Qantas 743 AKL-LAX

nzers · #1 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 06:16 PM

Hi. I'm new to this forum...excuse me if this question is in the wrong place...

We're unfortunate enough to be booked on QF25 AKL-LAX next month flying on the old 743 aircraft. I've been keeping an eye on the on-time stats for this flight and to be frank - they're abysmal!

As we have a connecting flight to make in LA to SFO (which by the look of it we miss if their departures remain consistently late), do you think that Qantas would agree to changing our day of travel so that we can fly on the A330?

Thanks for any suggestions.

nzers

NYCguy · #2 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 07:16 PM

How flexible are your tickets?

nzers · #3 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 07:31 PM

They can be date changed at a cost (of course) - are they ever flexible in this given it is their fault I wish to change?

maninblack · #4 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 08:26 PM

You can pay and change. It is not the airlines fault if you don't like the equipment they are using or are unhappy with the on-time performance, even though it is an utter disgrace that they are still subbing 743's on to this route from time to time.

serfty · #5 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 09:00 PM

G'day nzers, may I too express a welcome to QFF.

What class are you booked to travel in? If WHY, the cabins are not that much different, main thing is IFE is on a 2½ hour loop rather than AVOD.

Other than that the OTP may be an issue; how long is your transit in LAX.

One other thing, it is unlikely Qantas will permit you to change the booking without charge.
Certainly, they will advise it is not their fault if you booked it after they announced the substitution.

milehighclub · #6 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 09:24 PM

And rest assured if you are late, you'll be rebooked onto a new flight and there are regular flights to SFO so you shouldn't have much more of a transit.

NM · #7 (**permalink**) 25th August 2008, 11:55 PM

What class are you flying? Business class is the older style Dreamtime seats. Now I remember when I used to look for flights that had dreamtime seats rather than the even older style business class seats. I must have survived at least 25 Pacific crossings in dreamtime seats over the years. Skybeds are definitely better, but dreamtimes are still ok.

If travelling in economy, then the 743 is not much different to the 744, except the 743 has the old style loop IFE system. At least its reliable. Otherwise its not that much different.

nzers · #8 (**permalink**) 26th August 2008, 07:29 AM

Hi. Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. We're in cattle class, travelling with two older kids so the entertainment was going to be a bonus, but we'll make do with what we have.

The constant delays is what is getting me so concerned - yesterday's flight got away from Auckland 5 hrs late

. I'm not looking forward to the 12 hr flight, let alone an additional 8 hrs wasted in the airport (incl 3 hr checkin!). I know flights are frequently delayed due to unavoidable issues, but this particular flight is so often late, it doesn't help the Qantas image one bit... Does anyone know the reason for yesterday's delay?

Thanks again for your reassurance...

nzers

Mwenenzi · #9 (**permalink**) 26th August 2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nzers

As we have a connecting flight to make in LA to SFO (which by the look of it we miss if their departures remain consistently late), do you think that Qantas would agree to changing our day of travel so that we can fly on the A330?

Is the connecting flight on the same reservation - PNR as AKL-LAX ? It Yes its up to AA(or ?) to reaccommodate you. If its a seperate ticket its your problem. For all that I doubt the the aircraft type makes that much difference. QF are one 747 down at this time (its parked in Manilla

) One late flight has a knock on effect through the system.

nzers · #10 (**permalink**) 26th August 2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mwenenzi

Is the connecting flight on the same reservation - PNR as AKL-LAX ? It Yes its up to AA(or ?) to reaccommodate you. If its a seperate ticket its your problem. For all that I doubt the the aircraft type makes that much difference. QF are one 747 down at this time (its parked in Manilla

) One late flight has a knock on effect through the system.

We're on one ticket AKL-LAX-SFO so that is a positive in this situation. I beg to differ re the aircraft type - this is an old 743 due for retirement which is regularly delayed - I don't know all the reasons, but the ones I can find out about are all mechanical. Yesterday's flight arrived from MEL almost on time, but left Auckland 5 hrs behind schedule - again...