QF LAX>MEL A380 or 787 in Economy?

8 replies

AnzacTaurus

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 10 Apr 2017

Total posts 7

Flying from LA to Brisbane at the end of the month, doing my best to avoid flying home on a 747.
Unfortunately my employer has "lowest airfare policy" for Australian employees (discrimination aside), so I can typically limited to Economy Sale or Saver fares, rarely Flexi.


Trying to maximise SC with Qantas plus also looking for a good IFE. I try to avoid coming directly to BNE on a 747.
I have flown on B787 on a MEL > LAX a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, certainly less jet lag and impressive overall flight.

QF94 *A380 - departs LAX 22:40
QF96 *B787 - departs at 23:55

Of the two flights MEL>LAX any advise on what people believe is better experience?
Q/ ...are both of these flights heavily booked or is
Q/ ...and of the two which is more likely a chance to be in the running for a Bid Now Upgrade from Economy > PE? From what I have read, PE on 787 is maybe not worth the points and $$?

Poll: Flying from LAX to MEL which flight would you choose?

henrus

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 23 Oct 2013

Total posts 765

Without too many specifics how does your employers travel policy work? Is it only direct routes, limited to specific carriers, cheapest price (on all carriers)?


If time isn't an issue then a routing like LAX-NAN-BNE-MEL on a Fiji Airways ticket would be cheaper than a direct Qantas flight and the discount fare would net 60 status credits on Qantas instead of just 45 on the direct Qantas service (when booked in the cheapest fare types). LAX-NAN-MEL is also an option but instead requires a 13 hour daytime layover in Nadi compared to just 2x 2hr stops in NAN and BNE.

Fiji Airways also allows for you to submit a bid upgrade from LAX-NAN which might also give you a shot at getting a business class angled flatbed for the overnight flight back home provided you're willing to fork out a little extra for that extra comfort.

Steve987

Member since 23 Feb 2015

Total posts 268

I did the A380 for Mel-Lax, then 787 for Lax - Mel on the flight you list. I was glad I selected the 787.


Before my flight over I was speaking to an American couple and, having flown over to Mel on the 787, they were disappointed that they were on the A380 back.

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 736

I prefer the A380 upstairs economy around for another year only though. The 787 gas more uptodate gadgetry but less (shoulder) room.

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

Pitch or width. Choose one.


The 787 has an extra inch pitch, and arguably even more usable room, plus the latest IFE and USB charging and the like.

But at the expense of an inch of width, arguably more noticeable at the shoulders.

If you're a beanpole, the 787, if a front row forward, the 380.

reeves35

Member since 24 Aug 2011

Total posts 81

I prefer the A380. The seat width is an issue on the 787 as is the chronic shortage of toilets.



Last editedby reeves35 at May 14, 2018, 09:56 AM.

AnzacTaurus

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 10 Apr 2017

Total posts 7

Without too many specifics how does your employers travel policy work? Is it only direct routes, limited to specific carriers, cheapest price (on all carriers)?

If time isn't an issue then a routing like LAX-NAN-BNE-MEL on a Fiji Airways ticket would be cheaper than a direct Qantas flight and the discount fare would net 60 status credits on Qantas instead of just 45 on the direct Qantas service (when booked in the cheapest fare types). LAX-NAN-MEL is also an option but instead requires a 13 hour daytime layover in Nadi compared to just 2x 2hr stops in NAN and BNE.

Fiji Airways also allows for you to submit a bid upgrade from LAX-NAN which might also give you a shot at getting a business class angled flatbed for the overnight flight back home provided you're willing to fork out a little extra for that extra comfort.

Travel Policy for Australian's mandates "lowest" airfare. Routing can unlimited, it's purely restricted to Economy. Anything $400+ than the lowest logical airfare is logged and needs justification. We have full choice of global carriers with preferred being QF, SQ and CX. Flexi fares re discouraged despite the higher cost incurred when you need to change a flight. Policy is madness and double standards compared to staff in other regions.

Because I am now changing an existing ticket, most of the sale fares are gone; so SC wise a QF flight via MEL will net me at least 60 - 90 SC.

Thanks for the thought of Fiji Airways, nice to land 60 SC. Will consider that routing for a future trip. Thanks.

Bollen

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Dec 2017

Total posts 32

I choose the 787 purely for the 1-2-1 configuration.

elchriss0

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 13 Jan 2015

Total posts 80

I choose the 787 purely for the 1-2-1 configuration.

Where does the OP even mention J? He's explicitly talking about Y...

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