Insights from QF market research yesterday

[seat1A]

I had a call yesterday from a research company on behalf of Qantas. Apparently I was part of a random sample of QFF members.
Aside from the expected questions about my impressions on the service levels, safety, brand etc etc of QF and various other airlines, there were a few notable questions

- Did I know who were majority owners of Virgin Australia?
- Did I think that Virgin was a profitable or unprofitable airline?
- Did I think that Etihad potentially acquiring a significant stake in Virgin would be a good thing or bad thing for Australia?
- Did I agree or disagree that Qantas was an Australian icon?
- Would I agree or disagree with Qantas and Emirates entering a codesharing agreement?
- Did I believe Qantas management, or the unions, in relation to industrial disputes

Perhaps this is a common theme in their market research, but as a first time participant I couldn't say. However, it reminded me of the ( now outlawed) practice of "push polling" during election campaigns, where one party can advance their views under the disguise of a poll or survey. Could QF be trying to influence the opinions of QFF's (like myself) who have sampled DJ and enjoyed the experience? (I will just manage to requalify Gold for both this year, but 2013 will be the year of deciding which to focus on again)

Has anyone else had similar calls?

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF

Those questions certainly seem like 'push polling'.

 

[medhead]

I could certainly agree that qantas was an Australian icon


Sent from the Throne

 

[amaroo]

Aren't Toll shareholders the majority owners of DJ

 

[moa999]

I doubt anyone could answer the who are majority shareholders of Qantas either?
- 6 shareholders with more than 5% (ie substantials) - igore the Top 20 - this is all Nominees which is mostly super funds - as at 30 Jun 11
- Franklin Resources 8.9% (US Fund); Balanced Equity Management 8.1% (AU Fund); Commonwealth Bank 7.6% (AU); Capital Group 6.8% (US Fund); Westpac Bank 5.1% (AU); National Australia Bank 5.1% (AU)

As for Virgin - no majority shareholders. Branson (via Vieco 2) has 25.9% (per last Annual), Air NZ has 19.99% (as at today Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian )

Amaroo - somewhat correct I guess, although Air NZ has bought a fair number out.

 

[anat0l]

I had a call yesterday from a research company on behalf of Qantas. Apparently I was part of a random sample of QFF members.
Aside from the expected questions about my impressions on the service levels, safety, brand etc etc of QF and various other airlines, there were a few notable questions

- Did I know who were majority owners of Virgin Australia?
- Did I think that Virgin was a profitable or unprofitable airline?
- Did I think that Etihad potentially acquiring a significant stake in Virgin would be a good thing or bad thing for Australia?
- Did I agree or disagree that Qantas was an Australian icon?
- Would I agree or disagree with Qantas and Emirates entering a codesharing agreement?
- Did I believe Qantas management, or the unions, in relation to industrial disputes

Perhaps this is a common theme in their market research, but as a first time participant I couldn't say. However, it reminded me of the ( now outlawed) practice of "push polling" during election campaigns, where one party can advance their views under the disguise of a poll or survey. Could QF be trying to influence the opinions of QFF's (like myself) who have sampled DJ and enjoyed the experience? (I will just manage to requalify Gold for both this year, but 2013 will be the year of deciding which to focus on again)

Has anyone else had similar calls?

Welcome to AFF seat1A; I hope your name reflects where in an aircraft you often fly


Yes, I received a call yesterday from a research company asking the same questions on behalf of Qantas. The company doing the research is McNair Ingenuity Research.

Don't know if push polling is illegal, but if I were Qantas I'd only be using these results as a guide. In fact, I'd be wondering who actually conceived the survey questions and survey methodology (if it was the research company I'd be intrigued to understand their methods - seems a bit dubious. The Likert scale questions were rather limiting in scope).

I can see why Qantas may want to know all this - I certainly would - but I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that they should take these results as gospel for wholly basing policy or decisions. It should be like taking a temperature (and only a sample for that matter).

I can't see how any rational human being can be influenced by this survey, i.e. tending to fly QF or DJ more than their current standing.

 

[seat1A]

Welcome to AFF seat1A; I hope your name reflects where in an aircraft you often fly

Thanks for the welcome, and Serfty too. As for as the user name, alas it is aspirational only...

 

[atreides]

Air NZ has 19.99% (as at today Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian )

Hmm Air NZ increasing their stake. Maybe they feeling like buying then destroying another Australian airline.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hmm Air NZ increasing their stake. Maybe they feeling like buying then destroying another Australian airline.

I think the question to that is..which is the Australian Airline in their crosshairs with this move..I think it might be a little different this time around.

 

[amaroo]

Hmm Air NZ increasing their stake. Maybe they feeling like buying then destroying another Australian airline.

Majority owner of Air NZ - reluctant, NZ Government.

 

[Ansett]

Really wouldnt want to see NZ take control of another Australian Airline after the Ansett Debarcle I vowed never to fly NZ again and have kept to it. As for ownership of DJ I thought that Sing Air had a significant holding in DJ or am I wrong and it is only Virgin Atlantic?

 

[Alanslegal]

A few months ago I did a market research with an agency that said it was doing it on behalf of QF, I did receive $150 for the hour of my time so all was good.