Non-stop business class to and from Australia is one of the toughest frequent flyer awards in the world. Qantas has long been stingy with this space in particular.
However they’re planning to fly a Boeing 787 Brisbane – Los Angeles with 747 service a few days a week. And on the days where a 747 operates in September and through mid-October there’s generally two business class award seats available.
Here’s non-stop Los Angeles – Brisbane.
And Brisbane – Los Angeles.
It’s not a ton of availability, but for US-Australia booked far in advance it’s notable.
- American AAdvantage charges 80,000 miles each way
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan charges just 55,000 miles each way and allows stopovers on one way awards (so book Los Angeles – Brisbane (stop) and add another Qantas destination at the end if you wish.
(HT: Monkey Miles)
Those 747s are for friends/family traveling together and die hard Qantas fans. Everyone else should keep in the lookout for the new biz seats.
Thanks Gary!
I was able to replicate the same dates on AA.com as you did. But I also saw a ton more avaialbility in October/November on the same flights via EF. I was able to book r/t for two people by calling AA, but it showed zero availability on AA.com for OCT/NOV. Is it a known glitch with AA.com not showing all QF flights…or am I doing something wrong? The fact that I was able to see all the Sept dates online bu not OCT/NOV makes me think there’s an issue.
I’m a 75K on Alaska. Absolutely ZERO availability on Alaska, as ALWAYS.