Sydney to Honolulu

[Garry Emanuel]

Have heard much about some changes to QF equipment (from B763 to A332/333).;)

Is there anything definitive on this happening and if so, when ?:D

Am contemplating a trip to HNL, however, have a real struggle doing 8 hours on a tired 763 without decent IFE and more than likely, broken seats and worn out fittings.;)

Thanks in advance.

[Jack B]

The dreamtime 767s really truly aren't that bad in Y. They're far from ideal, but they aren't painful.

[Garry Emanuel]

Lack of comfort, no decent IFE and for 8 hours is not a reasonable expectation.

Can live with it SYD-MEL or SYD-BNE but anything longer is a tall order.

[Sarah C]

Hawaiian and Jetstar don't offer 'decent IFE' either. The new A330s are going to Jetstar...........when the next ones go to QF, that would be the opportunity.

[Garry Emanuel]

Not looking likely in the near term.

[Dave Dale]

Not looking likely in the near term.

You might like to break the trip on Air New Zealand. They send their 767-300's up to HNL. I know their IFE is miles ahead of Qantas.

Dave.

[Jacob P]

Just a quick question about the dreamtime 767's.
I know Y doesn't have personal IFE but does J have personal IFE screens?
I have travelled few times on these 767's mainly between BNE-SYD but never in J.

[Fred C]

Yes they do have personal IFE screens in J. They ain't the biggest screen though.

[Chris Q]

You might like to break the trip on Air New Zealand. They send their 767-300's up to HNL. I know their IFE is miles ahead of Qantas.



This option is the best!

2 years ago I was on a newly refurbished NZ 767 - only across the Tasman but was one the best flights I was on, and the IFE was great.

[Garry Emanuel]

Timing unknown.

If I hold to doing QF, I may need to consider JQ and pay out for StarClass.

Not brilliant but better than the 767.

[Jon Harris]

Highly recommend StarClass - I flew it to HNL 3 years ago. Very good value for money for what you get. Had very low expectations but was very pleasantly suprised.

You might be lucky to score the newly delivered 332 which I think features the Panasonic ex2 IFE like the new QF 332s and 380s.

[Philip Argy]

We're on QF3 26 June and QF4 10 July. Stuck in Y class having used 750,000 of my FF points to get tickets for the whole family. I hope we don't end up with one of those window-less window seats! :( There seem to be so many configuration variants for that route it's hard to know what you're getting, even with advance seat selection.

[Jack B]

All 767s on SYD-HNL have the same international configuration

[Philip Argy]

Can you point me to the correct seat map, please, Jack?

[Jack B]

Can you point me to the correct seat map, please, Jack?

Here you go!

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/763-25J204Y.pdf

You can be assured this WILL be the seat map because it's the only 763 config in the fleet with the 1-2-2 seats with PTVs in J class (Dreamtime seats) as opposed to 2-2-2- on the domestic Millenium configuration

The aircraft also has extra cart stowage in the J class galley for international ops, and the "cubby house" rest area for tech crew

So rest assured, this WILL be the configuration you fly on :)

[Garry Emanuel]

JQ Star Class is very appealing - wider seats, separate cabin, fully catered, full service (a la JQ) and not to the same extreme of price as any other airline business product. Add to that the fact QFF get points and you couldn't be happier.

Did Phuket last year and was very happy.

Unless the QF allocation changes (or a plan/intention is announed), I will more than likely go with JQ.

[Philip Argy]

Here you go!

So rest assured, this WILL be the configuration you fly on :)

Thanks, Jack. Based on that map I've moved us from 27A/B, 28A/B back to 45/46 to make sure we get 'real' windows, even though it will be the furthest back I've sat in over 30 years! :eek:

[Kelvin R]

I frequently get these "old" 767 aircraft and have spent a great deal of time sitting in economy on them. I find the seats just as comfortable as say the 744 Y seats or the 330 Y seats.

Yes JQ star class is much nicer than Y on any carrier but personally I find the content on the digi-players to be very limited and wonder if it would not be cheaper to buy your own tablet device (iPad or similiar) and fly Y if IFE is your primary concern?

[StevenW]

JQ Star Class is very appealing - wider seats, separate cabin, fully catered, full service (a la JQ) and not to the same extreme of price as any other airline business product. Add to that the fact QFF get points and you couldn't be happier.

Not only points, but business class level points. It's a great deal :)

In the past I have booked a stupid cheap $106 ticket from Singapore to Melbourne then purchased a $SGD250 upgrade from economy to Star Class when checking in... resulting in a premium economy seat from Singapore to Melbourne for about $AUD295.

I'm not sure if I was given any frequent flier points or not because of this upgrade. I haven't looked at my statement.

[Andrew M]

Don't count on the cash on departure upgrade on the SYD-HNL-SYD route...

JQ have been known to call people prior to departure to offer this upgrade resulting in no chance of getting it at the gate!

[Leon H]

Steven,

can you confirm that a purchased ODU to StarClass will DEFINITELY entitle you to J FF points and SCs?

I've tried this but was denied the points allocation despite succesfully upgrading to *class.

[Andrew M]

Ah yes that's the other big factor.

Last minute paid upgrades to *Class do NOT entitle you to J FF and SC anymore.

They used to, and I took advantage of this many times..

Book the cheapest sale fare to HNL
Queue to check-in as soon at the check-in opens
Pay $250 and upgrade to *Class

Those days are gone as the really cheap sale fares to HNL never happen anymore along with J* calling customer prior to departure.

My most recent flights *C has been 100% full!!!!!!!

[StevenW]

Steven,

can you confirm that a purchased ODU to StarClass will DEFINITELY entitle you to J FF points and SCs?

I've tried this but was denied the points allocation despite succesfully upgrading to *class.

Sorry, I set out my previous reply poorly. I can't confirm if an airport purchased upgrade does result in frequent flier points or not - I haven't looked at my statement.

I didn't mean to imply that an upgrade does result in points - but I can see how my reply could be interpreted as such. I'll edit it to remove ambiguity.

[Greg McDonald]

It's still jetstar........

[Leon H]

Garry - today marks even more reason to choose Star Class on Jetstar. They've re-freshed their in-flight offering with an upgrade to linen, crockery, glassware, cutlery etc to bring the service offering in-line with a business class styled cabin service.

Coupled with iPad's soon to be released as an IFE solution (or EBQ fixed IFE if you're lucky enough to get this aircraft), makes this proposition highly attractive.

I might be wrong here- but does EBQ operate mostly MEL/AKL - SIN legs?

[Oliver Gigacz]

I might be wrong here- but does EBQ operate mostly MEL/AKL - SIN legs?

It looks like EBQ has not been in service since the 2nd May.

[Jon Harris]

The cheap StarClass fares such as $499.00 MEL-SIN where you would earn QF FF points and status credits at Business Class levels are a thing of the past with the new fare structures...There are 2 types of Business fare - one is Business and the other Business Max - only the Max fare earns points/status credits.

[StevenW]

The new fare structure is interesting.

I've got a few "Star Class" trips coming up; it'll be interesting to see what happens with regards to points etc.

[Jon Harris]

I think you will be fine Steven - all StarClass bookings made prior to 17MAY will still earn points and status credits.

[StevenW]

Sounds good - thanks for the heads up :)

[Andrew M]

The cheap StarClass fares such as $499.00 MEL-SIN where you would earn QF FF points and status credits at Business Class levels are a thing of the past with the new fare structures...There are 2 types of Business fare - one is Business and the other Business Max - only the Max fare earns points/status credits.

Yep which is a shame!!

You need to pay $200 to get FF points, a refundable ticket and lounge access!

[Rob Fluke]

Im flying with Hawaiin Airlines for my Honeymoon this July (Outside School Holidays) going:

SYD - HNL - SFO
LAS - HNL
HNL - SYD

If the flight is not booked out is it worth the upgrade to Business class on the first Leg of SYD - HNL, Plus does anyone know how much it would set me back these day???

Cheers

[Robert M]

The paid upgrade to HA J class is currently USD750, and they sell like hot cakes every night so if you want one check-in early. Not sure what the cost is domestically.

HA will also deploy their new A332 on HNL-SFO soon and it already flies LAS-HNL so you should be in luck there.

HA has recently upgraded their service on the SYD sector and J now has a revamped menu and 'proper' pillows and duvets, not to mention the 2x32Kg bag allowance.

R

[StevenW]

I think you will be fine Steven - all StarClass bookings made prior to 17MAY will still earn points and status credits.

I received a new itinerary about 20 hours ago - my on sale StarClass fare has been turned in to a Business Max ticket.

[Robert M]

The paid upgrade to HA J class is currently USD750,



My bad - they're currently $700, not $750.

R

[Rob Fluke]

Cheers for the info Rob

[Philip Argy]

Enjoyed a BBQ dinner with UA 747 Capt Mike Scott at the Hawaii Yacht Club in HNL this evening. He sends his regards to all the 'old' SAMB members!

Nice place for dinner too!

[Jarrad Phillips]

So can you still on checkin upgrade to StarClass for $AUD250? And do you just ask at a normal check-in counter?

[Garry Emanuel]

Any further news on the conversion of QF3/4 to A332/333 ?

My plans have been pushed out to 2012. Nothing finite at this stage but just thought I would check.

Thanks in advance.

[Garry Emanuel]

Still no news on a move from B763 to A332/3 ?

[Jayden Laing]

Only chance you will get Garry is either wait for Hawaiian with their A332's or JetStar.... If the B763 is working for Qantas on the SYD-HNL-SYD run, why change it I say.

[Jarden S]

Isn't QF getting another A330 from airbus soon or is it for domestic flying only