Qantas Airways Opinions?

[UsherBhai]

Hello everyone,,
to those across the pond! American here. My fiancé and I are planing a 2 week trip to Australia for our honeymoon. We are looking at flights from LA to Sydney. Qantas seems to be a popular option, and we were curious of overall thoughts from persons that may have utilized them for long travel times. Any advice helps. Many thanks!

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[S.o.S.]

Welcome to the Cabin UsherBhai. It is true that airline wax and wane in their service, I have not used QF long haul myself but others will be along in due course.

[MathFox]

Flew Qantas long haul (LHR-SYD) fifteen years ago and had a good experience. I'm sure things will have changed but I haven't heard that service significantly improved or decayed.

[PAXboy]

Friends of mine used (January) the Perth/LHR retirn non-stop service in Economy (787) and said it was a very good flight and one of the best long haul they've had. They are Ozzies.

[parabellum]

You could also consider Singapore Airlines, LAX-SIN-SYD with a stopover in Singapore, booked as a package, through a travel agent and the hotel in Singapore would be good quality and cheap. My last experience of QF long-haul, MEL-LHR, wasn't that good and that was in Business.

[Hotel Tango]

My last experience of QF long-haul, MEL-LHR, wasn't that good and that was in Business.

Enforces what S.o.S said, "It is true that airline wax and wane in their service", because my last Business Class experience with QF, albeit some years ago now, FRA-SIN-BNE-SYD and BNE-SIN-FRA, was excellent.

[sixchannel]

Originally Posted by parabellum

You could also consider Singapore Airlines, LAX-SIN-SYD with a stopover in Singapore, booked as a package, through a travel agent and the hotel in Singapore would be good quality and cheap. My last experience of QF long-haul, MEL-LHR, wasn't that good and that was in Business.

Smilarily, our Qantas flight SYD - SIN in Economy was in a very tired A321 I believe. Uncomfortable and by the time we'd reached North West corner of Oz we were down to forward toilets only.
Flight following year were Singapore Airlines and was excellent.

[Hotel Tango]

I presume that was on their LCC Jetstar sixchannel?

[sixchannel]

Originally Posted by Hotel Tango

I presume that was on their LCC Jetstar sixchannel?

It was QFO81 on 29/04/2016 - QANTAS not Jetstar.
I was thought it was a 321 but it '''might' have been a 330. Didnt feel that big. Whatever, it was a tired old bus.
Those, who know how to drill down for the flight data should be able to check.

[Hotel Tango]

I was thought it was a 321 but it '''might' have been a 330

Well, one basic difference inside is that the A321 is single aisle and the A330 is twin aisled.

[sixchannel]

Originally Posted by Hotel Tango

Well, one basic difference inside is that the A321 is single aisle and the A330 is twin aisled.

Lol! I know how that read but I do know the difference - i just couldnt remember. We'd had half a dozen flights already during that trip.
Other family on flight confirm it was single aisle.
Whatever - it WAS 3 years ago so hopefully not an issue these days.

[krismiler]

QANTAS will get you there and back safely, any disruption will be competently handled and the service will be at least adequate. They are certainly a better option than any of the American airlines on the route. You are very unlikely to have the sort of nightmare experience that Air India or Kuwait Airways passengers regularly write about on Skytrax.

On the LA-SYD route you have far fewer options than you would have on the LON-SYD route where Qatar Airways or Singapore airlines provide strong competition.

Go ahead and book Qantas, it's a good choice.

[Warragul]

Between LAX - SYD in Y the product on QF and VA is better than UA/AA/DL. Obviously, if things like toilets become u/s that makes the experience much less pleasant.

I haven't flown on a QF 787 so can't comment about that, but the VA 777 is a tad better than the QF A380 and 747 I reckon in regards to seat comfort etc. Plus the 777 is 9 across in Y. A380 is far ahead in times of cabin noise.

[nivsy]

Consider EK via DXB.

[SLFAussie]

Living between Melbourne and London I've used Qantas for intercontinental flights many times. I've also flown from Melbourne to New York via Los Angeles once a few years ago. Qantas is as comfortable and reliable as any other airline that I've used to fly ultra long haul and prices are competitive. I have never had one of my Qantas flights delayed. It has a reputation as being one of the safest airlines in the world. Cabin crew are friendly and helpful, but take no nonsense. Fellow passengers are cheerful and well-behaved (I've been on other airlines where this hasn't been the case). Connections between Australian cities are excellent and you also have the option to book an LA ticket via Brisbane or Melbourne you're planning to visit more that one Australian city.

I'm not sure which type of aircraft Qantas currently uses to fly between LA and Sydney, but I'd strongly recommend booking on an A380 if that is an option. In economy and premium economy Qantas A380s are by far the most comfortable long haul planes I have flown on (and I've been on 747's, A330's, 777's and 787's to be able to compare them).

Qantas is one of the first airlines that I consider when booking ultra long haul, but I will choose others if prices are more competitive or connections between destinations are more efficient. For example, I've just booked Singapore Airlines for a Melbourne - Paris trip because of much better connections.

If you're flying from LA to Sydney you'll have a direct flight, which you're likely to find more comfortable than using Asian hubs like Singapore. I wouldn't fly USA-Australia via the Middle East - you're going in the wrong direction and have an unnecessarily long journey. Be aware if you're in a premium cabin and flying out of Melbourne International terminal, the furniture in the Business Class lounge was looking shabby the last time I used it about a year ago and I've subsequently had others tell me that it hasn't been improved. Also be cautious that any internal Australian flights you book are not Jetstar (Qantas' low cost subsidiary) code share tickets.

Regardless, enjoy your honeymoon! Australians are friendly, the food is great and the weather is (mostly) good!

SLFAussie

[Asturias56]

Qantas long haul are pretty standard - nothing exceptional but never bad. One thing to think about is that their prices are often higher on some routes - eg Australia - UK and Australia - USA due to a high level of visiting friends & relations traffic. You can make big savings by going via a European airport rather than LHR for example.

As SLF says there are big benefits in flying non-stop trans pacific - going via Asia adds a lot of time t the trip - and definitely aim for a 380 - they have more space and are significantly quieter inside

[Impress to inflate]

I've done a load of lang haul and short haul as well as a sh&t load of domestic with QF. They are my "go to" airline for travel where poss. Unfortunately the company I work for has short arms and long pockets so all my travel with QF in Econ. I have just done 2 medium haul flights with QF and no issues, both great flights and next week I have 6 domestic flights booked also with the flying Kangaroo. The A380 is good, if in Econ, try and get the upper deck