Qantas First Class "Nothing more than a premium business class"

[lacuska1]

Just returned form a Mel-SIN-Mel first class 'experience' on QF35-36
Well to my opinion this product is nothing more than a premium business class if I want to be mild...
The interior is worn and torn,the pod like seating are awkward with no privacy sat in 1K.
The Melbourne lounge is mostly busy by status FF-s not the real first class Pax,horrible eggs Benedict is served got a runny stomach after eating the over vinegary thing!
The food on board is mediocre-not to mention the breakfast which is a simple disgrace and the cutlery???
The same cheap metal combo both for the lounge and first class-all airlines around the world serve better in economy than this.

The only positive is the crew who were very friendly and chatty and the bed is comfy too!
Also on this trip I took SQ to Hanoi and Saigon on business class-short flights yet they provide a much better service!-book the cook to start with!
My conclusion please avoid this product and don't waste your points and money on them!To start with I had to fork out nearly a 1000$ just for taxes while I booked another ticket with AA points was hardly 200 $ so this is nothing more than a big rip off from Qantas!

 

[RooFlyer]

Even in prison they serve better than this!

That's where you lost me. I'm usually fine with rants; you make some valid points ( such as the carrier charges) but if I can be forward enough to suggest that tone it down a bit and it will come over much more agreeable.

 

[love_the_life]

That's where you lost me. I'm usually fine with rants; you make some valid points ( such as the carrier charges) but if I can be forward enough to suggest that tone it down a bit and it will come over much more agreeable.

Think that bit has been edited out.
But perhaps the OP can add a bit more detail, for example an explanation of why the breakfast was 'simply a disgrace'. What was served to make it so bad. Some of the points I can agree with, like the high reward fees, and the cutlery (if it is the same camping style that QF seems to have had a job lot on).

 

[Alyopsis]

My source is impeccable and I’m reliably informed that in Melbourne prisons it’s wheat flakes, room temperature black and gold long life milk, a red plastic bowl, and BYO international roast. Neil Perry food does have its flaws but I reckon your average crim out at Port Phillip would sell his granny for eggs Benedict in the Qantas lounge. As for a latte ....

 

[DC3]

Which prison gets better food than QF? I missed that bit before the edit.

 

[Happy Dude]

Rants of this nature seem to be becoming more commonplace. Older heads direct points earn towards programs other than QF where premium cabins are "better" and/or carrier charges are lower. I'm sure someone will post an experience that directly contradicts everything you've said, except the carrier charges which are a rip-off indeed.

 

[Quickstatus]

Just returned form a Mel-SIN-Mel first class 'experience' on QF35-36
Well to my opinion this product is nothing more than a premium business class if I want to be mild...
The interior is worn and torn,the pod like seating are awkward with no privacy sat in 1K.
The Melbourne lounge is mostly busy by status FF-s not the real first class Pax,horrible eggs Benedict is served got a runny stomach after eating the over vinegary thing!
The food on board is mediocre-not to mention the breakfast which is a simple disgrace and the cutlery???
The same cheap metal combo both for the lounge and first class-all airlines around the world serve better in economy than this.

The only positive is the crew who were very friendly and chatty and the bed is comfy too!
Also on this trip I took SQ to Hanoi and Saigon on business class-short flights yet they provide a much better service!-book the cook to start with!
My conclusion please avoid this product and don't waste your points and money on them!To start with I had to fork out nearly a 1000$ just for taxes while I booked another ticket with AA points was hardly 200 $ so this is nothing more than a big rip off from Qantas!

Welcome @lacuska1 !

I guess it depends on the reference point. What were your expectations of F class?. Have you experienced F before?. The problem with expectations is that often it is not in sync with reality.

Thanks for your opinion. I don't travel F much, but I have done QF F on a couple of occasions and have found it very nice. Sorry I don't share much of your opinion.
Others have noted that QF F is not truly F. But I prefer the understated product than the Bling of EK.

"All airlines in the world serve better in economy" definitely identifies your post as an over the top rant - or at least that part of your post.

Book the cook. You know thats just a marketing ploy. There is no cook/chef onboard.

I think you mean airline surcharges rather than taxes. Taxes are the same across all the airlines operating in the same airspace and airport.
But the ridiculous surcharges are QF feature - some call it a "Fine"

 

[Melburnian1]

Welcome @lacuska1 !

I think you mean airline surcharges rather than taxes. Taxes are the same across all the airlines operating in the same airspace and airport.
But the ridiculous surcharges are QF feature - some call it a "Fine"

It astounds me how many Australians haven't woken up to the huge airline surcharge QF puts on its international reward tickets. This can be several times what VA charges (and even accounting for the higher points burn rate in redeeming SQ or others through Velocity, one is still better off than the QF FF "scheme." )

At times it's cheaper to buy a ticket using cash or credit card on another carrier than it is to redeem points for QFi through QF FF.

 

[samh004]

It astounds me how many Australians haven't woken up to the huge airline surcharge QF puts on its international reward tickets.

I think you'll find this is mainly because the many Australians who have oodles of points, also do not have status/know that they need to book long range/far in advance... so they never actually get the chance to experience the surcharges as they can't find their J/F redemptions 2 weeks from travel

Back to the review... sounds like the expectations were set a little high. I haven't flown F since I was a youngster but this site has taught me enough to know that I'd aim for an A330/787 J suite to SIN any day over what is on the A380, but that's just a personal preference. That or perhaps I'd take a look at some of the other F offerings flying out of Australia – this coming from a big supporter of the Roo!

 

[Cossie]

We caught both these flights last month, no problem with the food nor drinks, I was in 5A both ways. I wandered upstairs and was glad we weren't in J row 11, wouldn't want to be that close to the "lounge". The plane was a bit tired, but I believe they are all getting refurbished. So, no complaints from me, nor MsC and I don't regard either of us as fanbois of QF. But as usual with these matters, YMMV.

 

[blackcat20]

I like QF first, but then I know what to expect. I really like the style of the seat, and the meals I've had have been very good. A refurb is much needed but starting this year anyway.

 

[samh004]

I wandered upstairs and was glad we weren't in J row 11, wouldn't want to be that close to the "lounge".

Interestingly enough, flew back from LHR last year in 11E and slept great (for a Skybed), wasn't disturbed at all. Perhaps some flights have more lounge visitors than others

 

[Matt_01]

When it comes to F products all have their pros and cons, QF is getting tired but it is 10 years old and will get an overhaul. I like JL, CX and QR, all these are open however there are some that would not rate the product as it does not have doors. SQ and EK are also good however I often leave the door open, but that is just me.

As for the OP like others have asked what is the point of reference.

 

[Quickstatus]

Interestingly enough, flew back from LHR last year in 11E and slept great (for a Skybed), wasn't disturbed at all. Perhaps some flights have more lounge visitors than others

Any skybed droop?

 

[amaroo]

Row 1 is a dodgy seat, as it is on most airlines. Never understood why people priorities?

QF is is behind some, and ahead of others with their offer. Buyers / passengers / customers always have the solution to unsatisfactory issues...

 

[Quickstatus]

I prefer the 2-3A/K in I ever get the change again in QF F.
None of the QF F are privacy plus, thats just not the style of the cabin.

I actually prefer the more open plan Skybed J cabin than the new J suite A330/B787 which feels a bit cooped up.

In any case each traveller is entitled to examine the value of each ticket purchase and there are choices if not up to their expectation. In the end it's the customer's expectations that the airline has to balance against financial realities.

 

[Pushka]

I prefer the 2-3A/K in I ever get the change again in QF F.
None of the QF F are privacy plus, thats just not the style of the cabin.

I actually prefer the more open plan Skybed J cabin than the new J suite A330/B787 which feels a bit cooped up.

In any case each traveller is entitled to examine the value of each ticket purchase and there are choices if not up to their expectation. In the end it's the customer's expectations that the airline has to balance against financial realities.

Thanks I just checked our seats for January and it’s 2a and 3a. However if I get the chance to fly in F, and only do so on award bookings, then I try get a non Qantas flight. However on this trip travelling around Egypt I might be glad of the Aussie familiarity afterwards.

 

[Quickstatus]

@Pushka,

Re Aussie familiarity
I do miss the Qantas anthem whenever i fly home on QF. They don't play it often enough.

 

[samh004]

Any skybed droop?

I fear this post may be drifting, but after both the QF and CX lounges, and sampling a few gins I might add, I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I was stood up instead of laying down

 

[Quickstatus]

@lacuska1 ‘s post does raise an interesting question.

Is there a reference standard for a F class?. What are the necessary elements of a truly F class service and do any airline that offer F class have them?.

Is F class a relic of a bygone age?

Domestic US F class is F in name only. Even the fare buckets don’t have F anymore (at least in AA). Is “First” just marketing?

In the past QF had “champagne class” when it operated the Super Connies. What was that service compared to current F? I don’t think they had Lie flat seats.