Questions and Answers

I’m flying New York to Sydney soon, and my company is paying for me to be in business (woohoo!). Based on price/our preferred airlines, my choices are likely:

– Air Canada (EWR – YVR – SYD)
– Qantas (JFK – DFW – SYD or JFK – LAX – SYD)
– Delta (JFK – LAX – SYD)
– JAL (JFK – NRT – SYD)
– United (EWR – SFO – SYD or EWR – LAX – SYD)

TPG says Air Canada is next best seat to Australia after Virgin Australia – agree or disagree? What should I go for?

Of those options, JAL is definitely the best product-wise (both seats and service). One benefit to consider (with JAL) is that on the way back you will not have to collect / re-check your bag in LA or Dallas, as you’ll enter JFK as an international passenger and will have a more seamless connection. However, JAL may also take a bit more time, which isn’t ideal on business.

From your list, I’ve flown AC on the YVR to SYD leg (in their old seat) and QF on the DFW to SYD leg. AC service / food was pretty similar to most American carriers, and QF has gone a bit downhill in business lately (and doesn’t have all aisle access).

Delta could be a solid choice if the price is alright, I’ve never flown them but know that some Delta flights are on Virgin Australia metal, who probably have the best overall product between the states and Oz (although I have never tried it).

Well if you are flying for work (and they’re paying for business), I’d assume that wifi might be a pretty big benefit? With that much time in the air, you probably want to have the opportunity to stay connected.

So, unfortunately that rules out Qantas. I [I]think[/I] that also rules out United, as their 787s which they exclusively fly to Australia now, don’t yet have wifi. Someone can correct me there, but in 2016 when I flew them to Melbourne, they did not. Also rules out Air Canada, I don’t think their long haul planes have wifi.

So, you’re left with Delta and JAL! Out of those, I’d probably pick Delta. I’d choose a 6 hour flight + a 15 hour flight any day over a 14 hour flight to Tokyo then a 10 hour flight.