Alternative option to Booking if "oneworld" Award not useful?

[ozflier]

Thanks for the most recent replies guys.

I actually went ahead and paid for a revenue business class fare directly with American Airlines on 3rd July flying Syd-Dallas-Dublin. It was not cheap but at least it takes a way the issue I was facing and its business albeit not top of the line business from what I have read.

Has anyone got experience of flying business with American airlines. The first leg from Syd-Dallas is actually operated by Qantas (787-9). The Qantas website will not let me choose my seat for this flight. It just refreshes to the start of the process again. I think this is a website issue only (I hope). I had to apply for an ESTA visa as well as I read you need one even if just transiting. I hope I do not have to pass immigration/passport control in Dallas and I am transiting within the airport only...?

You will definitely need to go thru immigration at DFW!
I did it 4 weeks ago and faced an hour wait before I got to see an immigration agent - no option of e gates .

 

[DC3]

The first leg from Syd-Dallas is actually operated by Qantas (787-9). The Qantas website will not let me choose my seat for this flight. It just refreshes to the start of the process again. I think this is a website issue only (I hope). I had to apply for an ESTA visa as well as I read you need one even if just transiting. I hope I do not have to pass immigration/passport control in Dallas and I am transiting within the airport only...?

AA has suspended flying to/from Oz until at least September.

For seat selection on the code-share QF flight you will need the PNR of the carrier (QF) and select a seat on their website.

Arrival into the USA will involve Customs/Immigration at the first port of call (DFW in your case) even if just ‘transiting’.

Edit: There is no ‘transit’ in US airports, at least not along the lines that you may have anticipated, as you are entering the US even if not leaving the airport. After clearing entry, there will be a bag-drop area for onwards tagged checked luggage. If you have an onward boarding pass then it’s into the TSA queue for the security check to re-enter airside. You will probably arrive and depart through Terminal D. Anyway, all Terminals are linked by Skylink (“train”), that travels in both directions. Also, can walk.

I would probably allow at least 3 hours for the “transit”, although it may take less time.

 

[DC3]

I’ve re-edited the above post as I just noticed an error. The PNR of the carrier is needed to select a seat via their website.

 

[cathalm8]

Ive actually found another option now flying with Etihad Sydney-abu-dhabi-dublin. It has a 20 hour connection. I was wondering am I able to easily leave the abu dhabi airport and re-enter? This option might actually be better at Etihad has a much superior business class offering and I would avoid going through dallas and going through the USA immigration system etc.

 

[Mr H]

Ive actually found another option now flying with Etihad Sydney-abu-dhabi-dublin. It has a 20 hour connection. I am able to easily leave the abu dhabi airport and re-enter? This option might actually be better at Etihad has a much superior business class offering and I would avoid going through dallas and going through the USA immigration system etc.

I would always avoid the US - nothing there for people like us.

 

[cathalm8]

I would always avoid the US - nothing there for people like us.

Yeah defo considering cancelling it, have 24 hours to cancel from booking for a refund so I have about 5 hours left to cancel.

The alterative option involves a 20 hour wait in abu dhabi which might not be fun but they have a lounge and if I could leave the airport easily enough it wouldn't be too bad... maybe

 

[Mr H]

Yeah defo considering cancelling it, have 24 hours to cancel from booking for a refund so I have about 5 hours left to cancel.

The alterative option involves a 20 hour wait in abu dhabi which might not be fun but they have a lounge and if I could leave the airport easily enough it wouldn't be too bad... maybe

Sounds fine to me. Go to a hotel, look around the city. Have a coffee and a shisha in the medina (if there is such a place...).

 

[cathalm8]

Sounds fine to me. Go to a hotel, look around the city. Have a coffee and a shisha in the medina (if there is such a place...).

Done. Cancelled the American airlines flight and they said I would get a full refund because its within 24 hours of booking. Booked the business on Etihad with a 20 hour stopover in Abu Dhabi. I think i need a transit visa to leave the airport and I read I might need a PCR tests for visiting public places... Saved 550 bucks too pending full refund..

God damn it is not easy travelling this year...

 

[Lynda2475]

I know that Emirates used to include a hotel room in Dubai with their J fares if the next available connecting flight is longer 8 hours after you fly into DBX - do Etihad not do something similar?

 

[Captain Halliday]

I know that Emirates used to include a hotel room in Dubai with their J fares if the next available connecting flight is longer 8 hours after you fly into DBX - do Etihad not do something similar?

Emirates is not a One World airline and therefore not eligible for a One World Classic Flight Award.

 

[Lynda2475]

Emirates is not a One World airline and therefore not eligible for a One World Classic Flight Award.

I am well aware of that, neither is Ethiad but the OP I quoted was talking about revenue flights (albeit in the wrong thread).

 

[DC3]

I am well aware of that, neither is Ethiad but the OP I quoted was talking about revenue flights (albeit in the wrong thread).

Yes. The AFFer quoted has a bit on the plate.

 

[cathalm8]

I know that Emirates used to include a hotel room in Dubai with their J fares if the next available connecting flight is longer 8 hours after you fly into DBX - do Etihad not do something similar?

That's interesting if that's the case. Also, apologies for putting in the incorrect thread.

 

[Stusipad]

Has anyone got experience of flying business with American airlines.

I flew 4 times domestically with AA back in May.

DCA-MCO (Washington DC to Orlando) in Business
MCO-CLT-LAS (Orlando to Charlotte to Las Vegas) in Business
LAS-LAX (Las Vegas to LA) in Economy

I found the DCA-MCO to be a terrible letdown. Dirty plane, poor cabin service, the 'meal' consisted of a packet of mixed nuts, and no lounge access. Just generally an experience that makes even Qantas' current offering look amazing.

With my new found (very low) expectations of AA, my MCO-CLT leg was just a repeat, same meal, although maybe a slightly less filthy plane. However, after a plane swap at CLT l had my next flight, which was CLT-LAS and this flight was outstanding, a total turn around. The cabin crew were attentive, interactive, light and fun, the plane was modern and clean, the meal was outstanding. Possibly my most fun flight of my OWA.

The last flight was a small hop between LAS and LAX, and was in economy (not part of my OWA). Nothing memorable about it, being Economy class, but l remember thinking the cabin crew attentiveness was better in Economy (possibly helped by the plane being almost empty).

Hope your experience is like my CLT-LAS leg was! I'll be avoiding AA in the future, personally.

 

[DC3]

I found the DCA-MCO to be a terrible letdown. Dirty plane, poor cabin service, the 'meal' consisted of a packet of mixed nuts, and no lounge access. Just generally an experience that makes even Qantas' current offering look amazing.

With my new found (very low) expectations of AA, my MCO-CLT leg was just a repeat, same meal, although maybe a slightly less filthy plane.

Please stop it. You’re reminding me what I’m missing. Can’t wait to go back.

 

[sqrt()]

Has anyone got experience of flying business with American airlines.

Only in domestic J transcon on their flagship three-class A321T (BOS-JFK-LAX). Far better hard (and soft?) product than is offered on most of their dom flights in J (US F) with lie flat 2-2 in J and 1-1 in F. The Flagship lounges are also pretty great compared to Admirals Clubs (QP equivalent).

There is limited availability of flagship service domestically, but I think international J and F services are similar. Someone will correct me if there's some great discrepancy.

 

[Matt_01]

Has anyone got experience of flying business with American airlines.

Have done but is was pre covid as Transcon on domestic the three class is comfortable, we flew JFK-SFO in J (US F). Also on some aircraft AA use the same 2x2 lie flat as the Transcon, one flight I was on DFW-BOS used this seat however AA had removed all the IFE screens not sure why but Wi-Fi was available, the other standard F seat AA have are recliners and similar to QF domestic J. The service can be hit and miss however that can happen on other airlines but the crew are normally polite. I have only been to the flagship lounge at JFK and it is much better than the than any of the Admirals Club it have been to, just remember in the US travelling in J (domestic) does not automatically gain access to the lounges I gained access via OW status.

AA international J is a reasonable seat (it is the same seat in the Transcon F) the 787-8 has has J forward and rear facing seats but not sure if this aircraft type is used on international legs. Service will depend on the crew you get, my limited experience flying with AA the crew are usually very polite and work with what they have. It is certainly not up there with the likes of JL, QR, CX but it will better than travelling in Y. Just a thought in late 2019 I had basically given up on QF (international) and was directing my flying to other other carriers. 2020 put a stop to that and from what I have read about QF your AA experience may be better than your QF experience.