OMG I need to BREATHE!!!

[AZ_to_AU]

My flight to AU is nearing completion..... it's just a matter of comparing cost.

My gf's Travel Agent can book my ticket along with her's (on her return flight) April 23rd.

I just need to call a travel agent here to see if the prices are cheaper...
:eek:
I gasped when my gf told me the itinerary for the flights and she's got one with MY name on it! I'm excited... happy... wanna cry.. jump up and down yet at the same time I have a the HUGEST lump in my throat!

This is the flight details....

Departing April 23rd.....

Flight # QF3126
From Vegas to LA

Flight # QF176
LA to Brisbane, AU

OMG......... *scared* .................

[Barb-SAN]

Woohoo...it's becoming a reality, eh? I was just checking on FlightAware to see the track...don't see anything for the LAS-LAX portion. Is that a new route for Qantas? FlightAware does show part of the tracking over the Pacific http://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA176. The last part of the flight is not in an area that they track, so you see the flight "ending" in mid-Pacific...so don't be alarmed! ;)

I see that you will be on a 747... have you checked out some photos of that plane on www.jetphotos.net (http://www.jetphotos.net)? Cool...there's a kangaroo on the tail! http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=Boeing+747-4&airline=Qantas&country=-2&photog=-2&category=-2&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15 I haven't seen one of those Qantas planes, myself...we don't get many (any?) 747's in San Diego.

Maybe you will be lucky and get this one...a special paint job, it seems... http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6140438&nseq=26

[AZ_to_AU]

a Reality .......?

OMG... pinch me! I just said to myself.. this isn't real! No way! OMG...

Ummmm that site with all the planes, I don't know which one to pick..... but yeah, it looks like the one she took a picture of for me...

What are they like on the inside? how many isles? rows of seats across?? Where can I get those details?

[AZ_to_AU]

Hope this helps?

http://www.mediadeezines.com/Itinerary%202008.jpg

(hope the image works)

[Barb-SAN]

What are they like on the inside? how many isles? rows of seats across?? Where can I get those details?

Well, that www.jetphotos.net (http://www.jetphotos.net) is a great site. It's a huge database of photos, and you can narrow your search to airline, type of plane, and then specify what type of photos you want (cockpit, exterior, interior, etc). You should also be able to find some with that plane at LAX, and in Brisbane, though I haven't done those specific searches. Here's the link for the interior though...so you can see how many seats across, the little TV screens at each seat, etc. :D http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=Boeing+747-4&airline=Qantas&country=-2&photog=-2&category=11&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15 Note that some of the photos show the economy class seating, and others show business class, sky beds, etc.

[AZ_to_AU]

WOWOWOW!!! Ok... got it! I'll be looking through that site quite frequently.....

[tusphotog]

Barb: LAS-LAX is a codeshare with American.

Check out http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Qantas_Airways/Qantas_Airways_Boeing_747-400.php

There are 318 seats in economy, with 31 inch pitch (seat back to seat back), 64 in biz and 14 up front. One tip: try not to get anything in the middle block of seats. I've had a couple flights in that middle block and it sucks unless you've got the entire thing to yourself.

[Barb-SAN]

Barb: LAS-LAX is a codeshare with American.

Aha, thank you. How did you know that? I looked at all the flights between LAS and LAX on www.flightaware.com (http://www.flightaware.com) , and there are many possibilities (and no Qantas flights). It seems that one would need to know the time of the flight...or did you go to Qantas' website and check on that flight number? So many little details....;)

[tusphotog]

Aha, thank you. How did you know that? I looked at all the flights between LAS and LAX on www.flightaware.com (http://www.flightaware.com) , and there are many possibilities (and no Qantas flights). It seems that one would need to know the time of the flight...or did you go to Qantas' website and check on that flight number? So many little details....;)

Qantas is part of Oneworld, which is the alliance American started to compete with Star Alliance. I have about 5,000 AA miles left over from the old Reno Air days, and one of the places I could go with my "AAdvantage Miles" is SYD. I think 5,000 miles would put me about 200-300 miles off the coast of California. I just ventured to guess that the flight was an AA codeshare, since I know it's not United or America West, and certainly not Southwest. I don't know of anyone else who flies that route, aside from a few casinos who send their biz jets over to LA to pick up their high rollers.

Totally unrelated: anyone know what Qantas stands for (without looking it up;))?

[AZ_to_AU]

Barb: LAS-LAX is a codeshare with American.

Check out http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Qantas_Airways/Qantas_Airways_Boeing_747-400.php

There are 318 seats in economy, with 31 inch pitch (seat back to seat back), 64 in biz and 14 up front. One tip: try not to get anything in the middle block of seats. I've had a couple flights in that middle block and it sucks unless you've got the entire thing to yourself.

Ok...... checked out that page... where should a first timer like me sit? I would like a window seat. How do we pick the seats we want to sit at? Or how do we request seats?

I'm gonna pass this link onto Lyn and ask her where she sits. She usually gets the seat she wants.. most the time... I know I don't think I want to be in the "middle".... to claustrophobic for me...

[Barb-SAN]

Ok...... checked out that page... where should a first timer like me sit? I would like a window seat. How do we pick the seats we want to sit at? Or how do we request seats?

You might also want to see what plane you will be flying on from LAS to LAX, since that will be your very first, short flight, and it will probably be smaller than a 747. You can usually (depending on the airline) select your seats online once you have your ticket and reservation number, and you can change them later too.

Can you find out what the AA flight number is from your travel agent (since the Qantas number doesn't show up on FlightAware, and Tusphotog thinks it will actually be an American Airlines plane you will be flying on). Once you know the type of plane, then go to www.seatguru.com (http://www.seatguru.com) and look up the airline, and model of plane to see the seat arrangement. If you put your cursor directly over a seat, you will see additional information displayed about that seat (some are better than others).

As far as best seats...I haven't ever flown on the 747, though there are lots of folks here who have, and perhaps they will tell you their preferences. You can also get an idea from the comments on Seat Guru.

[Rebecca]

Totally unrelated: anyone know what Qantas stands for (without looking it up;))?Queensland and Northern Territories Air Service? Or something like that? I did not look it up ... I have a friend from Australia who mentioned it to me once. Also totally unrelated, many conversations get started with baristas and people in line at Starbucks when I use the Australian Starbucks card she gave me!

AZ, you'll love Australia, I think. Have you read Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country? It's wonderful.

[AZ_to_AU]

AZ, you'll love Australia, I think. Have you read Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country? It's wonderful.

I've always been fascinated with AU since I can remember. And then to "meet" someone who lives there is just totally the icing on the cake!

As far as reading goes... I don't read much, barely find the time to read my school text books.... :blush:

Truly can't wait - for so many reasons I can't even begin to list!

[tusphotog]

[LEFT]Queensland and Northern Territories Air Service?

Yep. Good job.

Barb: Flight is operated by American Eagle, a ERJ-145. Find it by tracking EGF106.

Dee: Personally, I like being near the door, or in first or biz :). I've had the (mis?)fortune of sitting in row 50 something on a completely full flight on a MD-11 (smaller, but still quite large). I think I waited a good 40 minutes for people to get off. The next flight I ended up about five or six rows from the door and was one of the first off. Even though my trips weren't that long, it sure made a difference. Apparently reading through FlyerTalk, Qantas doesn't pre-assign seats once 1/4 of the plane is sold.

[Barb-SAN]

Barb: Flight is operated by American Eagle, a ERJ-145. Find it by tracking EGF106.
O.K., Here's the link to that flight on FlightAware.com. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/EGF106/history/20080114/2324Z/KLAS/KLAX
You can look through the history to see tracks of previous flights, and start tracking it now for current flights. Dee, you might also enjoy tracking on FBO/ Google Earth. Check our tracking board for the links of the tracking software. You can look at some threads of previous flights that have been tracked, and see some examples of what you can see on Google Earth. Your flight is only 39 minutes...perfect for a first flight! Then you will have a little break, before going on to the big plane, and the long flight.

Here's the link for for the ERJ-145 on www.seatguru.com (http://www.seatguru.com) : http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/American_Airlines/American_Airlines_Embraer_ERJ-145.php

Apparently reading through FlyerTalk, Qantas doesn't pre-assign seats once 1/4 of the plane is sold.
So...what happens after it is 1/4 sold? Do they let you pick your seat 24 hrs. before the flight? Or do you just have to get there early, and get at the front of the line, or get your seat assignment at check-in?

Once with NWA I bought my ticket a week or so before the flight, and I wasn't able to pick my seat online until 24 hrs. before. When I've bought the ticket 2-3 months early, there were plenty of seat choices available online.

[tusphotog]

So...what happens after it is 1/4 sold? Do they let you pick your seat 24 hrs. before the flight? Or do you just have to get there early, and get at the front of the line, or get your seat assignment at check-in?


No clue. I think people there say Qantas assigns the seats to you. I've never been on Qantas though, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of that.

I've had a couple instances where the flights are super full when I book them. Usually there are 20% of the seats held for airport assignment.

[AZ_to_AU]

No clue. I think people there say Qantas assigns the seats to you. I've never been on Qantas though, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of that.

I've had a couple instances where the flights are super full when I book them. Usually there are 20% of the seats held for airport assignment.

I think I can safely say that, yes you can pick your seats on Qantas... Lyn was able to pick her own seats pretty much every flight here.... but I'll double check with her.

[gordies]

Queensland and Northern Territories Aerial Services

OR my preferred option

Queens and Nancies Travelling as Stewards !!

[Barb-SAN]

OR my preferred option

Queens and Nancies Travelling as Stewards !!
Never heard that one...so Googled it, and found this fun YouTube video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-63IBn6c_M

[tusphotog]

Queens and Nancies Travelling as Stewards !!

HA HA HA!

I never would have thought someone here would have thought of THAT! :D

[spiffyone]

Sorry, can't think of this airline without thinking of rain man :)

[Barb-SAN]

Sorry, can't think of this airline without thinking of rain man :)

Memorable Quotes from Rain Man: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095953/quotes
"Charlie (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000129/): Ray, all airlines have crashed at one time or another, that doesn't mean that they are not safe.
Raymond (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000163/): QANTAS. QANTAS never crashed.
Charlie (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000129/): QANTAS?
Raymond (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000163/): Never crashed.
Charlie (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000129/): Oh that's gonna do me a lot of good because QANTAS doesn't fly to Los Angeles out of Cincinnati, you have to get to Melbourne! Melbourne, Australia in order to get the plane that flies to Los Angeles"

:D

[AZ_to_AU]

Memorable Quotes from Rain Man: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095953/quotes
"Charlie: Ray, all airlines have crashed at one time or another, that doesn't mean that they are not safe.
Raymond: QANTAS. QANTAS never crashed.
Charlie: QANTAS?
Raymond: Never crashed.
Charlie: Oh that's gonna do me a lot of good because QANTAS doesn't fly to Los Angeles out of Cincinnati, you have to get to Melbourne! Melbourne, Australia in order to get the plane that flies to Los Angeles"

LOL!!! I don't remember that in Rainman, but then again, I haven't seen it since it came out.

Anyway...... found this on youtube. This is the plane I'll be on!! :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4bUyihrOB4

[Barb-SAN]

Anyway...... found this on youtube. This is the plane I'll be on!! :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4bUyihrOB4
Beautifully filmed! Did it give you goosebumps to watch it? I was mesmerized by the kangaroo on the tail, but the take-off was much smoother than a kangaroo hopping...;). Love hearing those British/Aussie accents too...:D

[AZ_to_AU]

Actually it made me cry....... for some reason I pictured that to be my mother's point of view..... and waving to us as we flew off into those clouds....

But, yeah, in another sense... I wondered about that steep incline... :mg: do all planes take-off like that? I asked Lyn, and she said she never noticed.

[tusphotog]

I wondered about that steep incline... :mg: do all planes take-off like that? I asked Lyn, and she said she never noticed.

Usually it's around 15 degrees nose up. That looks steep from the ground, but you don't really notice it from the cabin. Out of Orange County, for example, you do notice, because there it's at least a 20-25 degree nose up full power climb.

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoWgDws8yx8 Not the exact plane you'll be on, but an older, similar cousin, the 747-200 (I think).

[AZ_to_AU]

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoWgDws8yx8 Not the exact plane you'll be on, but an older, similar cousin, the 747-200 (I think).

Yep, watched that one last night. That's the runway Lyn will be taking off from on Feb. 2nd. She'll be flying from Cairns to Brisbane to LA to Vegas. :happyguy:

[AZ_to_AU]

Bought my luggage set today! :happyguy:

I'm really excited but I also got a big wave of fear, but it went away as quickly as it came since I"m trying to focus more on the "fun" factor then the "fear of the unknown" factor.

[Sharlene]

I am new to this site and have enjoyed reading about everyones fears, I now realise that I am not the only one sitting on the plane listening to the sound of the engine and watching to make sure the wings don't fall off or the engine is not on fire. My main concern is turbulence but after reading the responses on this site as to what turbulence really is I am hoping I won't panic anymore when I actually experience bad turbulence again. I have always said that my greatest fear was the unkown and if I knew how and why things happen on planes then I won't panic so much when the noises change. This website has been a great help to me. Thank you everyone. Bye the way I am an Aussie and if you need any advice about travel in our country down under I would gladly find out what information you need. And yes I do remember Rain Main (Raymond) quote about Qantas, apparently he is right. But my husband always tells me that Singapore & Thai Airlines have a better service.