MEL-LAX Business Class on Qantas - direct on 747 or via SYD for the A380?

[juzdownunder]

I'm off on to a conference in Vegas in May, and will be flying Business Class with Qantas. I did this same trip (MEL-LAX-LAS) two years ago on the 747-400, so I know what J class is like on that plane. Someone pointed out to me the other day that if I route my flight through Sydney, the SYD-LAX leg will be on the A380. Can anyone tell me based on personal experience if the extra time it'll take is worth it to get on the flat beds in J class on the A380?
(EDIT: I need to fly out on a Sat, and back the next Sat, so MEL-LAX is the 747. Fri & Sun it's the A380, thanks to those who pointed this out).

I imagine i'll get lounge privileges during the stop-over in SYD, so that's not exactly a pain point.

I'm a big guy, and generally I don't sleep well on flights...not because of nerves or anything, just bloody hard to get comfy. I probably got 2-3 hours max on the 747 on my last trip. If the A380 business class seats/beds are any better, would it be worth the hassle?

 

[markis10]

I would do it once for the experience, especially if it does not cost more.

 

[Alanslegal]

Can anyone tell me based on personal experience if the extra time it'll take is worth it to get on the flat beds in J class on the A380?

IME the A380 is much nicer so I'd go for it when I can.

Look at the schedule carefully, as there are some days where MEL-LAX vv operates on the 388's.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Never flown J on the 747 but have once on the A380 and it was first class

The Skybed MkII is amazing, and the lounge at the front is fun!

The A380 is just a nicer aircraft, smoother, quieter, better IFE

 

[Cyclogenesis]

There are quite a few days MEL-LAX is a380...
From memory (AND CHECK ME ON THIS!) Sunday is one...
If you are there for a working week it works well as QF93 is a380 (landing LAX 7.30ish on sunday) andQF94 out of LAX on friday night is an a380 (being the one about to do 93)

 

[Voyages]

I think it's a must , especially for the experience. If you can, allocate your seat towards the first 3 rows.

 

[NM]

If you have the time available, why not try out the A380 and report back with your evaluation as to whether it was worth it or not.

 

[juzdownunder]

There are quite a few days MEL-LAX is a380...
From memory (AND CHECK ME ON THIS!) Sunday is one...
If you are there for a working week it works well as QF93 is a380 (landing LAX 7.30ish on sunday) andQF94 out of LAX on friday night is an a380 (being the one about to do 93)

Very interesting info (I expected nothing less from this forum!), I didn't know that MEL-LAX was ever an A380. Unfortunately i'm committed to fly both out of MEL and LAX on a Saturday.

I just checked and you're right, QF93 out of MEL is an A380 on both a Friday and a Sunday! How annoying that I have to fly on the Saturday...

 

[Cyclogenesis]

here are a few snaps from that very trip (QF 93 MEL-LAX)

 

[BensAdventures]

In December last year I flew over on the 747 and back on the 380. The skybeds were better on the 380, but I really noticed the quieter and smoother flight. Give the 380 a go, let us know your thoughts!

 

[dajop]

Outbound I would go via SYD to take and A380. No dramas, you leave MEL at the same time more or less and outbound transfers are easy as no issues with luggage etc. And arrival at LAS time isn't that much later. However coming back to MEL I definitely prefer direct service as the inbound transfer at SYD can be a pain.

 

[Flying Fox]

I'd go A380 if given the option.

 

[juzdownunder]

Erk, i've just been informed that business class on the A380 out of Sydney is full on the day I need to travel...and the flights out of LAX to MEL and SYD are both 747's on the day I return! So i'm sorry, It seems I won't be able to report back on my comparison of the different business class seats after all...

 

[Alanslegal]

So i'm sorry, It seems I won't be able to report back on my comparison of the different business class seats after all...

Sorry to hear that but I am sure you will get to have a go on the A380 very very soon.

 

[Flying Fox]

Erk, i've just been informed that business class on the A380 out of Sydney is full on the day I need to travel...and the flights out of LAX to MEL and SYD are both 747's on the day I return! So i'm sorry, It seems I won't be able to report back on my comparison of the different business class seats after all...

Oh well you will just have to tough-it-out in 747-400 J

 

[juzdownunder]

Oh well you will just have to tough-it-out in 747-400 J

Heh, yes, I certainly won't complain, especially as it was borderline there for a while on whether i'd have to go economy or not!

 

[cove]

Try booking" I " class and apply for points upgrade to First so I think that would be about $7000 and 48,000 points times two out of Melbourne provided you do the 21 day advance booking.

 

[juzdownunder]

Oh well you will just have to tough-it-out in 747-400 J

Ok, thanks again to those who posted, the discussion got me thinking about my options given I didn't realise the A380 flew the MEL-LAX route on certain days.

So, i've decided to leave a day earlier than originally planned to take advantage of this, and will be flying the MEL-LAX leg on the A380, and the return leg 8 days later on the 747. So keep an eye on this thread, i'll endeavor to post a comparison following my trip.

 

[juzdownunder]

Although now i'm thinking about using some of my points to request an upgrade to First class on the A380 leg...how many other opportunities will I have to fly 15 hours in first class for nothing more than 48,000 points?

I assume 1st class on the A380 is a step up from the 747, so better to do it on the outbound leg...and if i don't get the upgrade, i can always try again on the inbound...hrmmm...

 

[Flying Fox]

Although now i'm thinking about using some of my points to request an upgrade to First class on the A380 leg...how many other opportunities will I have to fly 15 hours in first class for nothing more than 48,000 points?

I assume 1st class on the A380 is a step up from the 747, so better to do it on the outbound leg...and if i don't get the upgrade, i can always try again on the inbound...hrmmm...

DO IT !!!

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