I can see why QFi are struggling... [Poor service in J]

[Verde]

This is slightly reminiscent to my CGK-SYD flight on QF42 A330 sometimes back (~1 year ago). If you think getting plenty of sleep in J is bad, try in Y as an NB :-D

Dinner service took 2 hours to _start_, and then another ~2 hours from start to finish. To top it off, my row (25 or 26, I didn't quite remember) was forgotten (not offered dinner). So is the row in front of me. When we press the call button (sometimes later), the reason was "I thought you were asleep". Somewhat odd as I have my laptop open all that time (and I kept looking around checking when is my dinner coming). On arrival it's quite similar, woken up ~2hours prior, just to wait another hour for the breakfast, etc. Getting even a 2 hours sleep on a 7 hours flight, is tough, more so in Y.

I haven't flown that route again in Y for a while, but my recent experience with A330s SYD-SIN rt in Y was much better (maybe having a status helps). But looking at the OP it seems that this indeed still depends on luck and highlights how inconsistent the service can be.

That inconsistency is the biggest problem. I'd have to say I enjoyed my Y+ service in a J seat (got an op up to Y+ to the USA and on a 747 pre-refurbishment) a lot more than when I actually had a JASA to the USA. One was attentive and friendly (the op up to Y+), on the JASA it felt minimalist (somehow no pre-dinner drinks service for me, I don't know that anyone got the turn down service in the cabin at all). If I hadn't had the better service of Y+ in a J seat, I'd write off QFi J as extremely disappointing rather than hoping I just got a bad run (and merely feel disappointed that while it was a good SC run to go WLG-SYD-LAX in J, it wasn't as good as I'd expected).

 

[UP4014]

Forgot one point - mrsdoc was pretty miffed when I had a glass of red wine poured to have with dinner. She had the wine pre-dinner and was incredulous when they didn't spontaneously refill her (smaller) glass. So had to ask - met by the same attitude as the pyjama comment in the op.

On BA drinks were well attended (by way of immediate comparison).

@ ozmille - I'm not sure if I can be bothered given they haven't even replied to my last issue (see OP and threads about BA points earn).

I've had the complete opposite, extra wine and "let me take that small glass and get a larger one for you Mrbam."

 

[serfty]

I've had the complete opposite, extra wine and "let me take that small glass and get a larger one for you Mrbam."

I've had this too, but sadly it seems to be often the exception rather than the rule these days.

 

[UP4014]

I've had this too, but sadly it seems to be often the exception rather than the rule these days.

Yes, is is where the self serve bar comes in handy.

 

[serfty]

Yes, is is where the self serve bar comes in handy.

If it gets set up :evil:

 

[docjames]

If you think getting plenty of sleep in J is bad, try in Y as an NB .

Yep, been there. Although the expectation (and the airfare) are much lower.

 

[docjames]

@ Verde - similarly, I've had great Y+ on the 744 and great Y+ and J on the 380. I've also had decent J on the 330.

But the inconsistency is just a disaster.


@ Serfty - set up on a 330? ;-)

 

[knightman7]

Yes, I'm not surprised to read this. I've experienced exactly the same on the QF 19/20 route SYD/MNL many times. I flat out refuse to fly QFi unless its on an a380 these days although I had to fly a 747 due to date change to HK recently which was surprisingly good service wise.

Overall, I feel that the CX and BA J offerings are far superior in both hard and soft product. I would fly BA Club World with their much older seat over the Skybed MK2 given the choice. CX J is better than some other airlines F.

The flights to SIN are completely woeful and I can't see how you can fly QF on the SYD/SIN route over Singapore Airlines in their J A380 cabin.

 

[serfty]

..

@ Serfty - set up on a 330? ;-)

Maybe direct the query to the member I was responding to. In any case I have been in Business on a SIN - Oz QF 744 where the 'bar' was not set up.

I basically concur with your complaints,

 

[docjames]

Sorry, I was implying that its yet another feature they spruik that doesn't exist half the time.

 

[Alanslegal]

Annoying # 1 - It's an 8hr overnight flight. Taking 2.5hrs to serve dinner is unacceptable, particularly when you start clunking crockery and cutlery through the cabin 2.5hrs out from MEL as well. Leaving all of about three hours for sleeping. I gave up after 2hrs and just skipped dessert. It's one instance where an abbreviated meal service (rather than plate by plate which takes forever) would be preferable.

A simplified dinner would have been most beneficial, especially for overnight flights.

When I flew LAN J SCL-MEX (similar distance, overnight flight) there were two options, a normal meal service, or a 'quick' dinner. I think most, if not all of the, passengers chose the quick dinner. Basically everything came out on the one tray in one go, as per the photo. At least it gave me the opportunity of having 5-6 hours of rest.

 

[MelUser]

THis is scaring me.

I have a SYD-BKK on QF in J next month. Leave at 9:40am. Will this be lunch and then dinner before landing - lands about 5pm I think.

 

[docjames]

It's not the SYD-BKK direction that's an issue as it's a day flight.

The return will be the issue.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds much like my QF20 MNL-SYD flight a few weeks ago: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports-and-trip-photos/qf19-20-sydney-manila-return-49626.html . . A330 (skybed MKI..) and lengthy and generally cough meal and drinks service. Uber carp 'café breakfast'.

QF19 SYD-MNL (day flight) on the other hand was a pleasure.

Couple of return night flights - QF36 ex SIN and QF30 ex HKG, booked in a fit of DSC enthusiasm - now anything but being looked forward to.

 

[knightman7]

Should have taken QF128 to SYD and a domestic leg back to MEL instead of QF30 imo

 

[docjames]

Should have taken QF128 to SYD and a domestic leg back to MEL instead of QF30 imo

Not sure if you're being intentionally inflammatory, but why on earth you'd want to connect in SYD is beyond me?

Given our arrival was 0830 I was at work (1hr from home) by 1100.

If if connected in SYD, I'd be lucky to be there by 1600.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry to hear you had these issues docjames. It is not good when you are spending that much on an airfare. And it cannot be that hard to deliver what is expected.

In my experience QF economy is not that much of an issue recently and I do not have high expectations and they are much better than alternatives on their routes anyway.

Did you or mrsdoc walk under a ladder docjames?

Maybe but they have both met me!

 

[docjames]

Maybe but they have both met me!

Does that explains mrsdoc's 2hr delay ex-SYD on the outbound leg? And her recent 4.5hr delay ex-PER? ;-)

 

[Inver]

Sounds much like my QF20 MNL-SYD flight a few weeks ago: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports-and-trip-photos/qf19-20-sydney-manila-return-49626.html . . A330 (skybed MKI..) and lengthy and generally cough meal and drinks service. Uber carp 'café breakfast'.

QF19 SYD-MNL (day flight) on the other hand was a pleasure.

Couple of return night flights - QF36 ex SIN and QF30 ex HKG, booked in a fit of DSC enthusiasm - now anything but being looked forward to.

That link doesn't work try this one.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....hotos/qf19-20-sydney-manila-return-49626.html

 

[Aussie_flyer]

In my experience QF economy is not that much of an issue recently and I do not have high expectations and they are much better than alternatives on their routes anyway.

out of interest which routes are you referring to... IMO anything to Bangkok in economy TG is far better, anything to SIN SQ is better, anything to HKG CX is as good as or better, to CGK then Garuda is better, I don't know how Philipines Airlines are as I've never used them, nor have i flown JAL. To Shanghai you may well be right.