QF63 SYD to JNB B747 config

[Mekanikel]

Hi, we're flying to JNB 1st Jul and was excited to see that the flight path takes us down near Antarctica offering some great views, so I selected row 36a/b in premium economy, only to learn now that on some aircraft that seat has no window! Checking back on the manage my flight page, I'm unable to move as it's a full cabin, however I may luck out and get the 3 class V2 which has row 38a as the no window seat. Anyway to tell? From the manage flight page, it's the 36 W cabin with the 2 extra left side rows. We've requested points upgrade to J, fingers crossed it's a refurbed bird.

Also, it's a full 14hr+ daytime flight, leave at 10.50am and arrive at 5pm, do they dim cabin lights at all during the flight or is it all daytime lighting?
Thanks for any answers.

 

[SYD]

According to EF, 34A/B are free (blocked) so if your upgrade doesn't come through, you might still have a chance of two of the best PE seats at checkin.

I see that PE is over the wing, so burg spotting might not be fantastic compared to some J seats or even down the back.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Also, it's a full 14hr+ daytime flight, leave at 10.50am and arrive at 5pm, do they dim cabin lights at all during the flight or is it all daytime lighting?
Thanks for any answers.

They dimmed the cabin when we did this flight back in Feb.

 

[Mattg]

The flight is currently showing as a refurbished 3-class aircraft, so 36A/B would have windows.

I did this flight in July almost 2 years ago and passengers were free to decide whether to leave the window shades open. Most did. We flew over icebergs for about 5 hours, which was very cool. As soon as the first bergs were spotted, the whole cabin came alive and there was a really nice atmosphere on board with people at window seats taking turns sharing the view.

If you find that the wing obstructs the view of the icebergs from your seat, you can always have a look at the view from the window near the galley/exit door.

 

[Mekanikel]

Thanks for the replies, looking forward to the flight, eyes open for the 34a/b, eyes closed during the flight its seems!

 

[PaulST]

I put together a (rather amateur) video a few years ago when I flew on QF63. Fast forward through the takeoff to see antarctica.

The footage I took from in front of the wing (my favourite bit) was in the galley area just behind J (I was travelling in PE).
[video=youtube_share;UaIiw0uKE-s]https://youtu.be/UaIiw0uKE-s[/video]

 

[SYD]

I put together a (rather amateur) video a few years ago when I flew on QF63. Fast forward through the takeoff to see antarctica.

The footage I took from in front of the wing (my favourite bit) was in the galley area just behind J (I was travelling in PE).
[video=youtube_share;UaIiw0uKE-s]https://youtu.be/UaIiw0uKE-s[/video]

Nice video. Alas I go mostly cloud last Xmas. I did see ice flows on EZE-SYD years ago from 1A but nothing like that!

 

[Mekanikel]

I put together a (rather amateur) video a few years ago when I flew on QF63. Fast forward through the takeoff to see antarctica.

The footage I took from in front of the wing (my favourite bit) was in the galley area just behind J (I was travelling in PE).
[video=youtube_share;UaIiw0uKE-s]https://youtu.be/UaIiw0uKE-s[/video]

Amazing, can only hope to have the same experience. Thanks.

 

[love_the_life]

Whether you fly far enough south to see the ice is another thing. The first time we went we had great views but last time our track took us quite a bit north so no ice at all .

 

[ozflier]

Whether you fly far enough south to see the ice is another thing. The first time we went we had great views but last time our track took us quite a bit north so no ice at all .

I flew last week and were north of the Antarctic ice line.
I found the all daylight flight a bit stressful compared to overnights.

 

[Mekanikel]

Off topic but if anyone who has recently travelled to South Africa and back, do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter SA? I've checked other forums and the answers are convoluted, Smarttraveller says I do, and maybe refused entry if I don't.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We flew in to Joburg from Entebbe and needed to show our yellow fever vaccination card in April this year.

 

[browski]

You do not require a yellow Fever certificate for South Africa, if you are travelling there from OZ.

 

[Mattg]

You do not require a yellow Fever certificate for South Africa, if you are travelling there from OZ.

That was my experience, but I was asked for it when returning to Australia (by Australian immigration).

 

[love_the_life]

That was my experience, but I was asked for it when returning to Australia (by Australian immigration).

Had you been anywhere other than South Africa on that trip?

 

[Mattg]

Had you been anywhere other than South Africa on that trip?

Apologies, I just realised that this was coming back from South America, not South Africa.

Coming back from South Africa I ticked "yes" to having been in Africa/South America/Caribbean in the past 6 days, but as I had not been to any of the countries on the yellow fever list I was able to proceed through the Smart Gate. Coming back from South America, I had been in Brazil in the previous 6 days so had to speak to a human and produce a yellow fever certificate.

I see that South Africa is indeed not on the list: Department of Health | Yellow fever - general fact sheet

 

[Jacques Vert]

Off topic but if anyone who has recently travelled to South Africa and back, do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter SA? I've checked other forums and the answers are convoluted, Smarttraveller says I do, and maybe refused entry if I don't.

We visited South Africa in October last year and again in Feb/March this year.

(At the time), there was no need for Yellow Fever entering Sth Africa from Europe or Australia. OTOH, if entering from Zambia it WAS required for entry into Sth Africa and also coming back into Australia.

There was (and I understand still) is some confusion if transiting from Zambia to Australia via Sth Africa, as to whether you will require a Yellow Fiver certificate to merely transit JNB (as against a stopover). From memory, we were asked but not required to show the certificate; however we did need to show it in SYD (as we had been to Zambia) so we required the shot anyway.

So if only going to S Africa you should not need it (IME), but you should check with your doctor who will be able to give you the latest advice.

JV

 

[dttexitsign]

Off topic but if anyone who has recently travelled to South Africa and back, do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter SA? I've checked other forums and the answers are convoluted, Smarttraveller says I do, and maybe refused entry if I don't.

I've done the SYD-JNB and vv sectors a few times a year for the past five years, I've been low enough for ice sightings about four times. Winter seems to be the better season to do so - so you're in good stead. In most cases the flight deck have announced on the ground before departure that we're going to be seeing ice, and we've usually tracked to the east of HBA those times versus straight over MEL. I check FR24 for a few days prior to see which track they're taking. It's an awesome experience, though the 63 is a long day. As others have suggested, the cabin is usually dimmed after the lunch service, though often passengers choose to have their window shades open, so doesn't really accomplish much. IME the cabin crew have always been accommodating when I've wanted to take pics at the galley windows.


On the yellow fever issue, you won't need it if you're just coming to South Africa, though anywhere further north you will - the relevant airline will usually check your vaccination card on check-in. If you do need it, bear in mind that it needs to be done 10 days before you travel to the affected area.

Enjoy the trip and do let us all know if you get lucky with the ice pics.

 

[Mekanikel]

Thanks for the replies. All set to go. Working at Darwin Airport I have the advantage of asking the Qantas staff the load numbers. PE full and only 7 J class seats available 4 days out. Haven't got our hopes up for the requested upgrade. Would much prefer it though on the return QF64 as that's the evening transit back. I'll do a trip report for this one. Thanks again all.

 

[kermatu]

Fingers crossed for you.

Great video PaulST!