BACK TO BUSINESS: Feb 2011 transcon with QANTAS

[dk4]

How would you like to see Qantas respond to the "New Blue" on transcon flights to/from PER next year?

I thought it might be a fun idea to gauge what the AFF community thinks Qantas Group should do, to keep bums on east-west seats next year, given Virgin Blue’s “game change” announcements.

(Un)fortunately there is only room for 10 poll ideas on AFF, so please do elaborate in your own posts below; add some more specifics to your answer or detail something completely different (option 11). And as I have designed a “first past the poll”, you might like to consider what your second or third opinions may be, or even the things that you don’t want to see done.

 

[samh004]

I chose StarClass, but what I’d like to see is a domestic business class for JQ, something like DJ’s ill-fated PE (so cheaper than QF J but more expensive than a Flex ticket), that earns J SC’s still.

On the wider issue, SC earning on cheap JQ tickets would be nice, even if it was half of discount economy, so the lowest earn would be 5 SC’s. That would be a good incentive to fly them. You could even give half the points, so minimum points guarantee could be 500.

 

[moa999]

until Virgin announces what their 'game change' is this is just speculation.
Will the 330s have a business class, no tvs, live2air (or equiv) or the v aust ife.

As it is, Qantas is gradually transitioning its new dom a330s onto the route along with syd-mel tags with good ife.

I cant see the 380s going on this route, maybe when it gets some more some of the 2-class 747s may end up back on this route - would make the red-eye a lot nicer.

And I don't quite get the mixing of the poll with Jetstar options.

 

[markis10]

Will be interesting times for sure, A380 no chance as the domestic apron is not rated for it, interestingly none of the current DJ apron areas are rated for anything more than a 737??? 15a is the closest capable hard stand.

 

[straitman]

interestingly non of the current DJ apron areas are rated for anything more than a 737??? 15a is the closest capable hard stand.

I do not see this as a major issue and will require a new survey at worst in most situations and/or the modification of a few gates at the end.

 

[oz_mark]

Will be interesting times for sure, A380 no chance as the domestic apron is not rated for it, interestingly non of the current DJ apron areas are rated for anything more than a 737??? 15a is the closest capable hard stand.

I'd think that DJ have got their work cut out for them introducing the A330 into their fleet. Domestic aprons are just one of their issues.

 

[kamchatsky]

QF does not have to do anything. Until DJ improves their velocity program most would still trying to fly QF.

 

[markis10]

I do not see this as a major issue and will require a new survey at worst in most situations and/or the modification of a few gates at the end.

I am not so sure, 15A from memory was the AN 767 hard stand, I dont think the apron has seen a heavy ever, mind you they have the standoff bays 601 and 602, however I suspect turnaround times to be poor if they are using buses or dont change the aerobridges at gates 16 and 17.

 

[dk4]

until Virgin announces what their 'game change' is this is just speculation.
...
And I don't quite get the mixing of the poll with Jetstar options.

I believe that addressing the questions about – Jetstar and proactive vs reactive strategies, is important.

I would argue that it is hard to determine if DJ’s strategy is to form a beachhead or a bridgehead into QF’s market. I would agree that if it is a beachhead, then QAN’s current pincer position is probably adequate to enable them to simply be reactive. If, however, DJ is attempting to build a bridgehead, into The Group’s pincer position, IMO QAN should act proactively to reposition.

Either way the 2 brand strategy is likely to evolve & involve –

JQ attacking from the centre and to one side (/below), using a price mechanism. Ensuring that The Qantas Group’s more price sensitive premium and corporate markets don’t fall to DJ, but instead they are delivered down to the secondary brand (JQ). PLUS JQ would want to be picking up any of DJ’s traditional market, should they become disenfranchised and start to fall away while DJ refocusses its energies toward their “double the corporate market share” game change strategy.

And from the centre around to the other side of (/above), QF will probably want to fortify its premium high ground, using (hard & soft) product quality initiatives & loyalty bonuses, but not reducing its position with significant price discounting.

I believe that the best case end game (for The Qantas Group) will be JQ playing a larger role in the price sensitive end of the premium/corporate market PLUS the whole event stimulating the corporate market sufficiently for the QF brand not to lose any significant ground. Additionally, The Qantas Group would probably be trying to ensure that DJ retains a subsistence/weak toehold in the premium/corporate market, to dissuade any possible future competitors from mounting an attack, but also ensuring DJ’s position is not strong enough from which to mount an attack again. e.g. QF 60%, JQ 30%, DJ 10%?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I chose F Lounge options from MEL + SYD, as l have just become a WP. No doubt my views will change once l drop to SG and then back to PS QC. But then again, l don't see too much difference in the normal QP and J Lounges "at times".

YMMV

 

[nlagalle]

It's a hard one, I like the idea of in seat IFE for Y as that is what I travel with most, but better meals would be good too..

 

[oz_mark]

It's a hard one, I like the idea of in seat IFE for Y as that is what I travel with most, but better meals would be good too..

I was under the impression that seat back IFE was being introduced as new planes entered th QF fleet.

 

[serfty]

I would only click "New J Lounge" in PER. But won't since Jetstar is irrelevant to this IMHO.

The main change is already happening with PIFE in J/Y.

 

[nlagalle]

I was under the impression that seat back IFE was being introduced as new planes entered th QF fleet.

Same here.. which is why I voted for better inflight meals!!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Same here.. which is why I voted for better inflight meals!!

To me, the meals in whY are decent enough for a PER-SYD flight. AVOD is pretty much on every flight now too. l thought that a FLounge departure would be a nice touch.

(OT-Something more than a muffin/piece of fruit/nuts on some short haul flights needs to be done, if QF is indeed a "premium airline". Consistency is the key IMO. I've been on back to back sectors, both within 1 hour of each others times, ie, SYD-BNE vv and 1 had a full service with hot meal in whY, the other just a muffin/apple, go figure?!?)

 

[737]

(OT-Something more than a muffin/piece of fruit/nuts on some short haul flights needs to be done, if QF is indeed a "premium airline". Consistency is the key IMO. I've been on back to back sectors, both within 1 hour of each others times, ie, SYD-BNE vv and 1 had a full service with hot meal in whY, the other just a muffin/apple, go figure?!?)

The problem is, when we offer a dinner flight, there is always 1 or 2 extra crew depending on the configuration of the aircraft. A part from the obvious increase in cost of the catering, the amount of crew needed play a part in costings, etc.

Agreed, a better offering would be nice, but considering at times it is a rush to try and serve 222 pax, with 4 crew (on a 767-338) on a SYD-MEL we can only hope :shock:

 

[vertisol]

The problem is, when we offer a dinner flight, there is always 1 or 2 extra crew depending on the configuration of the aircraft. A part from the obvious increase in cost of the catering, the amount of crew needed play a part in costings, etc.

Agreed, a better offering would be nice, but considering at times it is a rush to try and serve 222 pax, with 4 crew (on a 767-338) on a SYD-MEL we can only hope :shock:

I'm always amused by the helter skelter rush to squeeze a glass of red into everyone on a 5pm QF jet service from CBR to SYD. Any delay in getting the seatbelt sign off makes pax in rows 12 and back very nervous about receiving anything.

 

[dk4]

I would only click "New J Lounge" in PER. But won't since Jetstar is irrelevant to this IMHO.

The idea behind the option was to judge if "some sort" of new lounge option was in demand. Perhaps I should have phrased it - New Lounges (e.g. J PER lounge, Lounge by Jetstar... etc). Giving two examples of existing Group lounge products, which are currently not available systemwide (and neither are in PER).

The Jetstar option may appeal to some, as it is the only Qantas Group lounge product which offers a pay per entry facility.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

The problem is, when we offer a dinner flight, there is always 1 or 2 extra crew depending on the configuration of the aircraft. A part from the obvious increase in cost of the catering, the amount of crew needed play a part in costings, etc.

Agreed, a better offering would be nice, but considering at times it is a rush to try and serve 222 pax, with 4 crew (on a 767-338) on a SYD-MEL we can only hope :shock:

Maybe l should have been a little bit clearer.
On the repositioning for a NAN J Run, l did SYD-BNE and vv a day later. One was a 7:30pm SYD-BNE the other was a 8pm BNE-SYD. One had hot meal + drinks and the other had a muffin or fruit to choose from. Cost of flights and plane used was the same each way. Now that's a pretty big discrepancy in my books.

OT; On the way up the BNE, the was a fair bit of turbulence (seat belt lights were on for longer than usual) and serving of dinner was very rushed, but the crew did a fantastic job it.

 

[serfty]

The idea behind the option was to judge if "some sort" of new lounge option was in demand. Perhaps I should have phrased it - New Lounges (e.g. J PER lounge, Lounge by Jetstar... etc). Giving two examples of existing Group lounge products, which are currently not available systemwide (and neither are in PER).

The Jetstar option may appeal to some, as it is the only Qantas Group lounge product which offers a pay per entry facility.

Fair enough; perhaps you could have separated the options, I don't see a JQ lounge as a response to DJ.

I do see Qantas working hard to get a J lounge functioning as a direct response; lack of space not withstanding.