MEL DFW Routing

[ferni]

In Jan next year I am heading to the USA for business and looking for some advise on which route would be best to take?

MEL LAX DFW with MEL LAX on A380 or
MEL SYD DFW with SYD DFW on 747

Only flying in Econ but am QF SG planning to request and upgrade to Premium Economy or Business (is there a way to request Business and if I don't get it take PE instead if avail?)

Thanks in advance.

 

[harvyk]

Personally I'd go MEL-SYD-DFW for two reasons...

1. LAX-DFW would be on AA, and they make flying in AU in Y seem like J \ F if your unlucky enough to be at the back of the bus. No amount of A380 goodness would be worth that IMHO.
2. You avoid entering the US in LAX, which IMHO is a terrible airport.

Also I believe you can request a J upgrade and a Y+ upgrade at the same time, where your upgraded to the highest class available.

 

[ferni]

Personally I'd go MEL-SYD-DFW for two reasons...

1. LAX-DFW would be on AA, and they make flying in AU in Y seem like J \ F if your unlucky enough to be at the back of the bus. No amount of A380 goodness would be worth that IMHO.
2. You avoid entering the US in LAX, which IMHO is a terrible airport.

Also I believe you can request a J upgrade and a Y+ upgrade at the same time, where your upgraded to the highest class available.

Thanks mate. Also interested if I anyone thinks I would be more likely to get an upgrade on MEL LAX vs SYD DFW....

 

[docjames]

With some status and with the fleet not yet fully refitted, there's a chance of better seating (Y+ for Y) on the 744 to DFW. I'd also take it to avoid AA Y and LAX.

I'd say upgrade chances similar, maybe slightly better on the 744 to DFW.

 

[ferni]

With some status and with the fleet not yet fully refitted, there's a chance of better seating (Y+ for Y) on the 744 to DFW. I'd also take it to avoid AA Y and LAX.

I'd say upgrade chances similar, maybe slightly better on the 744 to DFW.

Thanks - I was reading something about that on QF7/8 that with the current setup some Y can pick Y+ and some Y+ can pick J - I assume that I should be able to see if I can pick one of these seats once I go to pre-select my seat? If i can't then put a request to upgrade to Y+ or J (or both).

 

[harvyk]

Thanks - I was reading something about that on QF7/8 that with the current setup some Y can pick Y+ and some Y+ can pick J - I assume that I should be able to see if I can pick one of these seats once I go to pre-select my seat? If i can't then put a request to upgrade to Y+ or J (or both).

Sure can, whilst I've only done the short hop on QF8 (the BNE - SYD leg) I was able to nab Y+ seating on a Y ticket... Of course it depends if you get an upgraded plane or not. Besides if you do get an upgraded plane then the internals will be similar to the A380's anyway.

 

[docjames]

Thanks - I was reading something about that on QF7/8 that with the current setup some Y can pick Y+ and some Y+ can pick J - I assume that I should be able to see if I can pick one of these seats once I go to pre-select my seat? If i can't then put a request to upgrade to Y+ or J (or both).

Yes, as soon as you book, go into the seatmap and select your seat.

2-4-2 will be Y+ seating, 3-4-3 for Y.

I'd imagine the flight is already full so you could try ringing if the online wont let you select a Y+ seat but no guarantees. There's also the risk of a last minute equipment change for one that's been refitted (although i'm not aware of any of the 744ERs being refitted yet).

 

[ferni]

Thanks guys, much appreciate the help/feedback.

 

[dajop]

Just a quick question, were you only after advice for the outbound flights or the return as well? I assume just outbound, but on the return DFW-MEL the preferred could be different.

 

[ferni]

Just a quick question, were you only after advice for the outbound flights or the return as well? I assume just outbound, but on the return DFW-MEL the preferred could be different.

I assumed I'd just come back the same way on QF8. DFW BNE MEL. If anyone has better suggestions then I'm all ears

 

[BVT]

Sure can, whilst I've only done the short hop on QF8 (the BNE - SYD leg) I was able to nab Y+ seating on a Y ticket... Of course it depends if you get an upgraded plane or not. Besides if you do get an upgraded plane then the internals will be similar to the A380's anyway.

Slightly OT, but does anyone have any info on the refitting schedule as I will most likley be on QF7/8 in June and July next year?

 

[harvyk]

DFW-BNE-MEL would be the more traditional and quickest routing. Of course if you wanted to do duty free collection on arrival you would need to follow QF8 DFW-BNE-SYD, and then do a separate SYD-MEL flight.

 

[markis10]

Whats stopping you collecting Duty Free at BNE? Regardless, the connection should be on the same PNR for protection against QF Late.

 

[ferni]

DFW-BNE-MEL would be the more traditional and quickest routing. Of course if you wanted to do duty free collection on arrival you would need to follow QF8 DFW-BNE-SYD, and then do a separate SYD-MEL flight.

Not fussed about duty free. When I do buy it I normally just buy it on the way back in. So should I be considering a different route back than QF8?

Also would QF7 be busier on Friday or sat?

 

[serfty]

Whats stopping you collecting Duty Free at BNE? ...

Price! JW Black 1 Litre at DFW is USD30, its AUD50 at BNE.

... Regardless, the connection should be on the same PNR for protection against QF Late.

My ex DFW return flights have been booked DFW-xBNE-MEL. (Of course D/F purchased in DFW)

 

[markis10]

Price! JW Black 1 Litre at DFW is USD30, its AUD50 at BNE.

Does not explain why it would be better to go to SYD than BNE though in the context of Duty Free collection on arrival?

 

[harvyk]

Whats stopping you collecting Duty Free at BNE? Regardless, the connection should be on the same PNR for protection against QF Late.

Sorry, rephrase, use the purchase duty free on departure and collect on arrival. Of course you can always buy DF on arrival in BNE (although it's a pretty small store for arrivals)

 

[serfty]

Does not explain why it would be better to go to SYD than BNE though in the context of Duty Free collection on arrival?

Cool - I just assumed few members of this forum would really consider F1rst duty free if they had options better of far better value (which most do).

 

[docjames]

Unless the OP is visiting DFW, coming home via LAX might be an option and get the direct LAX-MEL flight eg. if visiting east coast, most have direct flights to LAX that connect well to the LAX-MEL departure. Rahter than back via DFW (which is still an ok option but why go eg. JFK-DFW-BNE-MEL when you could do JFK-LAX-MEL).

 

[ferni]

Unless the OP is visiting DFW, coming home via LAX might be an option and get the direct LAX-MEL flight eg. if visiting east coast, most have direct flights to LAX that connect well to the LAX-MEL departure. Rahter than back via DFW (which is still an ok option but why go eg. JFK-DFW-BNE-MEL when you could do JFK-LAX-MEL).

Ill probably visit a friend in Denver on the way home so maybe a DEN LAX MEL would be an option?