No Spirits (in J) Masquerading as COVID? [Back from Apr 2022]

[samh004]

I took a flight yesterday (QF1571), and will take a couple more today (so stay tuned). Discounting the 210 minute delay, it went pretty well. I'd booked revenue (from a voucher) business to Canberra and had booked a service after 0900 as I'd read alcohol was available after this time. I enjoy a bloody mary on short morning flights, and have have enjoyed multiple on my way to Sydney before.

Naturally, by the time we actually departed Gold Coast it was the afternoon, but I was still keen to enjoy a drink I had now waited all morning for, or at the very least a G&T. The FA took my order in the air and then began searching, before being told by the CSM – and relaying to me – that due to COVID they were not serving spirits, but I could have a beer or wine.

I don't see how a spirit is any different to a beer or wine, especially on a ticket that cost me close to $2k return. Qantas hasn't been absent from the skies for the past few months, they've just been operating a very limited network that is only now starting to build again. This is what I would have expected on Virgin Australia... but I'm actually quite disappointed by their attitude to something that must cost them practically nothing.

Now, I'm not saying I'll stop flying them, there's no one else, I realise that. But I'd be much less inclined to drop money for premium based on experiences like this. I have a few more vouchers, then I'm back to cash. Has anyone else experienced similar, is this just National Jet, did I get a bad crew, etc?

 

[Danger]

That's poor. I wonder, though, if it's a case of catering having not done its job. You would think the FAs would know about a change in service such as this. It reads as though the FAs went looking, couldn't find the spirits, thought they'd blame it on the pandemic rather than acknowledge their colleagues' lack of performance and hope you bought the line. Shame on you for not remembering that, along with wearing a mask and washing your hands, WHO has also been saying for months now, 'Serve only beers. Spirits spread the disease.'

 

[dk4]

I know they weren't provisioning spirits on either airlines' business class last time I flew them. And a report from someone on VA last week, was that it was beer or wine, and they didn't want to be booked on VA again (I doubt the new VA will reintroduce spirits). I agree though it is poor form from QF not to have recommenced provisioning of spirits, especially when their business fares can go up to2-3 times more than some of the same sectors on Virgin.

So much for the spirit of Australia... haha

 

[samh004]

I didn't have a chance to ask for the same on this mornings National Jet service CBR-SYD, but I shall try my lucky on a mainline service this afternoon to OOL and report back.

Shame on you for not remembering that, along with wearing a mask and washing your hands, WHO has also been saying for months now, 'Serve only beers. Spirits spread the disease.'

I am not sure if you're speaking tongue in cheek or not, but that seems daft!

 

[samh004]

The final flight of the afternoon was mainline and the options also did not include spirits.

Guess that answers that.

 

[Austman]

and the options also did not include spirits.

I thought they disappeared ages (some years) ago from Qantas mainline J? Except for trans-con flights?

 

[samh004]

I thought they disappeared ages (some years) ago from Qantas mainline J? Except for trans-con flights?

Last August (2019) I had several spirits on a flight OOL-SYD(-MEL) when they ran out of one of them. No photos I'm afraid, but it was for an AFF gathering. Flew back the next day.


You'll have to take my word for it, but this was April 2019 QF881 OOL-MEL, on my way to a wine tour in ADL.

 

[justinbrett]

I thought they disappeared ages (some years) ago from Qantas mainline J? Except for trans-con flights?

No, they disappeared from Y (paid or free) but remained in J. I had a couple on BNE-SYD in Jan this year before Covid.

JQ are serving spirits - with the mini bottles. If QF is worried about handling spirits maybe move to this model. BA J give you mini bottles so you can get the perfect mix. I actually don't mind it, I don't like my spirits drowned.

Although, I'm fairly certain I had some G&Ts on a QLK 717 BNE-CNS in October, so this might not be a national policy.

 

[Atcom]

I just flew Qantaslink Kalgoorlie to Perth (9:55am) and coffee and tea were not even offered. A small bottle of water and a wrapped "muffin". That was it. QAN is now offering less than a budget airline service on full fare flights under the excuse of covid.

 

[jakeseven7]

I just flew Qantaslink Kalgoorlie to Perth (9:55am) and coffee and tea were not even offered. A small bottle of water and a wrapped "muffin". That was it. QAN is now offering less than a budget airline service on full fare flights under the excuse of covid.

I flew QFLink twice on the weekend and coffee, tea, refreshments were all available per normal......

 

[justinbrett]

I just flew Qantaslink Kalgoorlie to Perth (9:55am) and coffee and tea were not even offered. A small bottle of water and a wrapped "muffin". That was it. QAN is now offering less than a budget airline service on full fare flights under the excuse of covid.

Not sure that's completely objective, as you would have to pay for both the water and the muffin on a budget airline.

But I do agree with the criticism in general. I think they could get away with it whilst they stopped selling F&B on JQ, but they resumed doing this a month ago, so if they are prepared to sell it on JQ they should go back to serving it on QF.

Also keep in mind Qantaslink is a brand, that is made up of several airlines with a certain level of autonomy.

 

[Vic]

Qantas have certainly taken the opportunity to cut service due to covid. Have had 2 trips recently post borders opening 3 flights in paid business for about $1000 each. No IFE, but told there is wifi - except it's only wifi without internet...
Seemingly only 1 bottle of white and red wine. Sure I was service a mini bottle for the second red, based on the taste.
The one economy flight, 1800 flight cancelled and moved to 16:30. Not a biggie, but annoyingly cut short the meetings. No ife. Not serving wine until after 5 pm, at all not even paid. When the website clearly says 4 pm.

Having said all that, I get it that times are tough, and they've decided to save money by not paying licensing fees for IFE, anad drop service standards. The problem is the lack of notice, when you're paying decent money to try to support Qantas.

 

[dajop]

Aren't they just "responding to customer feedback"?

(when asked would you prefer us to completely cease business class services or a business class with limited catering?)

 

[Ansett]

Having taking a number of J flights over the weekend I asked about why no spirits and a simple case of not yet as they need to use a lot of stored wine from QFi they need to run down some inventory so are pushing these onto QFd. Dont panic they will be back soon they assured me and that was several different crews with the same response.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When samh004 first opened the thread I went to have a look at what QF says they are offering...

Interestingly the main food and beverage page has removed all reference to 'bar' or 'spirits'. It simply talks about wine and non-alcoholic beverages: Inflight dining | Qantas AU

The special 'covid' page says severely reduced catering.

(Not sure about 'more choices of entree and main'... that might apply to row 1. Row 3 is pretty slim pickings )

 

[Ansett]

With 5 J sectors over the weekend including DRW to BNE I was quite ok with the offering, other than no Spirits and no pre-take off drinks I thought it was all as best as one could have hoped for. At least there was no sign of any bleeding salads LOL

 

[samh004]

Having taking a number of J flights over the weekend I asked about why no spirits and a simple case of not yet as they need to use a lot of stored wine from QFi they need to run down some inventory so are pushing these onto QFd. Dont panic they will be back soon they assured me and that was several different crews with the same response.

That's good to hear. I didn't get a chance to ask, but then they also didn't offer the information to me when I asked for a drink, which they could have too. Hopefully they do come back, as I do much prefer a G&T or other drink in the air than a wine most times.

 

[love_the_life]

I thought they disappeared ages (some years) ago from Qantas mainline J? Except for trans-con flights?

I had a couple of G&Ts earlier this year - MEL - CBR (J) so certainly were still around then.
Edit - noticed the post that removed from Y only.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

"Due to covid" .... ie: Sold all the spirits in the great cart-sell-off, and now don't have anymore? ...Due to Covid.

Reminds me of:

 

[oz_mark]

Due to Covid, we don't have much competition now....