Flying from LA to Brisbane at the end of the month, doing my best to avoid flying home on a 747. Unfortunately my employer has "lowest airfare policy" for Australian employees (discrimination aside), so I can typically limited to Economy Sale or Saver fares, rarely Flexi.
Trying to maximise SC with Qantas plus also looking for a good IFE. I try to avoid coming directly to BNE on a 747. I have flown on B787 on a MEL > LAX a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, certainly less jet lag and impressive overall flight.
Of the two flights MEL>LAX any advise on what people believe is better experience? Q/ ...are both of these flights heavily booked or is Q/ ...and of the two which is more likely a chance to be in the running for a Bid Now Upgrade from Economy > PE? From what I have read, PE on 787 is maybe not worth the points and $$?
Flying from LAX to MEL which flight would you choose?
Without too many specifics how does your employers travel policy work? Is it only direct routes, limited to specific carriers, cheapest price (on all carriers)?
If time isn't an issue then a routing like LAX-NAN-BNE-MEL on a Fiji Airways ticket would be cheaper than a direct Qantas flight and the discount fare would net 60 status credits on Qantas instead of just 45 on the direct Qantas service (when booked in the cheapest fare types). LAX-NAN-MEL is also an option but instead requires a 13 hour daytime layover in Nadi compared to just 2x 2hr stops in NAN and BNE.
Fiji Airways also allows for you to submit a bid upgrade from LAX-NAN which might also give you a shot at getting a business class angled flatbed for the overnight flight back home provided you're willing to fork out a little extra for that extra comfort.
I did the A380 for Mel-Lax, then 787 for Lax - Mel on the flight you list. I was glad I selected the 787.
Before my flight over I was speaking to an American couple and, having flown over to Mel on the 787, they were disappointed that they were on the A380 back.
Without too many specifics how does your employers travel policy work? Is it only direct routes, limited to specific carriers, cheapest price (on all carriers)?
If time isn't an issue then a routing like LAX-NAN-BNE-MEL on a Fiji Airways ticket would be cheaper than a direct Qantas flight and the discount fare would net 60 status credits on Qantas instead of just 45 on the direct Qantas service (when booked in the cheapest fare types). LAX-NAN-MEL is also an option but instead requires a 13 hour daytime layover in Nadi compared to just 2x 2hr stops in NAN and BNE.
Fiji Airways also allows for you to submit a bid upgrade from LAX-NAN which might also give you a shot at getting a business class angled flatbed for the overnight flight back home provided you're willing to fork out a little extra for that extra comfort.
Travel Policy for Australian's mandates "lowest" airfare. Routing can unlimited, it's purely restricted to Economy. Anything $400+ than the lowest logical airfare is logged and needs justification. We have full choice of global carriers with preferred being QF, SQ and CX. Flexi fares re discouraged despite the higher cost incurred when you need to change a flight. Policy is madness and double standards compared to staff in other regions.
Because I am now changing an existing ticket, most of the sale fares are gone; so SC wise a QF flight via MEL will net me at least 60 - 90 SC.
Thanks for the thought of Fiji Airways, nice to land 60 SC. Will consider that routing for a future trip. Thanks.
AnzacTaurus
AnzacTaurus
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Apr 2017
Total posts 7
Flying from LA to Brisbane at the end of the month, doing my best to avoid flying home on a 747.
Unfortunately my employer has "lowest airfare policy" for Australian employees (discrimination aside), so I can typically limited to Economy Sale or Saver fares, rarely Flexi.
I have flown on B787 on a MEL > LAX a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, certainly less jet lag and impressive overall flight.
QF94 *A380 - departs LAX 22:40
QF96 *B787 - departs at 23:55
Of the two flights MEL>LAX any advise on what people believe is better experience?
Q/ ...are both of these flights heavily booked or is
Q/ ...and of the two which is more likely a chance to be in the running for a Bid Now Upgrade from Economy > PE? From what I have read, PE on 787 is maybe not worth the points and $$?
Please wait...
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
Without too many specifics how does your employers travel policy work? Is it only direct routes, limited to specific carriers, cheapest price (on all carriers)?
Steve987
Steve987
Member since 23 Feb 2015
Total posts 268
I did the A380 for Mel-Lax, then 787 for Lax - Mel on the flight you list. I was glad I selected the 787.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 731
I prefer the A380 upstairs economy around for another year only though. The 787 gas more uptodate gadgetry but less (shoulder) room.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
Pitch or width. Choose one.
reeves35
reeves35
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 79
I prefer the A380. The seat width is an issue on the 787 as is the chronic shortage of toilets.
AnzacTaurus
AnzacTaurus
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Apr 2017
Total posts 7
Travel Policy for Australian's mandates "lowest" airfare. Routing can unlimited, it's purely restricted to Economy. Anything $400+ than the lowest logical airfare is logged and needs justification. We have full choice of global carriers with preferred being QF, SQ and CX. Flexi fares re discouraged despite the higher cost incurred when you need to change a flight. Policy is madness and double standards compared to staff in other regions.
Because I am now changing an existing ticket, most of the sale fares are gone; so SC wise a QF flight via MEL will net me at least 60 - 90 SC.
Thanks for the thought of Fiji Airways, nice to land 60 SC. Will consider that routing for a future trip. Thanks.
Bollen
Bollen
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Dec 2017
Total posts 32
I choose the 787 purely for the 1-2-1 configuration.
elchriss0
elchriss0
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Jan 2015
Total posts 80
Where does the OP even mention J? He's explicitly talking about Y...