Two-class 744?

[UpTheFront]

I'm OW Emerald with AA. I used to enjoy scoring a Skybed seat in Premium Economy class between LAX-AKL and SFO-SYD. I haven't flown QF in a couple of years, and as far as I can tell it seems both of those options are now gone? (AKL moved to the 330; SFO nixed altogether.) I've spent a few hours surfing around this site but I can't find an up-to-date answer. Any help would be greatly appreciated:

1. Does the "old" 744 (e.g. every other day on LAX-BNE) still have no "true premium economy" seats and just use the rear of the business class cabin for its premium economy passengers?

2. On which routes is scoring a Skybed in "Premium Economy class" still a possibility?

 

[mannej]

LAX-AKL is still possible, SFO-SYD is not. However LAX-AKL uses a 332, so no y+.
There is only one 2 class bird left, which is OJD, and that does 581/582 (SYD-PER vv.) 99% of the time.

 

[travelislife]

LAX-AKL is still possible, SFO-SYD is not. However LAX-AKL uses a 332, so no y+.
There is only one 2 class bird left, which is OJD, and that does 581/582 (SYD-PER vv.) 99% of the time.

That doesn't make sense to me, it isn't possible from lax-akl. Only routes possible is Syd-jnb and Syd-dfw where you can select a J seat when you have bought a premium economy fare.

 

[mannej]

That doesn't make sense to me, it isn't possible from lax-akl. Only routes possible is Syd-jnb and Syd-dfw where you can select a J seat when you have bought a premium economy fare.

Well it does make sense. The OP mentioned the now gone SFO flights, so the context was you can do AKL-LAX but on a 332, so no Y+ full stop, but SFO is gone for good.

However, those routes you mentioned all use 3 class birds at a minimum, so I would think that rules out Y+ sitting in a J seat. The only time you could do it is J sitting in an F seat (I.e Sold as 3 class served with a 4 class bird like the DFW route)

 

[travelislife]

Well it does make sense. The OP mentioned the now gone SFO flights, so the context was you can do AKL-LAX but on a 332, so no Y+ full stop, but SFO is gone for good.

However, those routes you mentioned all use 3 class birds at a minimum, so I would think that rules out Y+ sitting in a J seat. The only time you could do it is J sitting in an F seat (I.e Sold as 3 class served with a 4 class bird like the DFW route)

Manneg, that is incorrect. Unless you have a source please don't post incorrect information. The OP had already mentioned the AKL-LAX route was run by a 332 so already knew that information. I was replying to your post. The two routes I posted are run by 4 class birds the majority of the time, thus enabling Y+ bookings (who are often Gold or Platinum) to book in to J class seats. If you know a reason why this has stopped please let us all know.

 

[mannej]

It is not a published benefit, except for the DFW routes.
It may or may not occur on the other routes, but the OP was asking about the two class birds, as to which OJD is primarily used for domestic ops these days.

 

[travelislife]

It is not a published benefit, except for the DFW routes.
It may or may not occur on the other routes, but the OP was asking about the two class birds, as to which OJD is primarily used for domestic ops these days.

Mannej, it is not a published benefit on any of the routes Qantas operates. The OP specifically asked (note question 2) where it was possible to book a premium economy seat and sit in a business class seat, I provided those options.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I'm OW Emerald with AA. I used to enjoy scoring a Skybed seat in Premium Economy class between LAX-AKL and SFO-SYD. I haven't flown QF in a couple of years, and as far as I can tell it seems both of those options are now gone? (AKL moved to the 330; SFO nixed altogether.) I've spent a few hours surfing around this site but I can't find an up-to-date answer. Any help would be greatly appreciated:

1. Does the "old" 744 (e.g. every other day on LAX-BNE) still have no "true premium economy" seats and just use the rear of the business class cabin for its premium economy passengers?

2. On which routes is scoring a Skybed in "Premium Economy class" still a possibility?

Can't hurt asking twice 'eh???

QF Flyertalk question below.

I used to enjoy scoring a Skybed seat in Premium Economy class between LAX-AKL and SFO-SYD. I haven't flown QF in a couple of years, and as far as I can tell it seems both of those options are now gone? (AKL moved to the 330; SFO nixed altogether.) I'm OW Emerald.

I've spent a few hours surfing around this site but I can't find an up-to-date answer:

1. Does the "old" 744 (e.g. every other day on LAX-BNE) still have no PE seats and just use rear J seats as its "PE cabin"?

2. If not, then... on which routes is scoring a Skybed in PE still a possibility?

 

[serfty]

The answer to "1" is "basically none"!

QF15/QF16 are now basically the reconfigured 3 class J/W/Y with Skybed II.

i.e. book PE and preallocate PE seats!

For "2", the answer is DFW - but even then only for next few months ... and not every day.

 

[travelislife]

Can't hurt asking twice 'eh???

QF Flyertalk question below.

There is nothing wrong with asking questions in two different forums. I never understand why people get upset about this. Different people frequent both forums so you may or may not get the answer you are looking for on either forum, absolutely no problem asking on both from my point of view.

 

[UpTheFront]

Thanks travelislife and serfty! But now that I've checked the ExpertFlyer seat maps, I'm confused.

I was under the impression that if the first class cabin is being sold as business class, then part of the business class cabin should be sold as premium economy. Some posts also suggest looking for more than two seats in row 34. But on some days, first class is being sold as J, yet premium economy is in a 2-4-2 configuration (e.g. QF15 on Sunday Feb 26th 2012.)

Sadly, I can't seem to find any PE Skybeds for outbound trips -- i.e. US to Oz -- in the week of Feb 19th, nor returning in the week of Feb 26th. Just to confirm: 2-4-2 always means PE seats, right? Skybeds are only ever 2-3-2 (on the main deck)?

[And yes, I'm posting on two forums because I'm predominantly a Flyertalker but I assumed (correctly) that there'd be at least as much Qantas wisdom, if not more, on an Australian site.]

 

[dfcatch]

I think you'll find that all of the BNE-LAX flights are now reconfigured aircraft and that the SYD-DFW flights are the only ones where you're likely to still find PE skybeds

 

[markis10]

I think you'll find that all of the BNE-LAX flights are now reconfigured aircraft and that the SYD-DFW flights are the only ones where you're likely to still find PE skybeds

They only have two modded 744s which means there will be times were a bird with F will operate unless one of the old two class birds subs for one of the A380 like 744s. OJP and OJT both have operated QF15 this month with F.

 

[dfcatch]

They only have two modded 744s which means there will be times were a bird with F will operate unless one of the old two class birds subs for one of the A380 like 744s. OJP and OJT both have operated QF15 this month with F.

Ahh there you go ......

I don't expect that will last much longer though..??

 

[serfty]

...

[And yes, I'm posting on two forums because I'm predominantly a Flyertalker but I assumed (correctly) that there'd be at least as much Qantas wisdom, if not more, on an Australian site.]

Same answer as I gave on FT and referred to upthread.

See my post #9, DFW is your best option now and not for much longer.

With a few one-off exceptions, QF15/QF16 are basically being operated the new configuration now the second refurbished 744 is in service.

See this seat map: Boeing 747-400ER - 58 Business; 36 Premium Economy; 270 Economy*

Some QF7/QF8 DFW flights are scheduled to commence operation with this configuration sometime in February when the third one comes out of the hangar after it's refurbishment.

 

[markis10]

Same answer as I gave on FT and referred to upthread.

See my post #9, DFW is your best option now and not for much longer.

With a few one-off exceptions, QF15/QF16 are basically being operated the new configuration now the second refurbished 744 is in service.

See this seat map: Boeing 747-400ER - 58 Business; 36 Premium Economy; 270 Economy*

Some QF7/QF8 DFW flights are scheduled to commence operation with this configuration sometime in February when the third one comes out of the hangar after it's refurbishment.

I think there will be a sprinkling of options for a while, it's taking 8 weeks for the refurb, and a route needs three aircraft to operate it all the time if it's heading to the LOTFAP to allow for maint etc.