Should i upgrade

[Gregoire Dumas]

Hi everyone,
I'm flying Qantas in 11 days, here is my route:
Qf8082 LYS-DXB 11/11 Y
QF2 DXB-SYD 12/11 Y
QF571 SYD-PER 13/11 Y

The QF571 flight between Sydney and Perth is said to be operated by a A333 when QF usually use A332 on this route, after a bit more search i found that Qantas sometimes operate A333 and even B738 on this route.
My question is: should i upgrade this flight to Business? I was first going to do it when the aircraft was the A332 as i thought QF had full-flat seat on this plane but as soon as i realized it is only a basic seat i turned back. But now that it is a A333 the seat should be the same as in International business, am i right? So is it worth the 10 000 miles? Or should i save a bit as i currently have 15 000 miles ( i haven't flew on Qantas since 2011) and i'm back in Australia for 12 month with a lot of trip planned.

Thanks in advance.

A French Flyer.

 

[brzbnkr]

I would say it is worth it - the SYD-PER leg is a long flight, not fun in economy. An A330's biz seat will make a nice difference.
If it was a 737 I wouldn't be so sure - it's been a couple of years since I've been on a Qantas 737, but back then the business class was rubbish - actually European style, where it was just 3 economy seats with nobody in the middle seat.

 

[codash1099]

I would say it is worth it - the SYD-PER leg is a long flight, not fun in economy. An A330's biz seat will make a nice difference.
If it was a 737 I wouldn't be so sure - it's been a couple of years since I've been on a Qantas 737, but back then the business class was rubbish - actually European style, where it was just 3 economy seats with nobody in the middle seat.

It has changed somewhat, unless you are unlucky enough to get a 734, but I haven't seen one of those on C to C for sometime. That said, I'd say upgrading is more important on a 737. 3 X 3 seating is much worse than an A330, where you've goat good chance of 2X seating.

 

[Gregoire Dumas]

So in the end i upgraded for 10 000 miles which i found fair for this distance, i'm sitting in 4A and there are only 6 row in 2-2-2 configuration.

Now my question is: I'm arriving on QF2 from Dubai at 6.55 AM on economy, the flight to Perth is at 17.30 so i might hang around in Sydney for the day but before i wanted to take a shower to feel fresh after a 22h Journey from Lyon, two solutions, free shower in the international terminal or going in the domestic terminal and get to the lounge, i remember from 2011 that i could access the gate area even if i'am not flying, stay a bit then leave but is this still possible? I mean i would like to transfer terminal check my luggage for the afternoon flight, pass the control go to the lounge, get a Shower and a breakfast and then hop in a train to Sydney center for the day, will it work?

 

[RooFlyer]

Good move to upgrade the flight to Perth.

QF2 can arrive quite early - we were at the gate at 6:05am a few weeks ago.

Not quite sure what you are saying re checking luggage.

First, I don't think you can access the lounges after you arrive at SYD international (others may correct me, though). So no showers in that option. So its the domestic lounge, which is a bit of a pain to get to.

Normally what I would do is get the luggage checked all the way to Perth. On landing in Sydney you have to pick up luggage of course and clear customs. The Qantas domestic transfer desk is a short walk after you get 'landside'. At this point you can access luggage and get change of clothes, toiletries etc if you need to (although I take these as 'carry-on', just in case there is a luggage delay). Re-check bags to Perth at the transfer desk and get your domestic boarding pass to Perth.

Domestic terminal is the other side of the airport . Get the Qantas transfer bus to domestic terminal and go to the lounge. Choose the 'Business' lounge, not the regular lounge. Shower, breakfast etc.

Go out, catch the train to Circular Quay station and enjoy sights of Sydney. Go for a walk in the Botanical Gardens (next to Opera House) to Mrs Macquarie's Chair & get some sun & stretch legs, as well as magnificent views. Catch ferry to Manly from Circular Quay and back.

Eventually return by train to Domestic Airport. It will be pretty crowded and chance of running late, so leave plenty of time.

 

[mannej]

6 rows in 2-2-2? Are you sure it's a 333 and not a 332? From memory the 333 has only 5 rows. If there are 6 rows you have a 332. If there are 2 mini cabins of 3 rows each you have a skybed, if not it's a domestic config.

The bed in the 330 isn't the same as the bed in the 380. The 330 is angled lie flat, not true lie flat.

No matter what seat you get it's still better then the back of the bus!

 

[mannej]

I would say it is worth it - the SYD-PER leg is a long flight, not fun in economy. An A330's biz seat will make a nice difference.
If it was a 737 I wouldn't be so sure - it's been a couple of years since I've been on a Qantas 737, but back then the business class was rubbish - actually European style, where it was just 3 economy seats with nobody in the middle seat.

You are thinking of the 734's. They are nearly out of the fleet completely. The 738's have a better business product ( I hate 3-3 seating. 2-2 is better no matter what!)

 

[ozmille]

I can only see 5 rows of J on your flight...

 

[Gregoire Dumas]

Yes sorry, it's actually 5 rows. Thanks for the tips Rooflyer !