Can Qantas get any worse?

[jock]

On two recent Qantas economy flights from Sydney to LHR and return, I found the standard of food and service to have further deteriorated. Apart from the insulting plastic service pack containing a mini-toothbrush and one eye-mask, and their pathetic Snack-on-Q handouts, the most annoying thing was the absence of hand wipes with meals. There are many germs on aircraft and limited access to hand washing facilities before eating. For a couple of cents each, small towelettes used to permit a modicum of hygiene. Hot towels in the morning after a restless night are no longer dispensed either. Surely Qantas could add a couple of dollars onto the fare to ensure some simple hygiene? All of the small airlines we traveled on at least had mini towelettes with meals. J.R.

 

[JetLagged]

Jock, welcome to Aff. Sorry to read that your very first posting is a complaint the level of service received. In the main I'm inclined to say: what you pay for is what you get! If you want better amenities packs etc, then don't sit at the back of the plane!

As for the hand wipes, well, having flown internationally with BA, AA, Qantas, KLM, Thai, Lufthansa and Ryanair, in both F, J and Y sections, and even with Jetstar and Virgin domestically here in Oz, then you don't get hand wipes with any of these (apart from the nice hot towels on take-off and before/after meals in F).

Planes are no more germ contaminated than any other high-use location, so normal precautions such as washing hands after using the toilet etc are good enough. Mind you, the number of people whom one sees not washing their hands in a public lavatory does raise health worries, especially if they are serving in shops.

 

[ric_melb]

I really don't think its a case of Qantas getting any worse. I can't remember receiving hand wipes on any flight in a number of airlines for some years. You will usually get hot towels in business class, but not economy.
Therefore I think the economy class amenities on Qantas are similar to most other airlines.

Hygiene is always a concern in public environments. When flying therefore its wise to be prepared and carry some hand sanitiser, or your own wipes.

 

[gumpy]

I must agree with the others here, getting an amenities pack in economy is a step up from most normal carriers...

I did get hand wipe towelettes in Air NZ economy though... not sure if they still do it...

If you want better service unfortunately you need to pay for it... Economy is so price sensitive they cut back on most things...

The thought of LHR in economy gives me nightmares...

 

[JetLagged]

The thought of LHR in economy gives me nightmares...

A flyer after my own heart - even the thought of an extended BA flight is enough to send me the nightmares. Domestic BA business flights leave you feeling envious of sardines!

 

[blueflamenco]

Handwipes smell funny and make your hands dry. If you are concerned about germs, carry a tube of Purell which would be better from a cleanliness standpoint.

 

[blueflamenco]

Jock, welcome to Aff. Sorry to read that your very first posting is a complaint the level of service received. In the main I'm inclined to say: what you pay for is what you get! If you want better amenities packs etc, then don't sit at the back of the plane!

As for the hand wipes, well, having flown internationally with BA, AA, Qantas, KLM, Thai, Lufthansa and Ryanair, in both F, J and Y sections, and even with Jetstar and Virgin domestically here in Oz, then you don't get hand wipes with any of these (apart from the nice hot towels on take-off and before/after meals in F).

Planes are no more germ contaminated than any other high-use location, so normal precautions such as washing hands after using the toilet etc are good enough. Mind you, the number of people whom one sees not washing their hands in a public lavatory does raise health worries, especially if they are serving in shops.

Really? This is probably an odd thing to be curious about, but I am. I haven't noticed this problem in female restrooms.

 

[JetLagged]

Really? This is probably an odd thing to be curious about, but I am. I haven't noticed this problem in female restrooms.

Well, as I am not familiar with the patterns of behaviour in female restrooms (nor wish to be, but there is likely to a a PhD in it for someone), I really can't comment. But yes, unfortunately, all too often I see people using the restroom and then leave without cleansing!

 

[extracta]

Planes are no more germ contaminated than any other high-use location, so normal precautions such as washing hands after using the toilet etc are good enough. Mind you, the number of people whom one sees not washing their hands in a public lavatory does raise health worries, especially if they are serving in shops.

The big difference is that the people on international flights are taking their germs with them (and maybe yours) when they leave and potentially transferring them to other parts of the world.

Cruise ships routinely provide hand sanitisers now and given the restriction on taking liquids on board an aircraft it would probably be a good thing for airlines to do.

 

[Blackswan]

I really don't think its a case of Qantas getting any worse. I can't remember receiving hand wipes on any flight in a number of airlines for some years. You will usually get hot towels in business class, but not economy.
Therefore I think the economy class amenities on Qantas are similar to most other airlines.

Hygiene is always a concern in public environments. When flying therefore its wise to be prepared and carry some hand sanitiser, or your own wipes.

My QF Y trip to the States two years ago had hot towels, a nice full Snack on Q bag and a decent amenity pack. When I did the same trip earlier this year (only one year later), there were no hot towels, Snack on Q bag was stingy, and I don't know why they even bothered with the "amenity kit". Food offerings seemed to be cut back too.

I think the point the OP is making is that QF has reduced the level of service they once offered (and not all that long ago). Whilst I can afford to fly up the front (I'm flying F to the USA in December), when I do decide to save some cash by flying Y - its the little small things like hot towels which keeps my loyal to QF.

That may seem silly to some, but when I see QF scrimping on their Y service (to try and bring costs down further) - I have absolutely no problem in looking at Delta/V Aust for my next trip.

Yup, you can buy my loyalty with a hot towel

 

[gumpy]

My QF Y trip to the States two years ago had hot towels, a nice full Snack on Q bag and a decent amenity pack. When I did the same trip earlier this year (only one year later), there were no hot towels, Snack on Q bag was stingy, and I don't know why they even bothered with the "amenity kit". Food offerings seemed to be cut back too.

I think the point the OP is making is that QF has reduced the level of service they once offered (and not all that long ago). Whilst I can afford to fly up the front (I'm flying F to the USA in December), when I do decide to save some cash by flying Y - its the little small things like hot towels which keeps my loyal to QF.

That may seem silly to some, but when I see QF scrimping on their Y service (to try and bring costs down further) - I have absolutely no problem in looking at Delta/V Aust for my next trip.

Yup, you can buy my loyalty with a hot towel

JC you're flying F on your own money... I can only dream...

 

[markis10]

Well, as I am not familiar with the patterns of behaviour in female restrooms (nor wish to be, but there is likely to a a PhD in it for someone), I really can't comment. But yes, unfortunately, all too often I see people using the restroom and then leave without cleansing!

A good point! I agree that I dont often have to fight for a hand wash basin often, especially in the QP.

 

[codash1099]

Mind you, the number of people whom one sees not washing their hands in a public lavatory does raise health worries, especially if they are serving in shops.

I was taught not to p*ss on my hands.

And I dread to think of the state of the door handles you have to touch on the way out, even if you have scrubbed your hands within an inch of their lives.

 

[Blackswan]

I was taught not to p*ss on my hands.

And I dread to think of the state of the door handles you have to touch on the way out, even if you have scrubbed your hands within an inch of their lives.

Slightly off topic, as a germ-a-phobe, I've mastered the way to use an aircraft lav without touching any "infected surfaces". It involves a couple of elbows, a foot, and plenty of paper towels . . .

Funnily enough, I've seen some crew exit the lav using my technique - so I know I'm not the only one. . .

 

[ozmille]

Had to fly QF whY in July and noticed that the 'amenity' kits do no longer contain earplugs... small thing but soo handy when at the back.

 

[oz_mark]

Slightly off topic, as a germ-a-phobe, I've mastered the way to use an aircraft lav without touching any "infected surfaces". It involves a couple of elbows, a foot, and plenty of paper towels . . .

Funnily enough, I've seen some crew exit the lav using my technique - so I know I'm not the only one. . .

While paper towels are on hand in an aircraft, they are noticeable absent from airport facilities - where these days there are some wierd Dyson things, requiring a degree of contortion to get your hands dry.

 

[TheInsider]

where these days there are some wierd Dyson things, requiring a degree of contortion to get your hands dry.

But they dry your hand in less than 10 sec! That's if they haven't flown off by the end of that time.

 

[k_sheep]

While paper towels are on hand in an aircraft, they are noticeable absent from airport facilities - where these days there are some wierd Dyson things, requiring a degree of contortion to get your hands dry.

While a great idea in theory in reality the design makes it hard to dry your hands without hitting the side of the dryer - negating the hand washing given most people I see don't use soap :shock:

 

[drewbles]

The big difference is that the people on international flights are taking their germs with them (and maybe yours) when they leave and potentially transferring them to other parts of the world.

Cruise ships routinely provide hand sanitisers now and given the restriction on taking liquids on board an aircraft it would probably be a good thing for airlines to do.

Interestingly enough, there was a recent scientific study performed, and it turns out that doing a long haul flight renders you no more likely to any nasties or infections than sitting in your workplace all day.

The air may be dry, but it's cycled through at a large rate so it's often cleaner than your office.

If you're concerned about personal hygiene, BYO, don't rely on the airline. They're not a body shop.

I also don't recall the last time I have flown any airline that handed out wet-nap type things (QF/AN/DJ/AO/NZ/AA/DL/BA/AB/EI/AS).

If you want decent food, pay and move forward.

If you think QF can't get any worse, spend some time flying around on AA's 757's. Then you'll think QF is truly a 'premium' airline

 

[mannej]

I think this problem is not limited to QF.

I have seen the standards on MH slip over the last few years. In the back of the bus the hot towels have disappeared, no more prawn coughtails as part of the meal, and the meal choices have slipped. In saying this the cabin crew still do a fantastic job.

I guess QF's operating costs don't help, but they are not the only ones cutting costs...