I've flown with Qantas, and they furnish a goodie bag that includes an eye mask and ear plugs. Next month I'll be flying with United--do they do this? I try to pack minimally, so don't want to bring my own if I don't need to. I'll be in coach class (E- not E+) flying from SFO.

I am flying with Qantas next month, Never done United to Australia however having done them almost all over the rest of the world its a cattle car with less than stellar food, etc.
Space between seats on the 747-400 is nill, if the person in front of you has their seat full back its in your face, E+ is worth the little extra space you get. coach is 3-5-3 the only seats with 2 up are the last three rows which are not that great as everyone stands there for the back bathroom. I have many times had to ask the person in front of me to please put up seat so I could get out of mine. The middle is airline seat hell. So if they offer you the upgrade take it its worth every penny. Also check your seats on Seat Guru, to see where you are in relation to the overhead screen, some areas you can't see or hear anything due to the noise and distance of screen from seats. If you call an ask nicely and know a seat you want they will change it for you.

I'd imagine the food on United will be better than Qantas because the Qantas food is really not enticing -- and I've flown Qantas in business class. United's rep used to be pretty good for airline food.

If you're in the 747, joanne seems dead-on accurate -- the flight will suck. Narrow seats, no space and overhead screens only. If you're in a 777, it will suck less because at least you'll get personal screens. United will probably furnish a little something -- American did when we went to Europe and AA is notorious for poor amenities.

Well, I found United's food significantly worse than Qantas', and their in-flight "service", delivered when the aged and grumpy cabin crew could be bothered to appear, execrable. Never again.

Ah Neil, I gave up on United several years ago. I endorse your description of their flight attendants. And using them here up and down the westcoast of the US about 75% of the time the flight I was booked on would be cancelled and I would have to wait around for a flight hours later. Maybe my bad luck but after the last experience, getting into SFO at something like 10:00p.m. when I was suppose to be on the flight that got me in around 4:30p.m. finished me with United.

Boy I am excited now, we too leave out of SFO next month.

The food you are given usually depends on where you are so I wonder where BigRuss found Qantas's food so bad. I will always fly Qantas because of their service and their aircraft maintance. They also give you a little nibbles bag with candy and things along with some water to tide you over during the night. Also you can call them to make you a nice hot chocolate which they bring to you plus other tasty things. Another great thing about Qantas is that you can fly on the A380 which is a great improvement on the 747 or 777 aircraft. I flew recently to LA on the A380 and returned on a 747 and the reduced comfort level was very noticeable. Finally I have only ever been tucked into a sleep position with pillow and blanket on Qantas by a flight attendant, I was fortunate to have 3 seats and the F.A thought that he would make my trip really comfortable. You betcha I sent a letter to Qantas about their fantastic staff member.

evecolorado -

Don't count on it. I fly UA internationally quite a bit and I don't ever remember getting a goodie bag in coach. Even the UA goodie bags in Business Class don't amount to much.

I always travel with my own headphones, ear plugs and eye cover - they take up very little room.

As for food, I flew around the world on Star Alliance partners in Business Class this past spring (Singapore Air, US Air, United, Air New Zealand, Swiss). The best meal I had by far was on United on a short domestic flight in coach. I was shocked.

Melinq8, I would have been shocked too! Air New Zealand top class food every time, Singapore always good. United was edible but not palatable and their service was terrible. Offered the wrong menu on one flight and the were not even apologetic about it; like it was our fault our choices were not available and had never been.

Saltuarius -

I'd requested vegetarian meals and they were uniformly awful. Funny thing, the UA meal was pasta, a vegetarian meal that I didn't even request, and it was really good.

Swiss was deplorable. Truly awful.

I learned my lesson - no more vegetarian meals for me.

"..they were not even apologetic about it; like it was our fault our choices were not available and had never been."

That was exactly the reaction my daughter got when the vego meal she'd pre-ordered on UA wasn't available - the FA was rude and dismissive and my daughter was made to feel that somehow she was to blame.

Flying United was my first experience flying an American airline and I remember my American colleague warning me that I had been spoilt for ever by Qantas and the internal Australian airlines.

I was sceptical about her very forceful horror that I would even consider flying United. Sadly, she was right, in every respect.

The meal was inedible (and although I think Qantas' meals have become less enjoyable the meals have never been literally inedible), the seating would have given a sardine can a good name, and the service - ye gods it was bad!

I have had excellent, average , but never poor service on a Qantas flight and at one stage I was flying weekly.

United's staff on the several flights I've taken have been either dowright rude, or totally lacking in customer service skills and universally surly and non smiling.

So much so that I mentioned this to other American colleagues thinking it might just have been my "take" - the reaction was great hilarity that I would expect any good service from United.

So good luck, I'd be intersted to hear about your experience. For me never, ever, ever again!

Well... *!*!
We just booked our air with United
RT out of San Diego to Sydney was $1,200 pp (for a January flight). The only reason we booked with them was they fly out of San Diego (connect in SF) and their departure and return times were the best. What would have been worse: driving to LA in all that traffic hoping there's no significant delays and the LA airport OR miserable air service? Tough call. Oh well... live and learn. We booked my mom in a seat by the window and my brother behind her (by a window), so hopefully that will help. For long hauls, I've brought a small, inflatable beach ball to put in my lap and rest my upper body and head on it. Sounds wierd, I know, but it worked. Any other suggestions for how to make getting some 'shut eye' an easier thing when crammed in like sardines?

Just checked the amount paid RT San Diego to Sydney: $1,129. I quickly scramble to see about Air New Zealand - cost is just slightly higher, but over 20 hours (connecting in either LA/SF and then in Aukland. Tough call. Will the seats be like any other domestic flight (cramped and nowhere to put my feet up even slightly)? My 83 year old mom will be on this flight, so really... any suggestions how to make this easier on her?

Dcsam,
If you know, or can find out, what type of aircraft your Mother & brother will be in, you could request a specific seat. I've been pretty successful doing this with Qantas & BA, Don't know about Delta; they seem uniformly unhelpful & unprofessional - but you never know. If you or anyone in your family is a member of their Frequent Flyers club, it would probably help. Also, make sure you tell them your mother is 83.

This seating chart might be useful. www.seatguru.com

Thanks for recommending seatguru. They're booked on a 747-400. I'm not sure where they're sitting. Wish business class was a bit more affordable. If the flight was just for my brother or myself, we'd be okay - it's just my mom I'm worried about.

You may find your mother copes with the flight better than you would expect, particularly if she is reasonably fit. My 88 year old uncle flew Sydney - London with us a few years ago and he was just fine. We requested and got the first row behind Business, so had some extra leg room. The FAs were wonderful to him and he enjoyed it. My concern because it was his first long haul flight proved needless. I fly a lot and make sure I get up for a walk & a stretch ocasionally and he did the same. I think he spent half the time entertaining the FAs with tales of running cattle stations & getting tips on where to go in Scotland (LOL) He had such a good time in the UK, he went back on his own for a month to celebrate his 90th with some old friends in Scotland & England.

Air New Zealand has more leg room in economy. We've flown LAX-AKL and LAX-LHR with them and been very happy.

Lee Ann

I just mentioned this thread to my wife, who said "Well, maybe United will pay special attention to an old lady, because their flight attendants are about her age".

Sometimes she has a sharp tongue....

Sad but true Neil. I assume the 'more experienced' FAs get the long haul flights due to service time, but it really should be the opposite. The orthopedic shoe wearing UA FAs tend to be tired and grouchy, so wouldn't they be better off on shorter less demanding flights?