Best Business to LAX?

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FTac

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I'm redeeming points for MEL - LAX and have found availability is not as bad as I expected!

I'm looking to book ASAP and wanted your opinions: what's the best business option out of:
VA 23 - direct
DL 1 - stop in SYD
VA 1 - stop in SYD

Direct seems best, unless the Delta product is substantially better than VA?
 
What seats are the Delta flights as they have some very dodgy "Business class" seats. I know they were rolling out a new suite type seat that I wouldnt mind trying.

Personally I think VA is one of the best out there inc staff, I prefer them to a few of the SQ seats but thats me.

Ive flown the older Delta reverse herringbone and Delta One J seats and disliked them both.
 
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VA is generally more available than DL so that works for me!
 
VA is generally more available than DL so that works for me!
That's a bit surprising, normally availability on this route is like hen's teeth!
 
That's a bit surprising, normally availability on this route is like hen's teeth!

This morning there were 4 days available in the next week with min 2 seats, so it works well enough if you're flexible. I usually pick rough dates and check them every day, they open eventually (most of the time). More difficult to coordinate a return as well...
 
This morning there were 4 days available in the next week
Being able to go at very short notice is key I think, the seats usually only open up a week or two ahead of departure depending on loads.
 
Being able to go at very short notice is key I think, the seats usually only open up a week or two ahead of departure depending on loads.

Absolutely. Cancellation is only $60 so I've booked "placeholder" PE (generally better availability) for set dates as security.
 
If I was booking for next week, I'd choose VA over DL as "The Business" is arguably the best product in the sky for the LAX routes. Still, I am really keen to see how the re-imagined "Delta One" is received and I'd love to fly it on one sector when it's all rolled out - just to experience it.

However....(now, don't shoot me people) - I do like cabin crew to be as fresh as the greens that adorn my garden salad starter. And if I wanted Grandma serving me, I'd go to Grandma's house for tea and hummingbird cake.

I'd say the soft product is decidedly in VA's favour.
 
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I've flown the Delta A350 suites which should be very similar to the new 777 product. I found it underwhelming. It's got a door. That's the feature. I really don't care about a door.

Sure, it might be interesting to try it if you get the chance, but VA is the better option in pretty much every way. Better lounges, better staff, better food, and better seat (IMO, arguable when comparing the new DL product).
 
I'm flying Sydney to LAX in a couple of months then heading back to Israel and this time opted to try Delta for the first time. Apparently all SYD - LAX flights are with a revamped 777 with the newer business product so I'm looking forward to trying it. The Delta product seems to offer more privacy than VA but from a customer service standpoint I'm curious how it will be as it will be my first time on a US airline.
 
The thing about all the US airlines is that the service is inconsistent. As someone who has flown over 400 Delta flights I couldn't even begin to predict what your experience will be like. It can be as good as VA, but it can also be much worse. VA is a predictably good experience, and DL only gets to the VA service level occasionally.

I will say that even though DL still struggles with this, AA & UA are even more inconsistent.
 
Delta is one of the worst US airlines, VA auto wins this one!

Prefer the QF 787 suites though for US flights.
 
This is encouraging reading - we have a trip next year from BNE - YVR, and then HNL - BNE (cruising from YVR-HNL). We will have enough VA points for one way in J, and enough QF points for the same - so the question was which flight out, and which back.

We have not flown VA B777 J before; based on the above comments it now seems to be the obvious choice (with DL connections from LAX-YVR), and then look for options with QF points returning from HNL. As opposed to AC direct to YVR (if points flights are available), or QF outbound and HA returning. Any thoughts appreciated.
 
i must be lucky, have managed to get VA Bus rewards return x 2 for december melb - la return then for myself again 6 weeks later bus reward return, prob helped i booked a bit out. last flight i took the guy across from me was overheard saying he thought he was booked on a delta flight and he was extremely relieved to find out is was VA operated so guess that says something...
 
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