QF SYD-DFW and DFW lounges

[SL21]

I agree with what you have said. Access to the snack bar is a good perk of being at the back of the plane.

Right I think I’ll go ahead and purchase those seats in case the flight is full. I know I’ll want to get up and stretch quite a bit not to mention my daughter!!! Seems like you would be able to do it there without causing much getting in the way for other pax

 

[ausfox]

When checking in at DFW enquire if there are "Comfort seats" available. They cost a couple of hundred but you get a row to yourself and it is on the ticket so no squabbling about seats. Good luck

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Lounges - Personally, the AA lounge in concourse D is probably my favourite AA lounge - certainly one of the best (to clarify, all my flights have gone from D so I haven't tried the others - but certainly compared to AA lounges at other ports).

Agree. Family members flew home from DFW a few weeks ago... QF club like a zoo. Sought advice and I suggested AAdmirals Club and they said it was chalk and cheese... plenty of seating, relaxed, comfortable by comparison. They recommend a bite to eat in the QF lounge before heading to AA.

 

[Berlin]

Have only ever done this route in J or F which is a bliss because you get decent enough time to eat, sleep AND watch a movie. So, in other words, no better flight to fork out some point for an upgrade imho.

Now what DFW is concerned, I find this to be one of the better US airports. Super easy connections (unless the terminal-connecting skytrain is down...) and also really easy to get to from Downtown Dallas or other cities in Texas.

I find the little third party lounge which Qantas uses prior to the their flight (and brand it 'Qantas' for this time slot) excellent though I think (not quite sure) that I've usually ended up in the First one- I have the feeling there must be two different ones as mine has never been a zoo but rather a quaint little space with a decent selection of booze and hot food even.

All the best of luck with your Y (or Y+) trip, I'd suggest taking some strong sleeping tablets for that long flight!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Here's a link to a trip report showing the QF Club (economy/business) at DFW... Review: Qantas A380 Business Class, Dallas to Sydney - comfort without flair - The High Life

Also shows the AA club for comparison. Family member confirmed the current situation is pretty much same same in terms of crowding and ambience.

 

[PM15]

Have only ever done this route in J or F which is a bliss because you get decent enough time to eat, sleep AND watch a movie. So, in other words, no better flight to fork out some point for an upgrade imho.

Now what DFW is concerned, I find this to be one of the better US airports. Super easy connections (unless the terminal-connecting skytrain is down...) and also really easy to get to from Downtown Dallas or other cities in Texas.

I find the little third party lounge which Qantas uses prior to the their flight (and brand it 'Qantas' for this time slot) excellent though I think (not quite sure) that I've usually ended up in the First one- I have the feeling there must be two different ones as mine has never been a zoo but rather a quaint little space with a decent selection of booze and hot food even.

All the best of luck with your Y (or Y+) trip, I'd suggest taking some strong sleeping tablets for that long flight!

Thanks Berlin... lucky you getting to go F on this route! Sounds ideal. I have put in the Y+ upgrade request for all three of us so let’s see what happens. As for lounges I am only entering via DFW so I think the Qantas lounge is not feasible so will try the Admirals Club in D..

 

[PM15]

Here's a link to a trip report showing the QF Club (economy/business) at DFW... Review: Qantas A380 Business Class, Dallas to Sydney - comfort without flair - The High Life

Also shows the AA club for comparison. Family member confirmed the current situation is pretty much same same in terms of crowding and ambience.

Thanks! Useful report....

 

[PM15]

When checking in at DFW enquire if there are "Comfort seats" available. They cost a couple of hundred but you get a row to yourself and it is on the ticket so no squabbling about seats. Good luck

Thanks Ausfox..

 

[justinbrett]

Here's a link to a trip report showing the QF Club (economy/business) at DFW... Review: Qantas A380 Business Class, Dallas to Sydney - comfort without flair - The High Life

Also shows the AA club for comparison. Family member confirmed the current situation is pretty much same same in terms of crowding and ambience.

I'm fairly certain there was a change in AA lounges 5 or so years ago that made basic drinks (beer, wine & spirits) free for all members - which could explain why the author of that report was confused, if they haven't done a lot of US travel in the last few years. I know you used to have to use the vouchers to buy any drinks (and at some lounges like LAX, showing your QF card would allow you to get more if you used the ones you had) - but certainly at all of the AA lounges I've been at in the last 5 years, you could get basic drinks for free, as many as you like.

The vouchers for premium drinks are useful if you feel like a coughtail or would like a bottle of water to take on your flight.

Edit - It seems I was correct, the drinks became free in 2010. Several American Airlines Clubs Now Serving Complimentary Premium Drinks - View from the Wing

 

[MEL_Traveller]

indeed there was a welcome change in policy Vouchers will also get top-shelf spirits for basic drinks (for example grey goose instead of the house vodka... although after a couple it probably gets harder to tell the difference!)

my purpose in attaching the report was to show the conditions in the qantas lounge, compared to the offerings of the AA lounge. Along with the recommendation, perhaps, to eat quickly in the QF lounge before heading to AA.

 

[justinbrett]

indeed there was a welcome change in policy Vouchers will also get top-shelf spirits for basic drinks (for example grey goose instead of the house vodka... although after a couple it probably gets harder to tell the difference!)

my purpose in attaching the report was to show the conditions in the qantas lounge, compared to the offerings of the AA lounge. Along with the recommendation, perhaps, to eat quickly in the QF lounge before heading to AA.

Unless you have literally ran out of money on your holiday / trip, it's not even worth it for that. There's many good food places to eat in the terminal, and you can buy food at the AA lounge.

 

[moa999]

Agreed
For Gold member.
Food in the Qantas/multi-year lounge, then ambience, drinks in the AA lounge.

If Plat you get the First Dining room which tips the scale to AA, but again given it's an old smokers room, it's get in, eat, then get back to the normal lounge

 

[shufflingfeet]

We flew DFW - SYD recently - 2 adults and 2kids in Y. Managed to get 8 seats between the 4 of us by blocking the middle section aisle seats and risking no one wanting to sit with us.
It was fantastic having all the extra room. We got lots of sleep and it was a great crew too.

I agree DFW is a much better experience than LAX.

 

[cwphoto]

We flew DFW - SYD recently - 2 adults and 2kids in Y. Managed to get 8 seats between the 4 of us by blocking the middle section aisle seats and risking no one wanting to sit with us.
It was fantastic having all the extra room. We got lots of sleep and it was a great crew too.

I agree DFW is a much better experience than LAX.

Interesting, I much prefer LA these days; shorter flight, quick immigration/customs, better connection choices to the East, and a proper F-lounge.