Has Qantas got its "mojo" back?

[NM]

The initial A330s were ordered as part of the package of getting an A380 order from Qantas. It was a package price that Qantas couldn't pass up. So, those first A330s were not related to the A380 delays. If anything, they were there to allow Qantas to gain some Airbus experience.

But still very strategic from Airbus' perspective to ensure QF did not go down the 777 path.

 

[ajw373]

But still very strategic from Airbus' perspective to ensure QF did not go down the 777 path.

Don't think Airbus were all that worried, afterall the A330's that were packaged with the A380's were for domestic where the 777 is way too big.

 

[jetlagger]

It will be interesting to see what replaces the 747s, a decision must come soon given the lead time on some of the possibilities, and I dont think QF will walk into buying an untested design again. Garuda are looking at a 5 year average fleet age target (currently 6.5 years versus QF mainline at 10.6) as they renew and replace, and it looks like they are heading back to Brisbane next year to compete with Qantas, we live in interesting times.

Slight O/T - Garuda used to do quite well out of the BNE flights, quite reasonable loads & yields. It would certainly give VA & others a run for their money.

 

[RooFlyer]

I totally got these sh*ts with QF about 2/3 the way through 2011 and as soon as I got WP set for '12, I shifted to *A for international (with the occasional Etihad); Virgin for domestic served me well as well. Now gold with *A and V too Come the QF lock-out I was congratulating myself on a good call.

I vebtured back on QF again about 1/2 through this year (about 50% of total; I can now choose the flights that exactly suit me) and the change in domestic service especially was very noticable. QF J service all over DJs. International service still a bit uneven.

 

[eastwest101]

I vebtured back on QF again about 1/2 through this year (about 50% of total; I can now choose the flights that exactly suit me) and the change in domestic service especially was very noticable. QF J service all over DJs. International service still a bit uneven.

Welcome to AFF RooFlyer - I expect that you are not alone in your diversification of loyalty, not having the golden handcuffs is useful in my opinion. Your comments about the unexpected improvement in cabin crew attention to detail and consistency (and maybe morale?) in QF domestic and the slightly more uneven QF International is reflected by quite a few other similar comments from many other over the last few months.

 

[lovestotravel]

A FA a few weeks ago did say that all QF domestic staff have been going through customer service training over the past 5 or so months.

Either way I have yet to see a bad QF crew over the past 20+ flights over the past few months

 

[pauly7]

A FA a few weeks ago did say that all QF domestic staff have been going through customer service training over the past 5 or so months.

Either way I have yet to see a bad QF crew over the past 20+ flights over the past few months

Seems to be paying dividends according to the feedback on here!

 

[Must...Fly!]

Bit of an older crew ADL-MEL today on a B738, made for a less enjoyable experience compared to the other day - eg I put my bags above row 6 despite sitting in row 4 as there was no space. A bin in J was almost empty, so I got up after boarding was done to move my stuff - crew was walking up so I mentioned what I was doing and was fine with it yet they continued to close the bin ahead of me I would have to open. Perhaps a force of habit, but I guess it's one of those little things.

Curiously the curtain to J was not shut at any point - is that normal for shorter sectors?

Incidentally I managed 2 BSI aircraft in a row after not having boarded one until now - one with DJ and one with QF. The QF bird today was actually the newest bird in the fleet - VH-XZB! Also the first time I'd say in 4C...that was nice, straight off the plane (though even with BSI bins, overhead storage was at a premium...)

 

[lovestotravel]

The QF bird today was actually the newest bird in the fleet - VH-XZB! Also the first time I'd say in 4C...that was nice, straight off the plane (though even with BSI bins, overhead storage was at a premium...)

Had her last week, still smelt new that's for sure

It's amazing how much better the QF BSIs feel compared to Virgin

 

[katiebell]

... because they could not make any money doing so.

Qantas abandoned NZ domestic some years ago, introducing the "orange cancer".

At the time there was DJ, QF and NZ cutting each others throats; NZ had an advantage with a strong lock on government/corporate travel.

I could fly QF from AKL to WLG for under NZ$40 without any issue.

Now all that's left is NZ and JQ, with JQ on some few main trunk routes only.

I was referring to point to point flight BETWEEN Aus & NZ, not within NZ. Aus has 22 million & NZ 3 million inhabitants. QF uses NZ (jet connect) crew on NZ terms on most flights between Aus & NZ. QF must have most, if not all Australian Government business. Why then can ANZ fly between many more Australian and NZ cities than QF manages? The post has nothing to do witthe NZ somestic market which I agree would be challenging given the NZ loyalty to all things NZ.

 

[Platinum A332]

If my experience was anything to go by, QF has not only got its mojo back, it puts every other airline experience to shame! Hope it is a sign of things to come.

As an aside, the crew seem very excited, passionate and optimistic (International) - saying how EK will be a great deal for the customers, and comments how they are excited that QF is lifting their game with select on Q, Business sleeper service etc. - it was great to see a motivated crew, and this translated into some of the best service I have had ever.

 

[jetlagger]

If my experience was anything to go by, QF has not only got its mojo back, it puts every other airline experience to shame! Hope it is a sign of things to come.

As an aside, the crew seem very excited, passionate and optimistic (International) - saying how EK will be a great deal for the customers, and comments how they are excited that QF is lifting their game with select on Q, Business sleeper service etc. - it was great to see a motivated crew, and this translated into some of the best service I have had ever.

Great news, I do hope the positive postings somehow filter back to the appropriate ones at QF.. Certainly an additional morale booster for all involved.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Crew was absolutely stunning on tonight's MEL-PER.

My last QF domestic was in April and the contrast between then and now is ridiculous. I mean, it's always been professional don't get me wrong but now there is a genuine, perceptible feeling of staff wanting to help you make your flight more enjoyable in every way.

A FA a few weeks ago did say that all QF domestic staff have been going through customer service training over the past 5 or so months.

Either way I have yet to see a bad QF crew over the past 20+ flights over the past few months

Saw this post before I left and was in row 43 on a ZX bird so on landing I asked the F/A about it, they have had retraining but not so much the service itself, but the attitude towards the service and dealing with customer problems proficiently and professionally, etc. Mentioned course 2 is coming soon.

If there is more to come then Virgin have to find something other than "we have A330s and meals" because right now as I see it, QF's the only game in service town.

 

[serfty]

... The post has nothing to do witthe NZ somestic market which I agree would be challenging given the NZ loyalty to all things NZ.

It's the same issue with a general NZ loyalty to all things NZ - even T-T flights.

Qantas/Jetconnect would not get away with a "Seats to Suit" philosophy which NZ has done for most of it's T-T.

 

[lovestotravel]

Saw this post before I left and was in row 43 on a ZX bird so on landing I asked the F/A about it, they have had retraining but not so much the service itself, but the attitude towards the service and dealing with customer problems proficiently and professionally, etc. Mentioned course 2 is coming soon.

Exactly what I was told and yes I was also told that "Phase 2" is about to start as well

If there is more to come then Virgin have to find something other than "we have A330s and meals" because right now as I see it, QF's the only game in service town.

Agree, Virgin are slow learners I feel

A few weeks ago during the last big sale I was about to book 12 flights on Virgin, they were the last flights out of Canberra on a Sunday night at 8pm. After Virgin cancelled them all this year on me due to a "schedule change" I had in the back of my mind they may do it again...So I booked a chunk of them with Qantas as I didn't want to take the risk with Virgin. I didn't book any with Virgin.

Going to look for these flights on Virgin now, they have already cancelled them.... and I would have missed out on the sale with Qantas.

Looking at Virgin's FB wall there are still many customers who have flights cancelled or schedules changed which makes the flights no-longer suitable for the customer. Virgin still has a LCC mentality and fiddles with flights far too often to be reliable

As I have said elsewhere another solid year of Qantas flying for me and will be Plat through 2014 as a result :mrgreen:

 

[cmon0005]

If my experience was anything to go by, QF has not only got its mojo back, it puts every other airline experience to shame! Hope it is a sign of things to come.

As an aside, the crew seem very excited, passionate and optimistic (International) - saying how EK will be a great deal for the customers, and comments how they are excited that QF is lifting their game with select on Q, Business sleeper service etc. - it was great to see a motivated crew, and this translated into some of the best service I have had ever.

This is what I have seen lately too, I've done 12 flights in the past month, and all were fantastic (except for QF490 one Friday afternoon which wasn't as good), crew felt very warm and had really good flights.

 

[Mal Ware]

No it doesn't have it's mojo back.

Tired old planes, tired old hosties, bland food and no entertainment selection on the flight.

It has about as much mojo as catching a council bus.

 

[esquire]

Clearly we must be on very different flights... I've had some shockers don't worry but in the 100+ QF domestic flights in the last year I would say 4 or five were below par. With the 30+ VA flights this year about 10 or so were poor (certainly my MKY-SYD VA flight (and pre-flight) experience yesterday was boarderline incompetent)

Then again maybe VA is losing its Mojo so is making QF look better

 

[Mal Ware]

Clearly we must be on very different flights... I've had some shockers don't worry but in the 100+ QF domestic flights in the last year I would say 4 or five were below par. With the 30+ VA flights this year about 10 or so were poor (certainly my MKY-SYD VA flight (and pre-flight) experience yesterday was boarderline incompetent)

Then again maybe VA is losing its Mojo so is making QF look better

Yes I think it is also different for each person depending on their expectations and their perceived value for money.

Some people think because a crew smiled a few times and they had a "good vibe" that then equates to good service. I agree a happy crew is a better crew but that is not the only factor.

 

[Happy Trails]

Yes I think it is also different for each person depending on their expectations and their perceived value for money.

Some people think because a crew smiled a few times and they had a "good vibe" that then equates to good service. I agree a happy crew is a better crew but that is not the only factor.

Could be that they've got their mojo working but it just won't work on you.