NRT-SYD: QF PE or JQ "J"

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Nizar

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Hi everyone,

I found a few Jetstar "J" versus QF Y/PE threads over the years but the most recent one it seems was in 2011.

Next year en-route home from the US (early April) I'm trying to find a way to use my QF points and as usual there's no QF J/F availability eight months out and at 353 days out I didn't yet have the points so the quick way home (LAX-Aus) is not an option. Also now I have in my head that I want to try LAX-ICN on OZ's new 388 F so now I'm leaning towards going home via Asia.

So to get home from Asia using QF points, I have a few options. I could easily get to NRT or HKG on the same ticket as the LAX-ICN so that would not cost me a considerable amount extra.

However there's no CX availability in J for anything in the vicinity of when I would like to leave so that is not an option. QF J from HKG also showing no availability either.

So the options I am considering now are NRT-SYD on QF PE or NRT-MEL on JQ "J".

How do JQ "J" and QF PE compare in terms of food/seat/service and overall experience ?
If they are comparable then JQ should edge it seeing as its a daytime flight ?

How is the food in QF PE I heard even J standards have dropped ? Is it still better than JQ "J" ?
Will a JQ "J" fare (booked as a classic award) get me into the QF lounge at NRT ? Is there even a QF lounge at NRT lol ? (I'm no longer QF SG and am done chasing status lol).

Keen to get some thoughts on those who have tried both products.

Thanks.
 
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There is a QF lounge at NRT. It is just after you get off the train to the T2 satellite.
I have JQ23 MEL-NRT in J and QF22 NRT-SYD in W next month.

However, I wouldn't be counting on a 3 class 747 operating QF21/QF22 for much longer. With the timings QF uses, it takes 2 aircraft for the route and as more A330s come back from JQ, QF gets closer to dumping the NRT 747s.
 
I have tried both. The difference comes down to consistency of service (for both carriers) and the seat selection. I have found the day service on JQ Business much superior to their night time service. If you can get row 1 on JQ then I would go for it - avoid the middle row as it feels a bit cramped. I have found on recent JQ business class flights that the food has been quite good - service is cheerful - and drink service was provided consistently throughout the flight. Depending upon your status there may also be a difference in the luggage allowance for JQ and QF. If you are bringing back duty free check that the JQ flight doesn't preclude it - have been caught out when coming back through Cairns.
 
define "a while ago". It was still in use the last time I was at NRT T2 (mid last October).

Didn't notice a train operating when I was there in April this year, although I might have missed it.
 
Definitely not working last October,december and May this year.
 
ything in the vicinity of when I would like to leave so that is not an option. QF J from HKG also showing no availability either.

So the options I am considering now are NRT-SYD on QF PE or NRT-MEL on JQ "J".

How do JQ "J" and QF PE compare in terms of food/seat/service and overall experience ?
If they are comparable then JQ should edge it seeing as its a daytime flight ?

How is the food in QF PE I heard even J standards have dropped ? Is it still better than JQ "J" ?
Will a JQ "J" fare (booked as a classic award) get me into the QF lounge at NRT ? Is there even a QF lounge at NRT lol ? (I'm no longer QF SG and am done chasing status lol).

Keen to get some thoughts on those who have tried both products.

Thanks.

Does JQ still require less points? (20% discount?). If so - I would go with JQ, particularly is the flight is being operated by a 787.

Personally - I think JQ business class is a good experience... not least because on JQ, business is the premier cabin. You are top of the pecking order! You get pretty good service, and elements like the dessert cart are a bit of fun. I haven't flown on JQ for a long time, but their service offering has improved in the meantime and it wasn't at all bad back then.

QF PE... it's a good product, but single service tray meals are nothing out of the ordinary. It is pretty similar to domestic business class I guess. Which is a good offering, but fairly 'bland' for a long haul flight (plenty of time sitting with nothing to do).

JQ business class, like QF PE - if you can get the bulhead row, when you want to relax/doze having a good rolla-board type bag is great. Putting that on the floor means your legs are horizontal and with a fairly decent recline you can make the best of the situation.

JQ like QF - if you are in any row but the bulkhead, recline can make life a little claustrophobic.
 
Does JQ still require less points? (20% discount?). If so - I would go with JQ, particularly is the flight is being operated by a 787.

Personally - I think JQ business class is a good experience... not least because on JQ, business is the premier cabin. You are top of the pecking order! You get pretty good service, and elements like the dessert cart are a bit of fun. I haven't flown on JQ for a long time, but their service offering has improved in the meantime and it wasn't at all bad back then.

QF PE... it's a good product, but single service tray meals are nothing out of the ordinary. It is pretty similar to domestic business class I guess. Which is a good offering, but fairly 'bland' for a long haul flight (plenty of time sitting with nothing to do).

JQ business class, like QF PE - if you can get the bulhead row, when you want to relax/doze having a good rolla-board type bag is great. Putting that on the floor means your legs are horizontal and with a fairly decent recline you can make the best of the situation.

JQ like QF - if you are in any row but the bulkhead, recline can make life a little claustrophobic.

Not sure about 20% but JQ J required 115k points versus QF PE needing 140k points.

JQ seem to be using a 332 on the route not the 787.

Thanks for your detailed feedback, exactly what I was after. Appreciate that.
 
I have tried both. The difference comes down to consistency of service (for both carriers) and the seat selection. I have found the day service on JQ Business much superior to their night time service. If you can get row 1 on JQ then I would go for it - avoid the middle row as it feels a bit cramped. I have found on recent JQ business class flights that the food has been quite good - service is cheerful - and drink service was provided consistently throughout the flight. Depending upon your status there may also be a difference in the luggage allowance for JQ and QF. If you are bringing back duty free check that the JQ flight doesn't preclude it - have been caught out when coming back through Cairns.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Looks like JQ edges it.
 
JQJ gets QP access

JQ J gets access ONLY if you have paid for the max bundle, or have the relevant status with QFF or QP membership. QF Y+ won't get access either, unless you have the relevant status from any OW program or QP membership (and possibly the AA pass as well but I'm not familiar with it).
 
JQ J gets access ONLY if you have paid for the max bundle, or have the relevant status with QFF or QP membership. QF Y+ won't get access either, unless you have the relevant status from any OW program or QP membership (and possibly the AA pass as well but I'm not familiar with it).

If booking the JQ "J" as a classic award from the QF website, will you be prompted to buy the max bundle ? I've only ever seen the option to buy the max bundle on the JQ website.
Does anyone know whether classic awards booked on JQ "J" are treated as Business Max or just standard business ?
 
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