Qantas LAX vs. SFO route

[owwreally]

Hi all,

I need to make a trip into the states shortly and can either go via San Francisco (SFO) - QF12 or Los Angeles (LAX) - QF74 on the return leg in Premium Economy - same cost, connections etc.
Lately I have been going via LAX (QF12), however I was wondering peoples preference between LAX or SFO in regards to the airport, flight, lounge (Qantas Club)?

Appreciate your inputs

 

[BAM1748]

The lounges at LAX are good, haven't been to any at SFO since QF flew there previously and they were fine. The UA first lounge used to be excellent and I had one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had anywhere.

I'm thinking of a quick trip to SFO next month but LAX had better seat availability when I looked. So might be LAX again.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

In general LAX is superior to SFO in terms of lounges irrespective of airline. For instance, looking at the international terminal of LAX we've got the following:

• Be Relax Spa
• Centurion Lounge
• Emirates Lounge
• LA International Lounge
• Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge
• Qantas First Class Lounge
• SkyTeam/Korean Air Lounge
• Star Alliance Lounge

In other words, irrespective of which alliance you fly (SkyTeam, Star Alliance or OneWorld) there will be a lounge waiting for you, (provided of course you either have status with said airline/alliance or are travelling in business). Now I must level with you, I have not been to the OneWorld lounges...yet, but have been to the Star Alliance lounge and quite frankly it is lovely, there's a roof top terrace with bar, good buffet selection, showers, well stocked bar, etc. I have also been to the AmEx Centurion lounge (holding a Canadian Platinum card) and found the food selection there to be nice, albeit if it is a bit more busy than the Star Alliance lounge. Aside from the above mentioned lounges, there are of course a ton of airline lounges at the various other terminals of LAX including American, Delta and United lounges. Contrast this with SFO which has substantially fewer lounges, and the quality of those lounges are questionable at best (i.e. just United Club for Star Alliance).

Another big distinction for me versus SFO is that you can transfer between terminals without having to re-clear security as just about every terminal is connected to each other. Now it is true, the trek between terminals can be long. For instance, getting from Terminal 7/8 where United domestic flights arrive to the international terminal is a brisk 25 minute hike. However, I would argue that this is still better than the uncertainty of having to re-clear security to switch terminals, particularly if you don't have TSA pre-check.

There are two benefits I can see from flying through SFO. The first is that there is a hotel that is linked to the SkyTrain, namely the Hyatt Regency SFO Airport. Secondly, the airport is substantially smaller than LAX and thus much easier to navigate and get around.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

The lounges at LAX are good, haven't been to any at SFO since QF flew there previously and they were fine. The UA first lounge used to be excellent and I had one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had anywhere.

I hate to shatter your expectations but the UA First lounge located at the International Terminal G has now been transformed into a United Club which when I visited in late 2019 was in dire need of renovation. We are talking about urinals and water faucets that were blocked off, dirty stalls with plugged toilets, it really gave the Hobart QF Club's restrooms a run for its money.

Now you may point to the Polaris lounge, which I concede is very nice, but two things you need to keep in mind here. First, United also has a Polaris lounge at LAX. Second, access to the Polaris lounge requires you to be flying in business class between continents on either United or a Star Alliance member airline. Neither status nor money will get you in!

I'm thinking of a quick trip to SFO next month but LAX had better seat availability when I looked. So might be LAX again.

I still think LAX is the better option, especially if you are flying Star Alliance. The Star Alliance lounge at the international terminal of LAX is leagues ahead of anything you'll find at SFO.

 

[BAM1748]

I hate to shatter your expectations but the UA First lounge located at the International Terminal G has now been transformed into a United Club which when I visited in late 2019 was in dire need of renovation. We are talking about urinals and water faucets that were blocked off, dirty stalls with plugged toilets, it really gave the Hobart QF Club's restrooms a run for its money.

Now you may point to the Polaris lounge, which I concede is very nice, but two things you need to keep in mind here. First, United also has a Polaris lounge at LAX. Second, access to the Polaris lounge requires you to be flying in business class between continents on either United or a Star Alliance member airline. Neither status nor money will get you in!

I still think LAX is the better option, especially if you are flying Star Alliance. The Star Alliance lounge at the international terminal of LAX is leagues ahead of anything you'll find at SFO.

I was in the LAX QF First Lounge a couple of months back and I think I prefer the business lounge, up in back it just seems quieter and not fluro bright.

Amd thanks for the SFO update.

 

[RooFlyer]

@owwreally , you are going 'via', so I think just transiting? And only Qantas Club to get you lounge access?

At SFO you'll get AA Admiral's Club; at LAX you'll get QF's Business Lounge. I haven't been through SFO in yonks, but I reckon QF's business lounge would be better in amenity, plus if there are irrops, or you need some agent attention, the ones at LAX should be more Qantas oriented.

Also, if there are irrops, I think LAX would be better staffed (flight crew) and connected if they have to re-route you.

If you arriving US domestic and on OW you can get to TBIT airside; can't remember SFO.

Personally, I'd go LAX but I'd also look closely at the aircraft type and what seats are available before making a choice.

 

[RooFlyer]

In general LAX is superior to SFO in terms of lounges irrespective of airline. For instance, looking at the international terminal of LAX we've got the following:

• Be Relax Spa
• Centurion Lounge
• Emirates Lounge
• LA International Lounge
• Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge
• Qantas First Class Lounge
• SkyTeam/Korean Air Lounge
• Star Alliance Lounge

In other words, irrespective of which alliance you fly (SkyTeam, Star Alliance or OneWorld) there will be a lounge waiting for you, (provided of course you either have status with said airline/alliance or are travelling in business). Now I must level with you, I have not been to the OneWorld lounges...yet, but have been to the Star Alliance lounge and quite frankly it is lovely, there's a roof top terrace with bar, good buffet selection, showers, well stocked bar, etc. I have also been to the AmEx Centurion lounge (holding a Canadian Platinum card) and found the food selection there to be nice, albeit if it is a bit more busy than the Star Alliance lounge. Aside from the above mentioned lounges, there are of course a ton of airline lounges at the various other terminals of LAX including American, Delta and United lounges. Contrast this with SFO which has substantially fewer lounges, and the quality of those lounges are questionable at best (i.e. just United Club for Star Alliance).

Another big distinction for me versus SFO is that you can transfer between terminals without having to re-clear security as just about every terminal is connected to each other. Now it is true, the trek between terminals can be long. For instance, getting from Terminal 7/8 where United domestic flights arrive to the international terminal is a brisk 25 minute hike. However, I would argue that this is still better than the uncertainty of having to re-clear security to switch terminals, particularly if you don't have TSA pre-check.

There are two benefits I can see from flying through SFO. The first is that there is a hotel that is linked to the SkyTrain, namely the Hyatt Regency SFO Airport. Secondly, the airport is substantially smaller than LAX and thus much easier to navigate and get around.

Sorry, is any of that related to what the OP was asking about? United? Train to hotels? You haven't been to the OneWorld lounges?

 

[SYD]

Hi all,

I need to make a trip into the states shortly and can either go via San Francisco (SFO) - QF12 or Los Angeles (LAX) - QF74 on the return leg in Premium Economy - same cost, connections etc.
Lately I have been going via LAX (QF12), however I was wondering peoples preference between LAX or SFO in regards to the airport, flight, lounge (Qantas Club)?

Appreciate your inputs

Sounds like you’re flying onto and back from somewhere other than either LAX or SFO?

In addition to the lounge situation (LAX would generally be better for a QC member), the other key consideration is arrival into the US and passport/immigration processing times. LAX has a poor reputation but QF11 arrives just as LAX is opening for business (6am), so it’s possible to get through quite quickly and off to the QF or AA lounge and your connection. Arrive mid morning or later and it can be a zoo.

Arriving in SFO from Oz can be a better experience later in the day but can vary. Also QF73 arrives latish, so it would be harder to connect to something flying further east - unless you like red eye flights. But SFO is one of the hubs for AS, so reasonably well connected.

Coming home, transiting either is pretty straightforward but the lounge options at LAX trump SFO (accessing the AA lounge at SFO isn‘t practical for QF flights).

 

[Lynda2475]

Lounges are better at LAX but arrival experience is so much quicker at SFO for anyone on an Aussie passport.

LAX is easier if you need an AA connection, whereas if connection is UA then SFO is fine.

SFO also has great public transport into city if you are spending are spending any time there.