Despite having numerous passengers held up by American Airlines delays. Qantas (an AA partner) closed boarding with 0 flexibility
Having the computer outage compounded by delayed takeoff while waiting for aircrew (who were also delayed) resulted in me missing my int’l flight
My flight with Qantas was excellent, the crew were exceptional, the food was very good, and the seats were surprisingly spacious and comfortable. I was extremely disappointed when my checked bag did not make it onto my connecting flight, but was pleased with the ease of filing a report of a missing bag with Qantas at the Auckland airport - there, my pleasure ended. I can see, with an apple tag on my bag, that it is still in Sydney and has not moved in more than 30 hours. I shared the tracking information with Qantas and was assured when I filed the missing bag report that my bag would be delivered first thing the next morning on the next flight from Sydney to Auckland. Qantas' missing bag tracking feature still lists its status as "searching for your bag, check back later" more than a full 24 hours after filing the report despite my having shared tracking information, a photo of the bag, and calling the customer care line and being assured that an "urgent action message" had been sent to the team in Sydney. The lack of communication from Qantas' customer service department and the lack of action after an incredibly expensive business class ticket price is outrageous and has, definitively, affected my willingness to consider flying Qantas in the future, much less on long-haul international flights with high cost airfare.
Very good overall. Highly recommend for all flying to Australia
Our boarding and flight was very good. However when we landed and pulled in to the gate it took 55 minutes for the jet bridge to be positioned next to the aircraft. That caused us to miss our ground transportation and it caused us unnecessary last minute transit planning and expense. Our flight was AA1733 on March 17, 2026
Business seats not as comfortable or private as most competitors (e.g. Qantas was outstanding), and movie selection was much more limited than Qantas or United has been recently
One of the oldest most uncomfortable "lay down" seats I've ever experienced. Old plane and old seats that don't lay flat. The seat back does not even recline - at all. Instead the legrest awkwardly extends to fill the gap between a small cubby into which you must insert your feet/legs. I am 5' 11" and could not lay straight but had to tuck my knees. Ticket was also very expensive. Would not recommend flying business/first on Finair from Melbourne to Bangkok and will not do so again myself.
American Airlines was their usual junk service — but at least it got us down to LA. I was more irritated that while they codeshare with Alaska Airlines in Seattle, they could not out our flight on one of these, opting for one of the small SkyWest operated American Eagle flights — and causing a 14 hour layover. Which I accepted due to a $2000 difference in airfare — that said it was irritating for a flight that usually would have cost around $100 extra, if that.
Experience was great. My only advice is to have a pasta dish on the menu. Otherwise everything was excellent.
Better food, hotter coffee, otherwise it was a very smooth and reasonably comfortable flight.
