Is $2.4K one-way good for London-Sydney in CI A350 J?

[PaulST]

The A333 flying CKG-SYD is currently showing as a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone. Possibly worth confirming before booking, although so far out no guarantees on the day. The AUD1830 is available through expedia. (however, it's also possible CI could withdraw their 359 on the route putting you back to even worse recliner seats on their A330)

Hmmm damn expaedia isn't working for me. I might try again tomorrow.
Unfortunately the $2K LH 747-8 flight can't be found anywhere other than google flights. It send me to cheap-o-air and even it doesn't have it. I might have to slum it in a LH A380 to SIN and then a SQ A380 to SYD.

Many thanks again everyone.

 

[PaulST]

A slight tangent if I may.
Under those LH bookings, there options including SQ 77Ws or A380s on both the FRA-SIN and SIN-SYD route.
What would be my chances of getting the face lifted J products? I understand that SQ do tend to put newer aircraft on the flights to Sydney?

 

[docjames]

I'm fascinated how you found yourself "stuck" in UK/EU requiring a oneway flight......

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A slight tangent if I may.
Under those LH bookings, there options including SQ 77Ws or A380s on both the FRA-SIN and SIN-SYD route.
What would be my chances of getting the face lifted J products? I understand that SQ do tend to put newer aircraft on the flights to Sydney?

The main issue with SQ is that withouth status, seat choice is limited to the narrow cubby type footwell arrangements (although on the 380 you should be able to secure 96AK without status if offered on the plane). On this basis, unless you’re fairly short, there are better products out there. Yes SQ service is good, but the food and beverage are no longer industry leading (GA actually beats them now). And there’s a complete lack of additional amenities such as kits or PJs. In the same price bracket i’d be choosing the more interesting option of the LH 748 if available (LH food is one of their stronger points).

 

[PaulST]

I'm fascinated how you found yourself "stuck" in UK/EU requiring a oneway flight......

ISIS are losing the war.
Or I only have enough points for a one-way award.

The main issue with SQ is that withouth status, seat choice is limited to the narrow cubby type footwell arrangements (although on the 380 you should be able to secure 96AK without status if offered on the plane). On this basis, unless you’re fairly short, there are better products out there. Yes SQ service is good, but the food and beverage are no longer industry leading (GA actually beats them now). And there’s a complete lack of additional amenities such as kits or PJs. In the same price bracket i’d be choosing the more interesting option of the LH 748 if available (LH food is one of their stronger points).

No amenity kits in SQ J? That's a bit rough! I'd totally select the LH 748 if I could but that now seems impossible (it's mentioned on google flights but there's no way of booking it. ) LH A388 J is another option although the 2-2-2 layout doesn't seem great.

I've got Expedia working and found the Garuda option ($1.8K). So it's a 777 from London and an A330 to SYD. The A333s are lie flat between Jakarta and Sydney are they?

 

[docjames]

I'd be looking heavily at the garuda option. That's a pretty good price given return in Y is typically $1500-$2000......

They look to have various seat maps for the A333 with either 2-2-2 or 1-2-1 layouts in J. All reported as 180degree flat on seatguru (for what that's worth).

Whether this means "perpendicular to floor" or "skyslope" I have no idea (the GA travellers will answer but you might need to post a new thread so they see it).


The 332s appear to be 165 degrees....


TBH i'd say at that price any J seat on the shorter leg is probably acceptable.

 

[Dalescott]

China Airlines fly A350-900 MEL to LGW via Taiwan. Service is brilliant, cost is for PE return $2300 and $4300 for Business. Have spoken to two people who have used them and they both loved it. Only thing is ground service is a bit chaotic with regards boarding. China Airlines is a 4 star airline. Will be flying with them in May/June.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No amenity kits in SQ J? That's a bit rough! I'd totally select the LH 748 if I could but that now seems impossible (it's mentioned on google flights but there's no way of booking it. ) LH A388 J is another option although the 2-2-2 layout doesn't seem great.

I've got Expedia working and found the Garuda option ($1.8K). So it's a 777 from London and an A330 to SYD. The A333s are lie flat between Jakarta and Sydney are they?

GA712 is currently showing 1-2-1 reverse herringbone for september (full flat, you can google the garuda diamond business class seat for pictures). GA also operates another flat version of seats, and yet another angled lie flat. But the latter isn’t scheduled for that route.

SQ’s seats look good on paper. But the reality is something different unless you are under about 5’7. Confirm no amenity kits.

 

[TomVexille]

SQ operate on the premise that sufficient amenities are provided in the lavs

 

[PaulST]

SQ operate on the premise that sufficient amenities are provided in the lavs

Which is possibly quite reasonable considering how many half (or less) used amenity kits I see left on seats when deplaning. Flying J is still a novelty for me so I still take them with me.

So an update...
After many hours over the last 2 days, I've managed to snag a 747-8 which I'm probably the most excited about! Again, many thanks for the suggestions everyone!
For $2075AUD, I've got the following:
IST-FRA: LH A320 J, then a 12hr layover in which I figure I should have time to head into the city for a gander.
FRA-HND: LH 747-8 J, then a 10hr layover. This isn't ideal but I suppose that should be enough time to head into Tokyo, or just veg at the airport.
HND-SYD: ANA 789 J. Fingers crossed I get the ridiculous looking star wars one.

I'm just chuffed to have caught the 747-8, and I must admit that otherwise I'd probably have taken the GA J flights (although leaving on Thursday would have taken one day out of my much needed holiday). $2075 isn't too bad either! I used expedia in the end and I had to use the multi-city tool to get the 747-8 flight (otherwise it would have forced me onto an A340 via HKG or BKK).

Many thanks again!

 

[kelvedon]

(I can't complain, though, as this year I'll be flying CX, QR and MH F for the very first time )

Hopefully more excellent video TRs’ for the rest of us to look forward to ?!

 

[PaulST]

Hopefully more excellent video TRs’ for the rest of us to look forward to ?!

Thanks for the kind words, and definitely!
It's a fantastic looking 9 months which should include:
QF A333 J - SYD-HKG
CX 777 F - HKG-LHR
BA 767 Y - LHR-ATH (clearly, this will be the highlight...) (actually I'm looking forward to saying farewell to the 767)
Duxford Museum visit
QR A388 F - CDG-DOH-SYD
MH A333 J - SYD-KUL
MH A350 F - KUL-LHR
LH 748 J - FRA-HND
NH 789 J - HND-SYD

And my first visit to Greece, Turkey, France and hopefully some new parts of the UK and Scotland.

And the rest of the time will be spent paying for it all... haha... and reminding myself how lucky I am!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

FRA-HND: LH 747-8 J, then a 10hr layover. This isn't ideal but I suppose that should be enough time to head into Tokyo, or just veg at the airport.
HND-SYD: ANA 789 J. Fingers crossed I get the ridiculous looking star wars one.

Plenty of time to head in to Tokyo, have four or five hours there, then head back to the airport. HND is supposedly 'close' to Tokyo, but it can still take a bit of time (30+ minutes train, plus ticket purchase, waiting etc) to get to where you need to be.

No doubt you've already snagged a seat on the upper deck of the 748 and an A or K seat on the NH B789.

The ANA lounges in Japan are nothing at all to write home about and not worth spending any time in - save perhaps for a shower after your time sightseeing. Just remember to remove any of the 'banned' items from your carry on before you clear Japanese customs. Some common OTC pain relievers, cold and flu tablets and the like are all banned.

 

[PaulST]

Plenty of time to head in to Tokyo, have four or five hours there, then head back to the airport. HND is supposedly 'close' to Tokyo, but it can still take a bit of time (30+ minutes train, plus ticket purchase, waiting etc) to get to where you need to be.

No doubt you've already snagged a seat on the upper deck of the 748 and an A or K seat on the NH B789.

The ANA lounges in Japan are nothing at all to write home about and not worth spending any time in - save perhaps for a shower after your time sightseeing. Just remember to remove any of the 'banned' items from your carry on before you clear Japanese customs. Some common OTC pain relievers, cold and flu tablets and the like are all banned.

I assumed ANA's lounges would have been reasonable at HND? Fair enough, I might catch the train into the city and have a wander about.

Well about the 748. As much as the upper deck does look better (side bins, for example), I'm really keen for a good view of the engines and wings (yeh there's something wrong with me...) and IMO it looks better from the lower level. Hmmm something for me to consider anyway as the seat map was totally empty just before.

 

[TomVexille]

Glad to hear you got it booked. I will also await your video

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I assumed ANA's lounges would have been reasonable at HND? Fair enough, I might catch the train into the city and have a wander about.

Well about the 748. As much as the upper deck does look better (side bins, for example), I'm really keen for a good view of the engines and wings (yeh there's something wrong with me...) and IMO it looks better from the lower level. Hmmm something for me to consider anyway as the seat map was totally empty just before.

This youtube video is taken from the upper deck:

(747-8i Upper Deck View Take-Off from Frankfurt!). I think you'll get the best of both by sitting upstairs.

Nope, unfortunately ANA lounges are bare bones. There's some hot curry/soup, but otherwise just cheese, tiny sandwiches and some other tiny snacks. The F lounges are the same interior as the J lounges, but have an upgraded meal offering. Better than the J lounges, but not worth more than a couple hours, tops.

 

[PaulST]

This youtube video is taken from the upper deck:

(747-8i Upper Deck View Take-Off from Frankfurt!). I think you'll get the best of both by sitting upstairs.

Nope, unfortunately ANA lounges are bare bones. There's some hot curry/soup, but otherwise just cheese, tiny sandwiches and some other tiny snacks. The F lounges are the same interior as the J lounges, but have an upgraded meal offering. Better than the J lounges, but not worth more than a couple hours, tops.

Hmmm fair enough. That looks like the last row upstairs and the view of the wing is decent.

Thanks, I might head into Tokyo after a shower then.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hmmm fair enough. That looks like the last row upstairs and the view of the wing is decent.

Thanks, I might head into Tokyo after a shower then.

You’ll need to check shower facilities on arrival. There’s the TIAT shower rooms, but not sure if LH gives access to those now, they didn’t previously (i think you can also pay).

 

[VPS]

This thread just reinforces why I love this forum - well done all

 

[laffer]

Qantas really are a joke with their pricing and LHR at all costs mentality.

Can you even get PE one way at that price?

I think QF were around 7K when I quickly had a look at their PE prices. [/QUOTE]