First time on longhaul J, anything I should do?

[glasszon]

Just got the message that I got upgraded to J from Y+ on SYD-HND flight tomorrow, given this is my first J experience in long haul flight, anything I should do to take full advantage and make sure I don't look like a complete beginner?

(I know this topic must have been posted many times, but only 24 hours to go and I still need to pack my bags, so haven't got a chance to search for old threads, feel free to link them to me)

For now I can only think of choosing meals online ahead of time, but can't select seats as all seats are already under airport control.

 

[Hvr]

Select a seat now. (Just saw your comment, ring QF and ask them what's free.)
Plan to get to the airport early to enjoy the lounge.

 

[kermatu]

Here is the current seatmap:

 

[kermatu]

The flight is fully sold now in J so there will be no empty seats. I'd go for 2J if I were you, unless you want a window.

Your lounge access will only be the Business lounge, but at that time of night it shouldn't be too busy so I agree get there a little early to enjoy some lounge time.

Best tip - relax, and enjoy the experience.

 

[Bilton]

View attachment 104820Here is the current seatmap:

Go with 3E, aisle access, no need for anyone to climb over you and extra storage in front of the seat. 3E/3F are my go-to seats for that aircraft configuration!

 

[glasszon]

Thanks all, I am travelling with my family and looks like I can't get 3 seats together based on the chart above?

Do I just need to call Qantas on the normal number and says I want to do seat selection for this flight as the website won't let me choose the seats? My grandmother got a wheelchair request, does that make any difference?

Lastly, I am connecting in SYD as I am flying from Melbourne, so I will have 2.5 hours in SYD, will try to enjoy the lounge as much as possible

Edit: Just saw the message above, I forgot to add that I am travelling together with 3 people in total, but looks like we might have to separate on this flight based on the seat map above.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks all, I am travelling with my family and looks like I can't get 3 seats together based on the chart above?

Do I just need to call Qantas on the normal number and says I want to do seat selection for this flight as the website won't let me choose the seats? My grandmother got a wheelchair request, does that make any difference?

Lastly, I am connecting in SYD as I am flying from Melbourne, so I will have 2.5 hours in SYD, will try to enjoy the lounge as much as possible

Yes, in those circumstances (all 3 of you getting to J) best to call. I don't think having a wheelchair assistance request would affect your ability to select seats, but you never know.

Alternative is to ask at the airport but more limited options by then. I'd try to grab 6J and 6K now at least. They could seat you together but it would appear that would mean inconveniencing someone else.

 

[Bilton]

Edit: Just saw the message above, I forgot to add that I am travelling together with 3 people in total, but looks like we might have to separate on this flight based on the seat map above.

3 seats close together on an upgrade to J is a BIG ask. You can always try it on, but your chance of success is going to be pretty slim.

 

[Noah Count]

I would also try and grab a couple together, then when you get to the lounge ask the staff if they could get you closer together.The call center may not be able to help if under airport control so may be best call the QF lounge direct. You may be surprised that some travellers will switch seats provided they are not worse off.

Based on that I would go for 6JK or 8JK there may be a chance 6 and 8 F are solo travellers and may be willing to move to another aisle seat.

Other than that enjoy the lounge, and have fun in japan it is a great place.

 

[RichardMEL]

QF may have already automagically allocated some seats close by.

call and ask.

Congratulations on getting the 3 upgrades.. very good outcome!

 

[Eija]

3 upgrades - I’m impressed!!! Grandmother may also get an electric buggy ride to your departure gate in MEL. Mention at check in and don’t forget SYD also. Enjoy Japan, great place!

 

[Happy Trails]

... and make sure I don't look like a complete beginner?

You can leave the neck pillow at home.

 

[glasszon]

I am surprised the upgrade cleared as well, I am only Bronze so there must be a very empty J cabin and/or no one else submitted an upgrade request.

Currently on the phone waiting to select the seat and deciding between Pan Fried Ling vs Nanking style Pork for supper, decisions decisions!

Edit: Still on hold on the phone, if the agent can't do anything does doing online check-in hurt my chances to re-assign seats later? I tried to find the phone number for Qantas Sydney Lounge but can't locate it. Do anyone have the number?

 

[Himeno]

Have dinner in the lounge and try to get to sleep shortly after departure. The flight is only around 9 hours and they'll start waking people at around 3-330am for breakfast. I was once on a QF25 that landed just after 4am.
You won't be able to check in to accommodation until the afternoon, so you are going to need sleep on the flight. If your hotel doesn't have baggage storage, there are luggage lockers at the major train stations.

Get cash out at the airport ATMs. Not many places take cards, outside the large chain stores, almost no one will. Most ATMs outside the airports will not take non Japanese cards. Outside the airport, you'll need to use ATMs labeled JP Bank (Post office) or 7&ibank (7-11).

Get a sucia or pasmo at the train ticket machines at the airport. They will make getting around much easier. suica/pasmo are just like myki in Melbourne.

 

[glasszon]

Final update before the flight, the agent managed to get 7A, 7B and 8D for me, let's see whether I can get better seats once I get to the lounge.

@Himeno, good point about eating at lounge first, let's hope I can get some good sleep on the plane. I am a light sleeper so turbulence tend to wake me up easily.

Edit: Is qantas or Emirates lounge better at Sydney?

 

[mviy]

QANTAS First Lounge is best, but you need to have Platinum or above status to access that or be flying First with just the one guest so that's not an option for you.

I'd probably give the Emirates lounge a try but if you arrive early enough you could perhaps try both. The QF MEL/SYD international J Lounges have some things left to be desired as they have a separate lounge for high status/First passengers. With QANTAS Club, one off lounge invitations, Business, OneWorld Sapphire and passengers of other airlines (by special arrangement with QANTAS) and guests able to access the QF J lounge it can get quite crowded.

 

[glasszon]

QANTAS First Lounge is best, but you need to have Platinum or above status to access that or be flying First with just the one guest so that's not an option for you.

I'd probably give the Emirates lounge a try but if you arrive early enough you could perhaps try both. The QF MEL/SYD international J Lounges have some things left to be desired as they have a separate lounge for high status/First passengers. With QANTAS Club, one off lounge invitations, Business, OneWorld Sapphire and passengers of other airlines (by special arrangement with QANTAS) and guests able to access the QF J lounge it can get quite crowded.

Got it, so I can enter the Emirates Lounge as a Qantas business passenger even if I am not flying to Dubai? I know QF and Emirates have a special agreement for lounges, does it cover QF flights to other destinations or is it restricted to customers who are travelling to Dubai? I tried googling it but can't find any information.

 

[mviy]

Ah, good point. The partnership is only for certain destinations. I know the Americas and South Africa are excluded. Access to the EK lounge in LHR is also excluded unless flying on EK ticket on EK metal. Not sure about flights to HND. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

QF would have a boarding call for the flight (still best to keep a look at the boards when it's getting close to scheduled boarding time) but in the EK lounge you may need to solely rely on keep an eye on the time and/or on the boards (if the flight is shown on there).

 

[Bilton]

Not sure about flights to HND. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

It is not the worst thing, it's the only thing they will say.

 

[TomVexille]

You can leave the neck pillow at home.

Reminds me of blackcat's mum the other week when she came walking down the hall asking if either of us needed to borrow her neck pillow. I think her jaw just about hit the floor when we said we didn't need it as we were flying F

And this is a woman who asks us if we're flying J every time we say we're going somewhere (the answer is usually Y)

It is not the worst thing, it's the only thing they will say.

I disagree, while the Americas are clearly excluded, there's plenty of evidence of QF pax being allowed into EK lounges when flying QF