Best Y product between Australia & USA?

[The Rok]

I have never done VA in Y but I was under the impression that Y has a self service bar like Y+ and J?

 

[Mh4k]

Not really. It has a cubby near the rear galley with packets of chips and if you're lucky cans of soft drink. No booze. Y+ gets self-service wines and snacks from a psuedo-bar but there's no seating at the bar, while J gets a full range of spirits, some bar stools, and often times a bartender (or at least, cabin crew will hang out in that area and fix drinks and chat if anyone is sitting at the bar).

I like VA a great deal, and their Y cabin is completely tolerable. It is, as mentioned, the widest Y seat across the pacific and I believe the largest seat pitch too. It's a low-density configuration (comparatively at least) and relatively comfortable. I like the 777 in general - I think on account of the cabin width - and VA's planes are all no more than a few years old and in good condition, and I like the crew - even in Y they're always friendly and helpful, which is more than can be said for Y service on QF.

Typical VA loadings do suggest a greater chance of an op-up but I have done the Y haul to LAX as a Platinum on an over-sold flight and was not upgraded. But sometimes them's the breaks. I was nevertheless well looked after - a few chats with the CSM, priority immigrations and customs cards, and business class drinks, all of which was nice enough. Would have rather had a J seat though

That said, the A380 is hard to pass up for a 15 hour trip, if for no other reason than the higher cabin pressure. Assuming either a QF A380 or VA 777 operated flight fits your schedule I'd just make the call based on where you most need or want the SCs. If the choice is between the a QF 747 and the VA 777, I'd fly on VA, hands down. I've never flown on the VA Delta codeshares but have heard enough about Delta long haul Y that I'm not going to try it, either.

 

[MadFairlane]

When are you flying?

I can tell you what its like after the 14th of April... hahaha