Upgrade potential for SYD-LHR flights

[FerrariFlyer]

Like many before me, long time visitor to the site and first time posting. Compliments to all for a positive site with loads of useful information and many new TLA's and FLA's to learn (three and four letter acronyms!!!)

I have my annual work trip to Aberdeen via London falling due in September or October this year and as a WP I am after people's experiences in being successful or otherwise in upgrading either a Y or Y+ ticket on this route? I understand the A380 is the main type used on this route...is the B747 still being used by Qantas? Do more people get an upgrade on the 380 vs the 747 due to its popularity?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[mannej]

You will not find a QF 747 flying to LHR.

Currently you only have two QF flights going to LHR each day (QF1 and QF9) and they are both operated by the A380.

 

[TonyHancock]

....your upgrade opportunities will depend upon time of year, day of the week and loadings. Being a WP certainly helps, but, from posts here, not all WP's are equal.

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

QF flights to LHR appear to be, understandably, far fuller now that they are down to only two a day. I requested a points upgrade from Y to Y+ or J in July with no luck (even as a P1).

I have another LHR flight booked in J in 2 weeks time and there is not a spare seat in J per the seat map. Hard to see how QF are losing money on that route but it may just be the Olympics/Paralympics/UK summer holidays effect.

 

[nuxie1]

From my experience, most flights to LHR has J sold out or close to before T-48hrs when upgrades for WPs happen.

Also, as they are MEL/SYD-SIN-LHR, if you are booked on the direct flight, you stand a lower chance than if you book with a connection, ie QF9 to Singapore, change to QF1. Otherwise you need availability all the way through. Again from what I've seen, SIN-LHR seems to sell out quicker than the MEL/SYD-SIN part. A flight for me in a month is already J0 on SIN-LHR, and so the MEL-LHR is J0, but MEL-SIN is J6. So there is a chance of upgrade MEL-SIN, but only if you book QF9/QF1 combo.

Then theres the whole issue of some A380's having more Y seats and less J seats, which will only make upgrading worse from Y/Y+ to J. Hopefully better J to F chances though


So in summary, in my opinion there is a very low probability. And remember you need to be booked in a fare class that allows upgrades to begin with.

 

[serfty]

Like many before me, long time visitor to the site and first time posting. Compliments to all for a positive site with loads of useful information and many new TLA's and FLA's to learn (three and four letter acronyms!!!)

I have my annual work trip to Aberdeen via London falling due in September or October this year and as a WP I am after people's experiences in being successful or otherwise in upgrading either a Y or Y+ ticket on this route? I understand the A380 is the main type used on this route...is the B747 still being used by Qantas? Do more people get an upgrade on the 380 vs the 747 due to its popularity?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Welcome to AFF.

You may like to read of the first post of the thread I have linked and perhaps post a query regarding specific dates there:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ility-loadings-upgrade-probability-25311.html

 

[MelUser]

QF flights to LHR appear to be, understandably, far fuller now that they are down to only two a day. I requested a points upgrade from Y to Y+ or J in July with no luck (even as a P1).

This is disgraceful. If AA did this to its top tiers people would move to the competition.

It is also naughty of qantas to reduce the number of business seats available for upgrades in the a380 by shrinking the business cabin in the way they have.

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

This is disgraceful. If AA did this to its top tiers people would move to the competition.

It is also naughty of qantas to reduce the number of business seats available for upgrades in the a380 by shrinking the business cabin in the way they have.

Qantas have been losing money on their international services and so changes had to be made. I'd rather have a reconfigured airline that survived, than one that stayed the same and died - particularly as my LTG status and points bank depends on it!

 

[JohnPhelan]

This is disgraceful. If AA did this to its top tiers people would move to the competition.

If all of the J seats are sold, how exactly is QF supposed to do a points upgrade for anyone?

And as for AA - its willingness to give virtually everyone an upgrade is one of the reasons it now finds itself bankrupt .....

 

[TonyHancock]

This is disgraceful. If AA did this to its top tiers people would move to the competition.

It is also naughty of qantas to reduce the number of business seats available for upgrades in the a380 by shrinking the business cabin in the way they have.

......but surely if the aircraft is full? I can't see why it is disgraceful, if you want a better seat you pay for it. If you want to use points to upgrade you take your chances. If the plane is full there will be no upgrade. :!: