Emirates Restores Melbourne-Singapore Connection

I’m QF gold and flew this flight in economy a month ago. Was terrible. Packed and no service on an old plane. We were a family of 4 travelling and they stuck us in the row of 4 across.

Emirates only allowed me to take in one guest to their lounge. Lucky I knocked back a few veuve cliquots in the lounge to help me sleep.
Well, yes, you are only allowed one guest. Same as with QF for SG isn’t it?
 
They took a seat and waited at the gate. We didn’t go in for long. We were travelling on to Europe in J from Singapore with Emirates but that didn’t mean anything in terms of letting them come in.
Was in there yesterday, I could take 1 adult and 2 kids, QF Platinum though.
 
Looks to be plenty of award availability for first on this route. I’m heading back to India for a week in march next year for Holi and then onwards to Israel and considering burning some points with this flight. Timings don’t bother me too much. Do they offer only one brekky meal on this flight given it departs early morning?
 
Just flew EK405 and EK404, booked via Qantas as QF8405 and QF8404.
Oh wow, the experience is so much better than flying Qantas.

On the way there, it was a 3am flight. Pretty rough.
But, the EK lounge was super empty at the time.

The flight was also very empty and a lot of ppl including me got to experience business class in economy.
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On the way, got to experience the upgraded economy class product which included a new entertainment system with Bluetooth headphones connectivity.
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Sneak peak of the food.
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Apart from the 3am outbound, it is a no brainer for me especially when the fare is quite competitive. Unless you prefer Singapore airlines.

Also, for the return flight, the Qantas Singapore lounge is now open in the morning on certain days.
 
I couldn't agree more, I flew the inbound Sin-Mel in EK Y a couple of months ago which was fantastic, and the outbound Mel-Sin QF J was very disappointing. Really enjoy the EK product. SQ still the best for me though.
 
I find the EK flights great if they're not full. Not a huge fan of 3-4-3 on a 777 if they're full. The timing though ex-SIN is great, it's nice to have a day flight - and there are now three options SQ, TR and EK. Obviously timing not so great ex-MEL (the previous timing 7pm in summer and 6pm in winter was better).


That's interesting Tue/Thu/Sat - assume they must be contracting to AF then, who have a daytime SIN-CDG flight operating on those days, departing at 10:50 (opening times for Tue/Sat 07:50-10:00 fit perfectly with AF schedule) and on Thursdays to FJ who have a 13:25 departure (their Mon/Sat services are evenings). So Thursday then is a good day to travel Jetstar early-mid afternoon to access the QF lounge (terminal transfer not withstanding) 😂

I wonder though if the QF lounge offer is tailored specifically for what AF (and FJ) are paying for, so not the same as the evening offering. Noting of course, not that there's anything wrong with the EK SIN lounge, it's pleasant enough for an hour or so.
 
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That's interesting Tue/Thu/Sat - assume they must be contracting to AF then, who have a daytime SIN-CDG flight operating on those days, departing at 10:50 (opening times for Tue/Sat 07:50-10:00 fit perfectly with AF schedule) and on Thursdays to FJ who have a 13:25 departure (their Mon/Sat services are evenings). So Thursday then is a good day to travel Jetstar early-mid afternoon to access the QF lounge (terminal transfer not withstanding) 😂
Correct, these extended hours cater to the following flights:
  • Tuesday
    AF181 to Paris at 10.50am
  • Thursday
    AF181 to Paris at 10.50am
    FJ362 to Nadi at 1.25pm
  • Sunday
    AF181 to Paris at 10.50am
 
That's interesting Tue/Thu/Sat - assume they must be contracting to AF then, who have a daytime SIN-CDG flight operating on those days, departing at 10:50 (opening times for Tue/Sat 07:50-10:00 fit perfectly with AF schedule)
Sundays not Saturdays
 
Every QF executive should be forced to fly on other airlines so they understand the level of service and amenity that needs to be provided to be competitive.
There is an element of sense in that but that is based on the assumption that simply matching/copying/ just beating the competition is all that is required. What they actually need is a QF executive/ board that can think independently and set is own standard for service delivery that can satisfy and attract its target market. One might argue that they are doing this as their flights wouldn't be as full or as pricey - they know they are a small airline with stuck on customers, people need to speak with their airline selection and take their dollars elsewhere if they're not happy with what QF thinks is good enough - that's the only way things will change.
 
There is an element of sense in that but that is based on the assumption that simply matching/copying/ just beating the competition is all that is required. What they actually need is a QF executive/ board that can think independently and set is own standard for service delivery that can satisfy and attract its target market. One might argue that they are doing this as their flights wouldn't be as full or as pricey - they know they are a small airline with stuck on customers, people need to speak with their airline selection and take their dollars elsewhere if they're not happy with what QF thinks is good enough - that's the only way things will change.

Fortunately for QF management most of their customers are blissfully unaware of the superior alternatives on offer.
 
Every QF executive should be forced to fly on other airlines so they understand the level of service and amenity that needs to be provided to be competitive.

QF are well aware of what they offer, flights are full, profits are high (various reasons) so why would they do anymore than they need to.

Next big thing will be getting the crew off the legacy 737 contracts and onto lower paying A320 contracts.
 
They know exactly what they are doing. They just don’t have anyone to hold them to account. In Fantasy land, If Singapore Airlines started a long haul division from Australia tomorrow with 50 Jets, QF would be toast.

QR is a threat also. Well they won that one.
 
Every QF executive should be forced to fly on other airlines so they understand the level of service and amenity that needs to be provided to be competitive.
Every QF executive should be forced to fly on QF (... in Y) so they understand the level of service and amenity that currently exists or otherwise.
 

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