SYD-JFK: QF all the way or QF and codeshare to get the A380?

[Drongo]

Some questions from a newbie, probably for a range of fora (and apologies if I’m in the wrong place!)
Have to travel SYD-JFK in J in March, and must use Qantas (which suite me, as a WP, since I love the Sydney F lounge!).
Flew JFK-LAX-SYD in October booked on AA JFK-LAX and QF12 on the A380 for LAX-SYD. AA was underwhelming (despite first ever ODU to F – felt like Qantas domestic J!). BUT, had the great A380 lie-flat LAX-SYD, which IMO beats the 747 seat hands down (flew that SIN-SYD overnight in August).
So, just for the seat, my strong inclination is to do QF11 + QF3233 (AA4) out and QF3112 (AA181) + QF12 back.
But I’m sure there are plenty of people who’ve taken QF107 the whole way and QF108 back. Is anyone who travels SYD-JFK glued to QF all the way, and can they say why? I can guess it’s not having to deal withnegatives like the AA lounge at JFK (underwhelming) and the terminal changes at LAX, but is that all? And are they enough to overcome the seat differences (slope and lie flat) in the QF fleet on the long sector?
The next question: I’ve now flown the A380 SYD-SIN-LHR twice, LHR-SIN, and LAX-SYD. Crews were mostly great, but there were distinct service differences.
As an example, SIN-LHR breakfast was terrific (as a committed big breakfast guy when I travel!). First bit (cereal, fruit, juice) served, eaten, and cleared before hot bit (including great snags) delivered. But LAX-SYD, the whole lot arrived at once, and no snags! Is this common? Given the amount of time between service start and landing, there’s no excuse on the time front.
Also, what’s with the first service out of LAX? It’s a 15-hour flight! Great meal, but no entrée, and no extra drinks unless requested. Then a HUGE gap until breakfast (yes, I know about the snack bar!). Methinks QF take advantage of the commitment to adjusting pax to time zones as an excuse to limit service.
Would welcome any advice. I read the forum a lot, but this is my first post (yep, a lurker … sorry!).
Made WP as a frequent J pax on short-haul international (mostly in the Pacific region) and domestic. I’ll be doing more long-haul now, so am keen to learn. Naturally I’ll feel obliged to contribute, now that I’ve been prompted to seek advice!
​

 

[straitman]

Some questions from a newbie, probably for a range of fora (and apologies if I’m in the wrong place!)
Have to travel SYD-JFK in J in March, and must use Qantas (which suite me, as a WP, since I love the Sydney F lounge!).
Flew JFK-LAX-SYD in October booked on AA JFK-LAX and QF12 on the A380 for LAX-SYD. AA was underwhelming (despite first ever ODU to F – felt like Qantas domestic J!). BUT, had the great A380 lie-flat LAX-SYD, which IMO beats the 747 seat hands down (flew that SIN-SYD overnight in August).
So, just for the seat, my strong inclination is to do QF11 + QF3233 (AA4) out and QF3112 (AA181) + QF12 back.
But I’m sure there are plenty of people who’ve taken QF107 the whole way and QF108 back. Is anyone who travels SYD-JFK glued to QF all the way, and can they say why? I can guess it’s not having to deal withnegatives like the AA lounge at JFK (underwhelming) and the terminal changes at LAX, but is that all? And are they enough to overcome the seat differences (slope and lie flat) in the QF fleet on the long sector?
The next question: I’ve now flown the A380 SYD-SIN-LHR twice, LHR-SIN, and LAX-SYD. Crews were mostly great, but there were distinct service differences.
As an example, SIN-LHR breakfast was terrific (as a committed big breakfast guy when I travel!). First bit (cereal, fruit, juice) served, eaten, and cleared before hot bit (including great snags) delivered. But LAX-SYD, the whole lot arrived at once, and no snags! Is this common? Given the amount of time between service start and landing, there’s no excuse on the time front.
Also, what’s with the first service out of LAX? It’s a 15-hour flight! Great meal, but no entrée, and no extra drinks unless requested. Then a HUGE gap until breakfast (yes, I know about the snack bar!). Methinks QF take advantage of the commitment to adjusting pax to time zones as an excuse to limit service.
Would welcome any advice. I read the forum a lot, but this is my first post (yep, a lurker … sorry!).
Made WP as a frequent J pax on short-haul international (mostly in the Pacific region) and domestic. I’ll be doing more long-haul now, so am keen to learn. Naturally I’ll feel obliged to contribute, now that I’ve been prompted to seek advice!
​

Drongo,

Welcome to AFF.

I have not done the QF107/108 between LAX and JFK but have read a lot of comments about it.
The general consensus it that the QF A330 is a better product than the domestic AA product. That being said the domestic AA product on a 2 class a/c will give you 'F' SCs which is an advantage if you need the SCs.

 

[wingspan]

Staying with Qantas all the way through is just nicer from a service perspective. Unless you need to travel in F for SC, I would suggest sticking with the good quality QF product.

 

[flychrisfly]

So, just for the seat, my strong inclination is to do QF11 + QF3233 (AA4) out and QF3112 (AA181) + QF12 back.
But I’m sure there are plenty of people who’ve taken QF107 the whole way and QF108 back. Is anyone who travels SYD-JFK glued to QF all the way, and can they say why? I can guess it’s not having to deal withnegatives like the AA lounge at JFK (underwhelming) and the terminal changes at LAX, but is that all? And are they enough to overcome the seat differences (slope and lie flat) in the QF fleet on the long sector?

​

I'd take the A380 on the long sectors simply for the better seat/bed. That's my preference simply to make sleep that much better/easier. Plus I hate the fact that on the MkI seats I slide right down into my pants which then have to be dug out of my clacker when I awake

 

[serfty]

There's little wrong with the AA Flagship Lounge at JFK T8 when compared to:

• Any Domestic AA Admirals Club, and
• The Poor excuse for that JFK T7 First Class Lounge of BA's that Qantas use for QF108.

Having posted that; I'd still go all the way on QF107/QF108.

 

[Drongo]

Drongo,

Welcome to AFF.

I have not done the QF107/108 between LAX and JFK but have read a lot of comments about it.
The general consensus it that the QF A330 is a better product than the domestic AA product. That being said the domestic AA product on a 2 class a/c will give you 'F' SCs which is an advantage if you need the SCs.

Thanks Straitman,
Hadn't realised the A330 did that run as well as the 747. Poor research on my part!
Don't need the SCs, but will keep that in mind once mine tick over from May.

 

[Drongo]

Thanks Wingspan. That's 2/0 for QF right through.

 

[Drongo]

Thanks Flychrisfly! I get the "crack" about the seat-slide ... happened to me, too, one of the reasons I like the lie-flats. Still, that's 2-1 for QF and not the code-share.

 

[Drongo]

Thanks serfty (you're a legend, BTW ... enjoy your informed posts!).
Hadn't been inside Flagship elsewhere, nor the JFK T7, so was clearly hasty to sniff at Flagship at T8.
So that's 3-1 for 107/108.
Have a couple of days to decide, but I'm now leaning that way.
Thanks for the insight!

 

[simongr]

Spanner in the works time

Personally it would come down to a number of factors - cost and motivation.

For me I would go JFK-DFW-LAX-SYD. Wacky I know and its not just about status runs but that wouldnt hurt...

If you could book into AA F JFK-DFW_LAX you earn a heap more SCs and they are always useful. I also personally dont like short long haul flights - 4 - 7 hours. I actually prefer a 2 -3 flight if I can get an adequate seat. I find the aircraft, crew and airport change interesting - and the extra points/SCs always useful.

Its a long way to come home without making the trip more interesting... Personally I would be routing jfk-dfw-lax-jfk-nrt-hkg-syd - but that [not] just me

 

[straitman]

Thanks Straitman,
Hadn't realised the A330 did that run as well as the 747. Poor research on my part!
Don't need the SCs, but will keep that in mind once mine tick over from May.

Just to clarify the A330 does the LAX-JFK legs only.

 

[NYCguy]

The general consensus it that the QF A330 is a better product than the domestic AA product. That being said the domestic AA product on a 2 class a/c will give you 'F' SCs which is an advantage if you need the SCs.

I thought that AA flew 3-class 762's LAX/SFO-JFK? To compete with UA's PS?

 

[docjames]

I thought that AA flew 3-class 762's LAX/SFO-JFK? To compete with UA's PS?

yes, they do.

 

[Keith009]

I would stick with QF all the way. Whilst I have nothing against AA, the QF product is nicer and you get the Skybed all the way to JFK. The AA business class product on the LAX/SFO-JFK route is a little like the Millenium seats on QF domestic.

 

[docjames]

I would stick with QF all the way. Whilst I have nothing against AA, the QF product is nicer and you get the Skybed all the way to JFK. The AA business class product on the LAX/SFO-JFK route is a little like the Millenium seats on QF domestic.

Agree, having done both, AA J or F is fine, but it's a lot easier to stick with QF and the product is overall better.

 

[straitman]

I thought that AA flew 3-class 762's LAX/SFO-JFK? To compete with UA's PS?

Point taken however the statement is still correct.

 

[ozmille]

I would do A380 to LAX and then AA to JFK via DFW both ways... 840SC's helps a lot in my long term plan of LTG...