Business Class across the Pacific

[Mark Grima]

Hey guys,

My uncle and grand mother (80yrs) are looking at heading to the US with a possible stop in HNL in one or both directions.

Any advise on best J class products. I have newer flown business so can not really help them to much.

At the moment QANTAS is looking a touch to expensive for them, while Hawaiian being the most conveniant does noy appear to have a lot of info on there business product.

Any help wpuld be great appreciated.

Cheers

M

[Jason H]

If they go through HNL on Qantas, it is a 767, whereas direct to the US is 744 or A380, with a far superior Business Class seat. I recently flew to LAX on the A380 J and flew home on a 744 in J, and the A380 is a much better experience. As for the 767s, they probably aren't the best for a 10hour flight through the night as a business class product.

[John Arena]

Id do Jetstar A332 Star Class YSSY-PHNL, Hawaiian A332 PHNL-KLAX and QF A380 KLAX-YSSY. those are (im pretty sure) the best products for the particular sectors in Question. (i am NOT taking price into account in ANY way)

John

[matthew mcdonald]

All I have to say is that if direct to LA is an option then V Australia business class is very very good. The service is great and it is very comfortable.

[Kelvin R]

Hi Mark,

I am not sure of the final US destination but if they can skip HNL you can often get business class fares on either United or Delta for $4500 return SYD-LAX. These need to be purchased 50+ days in advance. Both UA and DL offer full flat beds. DL is a bit better as each seat has direct access without needing to step over anyone or anything.

If HNL is to be included then look at Jetstar and American Airlines using a KUP fare (instant upgrade from Y to F fare). However this is not going to be as good as the direct flights on either UA or DL and is more like a premium economy than a business product.

For East Coast you can often get over 60 companion fares on many of the Asian airlines one stop to New York or companion fares on EK and EY to New York. The other option for the east coast would be a Delta fare with a KUP AA fare.

Preference at work was given to VA for US travel but price wise they seem to now be on par with QF. This is a shame as they do have the best product on the route.

[Mark Grima]

Thanks very much for your responses guys.

Cheers

M

[Tim Bowrey]

Hey Mark,

I did SYD-LAX-SYD with VA in J Class arriving home yesterday morning and its fantastic and in my opinion a much better product that QF(although it has been 5 years since I have flown SYD-LAX in Business Class with QF). Same old story with QF cabin crew though, the VA crew are much better.

[Brendan Lawrence]

Tim, your LAX trip 5 years ago on Qantas would undoubtedly mean it was on a 747...

Now; Qantas A380 Business - improved fully-flat Skybed with incredibly better/more reliable IFE, much more pleasant cabin environment/design with reduced noise level, and cabin crew who haven't been 'around the traps' for 30 years and who actually enjoy their job (and if some have been around for 30 years, A380-land forces them to have a change of attitude - in most cases)... Worth trying again, if you have the chance.

[Mark Grima]

Thanks again to everyone for your replies, I beleive flights have been booked and that my uncle and grandma are flying VA. Both the recommendation from
The travel agent And yours Tim, also price was much better then QANTAS.

Wish it was me I have to say.

Cheers

M