Do people REALLY want to save Qantas or is it just talk?

[oz_mark]

I see no issue with Qantas teaming up with MAS in Asia and even Europe.

I have an extremely hard time trying to associate the word "premium carrier" with a carrier flying A320's and 737's.

MAS use an awful lot of 734's (slowly being replaced by 738's) on regional flights around Asia.

 

[juddles]

MAS use an awful lot of 734's (slowly being replaced by 738's) on regional flights around Asia.

I'm with JohnK on this - premium carrier/737&A320's???? Not sure exactly how to justify this belief. But it just doesn't gel.

 

[mannej]

Doesn't BA use the 318/319? As a premium product going between London and NYC?

 

[simongr]

Doesn't BA use the 318/319? As a premium product going between London and NYC?

Exactly! I don't understand dismissing carriers simply because of fleet. Surely it is about fit out and service? If this is going to be a Asian carrier it doesn't need ultra long haul to get around Asia.

 

[serfty]

...
I have an extremely hard time trying to associate the word "premium carrier" with a carrier flying A320's and 737's.

I'm with JohnK on this - premium carrier/737&A320's???? Not sure exactly how to justify this belief. But it just doesn't gel.

It's simply your perception!

The reality in regard to 'premium carrier' is the hard product and how it is delivered. This really does not relate to the size of the aircraft.

e.g. BA1/BA2 as mentioned are all J products and are quite popular.

 

[medhead]

It's simply your perception!

I share that perception and I think it is due to being conditioned to associate A320s with Jetstar in Australia. NB I not as internationally travelled as many here.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[pauly7]

Don't really think they need saving... I would say other major airlines in Australia are in far worse positions, its just they don't make it to the populist press

 

[QF WP]

As Tony Abbott put out a press release from Dubai, I presume he flew EK.

 

[TonyHancock]

Isn't the real question "Does Qantas want to save itself?"?

Until the vitriol that appears to exist between staff and management is no more I think QF is doomed to have more problems.

As a QF die hard for many years I have just booked my first long haul international V Australia trip (Etihad codeshare). The process was fine, seat selection involved a phone call, but even that was very pleasant. (I called the wrong number, the chap who took the call requested the PNR and name, and Velocity Number and put me through to the right person who was prepared with all of my details and made me feel like a valued customer.)

My last 18 months with QF has seen a systematic devaluing of WP benefits, a failure to deliver published benefits, a failure to respond to direct communications, via telephone, email and website feedback form, and the use of customers as pawns in the battle between entrenched unions and uncompromising management. This is all during a period when my travel needs are increasing.

The launch of Platinum One proved rather uninspiring. Maybe there is more to it than is published, but it hardly seems anything to look forward to. (This viewpoint is from someone who will be Platinum One in April 2012 so it is not a case of sour grapes.) Perhaps the thing that makes it worth going for is that friends and family of WP1's, in certain scenarios, now have more "status" than a WP!!!

So if you don't have status, the competition is cheaper, and in many cases just as good, if not better, why would you book QF? I'm struggling and I am teetering on the edge of WP1. The difference in fare in my case is $1.5k. (J class.) I had the choice, I could have booked QF at the increased price.....but I didn't. In the next seven months I have 5 J trips to the UK, 2 x BA, 2 x QF(inc a JASA) and now a VA. (My strategy has changed a little from that of three months ago, most of my international long haul is now paid J rather than a mix of JASA's and paid J.) If QF wants my business, and to date it's actions suggest not, it needs to improve the way it treats me as a customer.

I'm fed up with the hit and miss QF customer service. It can be excellent, it can be dire. I never know what to expect. (With the exception of the QF F check in, MEL, which has always been very good for me.)

I want QF to be successful, actually I need QF to be successful, but management and unions need to find some way to build a successful workforce/management collaboration...and with the current hard line management and union leaders that seems a long way off.

I can see the logic behind building a hub in Asia and an Asian airline, but if things continue as they are why would I want to fly QF to the Asian hub?....or maybe that is the idea?

Over the last 10 years I have become a world weary traveler, but my recent experiences, warts and all, with Virgin have put a spring back in my step. I am enjoying the "new" adventures into uncharted territory. Most of all I am really enjoying the customer service, the smiling staff, and the feeling that my business is valued. Virgin is miles off being perfect but the attitude I have encountered suggests that they want to get there. There are plenty of areas for improvement, but Virgin seems to want to improve them!!!!!!

QF you could really learn from this! You'll still be getting some business from me, but VA will be getting a significant share too.

 

[QF WP]

I wished I'd written that, what an excellent summation TonyHancock - my thoughts exactly (albeit I'm not in the P1 stratosphere, but certainly sending my next 10 months travel with VA domestically).

 

[ajw373]

I see no issue with Qantas teaming up with MAS in Asia and even Europe.

I have an extremely hard time trying to associate the word "premium carrier" with a carrier flying A320's and 737's.

So what do you do when you go to Europe where most intra Europe flights are operated by single isle a/c? Or the US where a good portion are operated by single isle a/c? In both cases the distances are the same as Singapore to most places in Asia. Are you saying none of those airlines are premium?

Even in Asia there seems to be a growing trend towards single isle. Take a look at Thai who have got rid of a lot of their short haul A300 flights and replaced them with 737's and from next year A320's. As others have said MAS also runs 737's on short haul and SQ runs A320's though in their case it is through Silk Air.

Anyway just goes to show what I have always thought, the expectations of the traveling public in Australia are well above that of the rest of the world. No wonder so many are disapointed with Qantas, when in reality the product they offer domesticlly is probably the best in the world and internationaly top 10.

 

[medhead]

I wished I'd written that, what an excellent summation TonyHancock - my thoughts exactly (albeit I'm not in the P1 stratosphere, but certainly sending my next 10 months travel with VA domestically).

As do I. Totally agree with everything TonyHancock wrote. Strikes and groundings are little more than a symptom of the real problems.