Qantas A380 Economy versus United 747 in Economy Plus?

[inpd]

Hi,

Your favourite (!) expat living in U.S. is back again.
Recall, I visit this forum once a year when I'm about
to fly home to ask about passports etc.

So here is the deal. United and Qantas have
almost identical fares SFO->MEL return.

With United I have status so I get bumped to
premium economy which is just economy but you
sit in special economy seats which have 5 inches more leg
room than regular economy.

So how does the A380 regular economy compare
to E+ in United's product? I'll be travelling with a wife
a 3 year old and a 6 month year old.
I've visited the Qantas web-site and want some experiences
not just the facts (I know about the wider screens, foot bags
etc.)

Cheers.

 

[simongr]

There have been no commercial flights of the QF A380 so no-one has real experience of the seats. Just journos and staff on jollies.

 

[Mwenenzi]

For the extra leg room with E+ . Economy is economy is economy. All airlines try to fit in as many as they can.

I thought the QF A380 was only going on the MEL-LAX route and even then not every day.

 

[milehighclub]

A user on another site has been on the A380 and uploaded some photos. Just so happens there is a photo of a bulkhead row with a bassinet

Since your traveling with a baby - bulkhead rows unfortunately do not get the net foot rests

eoinnz has spent probably more time on the A380 in Y (seated) than any other person - since that user lurks on another forum, perhaps I can ask any particular questions you might have and report back here.

 

[NM]

Note that neither airline flies non-stop SFO-MEL. So with QF on the A380 you will be transiting LAX, and with UA you will be transiting SYD.

My assumption would be as follows:

• QF will have better IFE
• Food will be similar
• UA PE will have more leg room and recline

So it really depends on what is most important to you and the family. Does your UA status provide you with lounge access? That may be important for travelling with a family.

Another option if you want to earn miles in UA program may be to consider NZ. Their economy product is generally very well regarded and considered by many people to be one of the best around. NZ would mean a transit in AKL.

 

[BAM1748]

I think extra leg room would win every time.

 

[Danger UXB]

Also check out the lack of loos in y on the 380. Only 8 for the whole of economy (335 i think). That's alot of bums on very few seats!!!
Regards Danger UXB

 

[NM]

Also check out the lack of loos in y on the 380. Only 8 for the whole of economy (335 i think). That's alot of bums on very few seats!!!
Regards Danger UXB

Its not that much different to other Qantas aircraft. While the A380 has a slightly higher Pax/Lav ratio in economy that the other long-haul aircraft, it is not much higher.

Here is the pax/lav ratio for some of QF's common aircraft configs:

B738     = 78.0
A332 Dom = 53.0
B763 Dom = 44.8
A380     = 41.5
B763 Int = 40.8
A332 Int = 39.8
B743     = 39.8
B744 3Cl = 39.4
A333     = 38.1
B744 4Cl = 35.9
B744 2Cl = 35.6
B744 Pac = 33.1

 

[inpd]

Whenever I ask a question about UA
QF it ends up being moot because
UA drop their fares. I am flying my entire family 2 adults, 1 child and 1 infant on
a lap for the grant total of US$2500 return SFO to MEL with one stop (in SYD).

The same flights with QF would cost over $3500. But I do want to fly that
A380 one day!

 

[Therma]

Whenever I ask a question about UA
QF it ends up being moot because
UA drop their fares. I am flying my entire family 2 adults, 1 child and 1 infant on
a lap for the grant total of US$2500 return SFO to MEL with one stop (in SYD).

The same flights with QF would cost over $3500. But I do want to fly that
A380 one day!

Just had my first flight SIN-NRT on SQ 380. Very smooth and quiet, a lot less turbulence near Philippines and Taiwan. Beyond that there is no difference between their new 777 ERs and 380. Enough leg room in regular economy. Seats suck on both. Having lost some weight I now have less padding. Actually had to buy a blow up cushion for the derriere! Qantas seats appear to be similar on the 380s. United seats seem to have more padding so as much as I hate US based carriers I would probably pick that.