Wish me luck on QF to LAX

[ozimax]

Nothing spectacular here, just preparing for my very first A380 flight this Thursday (QF11) to US of A. This is my 15th trip to the States and this time, the missus accompanies me.

Of course, an upgrade would be nice, but after leaving TN 20 years ago this month, I have yet to receive a J or F class upgrade, anywhere, anytime! Still, we can only live in hope...

If you're in Qantas Club on Thursday around lunchtime, say hi to the bald fella with the pretty wife!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Enjoy it's v.quiet , with some decent headphones (byo), a movie and a beverage or two to pass the time.
I'm v.jealous as my upcoming LAX-MEL has been subbed to a 747 and after flying the 388 I would rather not go back there

 

[nate89]

Hah, I'll be flying on the same plane most likely, but the other way today

 

[ozimax]

Enjoy it's v.quiet , with some decent headphones (byo)

I never leave home without my Mastercard or my Shure Noise cancelling earphones. When surrounded by screaming babies, they are a lifesaver.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Nothing spectacular here, just preparing for my very first A380 flight this Thursday (QF11) to US of A. This is my 15th trip to the States and this time, the missus accompanies me.

Of course, an upgrade would be nice, but after leaving TN 20 years ago this month, I have yet to receive a J or F class upgrade, anywhere, anytime! Still, we can only live in hope...

If you're in Qantas Club on Thursday around lunchtime, say hi to the bald fella with the pretty wife!

No chance on UG, flight is wide open.

What seating do you have selected?

 

[ozimax]

What seating do you have selected?

60D & E. They seem ok according to seatguru?

 

[Sprucegoose]

60D & E. They seem ok according to seatguru?

Standard Y seat, 11 down. You currently have a spare seat next to you, so good!!

Enjoy!

 

[Major]

Is there a website for checking seat allocation or is this "in house" only ?

 

[drewbles]

Is there a website for checking seat allocation or is this "in house" only ?

You can purchase a subscription to Expert Flyer, but to see the best seat maps you'll need to be WP. EF allows you to insert your FF number into the system when displaying seat maps. The higher your elite status, the more accurate the maps become (If you're NB/PS You'll see a lot of 'blocked' seats; allocated seats will still show as allocated though).

 

[trooper]

Have a great trip!

I'm off on (I think) my 28th US trip in 2 weeks.. A "First flight" for me as well!

......on NZ's new 777-300ER... (Yes, there are *A folks here too!!!)

(So it won't be quiet like the 380....:mrgreen: Ah well...)

Booked in Y+... Gold Status certificate upgrade applied for to C.. Wish me luck!

...and hang in there for an upgrade one day.. I got an op-up last year for the first time.. and it wasn't even on the Star Alliance!! :shock: CX bumped me.. wait for it.. from C to F! (OK.. it was only a 3 hour flight but hey, a win is a win!)

 

[serfty]

Have a great trip!

I'm off on (I think) my 28th US trip in 2 weeks.. A "First flight" for me as well!

......on NZ's new 777-300ER... (Yes, there are *A folks here too!!!)

(So it won't be quiet like the 380....:mrgreen: Ah well...) ...

No it's not as quiet as a 388.

Last week I flew it to LAX on the 26th and returned to AKL on the 28th.

And yes, I am a BIS *A *G via NZ *E...

Then promptly earned 630 QFF SC's travelling to Aruba and back.

I used a bit of luck - I went to OLCI and my BOS-MIA flight was cancelled due to a huge snow storm. I was able to quickly rebook to a lter one - twenty minutes later all remaining BOS-MIA flight that day were sold out.

 

[trooper]

Ouch! I think you used up a LOT of luck with that one!

I'm a "one program guy".. (rec travel only) so while I'm over there I'm racking up some SC's/A$ getting from SLC to PVD...:mrgreen: 200 in fact.. verra nice for the price!

Also doing the train from Chicago to Sacramento... 50 hours... Hmmm....:shock:

 

[ozimax]

Also doing the train from Chicago to Sacramento... 50 hours... Hmmm....:shock:

Troop, I think you're a sadis_...

 

[trooper]

masochis_ perhaps? :mrgreen:

Well... it is not in "Coach".. I do have a sleeper booked as part of the fare...

I have previously done LA-ABQ, BUF-NYP and ELP-DFW on AMTRAK... so I pretty much know what it's like...

It doesn't come close to, say, the Ghan in First.. (I did that ADL-Alice before it went all the way north) but then again it is a fraction of the cost too!

 

[parsonstrish]

masochis_ perhaps? :mrgreen:

Well... it is not in "Coach".. I do have a sleeper booked as part of the fare...

I have previously done LA-ABQ, BUF-NYP and ELP-DFW on AMTRAK... so I pretty much know what it's like...

It doesn't come close to, say, the Ghan in First.. (I did that ADL-Alice before it went all the way north) but then again it is a fraction of the cost too!

I really enjoy the Amtrak, usually my hol's are pretty full on, so sitting for awhile is a plus. I too have done short hops, book in business if offered and sleepers long haul. I use the red caps when available, worth the tip and getting to board before others is also a plus. Sitting in a dining car, watching the world go by and sipping on some wine is pretty good. I was thinking of nyp-okc but that is 3 changes, not sure if I really want to do this. Enjoy your trip.

 

[trooper]

I'm sure I will! :mrgreen:

One thing I really like on the trains is the seating policy for meals.... Met some very nice folks that way... andI suppose if you don't like them.. hell.. you only have to put up with them while you eat!

 

[ozimax]

Just landed in LAX. Good flight from SYD. Meals as to be expected, just below level of hospital food.

The aircraft was very quiet, the ent system is wonderful, but the plane is not as comfortable as a 747, at least IMHO. The seats are hard.

I must also say, my impression is that the finish of the interior of the Airbus is very poor. The armrest next to wife was busted. The cabinet in one of the restrooms was held together with a long piece of masking tape. The toilet doors are very hard to close properly. The "vacant" light on the door cannot be seen even in pitch darkness, so to use the loo you had to try the door and hope that someone inside didn't forget to lock it.

I did get to speak to the captain in the immigration area, and complimented him on a superb landing. In typical Australian fashion, he said he was lucky!

 

[blackcat20]

the plane is not as comfortable as a 747, at least IMHO. The seats are hard.

I'm glad its not just me that thought that. Nothing like a 'numb bum' half way through a long haul flight....

 

[serfty]

I'm glad its not just me that thought that. Nothing like a 'numb bum' half way through a long haul flight....

YMMV, I have no problem with the seat hardness (nor the 744 seat for that matter).

The only Qantas seat I have an issue with are the new short@rseRecaro seats that dig into my shoulders.:evil:

 

[MrJetset]

Then promptly earned 630 QFF SC's travelling to Aruba and back.

Is this in J or F? Looking at AA.com for March it appears to be 'Business Standard' for $1475 and not an instant upgrade to F.