Avoid returning to MEL from the States with Qantas. The flights can be diverted to SYD after which Qantas don’t even give you a sandwich for 5 hours. You’ll then me put onto domestic services to continue your journey as seats become available. Priority is given to ticket type and Qantas club membership status, etc.
Hard to answer without knowing the class you want to fly in and if you have FF status (gold or platinum) with QF or VA. As you're on this site, I'm assuming you'll be at least Gold with QF or VA.
I do this trip (from BNE) twice a year, mostly in economy, but I upgrade where I can so have done PE and business on VAs 773s, and PE and Business on QFs 744s.
Without a doubt VAs 773 product beats QFs 744s. Business and PE are superb and even in economy, its nine across so there is a bit more room. The only draw back with VA is their IFE is limited, but that's easily solved with a tablet and netflix/stan etc with pre-downloaded content. Transfer at LAX to a Delta flight to JFK is relatively painless. You go through customs, collect your bags and drop it at the transfer station before you exit TBIT. I always walk to Delta's terminals to stretch my legs but there is a shuttle if you want. On the way back it's super easy. You land at Deltas terminals and get the shuttle to TBIT (from airside - do not exit the terminal) where you enter into the departure area, so no need to go through screening or collect your bags etc. Delta are my favourite of the big 3 in the US, and they're improving their product. Delta lounges are ok, and VA use Emirates' lounge now in TBIT. If you're flying from Sydney, you could also fly Delta metal the whole way via LAX. And their new business class on the 777s looks nice. Plus, they're 9 across in economy on the 777s too. Just a note on the Delta flights. They mostly use 757s on the LAX - JFK leg, which is fine but they're always full (in my experience). If you decide to overnight in LA (and why not?) see if you can get on the A330 or 777s.
Qantas is good. 744s are old and smell (but it's a 744 so still awesome). A380s are ok and I haven't been on the 787 yet so can't comment. Soon the LAX to JFK leg will be the 787 out of BNE instead of the 744. QFs lounge at LAX is great too. Lots of showers etc. But on the way over you still need to clear customs at TBIT exit and enter back in. Be warned though. QFs capacity LAX to JFK is going to drop once the 787s take over, so check to ensure you're not on AAs metal. AA are bad and getting worse, plus their lounge at LAX is tiny. QFs business and PE is sub VAs on the A380 and 744 (but I don't know about the 789s). Economy is about the same as VA, but better selections on IFE (a colleague flew QFs 789 business and loved it, but absolutely hated PE. I'm yet to hear anything good on QFs 789 economy product... but there would more commentary on this site).
Out of Sydney there is United and American metal, and Melbourne has United too. You could do United via SFO, but then you're on United ;) and I find SFO worse than LAX nowadays.
Air NZ is a good option via AKL and either Houston or LAX (but you'll get United in the US). If you did this AKL to LAX is slightly shorter too. But, if you loose any real FF benefit if you're with QF or VA FF.
As mentioned already the Asian options of Cathay, JAL, ANA, Eva Air, and the Chinese are all good (I hear the Chinese have really improved but haven't experienced it). You could do one of the ME3, but I wouldn't unless you're in business/first.
So, in all honesty, I'd say fly QF or VA (VA preferred for me - note I'm Platinum with VA and Gold with QF). But, it depends on your airline FF status, class you're flying in and budget of course. Plus if you're less worried about stops and more concerned about flight length, fly via BNE. You'll save at least an hour each way across the pacific (although doesn't make sense if you're in Sydney or Melbourne).
No contest. It has to be DFW. Anything to avoid the indignity of entering the US via LAX Customs, which
has actually gotten worse if my last trip in May is anything to go by.
DFW is basically empty and staffed by people who might even like their job. If you are interested in
art & architecture then Fort Worth is actually worth a couple days. The arts precinct there is, after
NY and LA, the best set of art museums in the US. Downtown Fort Worth is way nicer than downtown Dallas.
After that you just have to survive three hours on AA to get to NY.
I have no issues with LAX customs, usually find it super quick unless it's school holiday time. But I haven't been via DFW as I fly out of BNE. But... three hours on AA to NY! I did 6 1/2 LAX to BOS on an AA 738 and it was hell.
QF11/12 No contest: 1. Shortest or close to shortest journey. 2. Being a cabotage route dependent for profitability on all Qantas' connections, if there is any delay, Qantas will hold the flight. AA won't do that for a Qantas inbound. They won't even do it for their own Inbound (AA72). Don't fret about transiting LAX. It's much easier these days and the OneWorld/Qantas lounges are very good. March next year the LAX-JFK route will be the Dreamliner, not the old 747 running until October this year.
Last editedby BatteryBen at Jul 12, 2018, 12:27 PM.
No contest. It has to be DFW. Anything to avoid the indignity of entering the US via LAX Customs, which
has actually gotten worse if my last trip in May is anything to go by.
DFW is basically empty and staffed by people who might even like their job. If you are interested in
art & architecture then Fort Worth is actually worth a couple days. The arts precinct there is, after
NY and LA, the best set of art museums in the US. Downtown Fort Worth is way nicer than downtown Dallas.
After that you just have to survive three hours on AA to get to NY.
I have no issues with LAX customs, usually find it super quick unless it's school holiday time. But I haven't been via DFW as I fly out of BNE. But... three hours on AA to NY! I did 6 1/2 LAX to BOS on an AA 738 and it was hell.
AA can be a bit of a LCC so take your sandwich on board. The DFW to NYC run is bearable with one exception. In summer Texas is hit by big storms. Twice I have been stuck at DFW as ATC closes everything down. This means connecting flights through as well. Last time my 4pm DFW departure (to arrive at 8.45 pm for a nice dinner in Manhattan) became a 9pm and a race to get to LGA by curfew at 1.25am.
DFW every time, avoids LAX and more options getting into NY as it's AA hub. Only downside is the lounge options at DFW on the return, although AMEX lounge is great option, but l understand entry conditions have changed recently.
Was at Terminal D, DFW last week and the Admirals Lounge is closed for a year. The alternative is pretty ordinary, no showers. Had to trek over to the AA lounge at Terminal B to freshen up and then walk back.
If you've never been to Hawaii, I would go via HNL and break the trip there! They have a decent biz class lie flat seat on both flights. Otherwise via HKG on CX. The whole claiming bags at first US airport/re-check is a pain and you can avoid it. Via NRT or HND is another great option.
If I had to choose, then I agree that DFW border agents are much nicer than at LAX. But if you smile at them and ask them how their day is going (sincerely as in we should check in on a fellow human ;-) they become friendly.
Treating people like human beings and not [job title] in the USA opens up a much better experience. Not a lecture just a reminder from experience.
Good luck with whichever you pick, at the end of the day all options are good.
Well, this discussion is good timing. We've just won work in Guyana and need to be there reasonably regularly and the jump-off point to GEO is JFK. This is what I've worked out;
QF - Yes QF11/12 is straight through but the pricing is nasty (22hrs)
SQ - When they do go SIN/JFK will be awesome, but not till year end 2018 (unknown)
CX - This looks to be good for us as the timing is very nice and the CX product quite good (29hrs)
JL - Nice Seating all the way and I like the pain free JAL approach (29hrs)
QR - Yes nice product if you can get the new Business seats (32hrs)
EK - They've got something for everyone and A380 all the way (29/31hrs)
EY - Personally I still like the EY Business product in the A380 (32hrs)
So there you go. I don't fly US Airlines (sorry to say). And at the moment I'm leaning towards CX. Cheers!
From October, PR is another option with very modern aircraft:
A333 from MEL soon to be daily
A321neo or A333 from SYD, daily
A321neo from BNE 4x week
all to MNL, then new A350 nonstop to JFK.
May well be cheaper than all others. Full service airline. Good service on board. Access to SQ lounges in Oz (good), a poor PR lounge in MNL and not sure re JFK.
Avoid returning to MEL from the States with Qantas. The flights can be diverted to SYD after which Qantas don’t even give you a sandwich for 5 hours. You’ll then me put onto domestic services to continue your journey as seats become available. Priority is given to ticket type and Qantas club membership status, etc.
If you have QANTAS Club membership you can go into the lounge and eat something. It's the travellers that have neither QANTAS Club membership nor Gold or above frequent flyer status that would lose the most from a diversion or lengthy delay.
Pallydou
Pallydou
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
Member since 02 Jul 2018
Total posts 22
SYD-DFW-JFK or SYD-HKG/NRT-JFK if you are afraid of no emergency support for flying across the Pacific.
longwayaway
longwayaway
Member since 27 Aug 2017
Total posts 1
Avoid returning to MEL from the States with Qantas. The flights can be diverted to SYD after which Qantas don’t even give you a sandwich for 5 hours. You’ll then me put onto domestic services to continue your journey as seats become available. Priority is given to ticket type and Qantas club membership status, etc.
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
Hard to answer without knowing the class you want to fly in and if you have FF status (gold or platinum) with QF or VA. As you're on this site, I'm assuming you'll be at least Gold with QF or VA.
I do this trip (from BNE) twice a year, mostly in economy, but I upgrade where I can so have done PE and business on VAs 773s, and PE and Business on QFs 744s.
Without a doubt VAs 773 product beats QFs 744s. Business and PE are superb and even in economy, its nine across so there is a bit more room. The only draw back with VA is their IFE is limited, but that's easily solved with a tablet and netflix/stan etc with pre-downloaded content. Transfer at LAX to a Delta flight to JFK is relatively painless. You go through customs, collect your bags and drop it at the transfer station before you exit TBIT. I always walk to Delta's terminals to stretch my legs but there is a shuttle if you want. On the way back it's super easy. You land at Deltas terminals and get the shuttle to TBIT (from airside - do not exit the terminal) where you enter into the departure area, so no need to go through screening or collect your bags etc. Delta are my favourite of the big 3 in the US, and they're improving their product. Delta lounges are ok, and VA use Emirates' lounge now in TBIT. If you're flying from Sydney, you could also fly Delta metal the whole way via LAX. And their new business class on the 777s looks nice. Plus, they're 9 across in economy on the 777s too. Just a note on the Delta flights. They mostly use 757s on the LAX - JFK leg, which is fine but they're always full (in my experience). If you decide to overnight in LA (and why not?) see if you can get on the A330 or 777s.
Qantas is good. 744s are old and smell (but it's a 744 so still awesome). A380s are ok and I haven't been on the 787 yet so can't comment. Soon the LAX to JFK leg will be the 787 out of BNE instead of the 744. QFs lounge at LAX is great too. Lots of showers etc. But on the way over you still need to clear customs at TBIT exit and enter back in. Be warned though. QFs capacity LAX to JFK is going to drop once the 787s take over, so check to ensure you're not on AAs metal. AA are bad and getting worse, plus their lounge at LAX is tiny. QFs business and PE is sub VAs on the A380 and 744 (but I don't know about the 789s). Economy is about the same as VA, but better selections on IFE (a colleague flew QFs 789 business and loved it, but absolutely hated PE. I'm yet to hear anything good on QFs 789 economy product... but there would more commentary on this site).
Out of Sydney there is United and American metal, and Melbourne has United too. You could do United via SFO, but then you're on United ;) and I find SFO worse than LAX nowadays.
Air NZ is a good option via AKL and either Houston or LAX (but you'll get United in the US). If you did this AKL to LAX is slightly shorter too. But, if you loose any real FF benefit if you're with QF or VA FF.
As mentioned already the Asian options of Cathay, JAL, ANA, Eva Air, and the Chinese are all good (I hear the Chinese have really improved but haven't experienced it). You could do one of the ME3, but I wouldn't unless you're in business/first.
So, in all honesty, I'd say fly QF or VA (VA preferred for me - note I'm Platinum with VA and Gold with QF). But, it depends on your airline FF status, class you're flying in and budget of course. Plus if you're less worried about stops and more concerned about flight length, fly via BNE. You'll save at least an hour each way across the pacific (although doesn't make sense if you're in Sydney or Melbourne).
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
I have no issues with LAX customs, usually find it super quick unless it's school holiday time. But I haven't been via DFW as I fly out of BNE. But... three hours on AA to NY! I did 6 1/2 LAX to BOS on an AA 738 and it was hell.
BatteryBen
BatteryBen
Member since 08 Aug 2017
Total posts 46
QF11/12 No contest: 1. Shortest or close to shortest journey. 2. Being a cabotage route dependent for profitability on all Qantas' connections, if there is any delay, Qantas will hold the flight. AA won't do that for a Qantas inbound. They won't even do it for their own Inbound (AA72). Don't fret about transiting LAX. It's much easier these days and the OneWorld/Qantas lounges are very good. March next year the LAX-JFK route will be the Dreamliner, not the old 747 running until October this year.
Nick Sydney 2
Nick Sydney 2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Jul 2015
Total posts 83
I have no issues with LAX customs, usually find it super quick unless it's school holiday time. But I haven't been via DFW as I fly out of BNE. But... three hours on AA to NY! I did 6 1/2 LAX to BOS on an AA 738 and it was hell.
whoppersandwich
whoppersandwich
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Dec 2017
Total posts 125
Jazzop, QF 789s are 9 abreast in Economy (3-3-3) - A380s and 747s are 10 abreast (3-4-3).
Nick Sydney 2
Nick Sydney 2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Jul 2015
Total posts 83
Was at Terminal D, DFW last week and the Admirals Lounge is closed for a year. The alternative is pretty ordinary, no showers. Had to trek over to the AA lounge at Terminal B to freshen up and then walk back.
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
Ahh... thank you for the correction whoppersandwich. I have no idea how I missed that!
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 737
At DFW there is a new AA lounge in terminal A which is very good (apart from food) go there ahead of the temporary arrangement in D.
whoppersandwich
whoppersandwich
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Dec 2017
Total posts 125
Depends on how much you love guacamole!
Eli
Eli
Member since 30 Jul 2015
Total posts 9
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 737
Depends on how much you love guacamole!
Guacamole is not all day, just peakmtimes
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
From October, PR is another option with very modern aircraft:
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
Avoid returning to MEL from the States with Qantas. The flights can be diverted to SYD after which Qantas don’t even give you a sandwich for 5 hours. You’ll then me put onto domestic services to continue your journey as seats become available. Priority is given to ticket type and Qantas club membership status, etc.
If you have QANTAS Club membership you can go into the lounge and eat something. It's the travellers that have neither QANTAS Club membership nor Gold or above frequent flyer status that would lose the most from a diversion or lengthy delay.