My first upgrade, terrible business class Bali to Melbourne

[RichardMEL]

I toally miss BD. those were the days. I flew one flight LHR-EDI. I can't even remember what class. Probably Y. eh...

 

[Sprucegoose]

I'm not sure Y on a 737 is much worse than Y on an A330/B789.

Probably depends on the length of the flight. I reckon BNE-PER is the longest you want to be in a 738. Also depends on the time of day and criticality of rest..

But I do get your point. I'm just happy to get there these days TBTH

 

[Sprucegoose]

The J seating on the 320 (for D and F seats) was the same in J and Y, but with the E sat blocked. Since the flight was almost empty, I would have had a free row whichever class I had been in

Ha ha not all UG’s are UG’s!

I have slept better on 4 Y seats than a J class seat.

Confucius say beware of Dragons bearing Upgrade gifts !

Your point was well made Mr H and I agree with you that Points’ Millionaires ought to be frugal.

The OP was like us all at one stage, (possibly) inexperienced and naively believed in the good nature of Qantas.

 

[flyfl]

Wow, I didn't think there would be so much valuable info shared. Thanks everyone and I have learnt to research the aircraft before spending points on upgrades.
I was a points millionaire before this trip but I spent a fair few points on the emirate bookings through Qantas.
The aircraft is 737-800 and I made lots of assumptions based on previous experiences flying Qantas to Japan.

I actually had no other option returning back to Melbourne which is why I chose a one night stopover in Bali.

 

[flyfl]

Also with the catering in general it was terrible and the crew were apologetic.
I have never had such a terrible food on any plane.

 

[RichardMEL]

Also with the catering in general it was terrible and the crew were apologetic.
I have never had such a terrible food on any plane.

Be careful. the bar can always be lowered!

 

[kpro]

I'm not sure Y on a 737 is much worse than Y on a A330/B789.

I'd argue that maybe the width is not any better then a 789, and marginally worse then an A330. However, in terms of other mod cons, the 789 and A333 (but not A332) would be far superior. Better IFE, table tray, foot rest. Not to mention more space to walkabout on the aircraft if you so wanted.

 

[Sprucegoose]

haven't flown QF 737 J as far as Bali, but Trans Tasman I've had some excellent flights, as I have DRW-SYD/BNE.

My experience says the time of day is important. This flight was at the witching hour; good 73X flights are usually daytime or when sleep is not required.

 

[Mr H]

I'd argue that maybe the width is not any better then a 789, and marginally worse then an A330. However, in terms of other mod cons, the 789 and A333 (but not A332) would be far superior. Better IFE, table tray, foot rest. Not to mention more space to walkabout on the aircraft if you so wanted.

The seat layout on wide bodies means you can select a centre block seat (D-F/G) that will have less disturbance with people getting up to let fellow pax out.

 

[Mr H]

My experience says the time of day is important. This flight was at the witching hour; good 73X flights are usually daytime or when sleep is not required.

Agreed. I once found myself doing an overnight with Azal on a 320 and it was grim, even in business class. Bulky seats that barely reclined at all. No sleep. Stolovaya food. Copious vodka.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Agreed. I once found myself doing an overnight with Azal on a 320 and it was grim, even in business class. Bulky seats that barely reclined at all. No sleep. Stolovaya food. Copious vodka.

Copious Vodka helps, but not the next day!

 

[antycbr]

I did a points upgrade AKL-SYD on QF, which while not the best use of points on a 737 aircraft, did grant this lifetime bronze member lounge access, which increased the value proposition somewhat.

 

[justinbrett]

I did a points upgrade AKL-SYD on QF, which while not the best use of points on a 737 aircraft, did grant this lifetime bronze member lounge access, which increased the value proposition somewhat.

I flew J SYD-AKL on QF 737, returned on EK A380 (J).

Seat aside, the QF service absolutely wiped the floor with EK's. One of the best flights I've ever taken. EK had all the glitz and gold but the soft product was terrible, I ate my entire meal before the wine that was supposed to go with it was served.

 

[Franky]

Probably depends on the length of the flight. I reckon BNE-PER is the longest you want to be in a 738. Also depends on the time of day and criticality of rest..

But I do get your point. I'm just happy to get there these days TBTH

I reckon it's from when you take your seat and take-off, and gets worse from there...

 

[Sprucegoose]

I did a points upgrade AKL-SYD on QF, which while not the best use of points on a 737 aircraft, did grant this lifetime bronze member lounge access, which increased the value proposition somewhat.

AKL-SYD is fine on a 738. Was that the QF J class lounge you got access to in Sydney?

 

[antycbr]

AKL-SYD is fine on a 738. Was that the QF J class lounge you got access to in Sydney?

No it was the AKL lounge. I know many consider it a poor lounge but it reminds me of when I had QC membership in the early 2000s flying out of Canberra. It’s frozen in time!

 

[Mr H]

Probably depends on the length of the flight. I reckon BNE-PER is the longest you want to be in a 738. Also depends on the time of day and criticality of rest..

Agreed. If it is a short daytime flight where you won't need to get up for a pee, the narrow body is probably the better choice. In my experience, narrow body J recliner seats are more comfortable in the fully upright position than the wide body lie flat seats. And I find on wide body flights, they make you sit in the fully upright position way earlier before landing.

 

[RichardMEL]

I flew J SYD-AKL on QF 737, returned on EK A380 (J).

Seat aside, the QF service absolutely wiped the floor with EK's. One of the best flights I've ever taken. EK had all the glitz and gold but the soft product was terrible, I ate my entire meal before the wine that was supposed to go with it was served.

ah yes, but in those days when the tag ran you could also go back to the bar and enjoy that whole experience of snacks and items plus a dedicated FA to serve drinks and stuff which QF can't match.

not knocking QF per se - I've done T.T. on the 737 and yes those shorter (3-3.5h) flights are doable just fine, I'd probably still prefer the EK J product o course (even though I find those seats quite boxy and a bit confining).

the 380 bar would win it for me. If it was a 777... not so much.

 

[Sprucegoose]

No it was the AKL lounge. I know many consider it a poor lounge but it reminds me of when I had QC membership in the early 2000s flying out of Canberra. It’s frozen in time!

I know they are upgrading AKL as it is 'sub-optimal', as we shall politely say. You could try to sneak into the EK lounge, which is a lot better; not sure what that deal is like post covid as I haven't been back to the land of the long white cloud in a few years. Clearly, QF treated the service more domestically, IMHO.

 

[justinbrett]

ah yes, but in those days when the tag ran you could also go back to the bar and enjoy that whole experience of snacks and items plus a dedicated FA to serve drinks and stuff which QF can't match.

not knocking QF per se - I've done T.T. on the 737 and yes those shorter (3-3.5h) flights are doable just fine, I'd probably still prefer the EK J product o course (even though I find those seats quite boxy and a bit confining).

the 380 bar would win it for me. If it was a 777... not so much.

Yeah but none of the FAs onboard knew how to make coughtails, so what was the point of the bar?

Again, flashy for the sake of flashy.