Dear Mr Joyce...

[NM]

he fare structure is ridiculous for economy. For economy passengers i would guess (i am sure people will tell me i am wrong though) we book the cheapest ticket for our trip. To then restrict upgrades based on the ticket you bought as it wasnt expensive enough seems pointless. For example on Day x the cheapest return economy ticket MEL LHR is $2000. To buy a upgradeable fare would cost $3800 - $4000 at which point you might as well buy a premium economy ticket anyway.

Seat sizes. Thai airways, Malaysian airlines and other Asian airlines have a seat pitch of 34 inches. Qantas has 31. Even on the A380.

Premium economy is twice the cost of economy and the same cost of some other business class seats. Example the current "special" has seats for $4500 to London return in low season, high season is $6000!

Another gripe is hearing Qantas and AJ talking about low passenger numbers. In all my trips to London i have never been on a plane with more than 5 - 10 economy seats free. This may be true for other routes though.

Well, look at it from Qantas's business perspective - that seems like they have a very successful pricing policy! It works for Qantas. As for the passengers, well they have a choice. Choosing to participate in supporting Qantas's successful business model is driving the result.

Headphone sockets. Why anyone would choose the 2 pin (or 3 pin) socket instead on the single pin is beyond me. This is even on the A380 i believe.

Well there is a very practical reason for this. If the airline supplied headphones had standard 3.5mm jacks, many more people would "souvenir" the devices and the cost of each airfae would need to be increased to compensate for the replacements. By using the two-pin plugs in Y and 3 pin in PE, J, F (3rd pin to power the NC electronics) the headphones are less attractive for people to steal. I am sure the loss rate of Qantas headphone is significantly lower due to the connectors they chose to use.

 

[willjd]

If the airline supplied headphones had standard 3.5mm jacks, many more people would "souvenir" the devices and the cost of each airfae would need to be increased to compensate for the replacements. By using the two-pin plugs in Y and 3 pin in PE, J, F (3rd pin to power the NC electronics) the headphones are less attractive for people to steal. I am sure the loss rate of Qantas headphone is significantly lower due to the connectors they chose to use.

You seriously reckon people would take the headphones they give out? the only way to hear through them is full volume and the sound quality is that bad...

The loss rate would be a great deal lower if they allowed people to use their own headphones without having the cost to carry, clean and repackage the headphones they give out, and without the need to buy an adapter.

 

[Moopere]

or pick a different flight!

Seems to be mainly 737s or 767s on the weekends from East to West.... though there is at least one 747 service from SYD I think.

bleah....

 

[LiamR]

You seriously reckon people would take the headphones they give out? the only way to hear through them is full volume and the sound quality is that bad...

The loss rate would be a great deal lower if they allowed people to use their own headphones without having the cost to carry, clean and repackage the headphones they give out, and without the need to buy an adapter.

Everybody takes them home on Virgin Blue.... I see people with those red tipped earphones everywhere. Now they are black I think, and you see a fair few of them around.

 

[dfcatch]

Everybody takes them home on Virgin Blue.... I see people with those red tipped earphones everywhere. Now they are black I think, and you see a fair few of them around.

But on DJ you paid for them and were actively encouraged to take them home, and then you can re-use them.

 

[NM]

You seriously reckon people would take the headphones they give out? the only way to hear through them is full volume and the sound quality is that bad...

Absolutely they would. And especially the NC ones in PE, J and F ... even though they need separate external power that won't e available. I reckon they would lose at least 20% of them if they had regular single 3.5mm plugs.

The loss rate would be a great deal lower if they allowed people to use their own headphones without having the cost to carry, clean and repackage the headphones they give out, and without the need to buy an adapter.

I do use my own earphone ... and always have an adapter in the pouch. Maybe it would be good business for Qantas to sell the adapters for say $2 each (they cost less than that at Wan Chai Computer Centre ).

 

[LiamR]

But on DJ you paid for them and were actively encouraged to take them home, and then you can re-use them.

No, there free. Have been for quite some time.

 

[dfcatch]

No, there free. Have been for quite some time.

Damn - it's been that long since I've taken any notice

 

[kevrosmith]

*I've also seen some instances when staff go dangerously close to the BA-esque patronising of non-English speakers - this is just not on

Interesting to note that someone else has seen this on BA (off topic - sorry), thought I have been imagining.....

I laughed when I saw the ad for that show "Come Fly With Me": "It's alright, I know how to speak Chinese..."

Perhaps it's like we say in IT "This job would be so much easier if we didn't have users"... do the FAs think "this job would be so much easier without passengers"..?

Pillows and Blankets are still available in Y... on the 737s they're usually around row 20, all stuffed into one overhead locker. I tend to grab 2 pillows myself as I'm boarding: one for lumbar support and one to sleep on, and I'm sure blankets are still there, though I must admit I haven't grabbed one myself for a little while.

I've also seen them offer around kid packs many times. Are you sure cards are not available? I haven't asked myself for a number of years: the last few I collected are still getting good use!

In CNS we are fortunate to have ex-AO staff back in the QF fold (Australian Airlines mark II for those that can remember). As a broad generalisation, I find those FAs that have come across from International services much more friendly and helpful. That said, however, you come across a wide variety of responses and attitudes: could we say... the good, the bad and the ugly :shock:

Also as a broad generalisation, I do tend to find some of the Y-geners that are more predominant on JQ to be a bit more self-focussed.

As for meals on QF, I remember a few years ago they advertised the re-introduction of "hot" breakfasts: it was still cereal with a "warmed-up" muffin on the side!

One of my annoyances is hearing the QF FAs placing their order for the left-over Business Class meals before the J-pax have been offered the menu. When I had a rare opportunity to upgrade to J, and asked for a second meal (well, I was hungry, wasn't I!), and was kindly provided a Y-class meal! :evil:

 

[LiamR]

Damn - it's been that long since I've taken any notice

They use to walk down the isle saying "Headsets, Headsex anyone, would anyone like a headset... Headsets anyone, anybody want a headsex?"

A small part of me misses those cheesy jokes.

 

[notzac]

They use to walk down the isle saying "Headsets, Headsex anyone, would anyone like a headset... Headsets anyone, anybody want a headsex?"

I believe this was stolen directly and in full from AN

A small part of me misses those cheesy jokes.

Can't say as I would agree..

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I am also in strong support of the 3.5mm headphone jacks. I was 'surprised' when l flew on the A380 for the first time last month and it was 2 pin. As QF get new aircraft or upgrade seats on existing planes, they should also be going to 3.5mm jacks. I know that a fair few people have iPods/iPads etc etc now days.

 

[lsmi4126]

Would it really be a difficult engineering feat to include both the 2-pin / 3-pin combo AND a 3.5mm stereo jack in the seat arm? My estimate is the cost of the gear would be less than $100 per plane.

I also keep an adapter in my travel folder... just one more of those things I always take with me when I travel.

 

[medhead]

I'm not even sure what the problem is anyway. My single jack headphones work fine with qantas domestic. I have even got stereo sound sometimes.

 

[LiamR]

Would it really be a difficult engineering feat to include both the 2-pin / 3-pin combo AND a 3.5mm stereo jack in the seat arm? My estimate is the cost of the gear would be less than $100 per plane.

On some aircraft they do this, you can usually put your earphones into the top one and you'll get stereo sound. AFAIK all the 777s have this, as well as the new 737s. However, 767s don't.

I'm not even sure what the problem is anyway. My single jack headphones work fine with qantas domestic. I have even got stereo sound sometimes.

Exactley.

 

[lsmi4126]

On some aircraft they do this, you can usually put your earphones into the top one and you'll get stereo sound. AFAIK all the 777s have this, as well as the new 737s. However, 767s don't.

Has never worked for me on the QF A380 or 744.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I'm not even sure what the problem is anyway. My single jack headphones work fine with qantas domestic. I have even got stereo sound sometimes.

Just did a few flights on AA and my single Jack with my new Bose QC15's worked perfectly!!

 

[simongr]

Putting the magic back - I sometimes feel that every time QF try to put the magic back - all we hear is (from people like me I admit) that it is smoke and mirrors and it isnt as good as it used to be.

Personally I am happy with the service I get on board domestically - 90% of staff are good and friendly with 10% being rushed. On int'l the main issue for me is the food - it is cough.

I like the improvements to domestic check in (in that I now basically stroll up to the aircraft) and I like the J lounge and Island dining (although the food could be improved).

Internationally the F product is tired on the 747 and I have yet to enjoy the A380 F. One small thing recently though travelling on the new CX J - this blows QF out of the water. Every element of it was better than QF J even on the A380. One special thing for me was the ability to run my iPad's video through the huge screen - great for someone who watches my TV and movies on the iPad normally rather than in flight movies.

So that is all the good - the bad is the bits around the side and the QFF experience - the penny pinching - the change in SC requirements for PG especially as I will miss that this year AND I will hit exactly 2100 SCs on this trip. It's the change in baggage arrangements - more weight but I am unlikely to use it - even if I had two bags I couldnt put 32KG in each.

I am not sure what I think of QFF at the moment. I think I am locked into them until I hit LTG but I am not even sure about bothering to do that. If my work travel profile changes then everything cold change again.

I basically just don't feel like they want to compete as a quality airline and that is very sad.

 

[Canny man]

In the past month I've had the opportunity to fly long haul J with QF, BA, AF, and LAN. I have to agree with the sentiment that the QF product is getting tired. Each airline has its strengths and weaknesses however:

BA seats and lie flat bad way ahead of the QF J beds in which the padding seems to have worn out
LAN - excellent cabin ambience, space and attentive service
AF - the surprise package - excellent food and wine, quirky, fun FA's with a sense of style and panache

I can't agree with the generalisation of 'tired' staff on domestic. Most are excellent, and keep smiling when dealing with the quirks and vagaries of the flying public.

 

[drron]

Interesting thread.One thing that caught my attention on this recent trip was my sector with AS.On approach to SEA part of the message was-and remember the Alaska baggage pledge-if your luggage isn't on the carousel within 20 minutes of arrival at the gate you get 2000 alaska miles or a voucher for $20 off your next Alaskan flight.
Think about it-this way you get to identify where and whom your problems are.And get the goodwill of your pax.