SYD-PER First Time

[Yada Yada]

The Malaysian word for "EXIT" is "KELUAR", litterally meaning To (ke) Outside (luar). Was that what was written near the door?

The ex-MH 747-400s are also 3-class Pacific configurations.

Perhaps any non-English marking near the exits was a requirement for previous operations to a particular country sometime in the aircraft's long history.

NM - no, it wasn't the main Exit sign. It was about four or five words on the lower part of the door, probably a safety notice regarding the slide. I've studied Indonesian language which is similar to Malaysian so I recognised a few words, but memory fails as to exactly what it said.

I guess it could have been a 3-class config jet but I thought it was 2-class. As I mentioned, I'm not much of a plane spotter so I could be wrong as to the type.

 

[codash1099]

So are the QF 747's the best way to go or not? If I can get an upgrade to J class then yes but if not how is economy?

Love these threads....I've learnt a lot about dual carriageways and design faults in A330 AC

I'd take the 743 any day.

Yes they are a bit tired (so are the 763's) but I've done quite a few cross country trips on them and they still beat anything else.

I may be luckier than some others, but I've never had an IFE failure or any other similar problem. I usually manage to score an upgrade and service and meal quality are invariably good. Never had to board by stairs - in fact it's my experience that wide bodies are given preference at the airbridges, even if it incurs a bit of a delay. And boarding in PER is usually through 2 doors.

 

[codash1099]

NM - no, it wasn't the main Exit sign. It was about four or five words on the lower part of the door, probably a safety notice regarding the slide. I've studied Indonesian language which is similar to Malaysian so I recognised a few words, but memory fails as to exactly what it said.

I guess it could have been a 3-class config jet but I thought it was 2-class. As I mentioned, I'm not much of a plane spotter so I could be wrong as to the type.

Unlikely to have been 3 class. All current 743's are 2 class and a 744 is a real rarity in PER.

 

[Batesy]

So are the QF 747's the best way to go or not? If I can get an upgrade to J class then yes but if not how is economy?

Love these threads....I've learnt a lot about dual carriageways and design faults in A330 AC

In my opinion yes they are the best option, business is good. Economy is fine and has the PTV's that no other domestic aircraft have, no matter what airline. I spent the last two years in Perth, regularly flying to Melbourne and Sydney and always chose the 747 when possible. Got upgrades 80% of the time.

 

[Petch]

Economy is fine and has the PTV's that no other domestic aircraft have, no matter what airline.

Perhaps you haven't flown other airlines... In fact it is Qantas, where you take the gamble of being on an aircraft WITHOUT some sort of personal/individual video entertainment between Perth & East Coast. (Be it either 737s, domestic 767s, or non-fuctional 747s)

Jetstar has digiplayers & Virgin Blue has Live2Air, and now it seems movies too!

Opps, I forgot Tiger, haven't flown them, yet. And SkyWest via Kalgoorlie. (Jetstar, Tiger & SkyWest are to Melbourne, then choose your own connection to Sydney.)

 

[Batesy]

Perhaps you haven't flown other airlines... In fact it is Qantas, where you take the gamble of being on an aircraft WITHOUT some sort of personal/individual video entertainment between Perth & East Coast. (Be it either 737s, domestic 767s, or non-fuctional 747s)

Jetstar has digiplayers & Virgin Blue has Live2Air, and now it seems movies too!

Opps, I forgot Tiger, haven't flown them, yet. And SkyWest via Kalgoorlie. (Jetstar, Tiger & SkyWest are to Melbourne, then choose your own connection to Sydney.)

Thanks Petch, I have to admit that I have not flown any other airlines, to or from Perth, mainly because I prefer the wide body aircraft, which none of the other carriers have. My point about the 747-300 is that I am guaranteed a TV without having to purchase it.

I also forgot to mention that QF provide free bar service (beer & wine) on all Perth transcontinental flights, big plus.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Thanks Petch, I have to admit that I have not flown any other airlines, to or from Perth, mainly because I prefer the wide body aircraft, which none of the other carriers have. My point about the 747-300 is that I am guaranteed a TV without having to purchase it.

I also forgot to mention that QF provide free bar service (beer & wine) on all Perth transcontinental flights, big plus.

So on a QF 747 I'll get free booze, PTVs, possible J class upgrade and QC at both departures? Sold...:mrgreen:

 

[tuapekastar]

So on a QF 747 I'll get free booze, PTVs, possible J class upgrade and QC at both departures? Sold...:mrgreen:

Unless things have changed, I think the upgrades come from the same fare bucket as J award flights. Effectively, you check award flight availability, and if there is any J available on the flight you want, then get out, book a paid fare (avoiding the non-upgradeable fare classes), then as soon as booking is confirmed (is very quick) request a points upgrade online. Of course, you could be stiff and have someone snaffle available J upgrade seat(s) in the short time taken to do this!!

 

[pauly7]

Just pick any of the QF flights with the 747-300. Older international style jumbo jet with personal TV's and better meal service. Good chance of upgrade to J on points. I lived in Perth for the last two years and frequently upgraded to the upstairs business class section, with dreamtime seats and usually international flight crews.

Avoid DJ its a long trip in a small single aisle plane and food to be paid for.

No brainer - go for the 747, avoid DJ and JQ on Perth-East Coast routes like the plague. No fun being stuck on 737/320 for that long.

You will have to pay for any entertainment on Virgin (& JQ) as well as the food.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Are you able to upgrade to J class on domestic from a super saver fare? I've never tried and there a few available instead of fully flexible at a good discount.

 

[tuapekastar]

Are you able to upgrade to J class on domestic from a super saver fare? I've never tried and there a few available instead of fully flexible at a good discount.

I did in 2006. NOQ are the fare classes you definitely cannot points upgrade from. Domestically I believe N and O are red-e deals, and Super Saver fares are SVLRM classes, all of which are upgradeable (I have no idea where Q fits in). But while that is my belief, I wouldn't bet my house on it.

I'm sure someone else will know for sure.

 

[Danger]

The two (of four) most expensive Y fares can be upgraded on this leg for 10k.

Perth uses dual aerobridges, although not all the time, for 743s.

 

[serfty]

I did in 2006. NOQ are the fare classes you definitely cannot points upgrade from. Domestically I believe N and O are red-e deals, and Super Saver fares are SVLRM classes, all of which are upgradeable (I have no idea where Q fits in). But while that is my belief, I wouldn't bet my house on it.

I'm sure someone else will know for sure.

Q is generally used for deep discounted international travel such as the 'cheaper' "Aussie AirPass" ex USA.

Fare code is : Q1PS1U and books into Q on all flights to/from/within Oz.

 

[codash1099]

Are you able to upgrade to J class on domestic from a super saver fare? I've never tried and there a few available instead of fully flexible at a good discount.

I usually buy super saver fares and have had no problem upgrading (although on one or two occasions this has been ODU). No upgrades are possible from Red E fares.

 

[Petch]

I have just received an unsolicited apology & $100 Qantas voucher, due to the lack of IFE on my recent 747 PER-SYD flight. [I was travelling J on points upgrade from SuperSaver, and am at Platinum FF.] Quite nice!