Virgin/Delta flights to LAX from Sydney

[CaptainCurtis]

Hi all,

Long time reader, but first time posting here in a while. I'm looking at flights departing SYD late June to LAX, and returning late July. The flight there is the same price on Virgin and Delta metal, but on the return flight there is a $300 discrepancy. Just wondering if there is a reason behind this and any advantages/disadvantages between the two? I'm assuming the return flight via Brisbane would be the best with regards to status earnings?

I'll ultimately be flying on from LAX to New York, so any suggestions on that would be great too!

Hope I have posted this in the correct forum

 

[Sdtravel]

Could be anything, fare buckets that are filled up. Delta may have only allocated Virgin a number of seats and those are filled up so are cheaper.
Could also be your flight out. If you are flying out of Delta metal it could be that the VA metal return is more.


Are you planning to stopover in LAX or are you just passing through to New York?
If you have nothing requiring you to stop in LAX or fly with Start Alliance I would throw in the suggestion of QF11/QF12 which fly through to JFK. You still have to go through LAX and customs there but its the one flight all the way through. Less worrying about connections.
But if you are stopping over or have a reason for Start Alliance thats fine.

 

[Himeno]

Could be anything, fare buckets that are filled up. Delta may have only allocated Virgin a number of seats and those are filled up so are cheaper.
Could also be your flight out. If you are flying out of Delta metal it could be that the VA metal return is more.


Are you planning to stopover in LAX or are you just passing through to New York?
If you have nothing requiring you to stop in LAX or fly with Start Alliance I would throw in the suggestion of QF11/QF12 which fly through to JFK. You still have to go through LAX and customs there but its the one flight all the way through. Less worrying about connections.
But if you are stopping over or have a reason for Start Alliance thats fine.

Delta is in Sky Team, not Star.

Could also go via BNE (BNE-LAX aircraft used for LAX-JFK), or the new AA flight.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Could be anything, fare buckets that are filled up. Delta may have only allocated Virgin a number of seats and those are filled up so are cheaper.
Could also be your flight out. If you are flying out of Delta metal it could be that the VA metal return is more.


Are you planning to stopover in LAX or are you just passing through to New York?
If you have nothing requiring you to stop in LAX or fly with Start Alliance I would throw in the suggestion of QF11/QF12 which fly through to JFK. You still have to go through LAX and customs there but its the one flight all the way through. Less worrying about connections.
But if you are stopping over or have a reason for Start Alliance thats fine.

Nup not planning on stopping over in LA, just passing through to New York (for a week) and Boston ultimately. No real preference on airline/reward network, just want to strike a balance between cost and status earnings. Qantas seems very overpriced ($2300ish) compared to Virgin/Delta ($1800ish).

 

[Milefest]

I prefer VA for that sector. Flew that route a couple of days too. When I last flew DL internationally I received my points but not with my status bonus. DL is way less efficient for boarding too, everyone just crowds around the gate and pushes in as they're not very clear about the boarding process especially for pax with status (that was my last experience). I also find VA FA's nicer to deal with and more enthusiastic.

 

[Himeno]

Nup not planning on stopping over in LA, just passing through to New York (for a week) and Boston ultimately. No real preference on airline/reward network, just want to strike a balance between cost and status earnings. Qantas seems very overpriced ($2300ish) compared to Virgin/Delta ($1800ish).

If you're not going to stop in LA, and are just going to NYC/BOS, then there are many options instead of just the QF/AA/VA/DL/UA SYD-LAX flights. Out of SYD, you can go through DFW, LAX or SFO, or you can make the connection to NYC elsewhere like NRT, PEK, PVG, CAN, HKG, ICN, HNL, YVR, etc.

 

[Quickstatus]

Generally unusual prices can either be a mistake or a really good deal. In this case it does not appear to be a mistake as the other fare below it is about the same, and not necessarily too good to be true. Worst that can happen is the airline will try to renege on the deal.

Irrespective of whether you VA or DL to LAX, the aircraft will land in TBIT. You will have to transfer to DL T5 for their connection to NYC.
DL is a good airline overall.

I think most prefer VA over DL for the intercontinental sectors though from a service prespective.
Though the DL Comfort+ is a nice point of difference as it does not have PE. Comfort+ seats are paid for after booking the usual Y seats. Im not sure if you can do this with a VA issued ticket. Its worth trying though.

I would also prefer to arrive into LAX as early as possible to connect to any US DOM flight. For this reason I would prefer VA over DL.

If your tix has VA flight number you will need to check in at VA if its operated by VA and check in at DL if operated by DL.

Going to the anywhere in the world: VA flight numbers even if operated by DL = Va baggage rules

However Going to Europe via SIN or AUH the operating airline's baggage rules apply (this is because VA does not fly to Europe itself)

We have never had any issues getting VA to tag the bags onto a DL domestic leg even on a different PNR as long as it meets MCT.


The price point is possibly attractive enough to ameliorate any perceived advantage that VA might have over DL. Thats a personal value judgement.


Good luck

 

[get me outta here]

AND, now as reported in Business Traveller Asia Pacific, jarmies are given out:

Delta offers pyjamas on select long-haul flights

Published: 16/12/2015

Delta Air Lines has introduced sleepwear for long haul customers flying in the Delta One cabin on flights between Los Angeles and Sydney, as well as Los Angeles and Shanghai.
The “sleep and lounge suits”, are the latest improvements the Skyteam member has made to its premium cabin, which also offer flat-bed seats with direct aisle access, Westin Heavenly bedding, noise-reducing headsets and Tumi amenity kits.
American Airlines used to be the only one of the “big three” US carrier to offer pyjamas in business class, but Delta’s new offering now places both airlines ahead of United in this respect – particularly on flights from Los Angeles to Sydney and Shanghai, which are both routes served by all three carriers.

Delta One pyjamas

Virgin Australia, which enjoys a close joint venture partnership with Delta also offers complimentary sleepwear in business class on long-haul flights. With both airlines now offering pyjamas, premium customers can expect a more consistent service offering when connecting from one carrier to the other.
Delta intends to extend its pyjamas offering on other long-haul routes. With effect from March 2016, the airline will begin introducing the light grey cotton loungewear on all of its flights between the US and China (Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai).

“We know how important sleep is to our customers, especially on ultra-longhaul flights where they’re traveling thousands of miles halfway around the globe,” said Allison Ausband, Delta’s senior vice president – inflight services. “With a full flat-bed seat, a Westin Heavenly duvet and now new Delta One loungewear, settling in on a long flight has never felt more like home.”
For more information, visit delta.com

 

[Foreigner]

Does AA also offer PJs on their flights to SYD?

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes:

American Airlines to offer pyjamas in business class - Australian Business Traveller

Does AA also offer PJs on their flights to SYD?

 

[MH_fan]

Those DL pyjamas look nice and comfy! I'm not a huge fan of the VA pyjamas.