BNE to LAX - Virgin or Qantas?

[Solid]

Looking at booking some flights in August to LAX in Economy.

Am going to fly either Virgin or Qantas, but as the prices are around the same, interested in everyone's thoughts on which would be the better trip particularly from those that have done both in Y.

Qantas I am currently SG but will be Platinum by the time the flights are taken. Would probably fly via Sydney to go over on the A380 service. I got the double SC offer however my membership year ends in October so only benefit of double SC will be in terms of lifetime (and not much of an earn

Virgin I am Platinum. Can do a direct flight out of Brisbane on the 777.

 

[BVT]

Looking at booking some flights in August to LAX in Economy.

Am going to fly either Virgin or Qantas, but as the prices are around the same, interested in everyone's thoughts on which would be the better trip particularly from those that have done both in Y.

Qantas I am currently SG but will be Platinum by the time the flights are taken. Would probably fly via Sydney to go over on the A380 service. I got the double SC offer however my membership year ends in October so only benefit of double SC will be in terms of lifetime (and not much of an earn

Virgin I am Platinum. Can do a direct flight out of Brisbane on the 777.

I would take QF via SYD, if only for the FLounge experience. Make sure you leave plenty of time for flounging.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I'd also recommend going on QF for the A380 - either from SYD, or MEL if you need an extra 5SCs in each direction. If you're after extra legroom, aim for the exit rows, or if you're travelling alone (or your partner wouldn't be jealous of your extra legroom - or vice versa), go for 71D, 80A and 80K. If you'd like me to check the availability of those seats (or exit rows) on any particular flight(s) before you book them, just let me know

 

[VHOEJ]

The via SYD option is definently a good one - remember you might get the A380-product on the 747 out of BNE.

But if you want the lounge experience, SYD wins hands down and connecting to the QF11 gives you plenty of connection options in the morning.

 

[juddles]

Forgetting Flounge etc benefits, what are the main differences? Havent flown long haul economy for a while, and never on Virgin. How does Virgin compare to Qantas for just the actual economy flying experience? Have friends trying to decide which carrier right now.

 

[amaroo]

I'd head south for the Flounge & A380.

FWIW, I've never had an op-up out of SYD however, I'm three for three out of BNE......maybe there is less WP competition out/to BNE:!:

 

[midcoast1]

Looking at booking some flights in August to LAX in Economy.

Am going to fly either Virgin or Qantas, but as the prices are around the same, interested in everyone's thoughts on which would be the better trip particularly from those that have done both in Y.

Qantas I am currently SG but will be Platinum by the time the flights are taken. Would probably fly via Sydney to go over on the A380 service. I got the double SC offer however my membership year ends in October so only benefit of double SC will be in terms of lifetime (and not much of an earn

Virgin I am Platinum. Can do a direct flight out of Brisbane on the 777.

Have only flown Air Pacific and Virgin to the states.Only flown Qantas international once to Hong Kong on the 747.Virgin to LAX last year was fantastic from my experience.Late model 777's.Great crew.Great Inflight Entertainment.Seats i found were not to bad with good leg room .My experience only.Took exit row seat on return .

 

[Blackadder]

If you go via SYD and take QF11 the A380 in Y features nets instead of the traditional foot rests, and rather than recline the seat bases slide forward or back as required.
Also the self service snack bar at the rear of the cabin.

 

[midcoast1]

If you go via SYD and take QF11 the A380 in Y features nets instead of the traditional foot rests, and rather than recline the seat bases slide forward or back as required.
Also the self service snack bar at the rear of the cabin.

I am going to try and get the A380 next year when i go but i have one question.I have heard differing opinions on the seat bases sliding forward or back in terms of comfort.Have you experienced them and how do they compare in comfort between the basic recliner and the seat base type.

 

[Ansett]

If you go via SYD and take QF11 the A380 in Y features nets instead of the traditional foot rests, and rather than recline the seat bases slide forward or back as required.
Also the self service snack bar at the rear of the cabin.

Bad news Folks having sat in Y I can assure the seats recline and right into your face just like any other aircraft. One advantage is the IFE however when the seat infront fully reclines it tends to be a tad too close for comfort.

I concure re the foot net this is much better and found I relaxed more with it and even somehow felt lighter.

All said given a choice it would always be an A380 for me as I have now completed 34 flights in them. Enjoy

 

[travelislife]

In Y I would be taking the least travel time possible, ie. the direct Virgin flight. The less time spent on planes in Y the better, why add an extra sector if as you say the SC's aren't really worth it to you. I have done Virgin in economy to LAX on their 777 and all up I thought it was a great economy experience

 

[harvyk]

If F-Lounge is something you care about, QF via SYD hands down, however if F-Lounge is not something you care about, I think it's really a much of a muchness. QF's service in Y is pretty good, but from what I have heard so is VA's, both have AVOD, both supply decent food and drinks even in Y, both have uncomfortable seats (well as comfortable as a Y seat gets compared to Y+ \ J \ F).

So considering you don't have an allegiance to either one way or the other, I'd probably go for which ever one was cheapest.

 

[Saji]

My experience on Virgin was very good compared to QF. Its morning departure from Sydney and 1 hour lounge is definitely not an important variable before a 14 hour flight. \
Virgin inflight service on a 777 is fantastic compared to a maybe good service (at best)in QF on a 380. I vote for Virgin.

 

[k_sheep]

Or if $$ are a concern, then Air Pacific has Y fares for $1083 return! Earns 1 QFF point per mile too, even in discount economy.

Best Flight Deals - Cheap Airfares - Air Pacific

 

[docjames]

If the choice is down to QF vs VA in Y (ignoring the other cheaper options such as FJ etc), I certainly wouldnt be going via SYD just for the F Lounge. Just go the direct, and whichever suits. If you're DJ Plat, i'd go VA as your chance of op-up would be decent.

 

[Solid]

Thanks for the comments and thoughts. Although tempting to flounge, I can see the logic of going direct to cut down on total travel time since it will be in whY.

Had a look at going over on one and back on the other so I can do a proper comparison but the sums don't add up booking 2 one ways.

 

[Tryin Bingham]

Bad news Folks having sat in Y I can assure the seats recline and right into your face just like any other aircraft. One advantage is the IFE however when the seat infront fully reclines it tends to be a tad too close for comfort.

Having done the SYD-LAX route on VA 6 times and QF 4 times in the last couple of years I completely agree on QF the screen. It's woeful - poor resolution and all - with horrible stop, start, pause interface - and the position was all up in my face. With the seat in front reclined, I simply could not get it, nor myself in a comfortable position to watch.

Welcome to whY right?!

Well, DJ does have a little more leg-room (not sure about A380 but certainly the B747-400) and if one of you techies tells me it doesn't, well, it FEELS like it does. In short I found, both food and IFE to be so much better on Virgin. Leaps and bounds better. On each occasion, the cost of the flight was cheaper too. However, Platinum status and FLounge access may present a whole different world.

 

[serfty]

Caveat - I have not flown transpacific on VA.

It's a long flight, and in economy, if you can get bulkhead or extra legroom seats at no additional cost then go that carrier.

If it's all the same, then as a WP, go QF via SYD - a proper Flounge experience can put a nice glow on the first few hours of the flight.

Also, the facilities of the 388 are better than QF 744 and AFAIK are better than that of the 777.

I have used seat maps to ascertain the availability of 80A/K, 50C for QF11/12/93/94 depending on needs to decide the routing and cost before booking.

 

[rotuma1]

For cheap J ticket to usa, book as follows:
Bne-nan on air pac approx $768aud
Nan-lax-nan air pac approx $2020aud
Nan-bne air pac approx $740aud


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Isochronous]

For cheap J ticket to usa, book as follows:
Bne-nan on air pac approx $768aud
Nan-lax-nan air pac approx $2020aud
Nan-bne air pac approx $740aud


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

What's the standard of FJ in J though?