Qantas 787 reviews J - Y+ and Y

[love_the_life]

J would have been lovely, I am sure. But I have to pay for my travel.

No a flight of that length even in J would’ve been horrid.

 

[mjt57]

ABC's Media Bites had a segment on this.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2075387205869081

It's 2:43 in...

 

[Andyzx]

Just as an interesting (or not) history for the first 3 weeks of travel for QF9 Ex Perth
Longest trip 17.28, Shortest trip 16.55 hours, Earliest arrival 04:56am, Latest 05:23am which I think is pretty good after a 17 hour flight.
It also does not appear to influenced by early / late arrivals from MEL but the most this has been out was +14 minutes. For those on time schedules this may be a good option, vs QF1 which is no where as good as this.
Rotating nicely though the aircraft too.

 

[chocks]

I flew QF9 from Perth - LHR last week in J (connecting from Sydney). Just a few observations:-

• (Not 787 related but need to vent) - chauffeur pickup from home didn't turn up... fortunately I had booked an early time but ended up arriving at the airport 5 mins prior to boarding thanks to some good traffic and creative driving.
• Flying to Perth on an ancient 737 from Sydney really detracts from the experience
• The transit in Perth doesn't open until 2 hours prior to departure. Don't book an earlier flight thinking you will be able to hang around the new lounge.
• Transit lounge looks nice, was pretty quiet apart from the huge numbers of attentive staff. Drinks table service was good, but food selection disappointing. Only BBQ item was a sausage on a roll that I didn't see anyone eating. Didn't do the yoga class...
• Seat onboard is cosy but I found it comfortable. Sat in 1K so had window, aisle and bulkhead.
• Onboard dinner service was good, the tuna salad was a standout for me.
• Landed around 5.15am, was the first flight in by the look of it so no queues at immigration
• 17 hours is a long time, even in J.

Would I do it again? Yes but only in J and if the price stacked up. Not worth paying a premium IMO.

 

[JessicaTam]

I flew QF9 from Perth - LHR last week in J (connecting from Sydney). Just a few observations:-

• (Not 787 related but need to vent) - chauffeur pickup from home didn't turn up... fortunately I had booked an early time but ended up arriving at the airport 5 mins prior to boarding thanks to some good traffic and creative driving.
• Flying to Perth on an ancient 737 from Sydney really detracts from the experience
• The transit in Perth doesn't open until 2 hours prior to departure. Don't book an earlier flight thinking you will be able to hang around the new lounge.
• Transit lounge looks nice, was pretty quiet apart from the huge numbers of attentive staff. Drinks table service was good, but food selection disappointing. Only BBQ item was a sausage on a roll that I didn't see anyone eating. Didn't do the yoga class...
• Seat onboard is cosy but I found it comfortable. Sat in 1K so had window, aisle and bulkhead.
• Onboard dinner service was good, the tuna salad was a standout for me.
• Landed around 5.15am, was the first flight in by the look of it so no queues at immigration
• 17 hours is a long time, even in J.

Would I do it again? Yes but only in J and if the price stacked up. Not worth paying a premium IMO.

Were there newspapers in the transit area? I made the suggestion during my visit, and they seemed a bit taken aback that they hadn't thought of it.

 

[chocks]

Were there newspapers in the transit area? I made the suggestion during my visit, and they seemed a bit taken aback that they hadn't thought of it.

I don't recall seeing any but that doesn't mean they weren't there!

 

[mjt57]

I flew QF9 from Perth - LHR last week in J (connecting from Sydney). Just a few observations:-

• Flying to Perth on an ancient 737 from Sydney really detracts from the experience

If Qantas is still flying A380s from Sydney to London, why did you go the Perth route?

 

[Fergo747]

Just as an interesting (or not) history for the first 3 weeks of travel for QF9 Ex Perth
Longest trip 17.28, Shortest trip 16.55 hours, Earliest arrival 04:56am, Latest 05:23am which I think is pretty good after a 17 hour flight.
It also does not appear to influenced by early / late arrivals from MEL but the most this has been out was +14 minutes. For those on time schedules this may be a good option, vs QF1 which is no where as good as this.
Rotating nicely though the aircraft too. View attachment 122621

Looking at those flight times they aren't significantly different to the QF8 which is regularly around the 17hr mark. It's amazing how much noise we've heard about the 17hrs PER>LHR and people not wanting to fly it and yet hundreds have been doing it every day for a while on the DFW flights and we hardly hear a peep - even in a droopbed!

 

[offshore171]

Looking at those flight times they aren't significantly different to the QF8 which is regularly around the 17hr mark. It's amazing how much noise we've heard about the 17hrs PER>LHR and people not wanting to fly it and yet hundreds have been doing it every day for a while on the DFW flights and we hardly hear a peep - even in a droopbed!

Sure but that’s an A380 service, as opposed to a 9 across 787.

For the vast majority of travellers, that makes a big difference to comfort.

 

[Fergo747]

Sure but that’s an A380 service, as opposed to a 9 across 787.

For the vast majority of travellers, that makes a big difference to comfort.

Totally understand comments re traveling in Y (shudder), I was more referring to all the commentary I've read from people stating that they wouldn't even consider it even in J.

Interestingly, if Qantas have to routinely block more than 12 Y seats on the PER>LHR flights (based on an analysis I read that net would be about 12 seat Y reduction to allow a 2-4-2), they could have just done 2-4-2 and provided a lot more comfort to passengers!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Totally understand comments re traveling in Y (shudder), I was more referring to all the commentary I've read from people stating that they wouldn't even consider it even in J.!

I found the 787 suite in J much more uncomfortable than either the 747 or 380. Both the foot well, general claustrophobic feel and we couldn’t get the recline to a comfortable position. Everyone differs but you won’t get us on a 787 again. Personally preferences of course, but with so much choice out there why fly something you didn’t like.

 

[downgraded]

I found the 787 suite in J much more uncomfortable than either the 747 or 380. Both the foot well, general claustrophobic feel and we couldn’t get the recline to a comfortable position. Everyone differs but you won’t get us on a 787 again. Personally preferences of course, but with so much choice out there why fly something you didn’t like.

I've only flown the new J suite once on an A330 but I also amazed at how claustrophobic it felt (and I couldn't find a comfy seating position). A non droopy Sky Bed is far more comfortable and it's large pitch gives a far greater sense of space than the new high density J products seem to.

 

[chocks]

If Qantas is still flying A380s from Sydney to London, why did you go the Perth route?

Primarily to give it a go, but also getting into London a couple of hours earlier was a big plus

 

[Sdtravel]

I currently have 1A on qf12 jfk lax and then 10k on qf16 lax bne in late September.
Any thoughts on which is better? Should I be trying to get 1A the whole way or is the mini cabin better?
Qf platinum line wouldn't give me 1A on qf16. So it's either taken or reserved for WP1's. EF I think showed it as blocked. But that was a few weeks ago.
Can only get 3 onwards.

I basically chose these seats due PaulST's awesome reviews.

Advise welcome on if I should just go with what I have on not.

 

[PaulST]

I currently have 1A on qf12 jfk lax and then 10k on qf16 lax bne in late September.
Any thoughts on which is better? Should I be trying to get 1A the whole way or is the mini cabin better?
Qf platinum line wouldn't give me 1A on qf16. So it's either taken or reserved for WP1's. EF I think showed it as blocked. But that was a few weeks ago.
Can only get 3 onwards.

I basically chose these seats due PaulST's awesome reviews.

Advise welcome on if I should just go with what I have on not.

I flew in 1A on the return flight and it was great. Quieter than 10K and I was served quicker. It's also more private as the middle seats are set further back and can't see you. My only criticism of 1A is that it's too far ahead of the wing to get a good view of the engine.

 

[Mattg]

Well I flew in Y on an ANA 787-9 last night. It seemed like there was more legroom than Qantas in Y+ on the same aircraft type!

 

[Kaz7]

Does anyone know about the recline-limitation of seats 43D-F, in front of the lavatories? I’m looking to replace my favourite seat 56C on the 747, which I liked because it didn’t have rear or across-the-aisle neighbours. (I do see that at least one person noted the intrusion of toilet-flushing noise in row 42.)
Also, how much is row 44 set in front of the door to the lavatory?
Many thanks.

 

[Zac_AU]

I will say I am liking the 787 domestically. The extra customs hassle going into Melbourne can be annoying (Perth side is a breeze), but having access to PE is good alternative to business on a short flight (each flight has been only around 2hr50 to Mel.). Also access to the first lounge domestically in Melbourne is great.

 

[Sdtravel]

Have the J seats been certified to be reclined during take off and landing yet? I recell they werent when they first came out but perhaps that would change at some point.

 

[downgraded]

Also, how much is row 44 set in front of the door to the lavatory?

Not by much/enough. And the window seats have no window