So I'm flying to Sydney (Round Trip) from New York and normally I fly Qantas - but recently Delta cam up in my search. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Delta to Australia - I would probably be flying Economy - but would consider business.

Thanks so much!

I haven't done this particular route, but fly Delta a lot. In coach, it will be pretty similar to Qantas. I think you get an extra inch of legroom on Delta, but don't would think that there is as much variability within the cabins as between them. Also, at least the first 10 rows of so in economy should have power on the Delta - some planes have power throughout coach. On Qantas, only the A380 has power in economy.

In business class, Delta has flat beds. Qantas has flat beds on the A380, but not on the 747, which are flat at an angle. The Delta seats are more private - good if alone, bad if traveling with a friend. Both should have good food and service up front. Qantas will probably have better lounges.

Let's call it a toss-up and leave it at that. If you collect miles with either OneWorld or SkyTeam, then I would choose based upon mileage. If not, then I would order them as follows:

1) Qantas A380 (is this still on the US routes?)
2) Delta 777 (you will take a 757 to LA).
3) Qantas 747

The above goes for both coach and business. The A380 coach seat is supposed to be quite good. Also, note that Qantas is rolling out premium economy on the 747 (the A380 already has it) and that might be a nice compromise.

I would choose business class on Qantas. According to your travel dates you may try their A380 via LAX !!

Delta only started flying to Sydney three weeks ago so it's a bit early to pass judgment on their service.

Qantas offers a through-plane from JFK to Sydney. It stops in LA en route. I believe with Delta you'd have to change planes in LA also.

In you can spring for business class I'd say definitely Qantas. Even if you're on a 747 with Skybeds, the service is nothing short of fab. On Delta I'd be more concerned that it'd be a crapshoot.

<i>Even if you're on a 747 with Skybeds, the service is nothing short of fab. On Delta I'd be more concerned that it'd be a crapshoot.</i>

Why would you be concerned? It isn't like Delta is new to long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights. Nothing really magical about LAX-SYD vs ATL-NRT, for instance.

My experiences in Biz on Delta have been almost universally positive, when it comes to service. Great FAs. Some genuinely good food. Very good drink selection. Decent in-flight entertainment. Excellent pillows and blankets. Solid amenity kit. From a service and soft-product standpoint, Delta competes very well, in my opinion. What has been (often sorely) lacking has been the seat, but the seat on the Sydney flights is the new fully-flat suite concept, very similar to what is used by Air Canada and Cathay Pacific. It has its detractors, but no more than the Skybeds do.

You would need to stop in LAX with Delta. If you are going sometime after September, though, most of the flights on JFK-LAX will be on the internationally configured 757s. So, if you are in business class, you will have an international-style seat (recliner-style, though). In coach, you will have AVOD.

My experiences on Delta in business have been consistently positive too. It's the only carrier I've flown in J that I actually look forward to the meal service. I would choose a flat bed to an angled flat.

I've only flown Qantas long haul in business once but I was underwhelmed with the service on board. I found myself comparing it to Air France (never a good thing ). The domestic service I received was much better in comparison so perhaps that's more typical of what it's normally like. The TBIT Oneworld lounge is better than the Delta Skyclub at LAX and you do get PJ's with Qantas.

Here are a couple of trip reports from FT -

LAX-SYD in DL coach, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-airlines.html

... and the SYD-LAX inaugural in business - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ip-report.html

... and JFK-LHR in business with the newest seats. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...te-review.html

Interesting reading.

I would bear in mind that the JFK-LHR review is for the 767. The business class seats on this plane are a completely different design from those used on the 777 service to Sydney. Still worth reading about for the service aspects, but the seating review isn't really applicable.

Patty - I agree that the service on Air France can be "lacking". Not such a big deal in coach, where one doesn't expect much, but in business class, their service compares very poorly with other carriers, IMO.

So it appears that Delta will be charging for alcohol on flights to Sydney soon. Maybe one drink free? I know Qantas is good about turning the fasten seatbelt sign off. Will Delta just keep in on for the entire 15 hour flight. Time will tell.

Delta offers unlimited, free wine and beer on all long-haul flights. Hard alcohol remains pay-for - though I will offer that they offer pretty good stuff, including Woodford Reserve.

Flying from New York to LAX in economy on a U.S. airline will be the worst part of the flight, IMO. However, if you could fly it on Qantas, that would be a better alternative.

Also, doesn't Delta edit all of their movies? I don't think you will catch Delta playing "Snakes on a Plane." Qantas has a much bigger selection of movies.

I've never noticed any significant editing on DL's movies. And the New York to LAX flight shouldn't be that bad. The planes on that route will be internationally-configured planes by September. This means business class seating up front, full AVOD in the back, and AC power in business class and the first ten rows of coach. It shouldn't be terribly different than what you will get on Qantas.

haven't flown Delta to/from Oz but would recommend Qantas premium economy from new York to Oz-very roomy- although not the lay out beds as in busuness, excellent service (same as business)

Quantas is fantastic. Delta - ho hum. Quantas would be my choice having done this trip.