OneWorld Premium Economy between Sydney and Paris

[RWJ777]

Hello, I came across this terrific forum researching something--so I'm taking the opportunity to seek everyone's expert advice.

I want to fly to Paris next April and want to do so Premium Economy. I normally fly OneWorld (and usually Qantas) to maximise my Qantas SCs and FF points but am finding it difficult to come up with a sensible option for flying to Paris OneWorld in Premium Economy.

The problem is compounded significantly by the fact that Qantas doesn't offer Premium Economy direct to Paris codeshared with AF; you seemingly have to go through Heathrow and then on to Paris on BA. And I got a quote this morning -- ready: $5,800 return! :shock:

So any other options available to go Premium Economy between Australia and Paris on OneWorld? JAL could be an option but their website is such a maze and so dysfunctional that this morning's online quote for a return discount Y fare was $14,500!!

Thanks all.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Have flown BA to Europe on Y+ a couple of times, both times because it was cheaper than Qantas, although more recently they have been pretty expensive. Demand for Y+ appears to be pushing prices up.

Cheers skip

 

[docjames]

$5800 would be about the standard price QF charges for Y+ return to EU (via LHR). On sale it can be had for less but with demand increasing, Y+ sales are few and far betwen. The BA product is priced roughly the same, but is inferior in most eyes (more a true Y+ whereas QF is more J-).


Have you considered a split Y/J itinerary with Finnair (via HKG) - to go HKG-HEL-CDG is almost in a straight line due to the polar routing and would come @ ~ $6000 on sale with J HKG-HEL-CDG and vv, with Y on QF or CX from Aus-HKG and return.

 

[Fifa]

We are flying JAL PE next month SYD-CDG so I will write a trip report when we return.

I agree JAL's website is really clumsy but in the meantime I think you are seeing those crazy prices because their prices haven't been updated for travel after 31 March 2011.

To give you an idea SYD-CDG departing March 30 2011 and returning April 30 the price for PE is $3297. (300 QF SCs)

Hope this helps.

 

[RWJ777]

We are flying JAL PE next month SYD-CDG so I will write a trip report when we return.

I agree JAL's website is really clumsy but in the meantime I think you are seeing those crazy prices because their prices haven't been updated for travel after 31 March 2011.

To give you an idea SYD-CDG departing March 30 2011 and returning April 30 the price for PE is $3297. (300 QF SCs)

Hope this helps.

Indeed it does, thank you kindly.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I've only travelled Y+ on QF and BA, so familaira with their product.

Can anyone advise how JAL's Y+ product compares with these?

Cheers skip

 

[kingzac]

I can't stand the JAL site, I have no idea how to get anything that doesn't go into/out of Japan and when I do the prices seem way higher than booking the two legs seperately.

I'm looking at going either anywhere in Europe (Pref from the UK or Germany but not fussed) to Kuala Lumpur or Sydney in Y+ or higher on the 30th of March next year, anybody have any idea on what the price should be?

 

[christinam]

Hello, I came across this terrific forum researching something--so I'm taking the opportunity to seek everyone's expert advice.

I want to fly to Paris next April and want to do so Premium Economy. I normally fly OneWorld (and usually Qantas) to maximise my Qantas SCs and FF points but am finding it difficult to come up with a sensible option for flying to Paris OneWorld in Premium Economy.

The problem is compounded significantly by the fact that Qantas doesn't offer Premium Economy direct to Paris codeshared with AF; you seemingly have to go through Heathrow and then on to Paris on BA. And I got a quote this morning -- ready: $5,800 return! :shock:

So any other options available to go Premium Economy between Australia and Paris on OneWorld? JAL could be an option but their website is such a maze and so dysfunctional that this morning's online quote for a return discount Y fare was $14,500!!

Thanks all.

I've flown to Heathrow a few times on Y+ and it's always been about $6,500 return, so the price you have there isn't a bad one. I'm not convinced of the value of Y+ and am going to investigate a mixed class fare for my next Europe trip.

Let us know how you go!

Christina

 

[ozmille]

If you want to fork out a bit more you could fly Business on Finnair for about 6900 (the finnair website is playing up at the moment but your TA should be able to get you these seats in I class). I have flown them a couple of times and they are really good and transferring in Helsinki is a breeze compared with going through London.

 

[HardieBoys]

As someone's already mentioned, Finnair have a mixed class far to Europe from Australia: CX / BA economy from Australia to BKK / HKG / SHG / Narita, then Finnair Business to Helsinki, then intra-European business (economy class seats with a divider between them) to Europe. Good connections in Helsinki, and you can avoid London. They will also do open-jaw tickets at the same price. Fares go from around $4100 return.

I would call up a travel agent about BA Y+ fares. Just bought two tickets to Europe: BA Y+ SYD -LHR then Y to the Continent and back (open jaw) for $4065 per person including all taxes). A check on the BA website on the same day had BA Y+ tickets SYD - LHR for around $5000 per person.

(I've never flown BA Y+ before, and from what I read, it's nothing special, though others may be able to reassure me otherwise... anyone?)

 

[ozmille]

I would call up a travel agent about BA Y+ fares. Just bought two tickets to Europe: BA Y+ SYD -LHR then Y to the Continent and back (open jaw) for $4065 per person including all taxes). A check on the BA website on the same day had BA Y+ tickets SYD - LHR for around $5000 per person.

(I've never flown BA Y+ before, and from what I read, it's nothing special, though others may be able to reassure me otherwise... anyone?)

I wish I could

But BA WTP is getting a bit old now. Especially if you compare them to QF Y+. I have flown WTP between AU and LHR and between LHR and Canada in 2005 I think when it was a novelty. More recently I did a couple of QF ones over to LHR and QF is definitely superior. When you strectch your arms in WTP you can rest your hands on the seat in front of you which is not the case in QF Y+. Also the PE screen in QF is much bigger. I have checked the BA fare but unfortunately it does not allow you to use QF metal with BA flight numbers to get the cheaper fare.
But one thing is sure. It still beats flying in Y!

Enjoy your trip!

Mille

 

[medhead]

There is a current Qantas PE sale to Frankfurt for early next year. I'm not sure if the dates would suit your needs but might be worth considering. In combination with a train from FRA to Paris, which is a relatively good trip.

 

[ozmille]

There is a current Qantas PE sale to Frankfurt for early next year. I'm not sure if the dates would suit your needs but might be worth considering. In combination with a train from FRA to Paris, which is a relatively good trip.

Just did a quick check and Feb QF y+ to CDG via LHR comes in at 4237...

 

[docjames]

Just did a quick check and Feb QF y+ to CDG via LHR comes in at 4237...

That's a good price, does it include taxes etc? We paid 5200 incl about 700 of the +++ (travel June this year, booked in January).

 

[wtolmie]

ive flown QF and BA Y+. I totally agree with earlier comments about BA Y+ being exactly that, whereas QF Y+ is more like J-. Better service, IFE (just like AA.. BASIC), Food/Wine...

The seat is much more comfortable (of course its more modern)
im really keen to see what CX come out with late next year.. The new NZ looks interesting..

 

[VirginiaF]

I would recommend persevering with the JAL site. Did you try the Australia site?

JAPAN AIRLINES / Australia

I did a dummy booking for PE SYD-CDG via NRT (obviously) and came up with a fare of AUD3307.36 which includes taxes with departure 31/3, returning 18/4 on 777s all the way. To me, that's pretty good! The additional benefit is an overnight at NRT (I guess you can extend and have a bit of a stop over in Tokyo on the way up or back - this will break the journey up and help avoid DVT).

Admittedly, the pricing gets pretty steep outside of this window (around AUD11000), but I'm sure we AFF-ers enjoy maximising opportunities, right?

I haven't flown JL PE but just returned from Tokyo flying JL in J both ways thanks to upgrades (I booked PE). I did have a peek at the PE cabin and it was similar to the J cabin but with smaller seats, and probably less pitch. To be honest, comparing JL J with QF J, the shell seats on QF (747) are superior - more nooks and crannies for storing stuff, and of course the (un-stylish, IMHO, but better than the recycled JL "jackets") Morrissey pajamas. But the food and service by JL was superb. Not a frown in sight.

Lastly, Monocle magazine (Home [Monocle]) voted the JL PE cabin as one of the best travel experiences in 2009, so there is an added recommendation (unfortunately the on-line article is only available to subscribers).

 

[VirginiaF]

(but wait, there's more)

Flying JL direct to CDG avoids a change at LHR. Not only is it a nightmare there a lot of the time (I'm sure many AFF-ers can comment on that), but if you are going to transfer to a CDG flight in quick succession, there is a possibility of luggage going astray (personal experience - although, thankfully, I had Amex Platinum travel insurance, which was very generous!).

Have a great time, no matter which route/airline you choose.

 

[ozmille]

That's a good price, does it include taxes etc? We paid 5200 incl about 700 of the +++ (travel June this year, booked in January).

Yup including taxes. Not sure if this fare is available on the QF site yet but your TA can get this for you.

Mille

 

[medhead]

Just did a quick check and Feb QF y+ to CDG via LHR comes in at 4237...

For an extra $238 that's probably better than sitting on a train for 6 or so hours. But then there is a LHR transit.

I like the train, but that's just me.

 

[Ewok]

I looked into this recently to fly my parents out to Paris (from BNE). By far the best value option was QF Economy to Singapore then Premium Economy with AF to CDG.