Ok, so why does everyone continue to bag Qantas?

[Kiwi Flyer]

I wonder if many of those complaining are realy flying enough with a variety of airlines to form a realistic opinion. We can all find one off incidents to complain about (eg lost luggage), but I suggest that unless you are platinum with international flights for a number of years, do you really fly enough to have a fair data base? Unless you achieved gold with domestic, and fly domestic airlines regularly in other countries (Asia, Europe, America), I doubt you can make a fair comparison on domestics.

Some of us really do that much flying, and with that much variety, and thus have a good basis for comparison.

 

[munitalP]

Some of us really do that much flying, and with that much variety, and thus have a good basis for comparison.

We will meet one day in a Qantas Club I'm sure Kiwi Flyer, I have earned 180 Status credits since NOV 1 on full discount economy fares (and 1 SYD/MEL business)... I have not flown further north than Brisbane - some of us - yep you are right, we do that much flying....

I have just finished building a new home, my wife wanted stepped home theater room - 3 seat lounge inflont of a 3 seat lounge - reminded me too much of an aircraft - we settled for a larger plasma and a single row of seats (and 2 bean bags!) lol

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

We will meet one day in a Qantas Club I'm sure Kiwi Flyer, I have earned 180 Status credits since NOV 1 on full discount economy fares (and 1 SYD/MEL business)... I have not flown further north than Brisbane - some of us - yep you are right, we do that much flying....

For me, 235 SCs since 28 October all discount Y (should be more but for weather intervention), with significant *A flying in that period too.

But that wasn't my point. This year I have flown all cabins, short medium and longhaul, on well over a dozen different airlines in many different markets. Same for last several years. So, I believe I have a wide range of airline travel (& ffp) experiences with which I can validly compare QF.

 

[waltervp]

Usually I whinge, but this time I just booked 2 seats on a multi sector ticket for March on the internet without trouble:

MEL-CBR-ADL-Alice Springs and Ayers Rock to Sydney. All on the dates I needed them too!!

Could not get the flights in and out of Devonport, mainly because the plane is tiny... so I might not get them... but I was impressed! Not impressed with the $250 taxes and fees we each had to pay, but we get used to them....

So well done Qantas!

Walter----

 

[munitalP]

Here’s a breath of fresh air.. presently I’m sitting in Sydney Q Club, enjoying a cold Heineken, pondering my return home to Melbourne. I was on the 1530, arrived at the terminal at 1450, Quick Check – “please proceed to gate 13 as your flights on boarding”… What’s this I ask – Qantas on time on a Friday ex Sydney… no way! I proceed as fast as I can towards gate 13 with no boarding pass in hand (as the Quick Check didn’t give me one) and get to the city flyer desk at the half way point. I throw my black card over the counter – “quick” I say, “my flights on final call”…
“Sir” says the gent behind the counter, “your flight is fully sold, I will have to put you on the next available flight” (please note at this stage that I am on full economy as a customer bought the tickets for me).
“Um” I say and then delicately remind him of the *Guaranteed Seat* policy of Qantas and Platinum members flying full economy…
Knowing I am going nowhere, I take the offered boarding pass and head upstairs to the CLUB.
“Sorry sir, I know it’s not your fault, I know you are not to blame… BUT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? DO YOU HAVE “HATE MR. N IN YOUR COMPUTER? WHY AM I NOT ON 443 TO MELBOURNE… (thumping fist on desk…) TELL ME!!!”

Ok, maybe not quite that dramatic, but hell, I was peed off!

The Qantas Club person, took my complaint and acted according, I am now 5 seats behind the pilot, and am going to enjoy the business class service…

QANTAS – again the reason I started this thread, “Why do people continue to bag Qantas?” They do try their best in most circumstances…

 

[kpc]

QANTAS – again the reason I started this thread, “Why do people continue to bag Qantas?” They do try their best in most circumstances…

As others have suggested, because of their patchy service amongst other things, even in their premium cabins Fly SQ in J (after you have flown QF in J) and you will see what I mean... Nothing that bad with QF, but others are (much) better:-|

 

[rhjames]

MunitalP - have to agree - I'm sitting in the lounge at Coolagatta almost alone Friday night (6pm). I enjoyed an upgrade to business on the flight in this morning, and will return soon on Jetstar which won't be great, but at $140 the wallet is happy. There must be no Qantas flights at this time for the lounge to be empty.

One problem with this morning's flight from Sydney - one passenger got on at the last minute with luggage much larger than allowed. There was much juggling going on to fit it in. I'm often annoyed to see people carry on oversize luggage, and as a result, by the time I board my hand luggage ends up further towards the back of the plane. Even worse, have you seen people with big bags but them in the closest space to the front, then go to their seats at the back of the plane - saves them carrying the bag through the plane. I would urge Qantas and all airlines to have a blitz on this. They have test frames - make everyone pass their hand luggage through. If it doesn't fit, throw it in with the rest of the checked in luggage. I somtimes have a slightly larger bag for overnight stays that I carry on board. However, I always ask if it's ok at check in, and would not be concerned if I was told it's too big.

Has anyone seen other airlines clamp down on this? (perhaps this should be a new thread.)

 

[munitalP]

They have test frames - make everyone pass their hand luggage through. If it doesn't fit, throw it in with the rest of the checked in luggage.

Has anyone seen other airlines clamp down on this? (perhaps this should be a new thread.)

I have been astounded many times as to the luggage allowed on planes not just with Qantas, but also BA (a reindeer skin! no less - Arlanda to LHR) plus others and to this day I cannot fathom why the ground crew's let oversize items onboard. I usually check everything except my notebook (yesterday I had a small cabin bag as well - which I might say is usually checked however I had an expensive DSLR in the bag - Sydney luggage handlers - need I say more?

All airlines need to take a stance and get the luggage issues sorted out - I remember somewhere that the X RAY machines had a slot in the front you had to pass luggage through, if it didn't fit in the hole (slot), you had to check it.... can't remember where that was..., anyway, maybe this is a very good gripe thread to start!!

 

[simongr]

I travel with a small back pack that contains my equally small laptop computer and try to travel with very little else. The only other bag I have is the duty free bag. I get infuriated that people seem to get away with a large carryon, small carry on and a suit bag. I know that people dont want to check luggage (I certianly dont like doing it) but ew either need a rule to be enforced or not. This half coughd approach is annoying.

ind you - try flying out of LHR - that cuts down the carry on baggage

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yup the last few months carry on size limits in UK have been strictly enforced. And more recently MUC also (now that the EU has the same reduced size limits as UK).

 

[JohnK]

Carry on size limits should be enforced everywhere.

Just as well I have a policy where I try to be one of the last to board aircraft and even then I find that sometimes I am waiting in the aisle for 5 minutes to get to my seat because the queue has stopped moving due to people trying to find overhead locker space for their 3 or 4 carry on bags.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

As others have suggested, because of their patchy service amongst other things, even in their premium cabins Fly SQ in J (after you have flown QF in J) and you will see what I mean... Nothing that bad with QF, but others are (much) better:-|

Totally agree. I hadn't flown a lot in J until this year, but I managed to do it on three different carriers since Feb. Last month I had ADL-SIN flight in Raffles and was extremely impressed by the service. Easily beats J in QF for service. QF have better amenity kits and seats however. I've heard good things about CX, so I hope I get to experience that one day.

mt

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SQ doesnt have an amenity kit in business (get individual items instead - some of which are kept in the bathroom), but a very nice one in first.

 

[simongr]

Totally agree. I hadn't flown a lot in J until this year, but I managed to do it on three different carriers since Feb. Last month I had ADL-SIN flight in Raffles and was extremely impressed by the service. Easily beats J in QF for service. QF have better amenity kits and seats however. I've heard good things about CX, so I hope I get to experience that one day.

mt

I have flonw F and J in CX recently and its been nice but nothing particularly better than QF. Food was outstanding in CX though - but service didnt get started for quite a while and I didnt get offered a G&T. Mind you the salmon and caviar appetiser (served during horrendous turbuence) was wonderful. Not sure if it was that much better than the crab bites on QF (I do prefer crab to caviar). I did find the bed on CX F class to be a little shorter than the QF F bed.

 

[Dave Noble]

After finding out that CX will provide complimentary Car transfer (up to 40 miles) to/from LHR for Business and 1st passengers, that has given them 1 big advantage for me over QF. That has a $300 value for me

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

After finding out that CX will provide complimentary Car transfer (up to 40 miles) to/from LHR for Business and 1st passengers, that has given them 1 big advantage for me over QF. That has a $300 value for me

Dave

If flying J or F to/from any UK airport they serve, EK will provide limo transfer anywhere in the UK. There are reports of people using it to limo between Aberdeen and London for their flights!

 

[Dave Noble]

If flying J or F to/from any UK airport they serve, EK will provide limo transfer anywhere in the UK. There are reports of people using it to limo between Aberdeen and London for their flights!

The unlimited transfer within the UK is limited to F passengers ( and not for those on consolidated fares ) .

J ( and F consolidated ) only gets 65 miles from LGW/LHR/BHX and 100 miles from MAN/GLA. Unlike CX, EK do make it quite clearly seen on the website that they provide it whilst CX seems to work on people's psychic abilities to know that they can get one.

It would be interesting to see the reaction from EK for car service from Belfast to London ( much more fun than mainland UK )

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I though EK used to provide it also for J pax? Certainly in some countries they still make no distinction between J & F in terms of limo transfers, and while website refers to full fares I've always been able to get limo even on super cheap sale fares.

 

[simongr]

My parents flew J from LCA to SYD on EK a few years ago and were delivered in a nice BMW

 

[Dave Noble]

From the Emirates UK site ( Emirates > Traveller Information > Before you fly > Chauffeur Drive )

If you're a First or Business Class passenger, you'll be able to enjoy a complimentary chauffeur-driven service. A chauffeur will collect you from your home or office and when you touch down at your destination, a chauffeur will take you to your desired location. Our chauffeur-drive service is currently available from the Emirates departure airports with the following restrictions for Business Class passengers.

London Gatwick - within 65 driven miles of Gatwick Airport
London Heathrow - within 65 driven miles of Heathrow Airport
Birmingham - within 65 driven miles of Birmingham International Airport
Manchester - within 100 driven miles of Manchester International Airport
Glasgow - within 100 driven miles of Glasgow Airport

Should you want to travel further, you'll be able to do so, for a modest additional charge per mile. There is no mileage limit in the UK for First Class passengers*.

*Please note, that for Inclusive Tour bookings the Business Class mileage restrictions apply for First Class passengers travelling from London Gatwick or Heathrow and the chauffeur-drive service is only available in the UK.

Dave