SYD-SFO Return Experiences

[zinkle]

Hi,

I am looking for recommendations to fly from SYD-SFO return in Y in mid October (just after school holidays).

My two biggest requirements are
1. the fastest/most hassle free way there and back
2. seat comfort - in particular leg comfort

 

[Boris spatsky]

United direct is the quickest but least comfortable, no seatback IFE etc but cheap.

Best option probably Air NZ via AKL.

Other options QF/AA via LAX (but you have to transit LAX - ugh) or Air Canada via Vancouver.

I would go Air NZ depending on your airline affiliation and status.

 

[trooper]

Good suggestion. NZ's 744 Y is about as good as Y gets these days... worth the transit in AKL IMO...

 

[Deewhy]

Other options are DL or VA to LAX/SFO.

I can't speak of leg room comparisons. Tried DL (and would only do it again if the price was right).

UA use old planes with no seat back IFE.

 

[BAM1748]

Quickest and easy, United and regardless of what people say they are fine if all you want is travel. They don't have sales because their prices are usually the best all the time.

You could go via Hawaii, but drags out the trip.

I did it last time via LAX and transiting there took nearly the whole day because of a missed connection and bad weather.

United would seem to be the carrier for this trip.

Matt

 

[harvyk]

If you booked SYD-LAX-SFO all on the one ticket, you won't have a problem. AA run multiple flights LAX-SFO per day, and I've never had issues with the connections between QF and AA at LAX (AA to AA at LAX however is another story :shock

I'm in the avoid UA at all costs camp. Having to put up with a couple of hours at LAX more than makes up for 14 hours in a UA 747, esp if you have lounge access (QP would work fine) as it's usually more than enough time to have a shower, and generally feel more human at the end.

 

[lovestotravel]

United would the the last carrier I would ever fly on the 744's especially in Economy!

Air NZ Sydney-Auckland-San Fran is a great way to fly!

Their Economy product is great on all aircraft

 

[BAM1748]

The OP wanted the faster most hassle free, the fastest and most hassle free is United.

While AA fly LAX SFO every half hour or so I spent nearly 5 hours at LAX waiting for a seat after I missed a connecting flight from QF to AA.


Matt

 

[gwilli1]

You would never see me dead ever flying United across the Pacific . It might be the quickest , but the most uncomfortable. Go via LAX with QF/DL/VA , you will usually get a flight to SFO with around a 2 hours layover, or NZ via AKL sounds from all reports to be quiet good.

 

[serfty]

...

Their Economy product is great on all aircraft

I disagree - their new 773 economy product is 30" pitch and 10 across in economy ... :evil:

 

[lovestotravel]

I disagree - their new 773 economy product is 30" pitch and 10 across in economy ... :evil:

Ah yes forgot about that one!

 

[benmay]

Im actually looking at doing the same flight too in August.

My current thinking is going ex BNE with AirNZ, to AKL and then direct to SFO.

However, AirNZ have some specials at the moment, about $3k return BNE to SFO in Premium. BUT, it's on the 777 (Good!) but then thats to LAX and you connect with United to head up to SFO.

I've heard a shocker of a story connecting with UA at LAX, which has put me off a bit.

I think the AirNZ sale is finishing soon, I'll probably book it soon, but not that soon. The price was the same to LAX, and could switch to AA upto SFO.

I would like to go ex SYD, for no other reason but the First Lounge, AND finally getting to go on the A380.

AND then flights are on the same ticket so no worries about missed connections etc.

My 2c!

 

[zinkle]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

UA seems the most hassle free because of the direct flight. NZ comes in at second,

I'm concerned about the connection home as I am on a tight time schedule, I have been told that fog is an issue in Oct out of SFO. I'd prefer to be delayed a few hours out of SFO-SYD or SFO-AUK rather than SFO-LAX and wait 24hrs for the LAX-SYD flight home.

But from the responses there are a lot of negative comments about UA. Is it really that uncomfortable on UA?

I can do without IFE - ipad/laptop/sleep
Seat wise, is it worse than the cathay "shell seats" - i suffered through those on SYD-HKG-NRT before.

With NZ, I had a quick look, they seem to only provide 1x23kg to the US, whereas the competition have 2x23kg, this will be an issue picking up my amazon orders

 

[benmay]

I got an email this morning from Qantas, 1600 return SYD-LAX-SFO on A380. I think that seals the deal for me in terms of *my* problem! Not sure if it helps you! ;-)

 

[zinkle]

I got an email this morning from Qantas, 1600 return SYD-LAX-SFO on A380. I think that seals the deal for me in terms of *my* problem! Not sure if it helps you! ;-)

darn, entered my dates, still the same price