Is business class a "must" to fly to Sidney?
 

Hi,

Excellent trip reports and advice. My question is for those who have just returned on Quantas flights. I understand the seat arrangement is 3-3-3 and even though I do have an aisle seat, I am wondering that if, given the length of the flight from LAX, I should consider spending my points in a business class seat.

Any suggestions, recommendations?

Thanks

Susana

If I could get a business class seat on points this is the one I would do it for. By the way the spelling is SYDNEY & QANTAS!!

Business is definitely better than economy anytime. A long haul is the time to use your points if you are lucky enough to have them. However the best value on Qantas is Premium Economy so you might want to think about that.

LAX to Sydney is about 13 hours non-stop. I don't find that flight is particularly uncomfortable in economy, it's much shorter than flying to Europe from Sydney. But if you have the points and can upgrade to business why not?

Thanks everybody; sorry for the typos Jules39.

Susana

Here's the Qantas A380 configuration. Perhaps try for an upgrade to Premium Economy if you don't want to spring for Business. Aisle in Economy is ok - I've done it a few times before the A380 introduction & was fine. Don't know how the A380 compares for legroom etc. Isn't a huge issue for me though, I'm only 5'5". I burnt a few points last year, went out Business & came home First and both were very good indeed.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/a380/global/en

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Qan...irbus_A380.php

Business is not a "must", however if you have the miles, there is no better way to spend them, IMO.

We went to Australia 5 years ago in business and it was wonderful. We're going again this April-May in business but returning in First. Can't wait.

_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Hey no problem about the typos. Hope I didn't sound like I was "telling you off" just wanted to let you know. I have done this flight quite a few times but always in economy. I would love to do it in business so if you can go for it! Have a wonderful trip.

I've done LAX-SYD six times, and on several airlines. Half of my trips have been in economy and half in business. Business is most definitely better!

Susana -

Businees class trumps coach every time. I've logged some serious airmiles over the years and I will move mountains to fly in Business Class on those killer overnight long haul flights. I don't know how Qantas works as I've not flown them in years, but my preferred method is to purchase an economy ticket and upgrade to Business Class using miles (in my case it's Star Alliance partners). It's the best of both worlds - I get Business Class AND I earn miles.

I'm also a huge fan of Premium Economy. I'm still mourning the demise of Singapore Air's Premium Economy flights from Singapore to LAX. They were fantastic. It was a true Premium Economy product, not just a few extra inches of space. Once again, I have no idea what Qantas offers in this regard.

Good luck.

Mel, I'm with you on that "moving mountains" idea. In fact, I just called my UA 1K call number and changed my Monday ticket to fly to SYD via SFO instead of LAX. I watched biz seats go from "15 available" (LAX/SYD) to ONE seat, just in the last week. So disappointing... still waitlisted. NO chance of upgrade, I'm sure. Anyway, I paid the change fee so that I have a much better upgrade chance, as there are still quite a few biz seats from SFO to SYD. Here's hoping!!!

So we can summarise the answer to the OP's question as "not a 'must', but highly desirable if you can swing it".

simpson - As you no doubt know, SFO is much more pleasant than LAX, so if you get your upgrade, it's a win-win.

I'm still waiting for our upgrades to clear on an upcoming SIN-NRT and SFO-NRT flight. We've cleared one way already, and our chances looked good last time I checked. Fingers crossed.

Mel, crossing my fingers for your upgrades, if you'll do the same for mine! :)

Mel, my SFO-SYD upgrade cleared! I'll keep my fingers crossed for yours now. (I still don't care much for SFO as a stopover, but I may change my mind after seeing the wine store in or near the international (UA) flights area. I need a nice bottle of NAPA Valley wine. DS says there is a super nice store there. We'll see. And since I'm going non-stop to SYD I can buy a nice bottle and it won't get confiscated.

Lucky you simpsonc! I have to admit that one of the reasons I'm so fond of SFO is the Boudin Bakery and their delicious sourdough bread. If they'd only bring back all the See's Candies stores, so I could stock up as I passed through SFO, I'd be happy as a clam. (As you can probably tell, I think through my stomach).

Good luck with the wine.

I've done SYD-LAX about 18 times or so. I agree that Premium Economy is better than Economy, but unless you really have loads of points and don't want to spend them, business isn't really necessary. The long haul flights on Qantas are much, much better than even the cross country in the US. You'll have more room. If you have an aisle seat, no sweat. To me, it's a short vacation with the crew waiting on me hand and foot! I've usually done just economy, as premium economy is a recent development from the last few years. I think the seating is actually 3-4-3. So if you have an aisle seat, you may not have anyone next to you.
And yes, SFO trumps LAX by a gazillion!

We only did this flight twice, always on Business. it is really worth it for us to be able to get our feet up, rest or sleep a little, and have enough room to stretch without putting someone else out, or being disturbed yourself, as other want to get out of their seat..It is money well spent, and adds greatly to the enjoyment of the trip...13 hours in a tin can is bad enough..I get terrible clostrophobia, at best.

Probably depends on your age and jet-lag-ability. I am on the old side and have horrible jet lag so the chance to sleep 8 hours and be able to jump into the vacation with only minimal fuzzy-headedness is soooooo worth it to me that we used FF miles to go in first class. Twice. Flat, comfy bed, great pillow, and all the wonderful wine and food you can eat. I was ready to sight-see the minute we cleared customs. And if you do it, be sure to go EARLY to the Sydney airport on your way home because the lounge is a spa resort in itself with escorts through security, free massages (you book ahead of time) and great food. Data from 2007 so could have changed FYI.
Sally in Seattle

Sally,
The link below says it all!

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/...syd/index.html

I am soooo ready for the trip back in F. I have been researching everything I can expect through FlyerTalk.

_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie