Business class: Qantas Airbus A80 vs United Boeing 787-9

Hi AusBT community,

I have an upcoming business/work trip which my employer is nice enough to put my family (2 adults, 3yo and 1yo) all up in J class from MEL-LAX. I have a choice between QF (A380 - pre refurbish) and United (787-9 – Polaris seats). I am not loyal to either FF program so just want the best seat/experience. It looks like both have 2-2-2 layouts. Is there much of a difference between the two? Or does the community feel one is better than the other?

I'd say the a380 since the untied 787 'faux-laris' business seat has really tight footwells which are less good for sleeping. The Qantas Skybed II doesn't have this issue so I'd go for that. Plus there is a bigger area to move around which could be good for young children.

UA's 789 on the MEL-LAX route doesn't have Polaris seats, plus it's UA so personally I'd avoid them anyway. If you're only other option is QF go with that (and their seating is 2-2-2, so easy to pair a parent with a child each). But if you want the best option to LAX, it's VA.

Definitely QF. And what a lovely employer too, I might add.

The Qantas A380 also has the inflight 'lounge' up the front of business class which the six of you might enjoy using, whereas the United 787 doesn't have a comparable space.

Thanks for the quick reply AusBT community. I apprecaite your feedback

Honestly, the soft product on UA is one of the best I've used. Their Saks Fifth Avenue bedding pillow and blanket is better than some of the First Class flights out there, though their seats and service are pretty poor since it's not Polaris. Having said that, I was pretty comfortable on the 14 hour flight to LA in UA Biz, and I've had no issues with it on that route. Haven't flown Qantas on this route so I can't compare but even Qantas would have better flight attendents than UA.

If possible, the VA 777 is by far the best option of those 3.

Qf95 , 787 leaves in the evening arriving into lax in the evening is another option. 1,2,1 configuration. Excellent seats.

Qantas is leaps and bounds better than UA in terms of soft product. If you can get on the 787 flight out of Melbourne (only flies Mon & Fri at the moment) on Qantas, then there is definitely no comparison - the QF 787 seats are awesome.

Avoid UA at any costs!!

Definitely go Virgin. Why did you only want to consider UA or QF if you're not allied to any FF program?

My son has tried both QF and Virgin and Virgin was by far the very best in his opinion. From what others have said give UA a big miss .I have flown VA Business Class across to Perth on the A330 quite a few times and their service is as good as it gets so if that's replicated on their B777 you could not go wrong flying with them. You will be very pleased with Virgin