Flying to LAX/JFK on Friday... a few questions

[mitty]

Hi guys and gals, lurker/relative noob here, so please excuse my ignorance. We're going to JFK on Friday on QF93/107, I'm trying guage how full it is right now. I've been checking seatcounter daily and all of a sudden this morning there's no availability at all (we're in economy, got a 1200AUD return fare each, two of us travelling). Just wondering if this means it's completely full, or is this because Qantas has stopped selling for some reason? I've noticed for other days flights that sometimes all availability drops off and then magically returns.

Also, in our flight details we can't see what seats we've been assigned, I rang Qantas and they said it was because the flight wasn't 70% full (!) and that we couldn't see the seats until checkin becomes available tomorrow morning. I'm simply hoping for an aisle at least as I'm 6'3" and so any chance to stretch legs slightly would be welcome.

Again apologies for what are probably very noob questions to the rest of you I guess I'm basically expecting the flight from hell, and anything better is a bonus

 

[file51]

QF15 from BNE to LAX, QF11 from SYD to LAX & QF108 from SYD to LAX are all totally full.

QF93 is the only flight to LAX that can be booked from SYD or BNE for Friday as of this morning, my guess is it will be full.

I am on QF15 and had the call from QF this morning offering an upgrade (Q fare as well) to PE or J.

Managed to wangle the J upgrade with J service for 45,000pts (for a total fare of less than $1k booked 2 weeks ago, I am very happy with that).

(Footnote, I was allocated a PE seat originally with Y service, but hey, given that I am flying back on Monday, the skybed will serve its purpose very well)

 

[trooper]

Talking to a tall guy in Y about flying in J?

Cruel that is... just cruel....

 

[Hvr]

Talking to a tall guy in Y about flying in J?

Cruel that is... just cruel....

Or an incentive to read more and learn about how fly J.

Nah, probably just cruel...

 

[albatross710]

(for a total fare of less than $1k booked 2 weeks ago, I am very happy with that).

Any tips on where this fare was booked.

I'm researching options for April 2010 to Lax.

 

[file51]

Any tips on where this fare was booked.

I'm researching options for April 2010 to Lax.

Straight off the QF website (one of the $980 deals that are available to purchase till this Friday, for travel up to 30NOV09) paying with BPay.

No cruelty intended, firstly I can fully understand the issues of being tall, and wide... (speaking for myself of course) lol, and secondly, just putting it out there that QF were making offers to passengers with non upgradeable fare classes to upgrade and increase space in Y. Whilst the OP did state they were a "noob" no mention was given as to QFF status or fare class booked, hence the heads up on potential upgrades via points or cash (If I didnt want to use points I could have paid $500 to do the same upgrade)

 

[mitty]

Hi guys,

thanks for the info... I am a frequent flyer but zero points (so basically a noob lol). My ~$1200 fare was also booked just on the QF website. We'd seen it cheaper a few weeks prior but we're pretty happy with that price.

Also checking seat counter again now there's availability on that flight again. I'd give anything to know how the mind of the Qantas Computer works, lol!

Two more related questions (though I'll find out the answer shortly anyway) with online checkin, does it open on the dot of 24 hours prior to scheduled departure (in my case 10:15 this morning) and second, do are we able to check in to the LAX-JFK portion of the flight at the same time?

 

[file51]

Also checking seat counter again now there's availability on that flight again. I'd give anything to know how the mind of the Qantas Computer works, lol!

Two more related questions (though I'll find out the answer shortly anyway) with online checkin, does it open on the dot of 24 hours prior to scheduled departure (in my case 10:15 this morning) and second, do are we able to check in to the LAX-JFK portion of the flight at the same time?

I would guess QF managed to get quite a few pax to upgrade using points or paying if points werent available which have cleared some Y seats. Just looked at seat-counter and the fare buckets available are all on the higher side (no O, Q, etc).

As for online check-in that should be available from approx 10.20 - 11.05am and you will be able to check-in for both flights. I checked in at 7am this morning as my domestic flight leaves Sydney at that time and was able to check-in for the LAX flight as well.

HTH

 

[mitty]

Thanks File51 BTW off topic but we are travelling with iphones and have got hold of some AT&T prepaid SIMS so I will document how that goes when I return as I see some sketchy info in the internet/communications forum. Suffice to say you can do it, but it's not completely kosher and a bit of dodginess is involved lol.

Have a great flight File51

 

[file51]

Thanks File51 BTW off topic but we are travelling with iphones and have got hold of some AT&T prepaid SIMS so I will document how that goes when I return as I see some sketchy info in the internet/communications forum. Suffice to say you can do it, but it's not completely kosher and a bit of dodginess is involved lol.

Have a great flight File51

Likewise, hope you have a great flight as well.

I have used prepaid SIMS before (Cingular before they were bought out) but not in my iPhone. I dont think you will have any issues, however we are talking about AT&T, so anything is possible... good luck

 

[notzac]

Likewise, hope you have a great flight as well.

I have used prepaid SIMS before (Cingular before they were bought out) but not in my iPhone. I dont think you will have any issues, however we are talking about AT&T, so anything is possible... good luck

Definitely report back - I've heard mixed reports as to the success of using a prepaid AT&T SIM with an (unlocked Australian) iPhone and would be keen to know what the current situation is!

 

[mitty]

GRRR... unable to checkin online. Some problem with the system. Gave them a ring, it shows error code ER100... a quick search reveals the flight may be oversold (great). So it's early to the airport for us.

 

[Alanslegal]

Again apologies for what are probably very noob questions to the rest of you I guess I'm basically expecting the flight from hell, and anything better is a bonus

Welcome to AFF mitty

Even though you are a relative newbie flyer you have a very good mindset and I would travel with / near you any day.

I bet many other 6'3 flyers out there who fly once in a lifetime and expect bulkheads / exits or whatever roomiest seat on the plane just because they are tall and require a bit more comfort and if they don't get that request, they whinge / whine and carry on as if the world is going to end. You on the other hand, expect the worse but any bonuses would be appreciated.

Well I hope you have a pleasant flight (as for sure it won't be a hell'ish one unless (in the rare event) you have crying babies, serial recliners, broken IFE, lots of turbulence and zero service all at once *touch wood*) but anyway have an awesome trip. Enjoy New York!

 

[mitty]

hehe thanks Alanlegals. I've flown a bit but not much international I'm sure the moment we walk out of JFK any flight dramas will be forgotten!