First class with Qantas - Melbourne to LAX - is this ever on sale ?

[Buck Naked]

Hi all,

I am not as frequent a flyer as many on this forum and don’t have the lofty status’s of some of the members here, but I am keen to book a special trip from Melbourne to LAX in first class.

This trip would be for 5 people and I do have a preference for Qantas, but when trying to arrange such a trip, the total fee comes out to a hefty $80K+ price tag.

I don’t mind paying an appropriate amount for such a first-class service, but that type of price range is out of my reach. Do any of the members know, or can offer any suggestions, as to the best way for a relatively non-flyer to be able to book such a flight for perhaps more around the $20-$30K mark or am I dreaming ? First class is really what I am seeking – ie not business etc….

Do the airlines ever off first-class sales at a reasonable(ish) price ?

Apologies if this has been asked before as I couldn’t find a similar answer via my searches. Many thanks for any offers of advice.

 

[harvyk]

At least on QF you're dreaming... Around the $20K to $30K mark is in the business class price range for US flights.

 

[Buck Naked]

Thanks harvyk – for those of us that sit up the back end of the plane more often than the front, do you recommend another carrier then for the same purpose, but perhaps not so high on the cost ?

For me this is something special I am trying to arrange and not really keen to pay $30k+ for 5x business class seats, but happy to go to that amount for first class or something of the equivalent with another carrier that does present the ‘wow’ factor for the journey and we get to feel special and actually lie down to rest rather than be cramped up the back.

 

[smit0847]

QF and UA are the only carriers who operate F across the Pacific (I dont think DL do?). QF is much, much, much better than UA and much more expensive. I personally would not pay the asking price for QF or UA F but if money is no big concern definitely go for QF.

You may wish to consider CX J to HKG and then F onwards. It will probably be a fair bit cheaper but a longer journey and only F for the second half of the flights.

 

[amaroo]

I don’t mind paying an appropriate amount for such a first-class service, but that type of price range is out of my reach. Do any of the members know, or can offer any suggestions, as to the best way for a relatively non-flyer to be able to book such a flight for perhaps more around the $20-$30K mark or am I dreaming ? First class is really what I am seeking – ie not business etc….

As noted this range is a "special" price for QF business.....I picked up 4 x J tickets BNE/SYD/LAX/JFK/DFW/BNE for later this year at $22.5K......two of the 4 are kids.

Not many F options ex-OZ over the Pacific......maybe look at one of the Asian carries.

 

[Hvr]

Maybe this is one of those times when a travel agent could be of assistance? Not Flight Centre or their subsidiaries but a real professional travel agent.

 

[Anna]

I am not sure if Air New Zealand offer F, but I have heard that trans Pacific in J they are very good, and cheaper than QF. You have to route through NZ though. They might provide the "something special" you are looking for however.

I really do not think you will find 5 return F tickets for $30K, whichever airline you look at. Certainly not on QF, even on sale.

If you were prepared to fly MEL - AKL - PPT - LAX on Air Tahiti Nui you might get cheap F at least part of the way, but TN F is less good than QF J and they don't always offer it.

You could also check whether Air Pacific offers F - you would have to route through Fiji to LAX. In J they are almost as good as QF domestic J so I would not get too excited about Air Pacific even if they do offer F.

The other possibility that hasn't been mentioned is JAL - you would have to route through Japan to LAX. I presume they would offer F between Japan and USA although I have no idea of price.

 

[smit0847]

I am not sure if Air New Zealand offer F, but I have heard that trans Pacific in J they are very good, and cheaper than QF. You have to route through NZ though. They might provide the "something special" you are looking for however.

I really do not think you will find 5 return F tickets for $30K, whichever airline you look at. Certainly not on QF, even on sale.

If you were prepared to fly MEL - AKL - PPT - LAX on Air Tahiti Nui you might get cheap F at least part of the way, but TN F is less good than QF J and they don't always offer it.

You could also check whether Air Pacific offers F - you would have to route through Fiji to LAX. In J they are almost as good as QF domestic J so I would not get too excited about Air Pacific even if they do offer F.

The other possibility that hasn't been mentioned is JAL - you would have to route through Japan to LAX. I presume they would offer F between Japan and USA although I have no idea of price.

I'm fairly sure QF and UA are the only carriers who operate F across the Pacific.

All other options would involve J to Asia then F onwards.

You could do SQ MEL-SIN-ICN-LAX all F but thats a lot of stopovers versus going direct.

I'd be trying to get the very best J you can and saving the money for the actual trip.

 

[amaroo]

FWIW you'll get better deals flying to Europe.....we've done a few trips with BA first class for around $7K.

They have specials 2/3 times a year.

 

[whatmeworry]

Some people prefer going via Asia as most of the US airlines are poor and QF expensive.

 

[RooFlyer]

To answer your question - yes, Qantas F is occasionally on sale. But its still a chunk of change.

I think there are 3 main reasons to want to go F.

1. Have points or cash so what the heck (maybe within reason)

2. Its a very special trip and nothing says very special like 'First Class'

3. Its a very special trip and want to be pampered and go as comfortably as possible.


Can you say which your trip falls into, or close to? Will help us advise you.

I have gone F on United TPAC (points) and I'd say definitely don't go that way. Its about equivalent to Qantas business.

Once you decide a strategy, I agree with Hvr - a professional Travel Agent would be a good idea. They can access fares and have ideas that are not on web sites etc. I can PM you a good one if you like.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Look a OneWorld circle pacific or round the world AONE4. I have no idea of prices.
And get a quote from Emirates & Qatar Airlines
http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=...&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE=
For all that QF business is several steps up from economy

 

[bismarck]

I think you'll struggle to find 5 in F for that price. First off because not that many carriers operate a F cabin ex Australia (even going via Asia/ME).

EK and SQ were both up around $65-75k.

 

[madrooster]

When QF F is on sale, a return ticket to LAX is usually $10k to give you an idea of what is a good F price to LAX on QF. QF J return to LAX can be had for $5k and QF W can be had for $3k (rare-ish) or $3.2k/3.3k (more often).

 

[Boris spatsky]

Try asiana or Korean via Seoul. Have seen F tickets to LAX recently from SYD for 4.5K each.

 

[sdmcd]

Most of the Qantas flights now have flat beds in J so if that helps...

Hi all,

I am not as frequent a flyer as many on this forum and don’t have the lofty status’s of some of the members here, but I am keen to book a special trip from Melbourne to LAX in first class.

This trip would be for 5 people and I do have a preference for Qantas, but when trying to arrange such a trip, the total fee comes out to a hefty $80K+ price tag.

I don’t mind paying an appropriate amount for such a first-class service, but that type of price range is out of my reach. Do any of the members know, or can offer any suggestions, as to the best way for a relatively non-flyer to be able to book such a flight for perhaps more around the $20-$30K mark or am I dreaming ? First class is really what I am seeking – ie not business etc….

Do the airlines ever off first-class sales at a reasonable(ish) price ?

Apologies if this has been asked before as I couldn’t find a similar answer via my searches. Many thanks for any offers of advice.

 

[k_sheep]

If you normally travel economy, a good airlines' business class will certainly feel like first! (ie not UA or DL).

 

[craven morehead]

Buck Naked ; have you ever flown J or F before ?? Like some others have stated a good J is a pretty decent way to travel :mrgreen: I have been fortunate enough to fly F several times but only ever on points. I couldn't bring myself to part with the cash. However happy to pay for J if necessary when not using points or upgrading.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Buck Naked ; have you ever flown J or F before ??

And international J on a wide body aircraft with a quality carrier. QF domestic J is nothing like J on a A380 B747

 

[Kef]

Yes it is, the price you quoted of approx. $80k+ is the sale price. I recommend you do you homework online and then find yourself a travel agent who is experienced. Not a franchised agent for eg., flight centre, the
nuf nufs that work in those places wouldn't recognise the inside of a first class cabin even if it smacked them in the face.

Good luck!!!!!