Award flight BA in PE or PE Qantas

[ellen10]

Whilst researching Classic award flights from London to Sydney later this year, these are my options:

Lon BA in Premium Economy to Bangkok then Bangkok to Syd in PE .....OR
Lon BA in Premium Economy to Bangkok then Bangkok to Syd in Business. This option of course would be charged points all the way as Business, ugh - but it is tempting
Lon BA to Frankfurt Ec then QF Premium Ec all the way home to Syd.

All other options investigated only offer PE one leg and the longest flight in Economy. As I will be travelling solo I would rather have a little more personal space other than offerred in Economy.

I'd appreciate your thoughts

 

[Must...Fly!]

I've never flown Y+ but everything I read indicates that QF has a far better product. I'd personally be tempted by the option via Frankfurt.

 

[Mal]

Been 15 months since I last flew BA WT+, and about 3 for QF PE, but I would definitely recommend QF over BA.

BA are in the process of refreshing the WT+ cabin, but I don't believe the planes flying to Australia have the new cabin yet. (some flights might though as it is slowly being implemented).

The catering has gone downhill with Qantas though which is very unfortunate. (This is not exclusive to PE, but all cabins IMHO), likewise for BA - seems to be a trend.

Would be a waste to use full J points for only half a J journey.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks Mal and must..fly

I thought I could recall reading somewhere about Ba Y+ food and service the same as Y, is this correct?

I must admit the Business class seat is tempting but loosing my hard earned points for half a product would hurt.

 

[simongr]

Yep - BA Y+ food is Y food. Personally I would only fly BA Y+ if there wasn't another option.

LHR-BKK is your longest segment so would be an expensive use of points to fly in J BKK-SYD.

Depending on points cost I would opt for BA Ec LHR-FRA and then QF Y+ FRA-SYD depending on the transit time. Flight to FRA would be around 2-3 hours?

 

[Must...Fly!]

\
Depending on points cost I would opt for BA Ec LHR-FRA and then QF Y+ FRA-SYD depending on the transit time. Flight to FRA would be around 2-3 hours?

1h45m, not that long really.

 

[ellen10]

Yes the connection from London to Frankfurt is good, about 2 hours and as Must..Fly says 1h 45m flight.

Thanks for your recommendations I think the Qantas PE from Frankfurt would be the best option although a business class would have been nicer!

 

[JohnK]

I would also take Qantas premium economy over BA World Traveller Plus but here is hoping you are able to get a bulkhead or if you are stuck behind someone then pray it is not a serial recliner.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for all your contributions.
I took the plunge and have booked the Qantas via Frankfurt flight home in Premium Economy. Managed to get a bulkhead seat 35K so am very happy. According to the seat map it is a bulkhead behind the galley. Chose window seat, as is my preference.
I did try and look the plane configuration up in seat guru but couldn't get a match.

 

[serfty]

Here's the seat map.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744-56J40PY275Y.pdf

Note that there is a small 'wardrobe' in from of 35J/K and foot space may be a little restricted. At least that area is secluded.

Best seats are 29J/K.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks serfty

I hope it is a good seat, 29J/K was not available. And not having a recliner in front was an added bonus. I tossed up the window v aisle, I hope there is enough leg room to move out easily.

 

[serfty]

We sat in similar seat (with wardrobe) 29A/B last February - at 6' it was borderline uncomfortable (spent some of flight looking enviously st 29J/K which has double the leg room + bulkhead).

 

[ellen10]

Ok now I'm worried I am 5' 6". Did you have enough leg room? More than if I was in the row behind and especially if the person reclined in front. Other option is in the middle row which I don't particularily like. But looking at the seat map it looks like it has a false wall in front.

 

[JohnK]

Ok now I'm worried I am 5' 6". Did you have enough leg room? More than if I was in the row behind and especially if the person reclined in front.

At 5' 6" you should be fine in the bulkhead.

You would have more than ample leg room in the seat behind but it would be difficult to get out of the seat if the person in front reclines.

 

[meb]

Serfty,

Without even asking you have answered my question, I was wondering what the box was in front of 29 A/B on the seat map, as I didn't know I have taken 29 J/K for my flight to FRA at the beginning of April. Can only hope that this is a 4 class flight and it will be J seats, although certainly not counting on it.

Cheers

MEB

 

[serfty]

Ok now I'm worried I am 5' 6". Did you have enough leg room? More than if I was in the row behind and especially if the person reclined in front. ...

At 168cm you should be fine.