F Award: 747 from Syd, or A380 from Melb?

[AdrianBennett]

What the title says - I'm looking at an AAdvantage award to SE Asia and the options are a 747 from SYD on QF1 soon, or an A380 from MEL to SIN in about 9 months time when the new A380's are delivered. My plan is, from BKK or SIN I'll take CX to HKG and then connect to MNL/TPE so I get to experience the wing and pier.

The A380 hard product is much better, however both are relatively short day/evening flights. Plus I have an Ipad which I will be using for entertainment regardless. I'm stumped please help!!! Should I just book both? :-D

Also a few other questions:
- For a newbie, is the SYD F lounge just a must-experience thing?
- I've heard that the food ex SYD is better than ex-MEL, is this true?
- The A380's being delivered later this year are still 4 class configs right?
- Does anyone know what days A380's will leave from MEL when it changes to 5x and 6x weekly?
- When would be the earliest you'd personally book a MEL-SIN F award to be sure it's changed in time to an A380?

Thanks a lot!

 

[markis10]

12 A380s will continue to fly (6 of 12 to come) with a four-class configuration, including First class, but be refitted to reduce Business seating and increase Premium Economy and Economy seating the remaining eight aircraft will be delivered from 2012 in a three-class configuration and with no First cabin.

 

[anat0l]

A380 F. Enough said.

Even if you get equipment swapped (hope not!), trying for the A380 F is worth a gamble anyway!

Both flights, as you said, are about the same length, but that wouldn't change my assessment I don't watch a lot of IFE either, but the space offered in the A380 F is superior to the 747 F product.

Also SIN-HKG is a longer flight than BKK-SIN, and the Skyview Lounge in SIN is better than the CX lounges at BKK (although the Sakura lounge at BKK isn't too bad).

Now for the rest of your questions:

- For a newbie, is the SYD F lounge just a must-experience thing?

The MEL or SYD QF F Lounges are a must-experience. You'll enjoy either; the MEL lounge is much the same as the SYD one, except smaller (due to less flights out of MEL). If you are on QF flight holding an F ticket, make sure you call ahead at the lounge to book a spa appointment.

- I've heard that the food ex SYD is better than ex-MEL, is this true?

As far as I can tell, no difference. In F the difference shouldn't be markedly different (i.e. one good and one bad). Since your F service will be ex-Australia (MEL or SYD), you should be offered degustation service in addition to a la carte.

- When would be the earliest you'd personally book a MEL-SIN F award to be sure it's changed in time to an A380?

All of this is my opinion: as early as possible. I'd be preferring to book on a day which is known to have A380s now, since I have no idea when the MEL-SIN services (i.e. MEL-SIN-LHR) services will go daily A380s. My guess is that SYD will get it first.

I don't know about F awards with AA, but perhaps it's just better to book the award and put up with the penalties for changing later if you have to cross that bridge.

 

[Siegfried]

The MEL or SYD QF F Lounges are a must-experience. You'll enjoy either; the MEL lounge is much the same as the SYD one, except smaller (due to less flights out of MEL). If you are on QF flight holding an F ticket, make sure you call ahead at the lounge to book a spa appointment.

I agree wholeheartedly - I'm based in BNE, and if the choice is fly from BNE or head for the airport 2 hours earlier to take an Int leg out of SYD, there's no contest.

 

[ab156]

No contest. F A380 is a proper experience, the 747 is very dated, would actually take A380 J over it...

Leave your iPad in the bag and just enjoy the service!

Book your FLounge spa in advance and leave yourself plenty of time...

 

[JetLagged]

- For a newbie, is the SYD F lounge just a must-experience thing?

Most definitely - agree with the other posts, especially re booking a spa. Sitting and eating a meal you order, rather than simply what is available, and then having a massage etc, is just a wonderful way to start an overseas experience!

 

[serfty]

Most definitely - agree with the other posts, especially re booking a spa. Sitting and eating a meal you order, rather than simply what is available, and then having a massage etc, is just a wonderful way to start an overseas experience!

Of course, you can do this in the MEL FLounge as well ...

 

[AdrianBennett]

A380 F. Enough said.
All of this is my opinion: as early as possible. I'd be preferring to book on a day which is known to have A380s now, since I have no idea when the MEL-SIN services (i.e. MEL-SIN-LHR) services will go daily A380s. My guess is that SYD will get it first.

Hey anat0l, thanks for the awesome reply mate! I've read a lot of your posts and trip reports and guys like you are a real treasure to the forum. Appreciate it and I hope to contribute something back eventually I guess this little A380 F award scheme is a contribution in its own way heh - there's heaps of F availability for mid next year go for it guys!

First as for booking on a day where the A380 is currently scheduled, there's no availability at all - the only chance is to book on a 747 F that is scheduled for a swap. For that schedule, from Qantas' press release:

At present, two return services between Melbourne and London via Singapore each week are operated by the Qantas A380. This will increase to five services a week after Qantas’ eighth A380 is delivered, six services a week after its ninth is delivered and daily services when its tenth A380 arrives.

Qantas currently has six A380s in service. It expects to take delivery of its seventh in the final quarter of 2010, enabling Sydney-London A380 services to go daily, and to have received the tenth aircraft by March 2011.

Since your F service will be ex-Australia (MEL or SYD), you should be offered degustation service in addition to a la carte.

Again I should have added this - the degustation menu (along with every single wine pairing ) is definitely the plan. I'm positive it's offered ex-Mel on the kangaroo route though so should be no problems.

 

[AdrianBennett]

I agree wholeheartedly - I'm based in BNE, and if the choice is fly from BNE or head for the airport 2 hours earlier to take an Int leg out of SYD, there's no contest.

I'm based in BNE too haha, but likewise, leaving from BNE didn't even cross my mind, no chance!

Most definitely - agree with the other posts, especially re booking a spa. Sitting and eating a meal you order, rather than simply what is available, and then having a massage etc, is just a wonderful way to start an overseas experience!

Yes don't worry I definitely plan to spend a solid chunk of the day there

 

[11sjw]

Most definitely - agree with the other posts, especially re booking a spa. Sitting and eating a meal you order, rather than simply what is available, and then having a massage etc, is just a wonderful way to start an overseas experience!

How far ahead do you call? I assume there is a direct no.

 

[serfty]

How far ahead do you call? I assume there is a direct no.

If you are travelling F on Qantas - they'll call you!

 

[11sjw]

If you are travelling F on Qantas - they'll call you!

thx, my firstginity is still firmly in place.

 

[arrow]

I am actually flying QF First to London in Jan 2011. I am meant to be on the 747... Does the new aircraft mean that it will be replaced with the A380??

I actually like F on the 747 (flown on it few times before) - its more open plan/ sociable compared to the pictures of the A380

 

[straitman]

I am actually flying QF First to London in Jan 2011. I am meant to be on the 747... Does the new aircraft mean that it will be replaced with the A380??

It is possible though I would suggest that this far out anything may occur. I'd watch as time moves along and the new aircraft are delivered.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Most definitely - agree with the other posts, especially re booking a spa. Sitting and eating a meal you order, rather than simply what is available, and then having a massage etc, is just a wonderful way to start an overseas experience!

Who says you need to go overseas; I didn't think a flight between Melbourne and Sydney I was actually going overseas, or similarly between Sydney and Melbourne or Brisbane.

I am referring to the limited weekly Jetstar International flights between the international terminals, and the once weekly QF21 between Sydney and Brisbane. :idea:

 

[AdrianBennett]

Who says you need to go overseas; I didn't think a flight between Melbourne and Sydney I was actually going overseas, or similarly between Sydney and Melbourne or Brisbane.

I am referring to the limited weekly Jetstar International flights between the international terminals, and the once weekly QF21 between Sydney and Brisbane. :idea:

Bundy that would be oh so sick indeed and is the biggest incentive to get QP/OWE status imo. I would do that weekly and I'm not joking, make it a date with a lady friend haha they would love you forever

 

[Hvr]

Having flown both (through upgrades) I say go for the A380. And yes the Flounge is amazing.

 

[AdrianBennett]

W00t!!!

I just booked the award for 45k AAdvantage points (well placed it on hold, I have to wait until the Australian office opens to pay the $90 fees and taxes with my non-US credit card). QF9 should almost certainly be an A380 by then! Even if QF's tenth A380 is late, the 9th arrives in January and will enable 6x weekly A380 departures from MEL - pretty solid chance.

I know CX can chop and change their regional F times and days but that doesnt bother me too much, I'm prepared to pay a fee to change the itinerary close to the date if needed, as long as the routing and that sweet QF F seat is booked in. One question though: If my CX plane gets swapped to a 2-class config on my HKG to TPE leg, do I still get access to the F Wing and Pier?

Anyway yay thanks guys!!!

All in F:
09/03 QF9 MEL-SIN (dep 17:05 arr 21:40)
10/03 CX734 SIN-HKG (dep 16:25 arr 20:10)
11/03 CX402 HKG-TPE (dep 18:55 arr 20:35)

 

[AdrianBennett]

And to recap, by buying the 45k AAdvantage points directly, the fare cost me $1250AUD incl taxes. For that I get:

- A full day in the SYD F lounge, the 2nd best F lounge in the world according to Skytrax 2010 awards, with 1 hr spa treatment and full-course meals at basically rockpool bar and grill, one of my favourite restaurants
- F seat in QF9 A380 for 7.5 hrs, with 8 course degustation incl matching wines, heaps of dom all-round, and awesome PJs and amenities goodies.
- Free overnight pseudo-stopover in SIN then heaps of time in a good F lounge there (any recs as to which lounge?)
- 4 hr CX flight in F, in their new suites, with full meal service and free-flowing krug
- Free overnight in HKG
- A ton of time in the F wing and pier lounges! Incl free meals in The Haven serving Peninsula-quality food
- 1.5 hr CX flight in F, apparently even on this small hop you get a meal and krug.

Not bad imo! This sort of thing is probably standard for you guys here, but it just blows my mind. I'm 6"5' and a big eater/drinker so this is even better value for me than the average person lol.

Now I would like to point out that, before finding this forum and flyertalk, the last time I spent $1k on a one way flight, was for a starclass seat from NRT to OOL, and I thought that was decent value Well the pie was really good!! Haha. So a big genuine thanks to you all, can't wait to do this trip and I'll provide a full TR.

 

[jamesatfish]

And to recap, by buying the 45k AAdvantage points directly, the fare cost me $1250AUD incl taxes. For that I get:

...- F seat in QF9 A380 for 7.5 hrs, with 8 course degustation incl matching wines, heaps of dom all-round, and awesome PJs and amenities goodies.

Firstly, congrats on the fare - sounds like great value and you'll love QF First, whether on the A380 or the 747.

Just to burst your bubble ever so slightly - it's been a few years since QF have served Dom in First - on every QF F flight I've taken in the last 18 months or so they've had a Tattinger champagne which isn't nearly as good to my very untrained palette. I actually prefer the Verve Cliquot Ponsardin in the F lounge to the Tattinger on the aircraft.

On the plus side they still have a nice Glenfiddich scotch to get you started and coming home from LAX in May I had the option of a Penfolds vertical tasting, with St Henri served in First and some Bin 407 and 389 brought up from the other cabins.

QF also seem to be randomly rolling out updated PJs in First - changing from the dark greeny/grey colour to a lighter brown shade. I prefer the older style, which still has a pocket at the back, to the newer style which is sans-pockets, and I'd try to snag one of those if you can. Whilst pockets in PJs might not make sense, when you're wearing them on an aircraft there's a reasonable chance you might want to actually carry something on your person (in my case a handkerchief and some eye drops) and not having pockets in the PJs seems really silly to me.

Enjoy the trip!!