Building a stronger Qantas

[Red Roo]

Put this in the other (now locked) thread... Some things not mentioned in the announcement - does this mean no changes to these services on QF metal - there was considerable speculation about these on here.

• SIN-FRA
• SYD-MNL
• SYD-HNL
• SYD-CGK
• SIN-BOM
• SYD-NRT - seemed implied QF21/22 would remain to feed the JQ franchise?
• LAX-JFK
• AKL-LAX

Hi guys,

The above routes are all operating business as usual.

As an FYI...previously QF used to fly over Asia, on the way to Europe, now with the new airline starting in Asia we hope to fly more within Asia, so some new routes.

Cheers, Red Roo

 

[el_rooto]

If they are going to introduce this strategy of an increased amount of code shares, can I suggest to Red Roo that status PAX get the ability to request points upgrades and book classic award seats at QF point prices, these are major turn offs for frequent flyers when flying on QF code shares.

Also I am not sure how well the seat selection works

Looking forward to SYD - KUL launching.

I hope QF keeps QF 21/22, it seems to be full most times I fly it. Or alternately switch it to HND.

EDIT: Also bring back SYD - KIX on QF Metal, would make my day

 

[medhead]

View attachment 3450

An interesting graph!

Interesting. Yes. But it needs a graph of the routes ceded to the LCC by an incumbent, near monopoly airline to help with interpretation.

 

[goldy]

I'm quite disappointed that out of all the changes, the media choose to title the headline "Qantas to cut 1000 jobs"

I guess they love to hate Qantas.

What else do you suggest..... "Qantas copies Virgin strategy"??

 

[connieguy]

An even more rewarding Frequent Flyer program, with increased bonuses for Silver and Gold members, a new level of recognition for our most valued customers, and more ways to earn and redeem points for all members.

So who are QF's "most valued customers"? Surely not Platinums as Silver and Gold just got the same extra benefits treatments that they received during the last "Enhancements". To me this says QF thinks the Gold Handcuffs they gave to Platinums will never be broken and that the sun never sets on their one day soon WP1 FFers.

I got a bad feeling in my stomach but I'm sure that will go away once I experience F with Thai, Cathay, Emirates and United, versus the QF F offering.

 

[el_rooto]

The above routes are all operating business as usual.

I assume QF is saving cutting SYD - HNL for the 24th?

 

[TheInsider]

Hi guys,

The above routes are all operating business as usual.

As an FYI...previously QF used to fly over Asia, on the way to Europe, now with the new airline starting in Asia we hope to fly more within Asia, so some new routes.

Cheers, Red Roo

So when will these be announced and will QF stop being so Sydney-centric?

 

[simongr]

Overall I am neutral on these announcements. There is investment, there is a recognition of a need for change and there will be improvements in the passenger experience in terms of new lounges. There ISN'T the massive Jetstarisation that we feared, and yes some routes have been cut but again not as many as feared.

It's now clear that there won't be much improvement for WPs other than some new upgrade process which I hope is more than an SMS confirmation.

I think the biggest announcement of the day was the acknowledgement of the calls for domestic priority boarding

 

[QF029]

Wonder when they'll actually change the schedule... Just booked a BKK-LHR on QF1 for next year.

EF is showing BKK-LHR until at least 3/8/12 which seems the standard advance inventory so I'm not sure that makes it any clearer.

 

[TheInsider]

I assume QF is saving cutting SYD - HNL for the 24th?

JQ have been in discussions to increase their flights with QF, so i doubt QF will be flying there for much longer.

 

[QF029]

I think (hope) that the reason we're not hearing anything of the 1200 SC plats is that Qantas are waiting to see what Virgin offer to that bracket. The better the Virgin offering, the more likely we are to get additional benefits.

I think the biggest announcement of the day was the acknowledgement of the calls for domestic priority boarding

Sarcasm or did I miss something?

 

[FSM-2024]

On the upgrades on code-share (oneworld) partners:
Maybe oneworld will bring out something similar to Star Alliance and their Upgrade Awards, allowing pax to upgrade on various airlines within oneworld using QFF points?

One can hope.

 

[samh004]

Imagine my surprise this morning when the email that roused me from my sleep was from Alan Joyce, about how I was one of their most valued customers. Come again?

Anyway, I thought I’d add my comments to this thread, after finally reading trough that massive press release.

Obviously Jetstar expansions won’t help Qantas International, but they will help the company, and if it gets them into China, and they eventually allow connections (say MEL-OOL-NRT-PEK) with stopovers or not, despite being longer than a direct flight, I can see how this would be useful.

I think Qantas has listened to their customers, particularly in regard to how much the First lounge in SIN sucks, and I think I’ve heard similar for LAX before. I’m surprised if they’re not going to have continuing services from HKG why they’d need a Marc Newson First lounge there, though perhaps this all related to the future premium airline in the region.

If BKK and HKG clearly weren’t as profitable through to LHR then the right decision was to use SIN as the only gateway (despite BA offering connections through the other two). It should also help make the routes to LHR and LAX from MEL and SYD daily, which I’m sure everyone wants. Maximum throughput.

I’m quite surprised with the announcement of a new premium carrier in Asia, perhaps this is the rumoured Jetstar offshoot in HKG. If so, rumours were a little wayward, and I can’t imagine Cathay Pacific will be happy. All I want to say there is that a new premium carrier in the region won’t help Qantas International, as it’ll be a new airline, surely?

But I would very much hope that earning and redeeming on the new airline, through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is supported in much the same way it is now with Qantas International, otherwise they’ll just be alienating customers here again. They did say premium though so I’ll assume they’ll do it right. And of course, making them compatible with OneWorld could help as well. Compatible in a way that earns and redeems points, not just enables bookings to be made.

The other thing is this comment:

Provide eight aircraft to deploy in our planned new investment in a premium carrier in Asia, with up to three additional aircraft to come from the Group’s existing fleet orders.

Will a few A380’s go to this new carrier to better support their long range capabilities and build them up? As I see they’re going to be made up of A320’s, but that only covers Asia, what if you want to expand beyond Asia? Just a thought anyway. I do note it’s also mentioned here, but still…

I can also confirm that 11 A320 aircraft will initially provide the operating fleet for the new airline.

I know the many Platinum members here will have already noted that "Gold and Silver Frequent Flyers and being given more bonuses", but I’d imagine an announcement regarding Platinum/1/2/3 will be coming in the future. I say 1/2/3 because there are 3 levels.

I’m not sure what "smarter faster check-in" to New Zealand is all about, but so long as it actually is faster, I’ll be happy.

Unfortunate for a loss of jobs, but they are a business and if they can become leaner to increase profit margins, they should be entitled that right. I’d hope Alan’s bonus doesn’t increase with the loss of jobs though.

Other than that, it seems like a good announcement.

 

[simongr]

What else do you suggest..... "Qantas copies general airlines strategy"??

fixed that for you. Hate to break it to you but Virgin didn't invent codeshares, partner alliances, fleet investments and route cut backs - they have been around for a while... Although you could just carry on believing that only Virgin has ideas like say introducing a brand new unthought of FF level of Platinum... Oh wait...

 

[awilcockson]

On BA at least (given they use Amadeus) I have never had any trouble with seat selection, although I will always get the carrier (metal) airline ref and do individual seat selection on each website.

BA manage my booking is quite good.

Yep. I've just done this for an upcoming trip. But having to go to a separate site to book seats is a pain. It's been worse on previous trips with a mix of QF/BA/CX, having to monitor 3 different sites. Even worse, I snagged 29F (exit row whY+) on a BA 747, but it's showing as 31A on the QF bookings page. Go figure.

 

[jandj]

Good to provide (hopefully) a better service and attract loyalty and new customers.
I hope there is a $ in all this for the owners !!!

 

[goldy]

Did anyone else think this figure was surprisingly high?

Not really. Qantas have "smoke and mirrored" customers for far too long, relying on patriotism and the safety factor whilst providing one of the worst hard and soft products on the kangaroo route. Sadly for QF, people have wisened up and choose to fly with competitors who offer a better product for less $$.

 

[connieguy]

I think (hope) that the reason we're not hearing anything of the 1200 SC plats is that Qantas are waiting to see what Virgin offer to that bracket. The better the Virgin offering, the more likely we are to get additional benefits.

The announcement mentioned additional benefits for Silver and Gold FFers but specifically failed to mention Platinum. Instead mentioned Our Most Valuable Members, which I suggest refers to WP1. So from that announcements I would not be holding my breath for new WP benefits as recent history only shows WP benefit cuts.

 

[travelislife]

I am unsure on this new announcement. I think investing in a First loung in HKG is a lot of capital put to waste considering they are removing the continuing flights. As well as Joyce's earlier announcement saying they aren't getting any more A380's with F and the newly configured 747's won't have F. I know they are high yeilding customers, but the back of the bus pays the bills and these are the people who have turned to other airlines due to cost and lack of route options.

Setting the airline up in Asia, I know they are saying it is going to be a premium airline, but is it going to end up like the current Jetstar situation, where they like to be in bed together when it suits them, but pull the "we are different companies" when it doesn't.

Overall though, not the route cuts I was expecting, they really are throwing everything in to Asia though, it will be interesting to see which Asian government will let Qantas set up the new premium airline to compete with the National Carrier of said country.

I used to fly Qantas internationally a lot (from MEL) but in the end I got fed up with having to go through SYD when I could get direct with other airlines or just connect somewhere else in Asia.

I don't think Alan has stopped the rot here.

 

[samh004]

So when will these be announced and will QF stop being so Sydney-centric?

While Qantas International is SYD-centric, the group isn’t so much anymore, with Jetstar in a few different countries, and the gateway to Japan being QLD, as noted in the press release.

I think with the reduction of BKK-LHR and HKG-LHR the A380 might be able to go daily or near enough from both MEL and SYD, further reducing the SYD dependance.