QF63/64 SYD-JNB - Aircraft type

[benhadi]

G'day all,

I'm planning a trip to South Africa next year, and was wondering what kind of aircraft they use. I've had a look at QF website, and they apparently use the 747-400 Longreach. It comes in 3 different configs. Thinking of burning some points in J. Did a dummy booking and no fares for F.
My questions are:

1. Which aircraft config are they going to use?
2. How does one find out (for future reference)?
3. Have they just suspended F, or are they using the config with just J and Y?
4. If i were to book just book Y+ will i then get a J seat, since the only config without F doesn't have Y+ as well?
5. Is it worth using QF metal on QF63/64 or is SAA's metal (ex-PER of course) better in their J product?

Many thanks in advance.
Benhadi

 

[serfty]

1. Which aircraft config are they going to use?

• Generally 4 Class

2. How does one find out (for future reference)?

• See here: The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community - View Single Post - BA 777 Question (Do dummy bookings for various class and compare the seat maps)

3. Have they just suspended F, or are they using the config with just J and Y?

• Suspended I believe

4. If i were to book just book Y+ will i then get a J seat, since the only config without F doesn't have Y+ as well?

• See answer #1 - if the configuration is to be a 2 class then Y+ may get to use Skybeds - no guarantees of course.

5. Is it worth using QF metal on QF63/64 or is SAA's metal (ex-PER of course) better in their J product?

• Dunno! I have never used SAA

 

[benhadi]

Many thanks serfty! Had a try on the expedia site as you suggested and unfortunately the seat maps for most of the bookings in J say "Available seats for this flight cannot be viewed at this time."

But it shows up for Y though! But only displays from row 53 onwards in 3-4-3 config.

Would ExpertFlyer shows better details?

Benhadi

1. Which aircraft config are they going to use?

• Generally 4 Class

2. How does one find out (for future reference)?

• See here: The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community - View Single Post - BA 777 Question (Do dummy bookings for various class and compare the seat maps)

3. Have they just suspended F, or are they using the config with just J and Y?

• Suspended I believe

4. If i were to book just book Y+ will i then get a J seat, since the only config without F doesn't have Y+ as well?

• See answer #1 - if the configuration is to be a 2 class then Y+ may get to use Skybeds - no guarantees of course.

5. Is it worth using QF metal on QF63/64 or is SAA's metal (ex-PER of course) better in their J product?

• Dunno! I have never used SAA

 

[Sprucegoose]

G'day all,

I'm planning a trip to South Africa next year, and was wondering what kind of aircraft they use. I've had a look at QF website, and they apparently use the 747-400 Longreach. It comes in 3 different configs. Thinking of burning some points in J. Did a dummy booking and no fares for F.
My questions are:

1. Which aircraft config are they going to use?
2. How does one find out (for future reference)?
3. Have they just suspended F, or are they using the config with just J and Y?
4. If i were to book just book Y+ will i then get a J seat, since the only config without F doesn't have Y+ as well?
5. Is it worth using QF metal on QF63/64 or is SAA's metal (ex-PER of course) better in their J product?

Many thanks in advance.
Behadi

I have done that trip over 30 times. My experience says QF have the better overall porduct, however the J SAA cabin is spacious, good full flat bed, but sadly African service, quite hit and miss, more so that what QF can tend to be with crews.

Do you want sleep or experience? Sleep go for SAA. however the skybeds are not to be sneezed at either, personally I sleep better there (at angle) than in F, its all personal.

Bear in mind it is World Cup year in SA and they are picking up their act somewhat.

SA have fantastic pilots.

does that assist?

SPRUCE

 

[benhadi]

Hi SpruceG, thanks for the tip. To be honest, i always prefer red-eye flights travelling in J, for long haul, so that i can sleep in the place and save one day. Arriving in the morning gives me a full day at my destination.

I believe SYD-JNB on QF is a day flight, and the return is a night flight.

Downside of PER-JNB on SAA metal (QF codeshare) is i gotta go via perth, and the burn rate is higher using QFF points.

Hmm....

My trip will be after the world cup, not exactly sure when yet (depends on availability of redemption seats), so hopefully it'll be off peak!

BenHadi

I have done that trip over 30 times. My experience says QF have the better overall porduct, however the J SAA cabin is spacious, good full flat bed, but sadly African service, quite hit and miss, more so that what QF can tend to be with crews.

Do you want sleep or experience? Sleep go for SAA. however the skybeds are not to be sneezed at either, personally I sleep better there (at angle) than in F, its all personal.

Bear in mind it is World Cup year in SA and they are picking up their act somewhat.

SA have fantastic pilots.

does that assist?

SPRUCE