Pre-Departure Beverages Gone the Way of the Dodo?

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

There’s not been any PDB in recent times to remove. I do it weekly and if I need a water I ask but no other drinks offered. A fairly well discussed fact around these parts I thought.

 

[serfty]

PDB has never been a thing on QF Domestic J.

Actually it has and my experience goes back decades.

Domestically, it was juice or water until a few years before COVID, then it was still water or sparkling water.

For example, see this reference to proffered OJ from 2003:

Trip Report - QF BNE/SYD/CBR/BNE + Hotel

Date: 06 August 2003 Between: BNE/SYD Sequence = 129 Airline: Qantas (QF) Flight Number: QF533 Plane Rego: VH-OGN (767/338) ETD: 2.10pm ATD: on time Check-in/Qantas Club: Arrived at the airport at 1pm and for the first time, was able to use the QuickCheck (as only 2 carry-ons for this...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[bussyboy]

My last J from MEL to PER, boarding was delayed about an hour, no PDB and everyone was strapped in waiting at the gate to leave for about 45 min before we pushed back - was not too impressed. Definitely remember this being a thing pre-covid

 

[Princess Fiona]

Actually it has and my experience goes back decades.

Domestically, it was juice or water until a few years before COVID, then it was still water or sparkling water.

For example, see this reference to proffered OJ from 2003:

Trip Report - QF BNE/SYD/CBR/BNE + Hotel

Date: 06 August 2003 Between: BNE/SYD Sequence = 129 Airline: Qantas (QF) Flight Number: QF533 Plane Rego: VH-OGN (767/338) ETD: 2.10pm ATD: on time Check-in/Qantas Club: Arrived at the airport at 1pm and for the first time, was able to use the QuickCheck (as only 2 carry-ons for this...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I get that but we aren’t talking about the noughties.
The OP’s post was inferring that they were surprised and dismayed that there was no PDB on QF and that this was a new thing.
It’s not.

 

[serfty]

I get that but we aren’t talking about the noughties.
The OP’s post was inferring that they were surprised and dismayed that there was no PDB on QF and that this was a new thing.
It’s not.

Certainly it is not a new thing for no PDB offering, but experiences vary. I guess that it what the OP was asking.

Service does vary, especially recently, but "never" in this case is not appropriate.

 

[p--and--t]

No because PDB isn’t a thing on QF J Domestic.
Trans con yes regardless of aircraft type.
TT yes

But QF doesn’t have PDB on any other domestic routes.
This thread isn’t adding anything to what we already know about Domestic J

Don't often travel domestic J, but distinctly recall a few months pre covid, late 2019 definitely offered Mel-Bne and Bne-Mel (small sample - one J flight in each direction)

Edit: depends on your definition. a tray of small plastic cups with water and something else with bubbles, maybe sparlking water or something else - I only have water)

 

[PineappleSkip]

Don’t recall any PDB domestic since covid. The ‘take your coat away’ service seems to have gone the same way, although I’ve seen it randomly return.

Cheers skip

 

[jukebox333]

I would be curious if aircraft type has any impact on your chances of getting PDB. For instance are you more likely to receive PDB in J on an A330 domestically versus a 737 or 717? Would it be any different on the A350 (when QF launches those) or the A321-XLR or the Bombardier C-Series?

Will be interesting to find out!

-RooFlyer88

I just came back MEL-PER last night on an A330. Have been doing the same run in the 787 PER - MEL the last two months, and the difference was palpable.

In the 787, which - and I suspect this is significant - is the domestic leg of an international product, the meals service is three distinct courses, and the PDB was present every flight (this, in a J cabin with 42 seats).

I was suprised not to be offered the PDB on QF783 last night - but reading this thread, probably shouldn't have been.

The service was not as personal, nor as "sharp" IMO - I guess I've just gotten used to being spoiled.

 

[oz_mark]

In the 787, which - and I suspect this is significant - is the domestic leg of an international product, the meals service is three distinct courses, and the PDB was present every flight (this, in a J cabin with 42 seats).

You don't need to suspect. It is the reason for the difference.

 

[dk4]

In the 787, which - and I suspect this is significant - is the domestic leg of an international product, the meals service is three distinct courses, and the PDB was present every flight (this, in a J cabin with 42 seats).

Prior to covid-lockdowns, all QF transcontinental domestic flights to Perth were at an international level of service. So it wouldn't matter if you were on an international flight sector number or not, the service would have been to the same standard.

Post-covid-lockdowns, that level of service did not return to domestic transcontinental flight numbers. (Competitively, VA has withdrawn from wide-body aircraft operations, so QF just competes on a better seat, not better service, when offering wide-body transcon domestic flight numbers to Perth.)

 

[oz_mark]

Prior to covid-lockdowns, all QF transcontinental domestic flights to Perth were at an international level of service. So it wouldn't matter if you were on an international flight sector number or not, the service would have been to the same standard.

Post-covid-lockdowns, that level of service did not return to domestic transcontinental flight numbers. (Competitively, VA has withdrawn from wide-body aircraft operations, so QF just competes on a better seat, not better service, when offering wide-body transcon domestic flight numbers to Perth.)

The transcontinental flights were at a higher level than other domestic flights, but I am not sure that in practice it ever really achieved an international standard.

 

[dk4]

The transcontinental flights were at a higher level than other domestic flights, but I am not sure that in practice it ever really achieved an international standard.

Qantas certainly advertised it as an international standard of onboard service. (I paraphase, but they used the specific term "international" to describe the transcon service on flights to/from PER.) The only real difference in J (on a wide-body daytime short sector, that I can think of) between domestic fleet and international fleet was the seat cover IIRC. (Vinyl vs Fabric). But I am interested to know, given that you do a lot of PER flight posts, what differences you recall between transcon wide-body and a similar short length international service, pre-covid?

 

[justinbrett]

I think the PER international on domestic service was quietly downgraded well before covid, once VA started having money problems and a truce was called in the capacity war. Around 2016 from memory.

 

[RealtimeY]

I believe Rex also offers PDB

 

[dk4]

I think the PER international on domestic service was quietly downgraded well before covid, once VA started having money problems and a truce was called in the capacity war. Around 2016 from memory.

Possibly, was that when the salad went from the meal service?

 

[Happy Dude]

Can't even get a post departure tea/coffee on VA CBR-MEL vv anymore, but if it means so much to you just give the hostie your order as you take your seat so they know this ain't your first rodeo.

 

[dairyfloss]

I don't do a lot of domestic travel, but it has increased in the last couple of years - for obvious reasons - and when I have and its been in QF J, I can't recall getting anything in the way of a PDB... possibly a bottle of water left on the little drinks table on the centre armrest or seat pocket.

Conversely, I flew my first 2 J flights with VA last week, and on both they offered up PDBs. Water or Sparking Water on the way out (early AM), and the same plus sparkling wine, on the way back (mid PM).

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

My last J from MEL to PER, boarding was delayed about an hour, no PDB and everyone was strapped in waiting at the gate to leave for about 45 min before we pushed back - was not too impressed. Definitely remember this being a thing pre-covid

Yesterday's flight from MEL back to SYD was delayed for nearly an hour due to weather causing baggage loading to proceed more slowly and also no PDB or anything. Not that I was upset sitting on Seat 7A on the A330.

The OP’s post was inferring that they were surprised and dismayed that there was no PDB on QF and that this was a new thing.
It’s not.

I would say that I'm a bit surprised that any airline would not offer PDB in J. I made the assumption (perhaps an incorrect one) that there was a point in time where QF prided themselves on service for business class travellers and would not hesitate to provide a PDB or take your coat. I apologize that my assumption was unfounded.

The ‘take your coat away’ service seems to have gone the same way, although I’ve seen it randomly return.

Data point: On my trip to MEL this weekend I saw the take your coat away on the outbound (on a 737) but not on the return (on an A330). So it seems to be very hit or miss.

Prior to covid-lockdowns, all QF transcontinental domestic flights to Perth were at an international level of service. So it wouldn't matter if you were on an international flight sector number or not, the service would have been to the same standard.

My experience travelling in North America is that trans-continental service in business class was always a cut above regional domestic service. However, even on the tiniest CRJ flying from IAD to DTW in J, I would still receive my PDB and an offer to stow away the coat (if I was wearing one). Is it reasonable for airlines to only offer PDB in J on transcontinental service?

-RooFlyer88

 

[flyingfan]

I would say that I'm a bit surprised that any airline would not offer PDB in J. I made the assumption (perhaps an incorrect one) that there was a point in time where QF prided themselves on service for business class travellers and would not hesitate to provide a PDB or take your coat. I apologize that my assumption was unfounded.

Dunno about feelings of pride but QF domestic J used to offer ‘still, sparkling or strawberryapple juice,’ hot towels, newspapers, headsets in your seat pocket and hanging up coats before departure. Then the beverage became a choice of still or sparking water.

EDIT: Actually, were the hot towels after takeoff? Been so long…

 

[justinbrett]

Yesterday's flight from MEL back to SYD was delayed for nearly an hour due to weather causing baggage loading to proceed more slowly and also no PDB or anything. Not that I was upset sitting on Seat 7A on the A330.


I would say that I'm a bit surprised that any airline would not offer PDB in J. I made the assumption (perhaps an incorrect one) that there was a point in time where QF prided themselves on service for business class travellers and would not hesitate to provide a PDB or take your coat. I apologize that my assumption was unfounded.

Data point: On my trip to MEL this weekend I saw the take your coat away on the outbound (on a 737) but not on the return (on an A330). So it seems to be very hit or miss.

My experience travelling in North America is that trans-continental service in business class was always a cut above regional domestic service. However, even on the tiniest CRJ flying from IAD to DTW in J, I would still receive my PDB and an offer to stow away the coat (if I was wearing one). Is it reasonable for airlines to only offer PDB in J on transcontinental service?

-RooFlyer88

It's a different culture here.

In Australia, QF designs the process that all J pax are in the lounge, the flight is called, and you walk straight from the lounge to the aircraft. Boarding has usually commenced well before the first lounge pax arrives at the gate (depending on the walk from the lounge or the eagerness of the pax).

On AA, many J pax won't have access to the AC as it's not included in the ticket. Flights are not called from the lounge. Most pax are at the gate before T-30 before boarding and J pax are among the first onboard. You're usually in your seat long enough to slowly sip your PDB and possibly get a refill. Due to the much more liberal carry on allowances, boarding seems to take a lot longer in the US.

Thus, I think there's much greater need for a PDB in the US. Not that it's not welcome here, but it's not really a deal breaker if you don't get one. I think also because there's a FA tied up checking boarding passes on narrowbodies here, which is not a requirement in the US.

As for transcontinental service in the US being better, that only applies to very few select competitive routes (like LAX-JFK). It's more about the competition and high profits that determine the service, not the distance, which is why QF used to offer more for PER transcons (but did not offer it to DRW transcons)