Has QANTAS made the biggest marketing blunder of all time?

[drron]

In Amman the Sheraton had real bacon as well as the pretend stuff.However it had its own little table a fair way from the rest of the food.Only discovered it the second day.

 

[mannej]

So far the biggest issue I can see is the use of turkey bacon...

Yuck✈

 

[medhead]

I really wanted to say something about the sex in the city 2 reference. Yes, I did pick up something from having to sit in the same room as that movie was displayed. Firstly, as noted, it's make believe. This is what we tell our kids in scarey movies and when people die in movies - don't worry it's not real.

But thinking more about it the key point that many people have mentioned is Culture Awareness. It's a wonderful thing culture awareness. I go damn annoyed at the asian "superior" person who pushed in to the queue a couple of people in front of me this morning. I expect culture awareness of visitors to Australia. It is not too much to ask for people going to other countries to display culture awareness as well.

That brings me to Sex in the City 2. I'm sure that if you are a nympho who cannot help but sleep with every single man that you meet you are going to have a problem in Dubai, if you choose not to respect their culture. However, I am pretty sure that the vast majority, if not all, of passenger who are flying on a Qantas plane to Dubai will not have have a problem refraining for engaging in sexual intercourse 5 or 6 times a day. (of course, I'm tempted to suggest meeting the poster who raised this as an issue )

That is the main issue that the girls from NYC had in Dubai. But we can also see a total lack of culture awareness in the clothing choices of the main character and the harping demanding NYC lawyer's demands in the UAE legal system. To me the overall message of the movie is that the UAE is not NYC. A concept that most people in the world can grasp but possibly it is too difficult for people from NYC/the USA. No doubt the movie was actually a bit of advertising of this reality given the sponsorship by emirates. A message from the "dictator"! :shock:

It was the Australian government in 1969

I guess that probably had something to do with them being at war with North Vietnam at the time (no, I'm not going to use the "police action" euphemism).

 

[moa999]

there will be no red tail flights across the ditch

Just can't see that - too many corporates on that route in J.
And I suspect that retention of services on that route (one of the only routes that they presently directly compete) will be a condition of QF-EK

 

[codash1099]

There are indeed 2 sides (often more) to every argument JohnK, but if one of those sides is veiled behind a curtain of ignorance, racial undertones, untruths and broad stupidity, it really becomes an irrelevant one.

Allow me to think not, without being labelled ignorant, racist or a stupid liar. There are many who show concern at the prospect of traveling through DXB either for the vague possibility of problems in transit, or somewhat more likely problems if forced into a stopover. This certainly does not apply to the majority or even most, but it remains a valid concern for those involved because of either political, social or religious reasons.

 

[Platinum A332]

This makes no sense. You expect QF and EK together to operate just one daily flight SYD-AKL, and one daily flight MEL-AKL? No more QF flights into WLG? From my understanding, EK can only operate 4 flights per day Trans-tasman which they already do. So launching a PER-AKL would mean withdrawal of a service such as SYD-CHC by EK.

I'm sorry but I just cannot see this happening, i.e. QF ditching all Tasman flights.

 

[JohnK]

There are indeed 2 sides (often more) to every argument JohnK, but if one of those sides is veiled behind a curtain of ignorance, racial undertones, untruths and broad stupidity, it really becomes an irrelevant one.

Which side is ignorant of facts? You assume because you see and hear something that is the truth or the facts?

I know and understand what I have seen. I know and understand what I have heard. It is clearly evident in Australia. Look around you. The 2 cultures cannot clearly meet in the middle.

So, why would I want to transit a place that does not understand tolerance or beliefs not the same as their own? And I am the one being called stupid, ignorant and a racist?

 

[anat0l]

There are many who show concern at the prospect of traveling through DXB either for the vague possibility of problems in transit, or somewhat more likely problems if forced into a stopover. This certainly does not apply to the majority or even most, but it remains a valid concern for those involved because of either political, social or religious reasons.

You're probably one of the few people who has expressed this point in a way that is completely understandable in that light without appearing prejudicial. Now, everyone else - was that so difficult if that is all you wanted to say?

So who is just genuinely concerned and who is actually prejudicial?

Which side is ignorant of facts? You assume because you see and hear something that is the truth or the facts?

No more than your point of view. You're not exactly taking the middle road here.

I'll take that you bring another point of view here, but don't try and appear high and mighty that the other side is obstinately blind and naive.

So, why would I want to transit a place that does not understand tolerance or beliefs not the same as their own?

Doesn't that statement contradict itself? How can the people of any place not understand tolerance or beliefs not the same as the ones that they have developed?

In any case, when you transit, you don't have to go out into the society itself. You'll be in the airport for about 90 minutes and then you move on. I'm sure it's very difficult, unless someone really has it in for you for some odd reason, for an intelligent lay person to somehow become detained within 90 minutes.


To tie this back to the topic, these arguments still don't explain why all of the sudden Qantas is a horrible airline, perhaps, if I may suggest, people are suggesting that the airline has compromised on its moral and social responsibilities, or lost its scruples. Whether this is a marketing blunder - without the benefit of experience or history - from a practical point of view the answer would be no. So the blunder can only be so from a moral or social point of view, hence lies the argument..... and I truly don't think it's a blunder. And I don't think this move makes QF an "uncivilised" airline. I don't think EK or EY are "uncivilised", "unwashed" etc. airlines.

On top of this, why wasn't there the same argument when the significant tie up of VA and EY was announced last year-ish? When VA tied up with EY, people could not stop heralding John Borghetti as a hero and visionary. In fact, it has been frequently said both here and outside that QF are merely copying VA by this move, a further validation that VA were on the right track. (And yes, if you don't want to fly EY, you have SQ or VS. Just like if you don't want to fly QF, you have BA or CX.)

 

[browski]

Here's the way I see it:

1. "You're the Reason we Fly" is the biggest marketing blunder Qantas has made. Routing via DXB is not.
2. Cunningly, whilst Qantas will lose the patronage of all the Aussie racists and xenophobes, they should more than make up that amount of pax when they are seen as the airline which racists refuse to fly.
3. In Dubai, I drink beer, I have sex (in the main it's not paid sex), I eat pig and I do business; all of which is conducted in what is the most advanced, modern city in the world (and via the most advanced airport in the world). Other than the heat and the general superficiality of the place; what's not to like?

 

[anat0l]

1. "You're the Reason we Fly" is the biggest marketing blunder Qantas has made. Routing via DXB is not.

Actually I would've nominated #QantasLuxury, but if you go by the biggest marketing blunder that was deliberately made, then I'd tend to agree with you. (It's not a bad campaign, but damn it had a minute return).

2. Cunningly, whilst Qantas will lose the patronage of all the Aussie racists and xenophobes, they should more than make up that amount of pax when they are seen as the airline which racists refuse to fly.

That would include quite a few politicians. I suppose a few CL cards will be snipped up and sent to Coward Street from April next year.

To be fair to the other people here, we can't really say that everyone who will not fly Qantas are racists or xenophobes.... some just are genuinely concerned, and of course some just hate Qantas.

3. In Dubai, I drink beer, I have sex (in the main it's not paid sex), I eat pig...

Just don't do it out in broad public (or in the case of beer, outside of designated premises), right?

I'm not sure how you manage to obtain pig, though...

 

[medhead]

That would include quite a few politicians. I suppose a few CL cards will be snipped up and sent to Coward Street from April next year.

Probably not politicians are only racist when it suits them to get votes.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Which side is ignorant of facts? You assume because you see and hear something that is the truth or the facts?

Well, if I see something, it's hard not to treat it as the truth.

I know and understand what I have seen. I know and understand what I have heard. It is clearly evident in Australia. Look around you. The 2 cultures cannot clearly meet in the middle.

So, why would I want to transit a place that does not understand tolerance or beliefs not the same as their own? And I am the one being called stupid, ignorant and a racist?

I don't know what you have seen, I can only take the view and form an opinion on what I have seen.

And having visited Dubai for the first time not 3 and a half months ago, I formed an opinion that it is one of the most amazing places on earth.

I went to the most amazing airport I have ever seen.
I saw one of the most amazing skylines I have ever seen.
I went to the most amazing mall I have ever seen.
I went to one of the most amazing resort hotels I have ever seen.
I went to see the most amazing water fountain show I have ever seen.
I went to the observation deck of the highest building in the world and looked over an amazing, extensive city.
I went and watched the final of Euro 2012 in an Irish bar, full of people drinking. Including locals. All cheering and shouting at the various televisions and talking with each other. I saw no police there, just a couple of security guards in the background chatting amongst themselves and watching the match. And at risk of irrelevance, I also witnessed what were obviously attractive Russian females try and solicit business nearby.
I went to and from the city on one of the widest, most modern highways I've seen. Along the way I passed modern facilities of all kinds such as hospitals and service stations.
I rode in taxis that had air conditioning on full speed!

And what else I saw? I also saw families, I saw little children running about that put a smile on my face (as they always do - God bless them!), I saw women walking around without a male chaperon and I saw couples holding hands. I saw westerners and locals walking side by side, eating side by side with no problems.

I saw no lack of tolerance. I saw no lack of cultural integration. I saw no one at the airport or elsewhere being told to hide any religious items (I recall making a mental note of this, as it is something I had heard the UAE being strict on).

All I saw was a modern, amazing city and place I would love to go back to. All I experienced was friendly, hospitable people.

That, JohnK, is what I saw.

 

[browski]

I'm not sure how you manage to obtain pig, though...

Same way as here; I just go to the supermarket. (Carrefour and Spinneys both stock pig; albeit in a separate section)

 

[Sprucegoose]

The mid east is no different to other parts of the world..........keep your wits about you.

the culture is on the whole deep and respectful, but there will always be differences, pitfalls and traps.

Hell, we had a lovely Irish girl murdered in Brunswick in a totally senseless act in Melbourne, a most livable city.

Qantas in dealing with EK is dealing with the ruling authorities. Their aim is to create a revenue replacement for oil. This is business. I am sure it will work or be made to work.

 

[Platinum A332]

To all the racist bigots. There is an airline designed for passengers like yourself. It is called Tiger.

Jokes aside, it seems Qantas is catering for more customers as a result of this decisions;
1) It opens up for Qantas passengers Dubai as a hub, and a new partner in Emirates.
2) For the select few who fear getting stoned as soon as they step off the plane on Dubai (and of course, those who still need to stop in Asia), Qantas is maintaining its code share arrangement with British Airways.
3) For hardcore Qantas fans, this deal hopefully improves the commercial viability of Qantas operated and marketed flights into Europe.

Further, Emirates is pretty much close to maxing out its frequency and capacity into major cities in Australia (a point often missed). So if Emirates wants to get increased passengers from Australia, guess who will be doing most of this flying? Qantas. Does this make Qantas in some respects Emirates subservient into Europe? Perhaps. But more Qantas flights is better than fewer Qantas flights.

It would not surprise me to eventually see flights from Brisbane and Perth to Dubai. I would not even rule out an Adelaide-Dubai (with a Boeing 787 instead of Emirates Boeing 777) and even Canberra-Dubai service down the track.

 

[Geegeela]

To all the racist bigots. There is an airline designed for passengers like yourself. It is called Tiger.

Please explain.

 

[Sprucegoose]

To all the racist bigots. There is an airline designed for passengers like yourself. It is called Tiger.

Jokes aside, it seems Qantas is catering for more customers as a result of this decisions;
1) It opens up for Qantas passengers Dubai as a hub, and a new partner in Emirates.
2) For the select few who fear getting stoned as soon as they step off the plane on Dubai (and of course, those who still need to stop in Asia), Qantas is maintaining its code share arrangement with British Airways.
3) For hardcore Qantas fans, this deal hopefully improves the commercial viability of Qantas operated and marketed flights into Europe.

Further, Emirates is pretty much close to maxing out its frequency and capacity into major cities in Australia (a point often missed). So if Emirates wants to get increased passengers from Australia, guess who will be doing most of this flying? Qantas. Does this make Qantas in some respects Emirates subservient into Europe? Perhaps. But more Qantas flights is better than fewer Qantas flights.

It would not surprise me to eventually see flights from Brisbane and Perth to Dubai. I would not even rule out an Adelaide-Dubai (with a Boeing 787 instead of Emirates Boeing 777) and even Canberra-Dubai service down the track.

Lets go all out.... Hobart Dubai!

 

[Sprucegoose]

I love some of the old stuff


1965 Qantas Ad 1 of 4 - YouTube

 

[Platinum A332]

Please explain.

It is a comment not based on fact, like many of the Dubai comments here . Hence the jokes aside comment after it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ok try this for marketing!

1965 Qantas Ad 3 of 4 - YouTube