Opinions - Qantas v China Southern, PER to LAX, Y

[Aus ATC]

Is there anyone with recent experience in the CZ J product? I have 2 flights coming up with them in a couple of weeks - BNE-CAN on a QF codeshare (A330), and then CAN-DPS on a B738.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I flew CZ SHA-CAN-MNL Aug - I have no idea what metal - SHA-CAN flt absolute disaster - booked via CZ web site it turned out to be MZu code share - I and couple others bought J and ended up in Y - never again!

 

[clazman]

Two mates have flown with China Southern on different flights, both about the same height / build (5'5).

One doesn't have a problem with them and the other says never again... complained about being cramped and ordinary food

 

[Lord Mud]

A question to OP. If you are an NB and are travelling Y how are you getting lounge access? You say you are chasing SC's but for what purpose? This is not to criticise but I am concerned you may be misreading your previous experiences. I suspect the $30 seat selection fee you have encountered is because you are NB. As a family of 5 with a teenager you may have some difficulty in obtaining lounge access also. YMMV

 

[bismarck]

You're being charged the $30 fee because you're bronze.

TBH I wouldn't worry about selecting seats. As a family of 4 on the same booking, I'd be confident the system will pre-allocate you a block of four in the centre of the plane so the seats will be pretty much all the same anyway. They charge an extra fee for 71D these days.

 

[Lord Mud]

You're being charged the $30 fee because you're bronze.

TBH I wouldn't worry about selecting seats. As a family of 4 on the same booking, I'd be confident the system will pre-allocate you a block of four in the centre of the plane so the seats will be pretty much all the same anyway. They charge an extra fee for 71D these days.

OP said a family of 5. Could make selection interesting?

 

[bismarck]

OP said a family of 5. Could make selection interesting?

Ah, I focused on the 2 year old and 8 year old bit.

Probably just punt the teenager to sit wherever they want (likely across the aisle).

 

[elan]

Have you considered using FF points for seat allocation? Last year I flew with the family to NY and return using FF points. Flying to NY was fine as I was on the plane with them so being WP I had seat allocation. On the return leg from LA to Melbourne my family of four flew home alone. I rang up Qantas and they suggested booking seat allocation incase they weren't sitting together. With this information I simply went on line at the time and used points. Interesting aspect was that they never took away any of my points for the seat allocation. Hope this helps.