Sydney-Los Angeles first class comparo: Qantas vs American Airlines

great review - a clear winner i feel (although i have yet to experience)

Having flown QF in F a few times now they really do excel. Reading this review, it wont see me looking to try AA in F any time soon. I think J is the sweetspot for AA and cant see why you would look to either stump up the cash nor points to jumpt to F with AA.

QF all the way for me! Good review.

This doesn't surprise me. American airlines really don't excel unless judged against other American airlines, while Qantas sets the bar so high, especially in meals and service. The QF A380 First suite also looks better than the AA one (have flown QF A380 F but not AA), a lot more comfortable.

I appreciate this is Aus. Business Traveller, but it would be great to see some more 'back of the plane comparisons/reviews given that's where more of us are having to sit in the current economic climate! ;) 

If you've never done it but get the chance, you've got to experience the Qantas 380 1st class beds. Just brilliant. Great service as well but you get that most of the time in business as well.  Would I pay the full price?  Of course not, but as an upgrade overnight US to Australia it great. 

I haven't flown either but would choose QANTAS for sure. The AA swivel suite to face the window is awesome though

I recently flew Qantas first. I personally found the chairs a little uncomfortable. No doubt it is a great bed though. Staff service was great. I didnt see the sheepskin mattress, but I did find the duvet which was essential as the cabin was a little cold. Great food. Great service. Not sure if I think it is worth twice as much as business, but a great option for upgrading. And the lounges for Qantas are hands down winners over AA. I live in the US and lounges are not really something I bother with here, whereas in Australia I get there early for the lounge. I also find that the Qantas lounges in LAX are second rate compared to Australia. They are too busy and noisy. The QF first lounge in Sydney is world class.

Pretty accurate. I have always said that AA or any US carrier have no clue with regards to service on the finer points expected in premium cabins.

The qantas first seats are very good second only to singapore in my opinion.

There must have been a miraculous improvement in the food since i last travelled a week ago to get this write up, the crew regulalry get hassled about the appalling food quality and taste in both first and business and i felt for the crew member that got told where he could put the food by the passenger accross the ailse last week.

They have improved the wine compared with a couple of years ago but it is now mostly trendy pinot gris and big shiraz rather than the more expensive chardonnays and cabernet.

Within the next few months, a connecting post-security walkway will be completed that will allow AA flyers leaving from LAX Terminal 4 post security access to the TBIT, thus allowing oneworld Emeralds or AA international first class passengers access to the Qantas First LAX lounge without having to deal with security again. Yes, it will be a 10 minute walk, but you'll be sitting for the next 14 hours so why not move a little.

Great comparison - I had wondered what the outcome would be since AA started flying to Sydney. Good to see - QF will be the one that I'll look to use AA points on next time we head stateside.

Chris, have you done comparisons of QF F > EY F or QR F on 388? If so please point me to this - interested in comparisons of the same factors.

Well put Chris. I'm fortunate to be up the front a bit and have flown QF 11/12 and Qf 7/8 both in the last three months. I've also, had to, fly AA. Is there a difference? Light Years! QF are qualtiy through and through, travel a bit internationally and you're reminded how lucky we are.

The US market is just a long, long way behind. Jennifer Aniston's commercial for EK is comical, but quite accurate. AA, or any other US Airline, are just back in the 1980's.

Now onto First offerings... I've tried EK and SQ First both last year (nice) and also EY on the new A380, now that's a game changer. The Apartment is something else and it is a level that no one else is near. It's damn good. 

Ah Bevan - what's your view on EY > SQ First Suites??

I recently flew QF in F to Europe and returned on EK in F. EK has it all over QF in terms of food, service and seat/bed. Lounge was a line ball to QF, although, my goodness, the F lounge in DXB would have to be the biggest in the world, with hardly anyone in it. Here's a tip to both airlines though; the complimentary massages should be at least half an hour. 15 minutes is really not worth the trouble. I understand in BKK, TG offers one hour. Now that would be more like it.

I recently flew from SYD/LAX in first class with my wife and 23 year old daughter. We therefore had 3 of the 12 suites , so not a cheap experience. I rarely travel to the US and usually go to Europe on the Singapore A380 suites.Cheese and chalk and I soon realised why I don't fly Qantas. On a scale of 1 -10 , I would give tjhem a 2 at best.Three examples -

1) Took off at 9 50 am after having breakfast in the lounge. 30 minutes after takeoff , the air chef took our lunch orders. We asked that lunch not be served untila baout 2 pm as we had just eaten. We were told lunch is served at noon and cannot be served later.

2) We asked for some pyjamas but were told that there were not enough for us and the passengers on the return leg . Nothingh like making you feel important.

3) My daughter was hungry through the flight and asked for something to eat. The response was " we can give you some fruit , but the crew has picked over it." .

I was embarrassed that this is my national carrier . That will do me. I will never fly them again . By the way , the Singapore Airlines suites are much better laid out and more comfortable.