Interview with Stephanie Tully, Head of Airline Loyalty at Qantas-Platinum One

[moa999]

Re: AuBT Interview: Qantas Platinum One

There is one very major airport that has a Oneworld arrivals lounge, LHR T3. However, a platinum card will NOT get you access to have a quick shower and shave after a long haul overnight flight. I travel this route regularly, but generally in premium. Access will only be granted with a J or F boarding pass. This lounge is run by AA and I have used it several times, but in the last few months they have cracked down on this. I have been a WP + PG for many years , but will struggle to get to WP1. I feel my loyalty deserves a shower after a long flight. Anomaly: if I flew into UK on BA, I reckon my platinum card will get me into the LHR T5 arrivals lounge (which is actually much nicer than T3). Only issue is that BA Premium economy is even less comfortable than QF!John

But I don't think arrivals lounges are within the scope of the oneworld agreement. eg even a WP flying QF F won't get access to CX The Arrival in HKG (albeit it is a very small facility)

 

[dajop]

With all due respect, despite the fact they're both holding out on detail, Virgin does seem to be setting the pace here -

That's always been the QF approach. Spacebeds on SQ came before QF Skybeds. NZ/SQ had fully flat J seats well before QF launched theirs. NZ preceded QF by at least 12 months on NGCI. A range of airlines came up with LCC offshoots before QF came up with JQ. I am pretty sure SQ had it's culinary panel before QF had Neil Perry ... I am sure there examples back as far as the AN days.

QF's approach is consistent, to let others to innovate and be on the "bleeding" edge, QF to quietly make improvements on the innovations others make, and really make them work well for the airline.

 

[serfty]

That's always been the QF approach. Spacebeds on SQ came before QF Skybeds. NZ/SQ had fully flat J seats well before QF launched theirs. NZ preceded QF by at least 12 months on NGCI. ...

In recent times yes; however that has not always been their approach.

Qantas claim to have launched the world's first Business Class in 1979. (Boeing Aircraft Take Qantas Further)

Also, their "Dreamtime" Business class seat was cutting edge when it was introduced around 1997.

It's just that Qantas appear to have rested on their laurels since then and have been overtaken. Earlier this year I had my most comfortable Business class sleeps ever on the new AirNZ 77W.

 

[dajop]

In recent times yes; however that has not always been their approach.

That is true, easy to forget anything more than 10 years ago.

It's just that Qantas appear to have rested on their laurels since then and have been overtaken. Earlier this year I had my most comfortable Business class sleeps ever on the new AirNZ 77W.

Is it that they've rested on their laurels, or just that they take the wait and see approach?

As for the Air NZ 77W, I agree - I had one of the most comfortable sleeps ever on it as well - and that was just on the short flight from AKL-MEL!!! (lucky for me they had one of the memory foam mattresses on board, I understand they don't normally carry many - or any - TT).