SYD-JNB First Class?

[Deen]

Hi fellow AFF'ers..

my wife and little one flew SYD-JNB on 5 Dec (QF63) in Business (bought on an AA award with points equating to $2500 per ticket!, thanks to the tips from AFF) and noticed that there was a First Class section in front of Business. I was of the opinion that the 747 used for this trip didn't have a First Class? Can anyone confirm if this is true and how you would go about securing seats in these cabins if they become available.... thanks in advance.

 

[markis10]

There are three 744s with the F cabin and they feature on the JNB run about 25% of the time, when they open the cabin for allocation J customers should be able to select the seats.

 

[Deen]

just pure luck i guess then.... I'm booked on the same flight on the 25th Dec in seat 4A.... based on the seat map for these 4 class planes... hopefully i get in with a shot!

 

[sweens]

just pure luck i guess then.... I'm booked on the same flight on the 25th Dec in seat 4A.... based on the seat map for these 4 class planes... hopefully i get in with a shot!

I have flown in J up the front on the JNB route a number of times in the old F cabin seats...nice too.

I assume QF hold most of these seats for high status passengers...if the seat layout shows the old F config that is usually pretty accurate I.e. 1-2-1

 

[Deen]

I have flown in J up the front on the JNB route a number of times in the old F cabin seats...nice too.

I assume QF hold most of these seats for high status passengers...if the seat layout shows the old F config that is usually pretty accurate I.e. 1-2-1

such as the layout below?:

 

[markis10]

such as the layout below?:

View attachment 21320

Yes, that is F seating.

 

[Deen]

excellent...!! holding thumbs theres no equipment changes

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Just going slightly off topic Deen, I've only flown Y on this sector before & thought it was very average, so what was your thought of J on this sector ?

Good food & drink & did u manage a snooze?

Did you have any view of the Antarctic Ice sheets?

 

[Deen]

Phil, having been in Y, J and PE on this routing, i can honestly say the service in J is well worth it! managed a good 10 hour snooze on the 14 hr flight which probably didn't help the jet lag when we landed in SA. the tickets i booked my wife this time around were done through AAdvantge Awards (100 000 points return to Africa in J) for a total of around $2500 (including purchasing points on AA and SPG during promos and some transferring) - bit of a schlep but paid off in the end.

The flight i booked for myself was a Qantas JASA for 85,000 + $400 one way, which i think is good value. just pee'd off i couldn't get J availability on the way back and settling for Y with an Upgrade request put in.

I think i caught a glimpse of the northern edge of the ice sheets but can't be too sure... might have just been some ice bergs, who knows!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Phil, having been in Y, J and PE on this routing, i can honestly say the service in J is well worth it! managed a good 10 hour snooze on the 14 hr flight which probably didn't help the jet lag when we landed in SA. the tickets i booked my wife this time around were done through AAdvantge Awards (100 000 points return to Africa in J) for a total of around $2500 (including purchasing points on AA and SPG during promos and some transferring) - bit of a schlep but paid off in the end.

The flight i booked for myself was a Qantas JASA for 85,000 + $400 one way, which i think is good value. just pee'd off i couldn't get J availability on the way back and settling for Y with an Upgrade request put in.

I think i caught a glimpse of the northern edge of the ice sheets but can't be too sure... might have just been some ice bergs, who knows!

Thanks Deen for you insight!

Im hoping to do QF 63 again next year, but next time in J, to maximise SC earn & like yourself obtain a good return on a JASA .

You scored well with AA..... i have read so many stories of good burn opportunities on AA, no doubt this is another good example.

You must be in SA at the moment...... Must be a very Sombre atmosphere since the passing of Nelson Mandela.

How are people reacting if you don't mind me asking?

Where about's are you heading to whilst in SA?

On my first trip to SA this year i found Cape Town & Kruger NP are breathtaking.

SA is so addictive.... i'l be back next year no doubt to discover more!

 

[markis10]

Phil, having been in Y, J and PE on this routing, i can honestly say the service in J is well worth it! managed a good 10 hour snooze on the 14 hr flight which probably didn't help the jet lag when we landed in SA. the tickets i booked my wife this time around were done through AAdvantge Awards (100 000 points return to Africa in J) for a total of around $2500 (including purchasing points on AA and SPG during promos and some transferring) - bit of a schlep but paid off in the end.

The flight i booked for myself was a Qantas JASA for 85,000 + $400 one way, which i think is good value. just pee'd off i couldn't get J availability on the way back and settling for Y with an Upgrade request put in.

I think i caught a glimpse of the northern edge of the ice sheets but can't be too sure... might have just been some ice bergs, who knows!

If you were n today's flight you would be seeing the Ice!

Qantas (QF) #63

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

If you were n today's flight you would be seeing the Ice!

Qantas (QF) #63

Thanks for sharing that!
Looks like the pretty much the exact route the plane takes all year round, unless i'm mistaken.

Not complaing though, the view is amazing mid way through the flight.

 

[markis10]

Thanks for sharing that!
Looks like the pretty much the exact route the plane takes all year round, unless i'm mistaken.

Not complaing though, the view is amazing mid way through the flight.

If you have a look at the historic tracks you will see a significant variance day by day.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

If you have a look at the historic tracks you will see a significant variance day by day.

I see what you mean, ie November 24th.

Must have been not quite the strong head winds on that day it appears as im reading it.

 

[russ]

Seat 4A is one of the worst in that cabin - it's close to the galley and is indented from the wall so the aisle does a zig zag around your feet
Try moving forward if you can

 

[Deen]

Seat 4A is one of the worst in that cabin - it's close to the galley and is indented from the wall so the aisle does a zig zag around your feet
Try moving forward if you can

i see what you mean... unfortunately it looks to be all taken. will have a check again a few days before.

 

[Deen]

Thanks Deen for you insight!

Im hoping to do QF 63 again next year, but next time in J, to maximise SC earn & like yourself obtain a good return on a JASA .

You scored well with AA..... i have read so many stories of good burn opportunities on AA, no doubt this is another good example.

You must be in SA at the moment...... Must be a very Sombre atmosphere since the passing of Nelson Mandela.

How are people reacting if you don't mind me asking?

Where about's are you heading to whilst in SA?

On my first trip to SA this year i found Cape Town & Kruger NP are breathtaking.

SA is so addictive.... i'l be back next year no doubt to discover more!

my wife is there at the moment... I'm only flying over on christmas day. i hear its pretty sombre but a celebration of his life nonetheless. I am from South Africa originally and we go back to see family every year or two... unfortunately don't get too much time to do much sight seeing, usually just the family in JNB and Durban! if you do go again, spend some time in Durban - its much like Brisbane/ Gold Coast and not too expensive.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

my wife is there at the moment... I'm only flying over on christmas day. i hear its pretty sombre but a celebration of his life nonetheless. I am from South Africa originally and we go back to see family every year or two... unfortunately don't get too much time to do much sight seeing, usually just the family in JNB and Durban! if you do go again, spend some time in Durban - its much like Brisbane/ Gold Coast and not too expensive.

SA is very good value for money for us Aussie's, especially the price of beer lol!

Will have to check out Durban.... the coastline looks spectacular around that region.

 

[Foreigner]

my wife is there at the moment... I'm only flying over on christmas day. i hear its pretty sombre but a celebration of his life nonetheless. I am from South Africa originally and we go back to see family every year or two... unfortunately don't get too much time to do much sight seeing, usually just the family in JNB and Durban! if you do go again, spend some time in Durban - its much like Brisbane/ Gold Coast and not too expensive.

What's the best way to get to Durban from JNB?

I'm planning a OW trip using Asia Miles (CX) where, IMO, you get much more bang for bucks. I'm thinking of 18,000 or 20,000 miles to take in SA, middle east, Asia.

See last table at this link:

http://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/redeem/charts

SYD-JNB return itself is 13,725 miles. I'm not sure if it's possible to keep within 14,000 miles and incur 115,000 FF miles. Not sure if BA (aka Comair) flights in SA can be used to for another 1,225 miles to keep within 14,000 miles itinerary.

 

[Deen]

What's the best way to get to Durban from JNB?

I'm planning a OW trip using Asia Miles (CX) where, IMO, you get much more bang for bucks. I'm thinking of 18,000 or 20,000 miles to take in SA, middle east, Asia.

See last table at this link:

Asia Miles - Redeem Miles > Flight Awards

SYD-JNB return itself is 13,725 miles. I'm not sure if it's possible to keep within 14,000 miles and incur 115,000 FF miles. Not sure if BA (aka Comair) flights in SA can be used to for another 1,225 miles to keep within 14,000 miles itinerary.

best way is to fly JNB-DBN direct... only 45 min and you'd be looking at around $200 return max. not worth using your points to get that award ticket. and if you fly SAA, you'll get Qantas points as well.

I have never investigated Asia Miles as an option... AA from Australia to Africa (anywhere in Africa) was 100,000 points return in J. Can you buy Asia Miles if you are short?