use on the upper deck, compared to the A380-800.

Downstairs on the B747-400ER J Class is a different matter, unless you are in the (ex) First Class seats which are also good. But the standard Business class downstairs cabin is multi aisle and has noticeable foot traffic,

I still find the upper deck on the 'Queen of the Skies' to provide a wonderfully relaxing and somewhat private environment/ I don't dislike the A380-800 in J, but it just doesn't feel quite so special to me. The forward J cabin on the A380 seems somewhat too small - and the following larger J cabin seems a little too large. Just my opinion, but hey, that's my 2c worth.