JQ Moving Upmarket / JQ Having Identity Crisis

[yohy?!]

So I had to book a JQ sector today for a last second Double SC MR, was pleasantly surprised to see that a marked difference in the service with definite QF-Like qualities started to appear, eg:

-Priority Boarding (got this as a starter plus holder - first on the plane, other 3 sectors on QF no priority boarding when travelling in J)
-On-board PAs welcoming Oneworld FFs (since when is JQ in OW? must be QF codeshare?)
-On-board PAs referring to 'the team' and 'Enjoy your journey'
-Complimentary food and drink given to some pax
-On-arrival PA was made to: "Allow rows 1-5 to retrieve their baggage and leave the plane before all others"


The FAs overall were better than any on JQ I have encountered - a little older and very friendly and professional.

I also noted on arriving back in SYD T3 passing through the domestic check-in area - there is very little QF branding on the NGCI equipment, the only logos on signage are miniscule. Call me a cynic but it would very easy to change the video screen logos if needed and replace a few posters here and there and Voila! QF & JQ sharing T3 sometime in the future perhaps?

Seems like the game may be afoot - countering DJs move upmarket perhaps?

 

[medhead]

Not a member of OW but they did announce sometime ago that JQ will be an earning partner or something like that.

Thanks for the report and thoughts.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I also noticed the same " welcome to our OW blah blah" on my recent JQ flight in NZ, sadly they were still selling the same overpriced Pringles and paint stripper Sav Blanc

 

[Sprucegoose]

Sounds like market wedge underway to squeeze DJ. Product differentiation at play one suspects.Clever move if they can snare some of the TT riffraff.

 

[cove]

There I was thinking that JetStar was moving to standing room and Velcro seat belts to hold passengers in place, pay toilets,luggage and snacks to round out the offering.