Pre-Departure Beverages Gone the Way of the Dodo?

[dajop]

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?

I haven't flown domestically in Australia very much at all recently, but IME, pax sitting in the first few rows (J/F whatever they are called these days) in North America, are often in their seats for 20+ mins whilst the cattle class passengers play tetris with the overhead lockers, is that the case in Australia as well these days? IME, the whole boarding process (at least used to) take a lot less time in Australian than in US, and therefore less time for niceties. Not that it's too difficult to pour a dozen glasses of water. But maybe the turnaround time is a factor, maybe it was just something that was bargained away during EBA's.

 

[justinbrett]

I haven't flown domestically in Australia very much at all recently, but IME, pax sitting in the first few rows (J/F whatever they are called these days) in North America, are often in their seats for 20+ mins whilst the cattle class passengers play tetris with the overhead lockers, is that the case in Australia as well these days? IME, the whole boarding process (at least used to) take a lot less time in Australian than in US, and therefore less time for niceties. Not that it's too difficult to pour a dozen glasses of water. But maybe the turnaround time is a factor, maybe it was just something that was bargained away during EBA's.

And just to prevent any "grass is greener" assumptions - PDB are far from certain in the US, Flyertalk has many, many posts people complaining about flights where it wasn't offered.

My personal experience on AA/AS is probably 50% choice of PDB, 25% offered a tray of non alcoholic drinks, and 25% nothing.

 

[Milefest]

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

I haven't been flying QF lately but from memory I've been served PDB in J with QF prior to the pandemic. I went and fact checked myself and came across a bunch of articles confirming that it was once an expectation on short domestic routes too.

---

Article from 2016:

A pre-departure drink is offered to business class passengers on Qantas and I chose a lemon juice which was quite refreshing.

Review: Qantas Domestic Business Class (Part 2) - TravelUpdate

Article from 2017:

Pre-departure drinks are always served in business class – usually some combination of juice, still water and sparking water (and champagne on international flights).

Review: Qantas Boeing 737 Business Class

Article from 2018:

Before wheels up, passengers are offered a pre-departure drink of a fruit juice or water (still or sparkling).

Qantas Domestic Business Class Review 737 + How to Book it

Article from 2019:

Once all the passengers were seated, the crew came around to offer business class guests a pre-departure beverage

Review – Qantaslink 717 Business Class, Sydney – Brisbane

Article from 2021 (by Chris Chamberlin) implying that PDBs were once expected in QF J:

Pre-departure drinks are yet to come back as well

Qantas Boeing 737 Business (Adelaide – Brisbane)

 

[ferntree]

I've flown J with Qantas on eight flights over the past 12 months and never been offered a pre-departure drink. On at least half the flights I've had to ask to get a wine top up after food (I won't flatter it by calling it a "meal").

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I’ve had 100% hit rate on jacket service (wearing a jacket on every flight) and never had any issues with top-ups….even apologised on this week’s SYD-MEL that the captain said arrival will be bumpy so a plastic cup of red wine after a couple of glasses, whilst possible, may be risky for my white shirt on the final approach.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I haven't flown domestically in Australia very much at all recently, but IME, pax sitting in the first few rows (J/F whatever they are called these days) in North America, are often in their seats for 20+ mins whilst the cattle class passengers play tetris with the overhead lockers, is that the case in Australia as well these days?

That is true, although I will comment that Australian boarding isn't Formula 1 either. For that we need to look at the Japanese who can board a 777 in under 15 minutes.

IME, the whole boarding process (at least used to) take a lot less time in Australian than in US, and therefore less time for niceties. Not that it's too difficult to pour a dozen glasses of water. But maybe the turnaround time is a factor, maybe it was just something that was bargained away during EBA's.

On my last couple of "domestic" trips in J with Air Canada (i.e. Toronto to Saint John, Toronto to San Francisco and Toronto to Vancouver) I would always board last (usually at final call) and even then the purser would rush out and get me a drink before take off. Frankly it doesn't take much time for service if you plan for it correctly.

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).

I do appreciate that aspect of lounge life here. However, I will point out that the stuff in the lounge ain't much to write home about either. I'm sorry but a toastie ain't gonna cut it, especially in J. Perhaps I am wrong in assuming one should receive a full and proper meal and drinks when I fly business but it is certainly an area for improvement if QF is taking any notes.

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)

All valid points.

 

[Quickstatus]

Ive had many PDB on QF Dom J
But neither here nor there for me.

 

[clifford]

Ive had many PDB on QF Dom J

Non-alcoholic, I assume.

 

[Quickstatus]

Non-alcoholic

Dihydrogen oxide mainly

 

[ozziflyer]

Had approximately 8 J domestic trips this year, routes such as drw-bne / bne-syd and syd-mel.

A330 had PDB water/juice but also including one taking drink orders for once we were airborne - was a surprise.

737 - Occurred twice - my observations - dependent on aircraft being on time and priority boarding conducted early enough to allow for the service to be done uninterrupted.

Some of the other flights included a bottle of water provided but I don't consider this PDB.

Of the two instances- most pax declined the drink. Leads me to think crew who care do make an attempt but probably feel like it's under appreciated. If it occurs I make a point to note it to the CSM and often send the cursory email.

If more pax were the same perhaps we would see more consistency. Something I have found in domestic premium cabins relative to other parts of the world is that we are rather dismissive, ungrateful and less courteous than other J pax.

 

[dajop]

and often send the cursory email.

I

With QF culture these days don’t you worry that the email might get the crew in trouble for costing money and doing something above and beyond the brand standard?

(For clarity being said in jest, but still you never know …)

 

[dairyfloss]

Had approximately 8 J domestic trips this year, routes such as drw-bne / bne-syd and syd-mel.

A330 had PDB water/juice but also including one taking drink orders for once we were airborne - was a surprise.

737 - Occurred twice - my observations - dependent on aircraft being on time and priority boarding conducted early enough to allow for the service to be done uninterrupted.

Some of the other flights included a bottle of water provided but I don't consider this PDB.

Of the two instances- most pax declined the drink. Leads me to think crew who care do make an attempt but probably feel like it's under appreciated. If it occurs I make a point to note it to the CSM and often send the cursory email.

If more pax were the same perhaps we would see more consistency. Something I have found in domestic premium cabins relative to other parts of the world is that we are rather dismissive, ungrateful and less courteous than other J pax.

Regarding domestic J pax and what I’ll presume may be a reference to the U.S. market (?), I’d hazard a guess at the fact that many/most of their domestic ‘first’ seats are filled with loyalty and other eligible complimentary upgrades, rather than actual paid F/J travellers. Folks are probably more appreciative of what they have as a result, rather than the ones down under, that might have shelled out $800 each way on a 1hr flight for no PDB, no seat back IFE, and the majority of the flight spent waiting for the FA to stop chatting with 1A so that they can ask for their grilled ham & cheese sandwich - sorry; croque monsieur - to be delivered.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Dihydrogen oxide mainly

I try to stay away from dihydrogen monoxide poisoning whenever possible

 

[jrfsp]

Regarding domestic J pax and what I’ll presume may be a reference to the U.S. market (?), I’d hazard a guess at the fact that many/most of their domestic ‘first’ seats are filled with loyalty and other eligible complimentary upgrades, rather than actual paid F/J travellers. Folks are probably more appreciative of what they have as a result, rather than the ones down under, that might have shelled out $800 each way on a 1hr flight for no PDB, no seat back IFE, and the majority of the flight spent waiting for the FA to stop chatting with 1A so that they can ask for their grilled ham & cheese sandwich - sorry; croque monsieur - to be delivered.

Cheers,
Matt.

$800 each way? That an economy fare?

 

[dairyfloss]

$800 each way? That an economy fare?

True - may as well be discount Y right now!

 

[RichardMEL]

In the Before Times PDB on QF dom J was definitely a thing and it was actually one of the more consistent (!) things they did - not just transcon but from the shorter sectors to longer ones almost always had the PDB. There was the significant change from having a juice option to still/sparkling water but that was still a PDB for those that would care.

Some times, the PDB may have been one of those smal water bottles placed between the seats, or handed out, but it was very rare to not be offered something.

since covid almost none - which made some sense at wanting to reduce touch points for crews (and the cynical can substitute a reason ) but yeah not come back on domestic.

I get the impression the water (bottles) are still catered - at least on some flights - recently have had offered pre landing (a bit odd, but ok) and have seen on other flights.

imo it is definitely a service element that has disappeared from domestic operations.
(I'm not really fussed either way - I preferred the days of juice ! lol)

 

[ozflier]

I have always appreciated the offer of a Pre departure drink and if it was a glass of wine or spirits even better - it just seems Qantas is using Covid as an excuse to down grade what once was premium service .

 

[PineappleSkip]

Live from QF513 BNE-SYD. Better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick.

 

[UP4014]

This week the three flights I was on.
1st Sydney to Adelaide, didn’t take notice and can’t remember.
2nd Adelaide Melbourne not offered, I think because boarding was chaos, full flight and the crew asking people to check more bags and trying to get the overhead lockers sorted.
3rd Melbourne to Sydney. Water offered in a cup.

 

[Rangalad]

I’ve had 100% hit rate on jacket service (wearing a jacket on every flight) and never had any issues with top-ups….even apologised on this week’s SYD-MEL that the captain said arrival will be bumpy so a plastic cup of red wine after a couple of glasses, whilst possible, may be risky for my white shirt on the final approach.

This is where I'll give QF due credit.
Some crews are brilliant at swapping my glass for a plastic cup at top of descent.