JFK - LAX ............ on a 747 connection ?!

[FlyingColors]

Hi,
Trying to plan a family vacation, heading out to LA.

Now the trick here would be to treat the family to a ride on a 747!

I recalled I think at one time Qantas had a stop at LAX.
Took a look at the Qantas site but the tickets are for all the ways to Oz.

Is there some airline, some way, I could do this trip: JFK to LAX on a 747, without globetrotting?

[Iberia A340-600]

Qantas does not have the rights to sell tickets on their LAX-JFK-LAX flight. However you may be able to find a United flight on the 747-400 from IAD or ORD to SFO or LAX.

Cathay Pacific recently flew the 747-400 on their YVR-JFK-YVR route but they now operate the 777-300ER on this route.

[FlyingColors]

Thanks!
Don't mind at all making a stop.
So United might work, any flight numbers you know of ?

[Iberia A340-600]

I don't know any off the top of my head but I'd say your best bet would be starting a thread or searing A.net for further information on United 747 flights. It comes up quite a bit I believe.

[mirrodie]

Mike.

Too bad that Open Skies stuff doesnt open up that QF 107. Thats the LAX-JFK leg and economy is a spa compared to most US domestic service.

[Matt Molnar]

So United might work, any flight numbers you know of ?
Just search United for IAD-LAX and ORD-LAX flights. You'll probably find a couple of 74s, then you can work out the connections.

[T-Bird76]

UAL use to operate 747s on some hub routes but I'm not sure if do or not anymore. They certainly offer 777 routes from IAD, DEN, and ORD between each other. Best bet is to call them Mike.

Flying the 747 even for me is still a real treat, there's just something about that plane that special and exciting.

[Alex T]

I flew the 747 ORD-SFO March during Spring Break.

Not sure if it is there still.

Alex

[FlyingColors]

Cheap talk- If one was to purchase a ticket on Qantas could you just get off at LAX?

[Adeel]

i'll never forget doing JFK-FLL on a Tower Air 747 10 years ago!

[T-Bird76]

Cheap talk- If one was to purchase a ticket on Qantas could you just get off at LAX?

By all means you can get off but you won't be able to get back on the return flight. If you don't complete your first leg QA will cancel your return and one way tickets aren't cheap. Also you'll need passports for the family Mike since your ticket will show you are traveling to Australia. If you really want to do a 747 flight you’re probably better off going to London on BA. The airfare will probably be lower then trying to jerry rig a domestic 747 flight and you get to see London. BA is offering some great deals with free hotel nights right now.

[FlyingColors]

Cheap talk- If one was to purchase a ticket on Qantas could you just get off at LAX?

By all means you can get off but you won't be able to get back on the return flight. If you don't complete your first leg QA will cancel your return and one way tickets aren't cheap. Also you'll need passports for the family Mike since your ticket will show you are traveling to Australia. If you really want to do a 747 flight you’re probably better off going to London on BA. The airfare will probably be lower then trying to jerry rig a domestic 747 flight and you get to see London. BA is offering some great deals with free hotel nights right now.

Oh that would be too funny, wife would "love that"
London, mmmm, have to think about that, thanks!

[mirrodie]

Mike, I was going to suggest the same, as its doubtful that, once incorporating more than one leg into the equation, you'll get a domestic 747 ride. Further, you may do all that work and get a last min equip sub and then who knows what would happen there.

QF to JFK and getting off....dunno how you could swing it. Feign illness once you are over the Nevada desert and be sent back home? Do you have good acting skills? If you got off in LAX and say drove back to NY, would QF then charge you the one way price? It may be cheaper than round trip but would still be expensive. I would love to get a definitive answer, perhaps at anet?

If you have passports, consider BA or Lufthansa across the pond. I too have heard there are good deals there.


What does Cathay use to Vancouver, Tom? Is it always a 340? or some flights are the 747?


Mike those are all ideas but I know not if they are realistic. Could you justify the trip as a write off? :wink:

[Matt Molnar]

What does Cathay use to Vancouver, Tom? Is it always a 340? or some flights are the 747?
Cathay uses the 773 nowadays.

[mirrodie]

I knew they'd changed, but wasnt sure from what to what.

MIke, write it off! You know, you can take Lufty to Germany, you know, to so see da Fuhrer and research new Diesel engine technology, then take the circuitous route up to AMS, and fly the MD11 into SXM and home on the 757.

have you at orbitz in all seriousness?

[LGA777]

Mike, just to add my 2 cents. Domestic demand is not down much at all, my airline's April LF was a record 85.8 pct. But with International demand way down maybe try Europe this summer while the fares are down and then do LA next summer, just an idea.

Good Luck Buddy

LGA777