BNE/SYD to LAX - flight loadings and best seats in J?

[Jurahn]

Calling on the experience and knowledge of all those AFFers who have done a BNE/SYD-LAX return run in J with Virgin ...

Am planning my first trip in J to the US next Nov/Dec - also first solo trip, so am spoiling myself, hence travelling in J (previous trip was in Y+).

So a couple of questions, if anyone can help out:

First question:

Outbound flight - either BNE or SYD to LAX on a Friday mid-November
Return flight - LAX-SYD on either a Sunday night or Monday night in mid-December
(Sydney flights on VA metal only, NOT Delta!).

So wondering which would be the better options - for the outbound flight, which city would be better - BNE or SYD? - and for the return flight to SYD which day, Sunday or Monday? - which would be likely to be lighter loadings on flights (prefer to fly in a less full cabin if possible, as it often makes for a quieter flight, regardless of class) or would it be an either/or and they're much of a muchness. Probably a "how long's a piece of string" question I know, but just interested to see whether the departure city/day makes much of a difference.

Second question:

Best seat? I prefer a window seat but as I'm a regular bathroom visitor (nervous flyer), to be kind to my usual travelling companion (hubby), I normally sit on the aisle and he has the window. As I'm travelling alone this time, would probably still go for an aisle seat this time too, again for courtesy's sake for anyone who's sitting next to me in a window seat. Would it maybe be better to opt for one of the aisle seats on the middle section, as I believe the middle seats in those sections aren't too popular as you have to climb over someone in either direction to get out if seats are fully flat - so maybe less likely to end up with someone sitting next to me? (I hope that makes sense!!). Have read that Row 5 is the bee's knees LOL but usually not available for selection? Also, is it true that there's a women's-only bathroom on the 777?

Any advice/suggestions/info would be appreciated.

Many thanks!

 

[Saab34]

Brisbane loads are through the roof no matter what day it is. Sydney has its quiet days and its full days.

 

[Homer]

Row 5 is great except that you turn right, albeit briefly, instead of left and most of the Y pax have a good look at you as they board. But I sleep better there due to the curtains. Those curtains could be a bit odd though if you've got a stranger beside you that you're not, you know, interested in .

There is a women's only bathroom but it's right up the front of the J cabin and I've noticed that women seated towards the rear of J tend to just use the closest loo. Also when it's busy (ie just before/after breakfast) then it becomes a bit of a free-for-all.

 

[MandM]

Brisbane loads are through the roof no matter what day it is. Sydney has its quiet days and its full days.

where do you get access to load info?
I flew to and from BNE on my last USA trip and LAX-BNE was the first flight in about the last 10 i have taken between Australia (usually Sydney or Mel) and LAX that did not have a full or almost full load.

 

[VA777]

I flew SYD-BNE-LAX in J to arrive earlier in the morning to assist with connections to the East Coast. Flight ex BNE was 100% full all classes. Returned LAX-SYD not as full.

I decided to try 1A both ways and found it an excellent seat, I would recommend it.

 

[Boris spatsky]

1A or row 5. But row 5 normally reserved for high status pax.

 

[Major]

I agree on row 5. Have used this BNE-LAX and find the curtain gives you a certain calm and peaceful feeling.

It's also not far to go from the bar

 

[Jurahn]

Thanks for the advice/recommendations everyone - every little bit of info helps! I suppose BNE may be the more popular route as the arrival time to LAX is earlier. Am possibly leaning more towards SYD - current J sale fares for that period this year are showing as $6K from the East Coast, but still just over $8K from Perth, so if I'm forking out an extra $2K for the domestic legs, I'd prefer to get the full J experience on the A330, which of course isn't available PER-BNE! Considering the additional cost, wondering if it's worth booking the return flights to LAX from the East Coast, then keeping an eye out for J domestic sales for the PER-SYD-PER legs. I've subscribed to the Happy Hour thread about J sales, but just wondering whether there's much in the way of J class sales domestically throughout the rest of the year?

Thanks also for the seat recommendations - Row 5 sounds great, am hoping to hit Gold before this trip but don't know if that would make me a high enough status pax to select that row. And as Homer mentioned, being "curtained in" with a complete stranger might be a bit weird!! Proximity to the bar doesn't concern me as I don't drink anyway, so probably better off being further away from the bar LOL. A couple of recommendations for 1A, so looks like that's one to keep in mind.