SYD-LAX business class on United UA 840 or Qantas QF 11?

[rjllane]

Hi there.

I have options for SYD-LAX business class to use United UA840 or Qantas QF11. How do these compare in terms of seats/beds and service?

Many thanks in advance for any wisdom and advice

 

[Robert K]

QF11. QF has a solid int J product.

I haven't flown or heard anything good about the united flight.

 

[vitagen]

Qf without a doubt! a380 vs ancient 747

 

[markis10]

Qf without a doubt! a380 vs ancient 747

Depends when the OP will be flying

United Airlines to Replace Boeing 747s with 777s on Australia Route

 

[eastwest101]

From April 1st 2014 UA will change from its B747 J class to B777 J class so that may change the seating a bit. Most previous discussions have generally noted that the QF A380 J class is better than UA B747 J class with usual comments being that QF has the edge in food, wines and IFE.

But assuming you are flying before then then the comparison is essentially between this:



QF A380 vs UA B747

From what I have seen - and remember that seasonal prices can vary - I wouldn't usually pay more than around $8-9K for QF and no more than $6-$7K for the current UA offering.

Have you considered Delta Airlines between SYD-LAX? They can sometimes be less than QF and UA.

There have been other threads about the relative merits of different A380 QF J seats vs the upstairs vs downstairs choice on UA B747s, have a go at the thread search here on AFF.

 

[rjllane]

Thanks everyone for generously sharing your knowledge.

I shall be travelling late November 2013 - well before the UA change in seating. From the pictures (fantastic - many, many thanks), the level of privacy between seats favours QF. And I am worried by the gymnastics that would be required in the UA configuration for the window passenger to step over the foot of the aisle seat when it was in the bed configuration. Not to mention the absence of storage space for the window passenger in the UA configuration - which would necessitate clambering over the aisle passenger to access the overhead bins.

The prices that I have been quoted are exactly in the range indicated (ex-taxes) - i.e., low $8K for QF and mid $6K for UA.

I have a 3rd quote from Virgin (that wasn't price-competitive), but don't have one for Delta.

 

[markis10]

Have you looked at FJ via Nadi, should be around $2100 ex NAN to LAX return in J in the A330



SYD-NAN in J is around $1500 tops.

 

[eastwest101]

If you are on a window seat on QF or on UA you cannot avoid "the clamber" or "gymnastics" if the person next to you is in the bed position. Those were just stock photos that I found.

If you haven't already found it - this web site gives the typical layouts of the aircraft with some useful info:
Long-haul Business Class Comparison Chart - SeatGuru

 

[BAM1748]

If paying out of your own pocket the UA seat is fine, I wouldn't pay and extra $2K for a window storage pocket. (but I go for a centre aisle if I can get it anyway)

UA is fine, have used them a lot and not issues.

The better business class for some is QF, but there is a price premium. So the better airline for some is the one cheaper with no window storage pocket or Great Wall of china which requires the push of a button.

Matt

 

[rjllane]

Again, my thanks to everyone in the community for your help and your generosity. I have a much better idea of the options and the various arguments. Now I shall mull over it all, and make a decision!

Richard