Qantas Airways Ltd. is revamping business-class services

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Has anyone seen this article by Bloomberg

Virgin Blue, Tiger Seek to Lure Business Flyers From Qantas - Bloomberg

" Qantas Airways Ltd. is revamping business-class services as Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd. and Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. threaten its 90 percent share of Australia’s corporate travel market.

The nation’s biggest carrier will refurbish airport lounges, develop new food menus and revamp business-class cabins, Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said today in an interview at a conference in Sydney. The carrier is also implementing new technology to make it easier for frequent flyers to track their bags, check in and avoid queues, in a bid to retain clients.
“It’s about raising the bar for what business travelers can expect,” said Joyce, 44. “This isn’t a defensive strategy -- it’s about setting the pace to keep our customers.”

Does anyone know what the refurbishments/new food menus & cabins will involve?

 

[Dalescott]

But are they going to offer a Limo service like EK do.

 

[markis10]

Does anyone know what the refurbishments/new food menus & cabins will involve?

Yes, Pobblebonk will now be on the menu for breakfast in order to aid QF emptying the cellar of this below average offering as soon as possible. It will be served as a mouthwash alternative.

 

[ric_melb]

I saw Crawford Rix of Tiger on TV saying how Tiger was attracting more business customers, who were just looking at getting lower fares.
Given that Tiger's fares are often not lower, given the cost of all the extras, and that their fares for last minute travel are often higher than their specials, I'm not so sure business travellers will flock to Tiger.
Given limited routes, cancellations, check in requirements, and dare we say lack of frequent flyer lounges I think Tiger are whistling in the wind.

 

[dajop]

I saw Crawford Rix of Tiger on TV saying how Tiger was attracting more business customers, who were just looking at getting lower fares.
Given that Tiger's fares are often not lower, given the cost of all the extras, and that their fares for last minute travel are often higher than their specials, I'm not so sure business travellers will flock to Tiger.
Given limited routes, cancellations, check in requirements, and dare we say lack of frequent flyer lounges I think Tiger are whistling in the wind.

If I were running a small business, and flying often say between SYD & MEL for day trips Tiger may make sense - with OLCI the checkin requirement is gone, business traffic often doesn't need luggage, and who really needs catering on a 1 hr flight anyway? And if the fares are cheap enough, it could be the case (say $100 vs $150) then with 10 fares saving $1000, a 1 in 20 cancellation rate is enough to purchase a full Y in QF and still have money in the bank.

Not for 99% of business travellers, but would be surprised if they aren't picking up some traffic.

But are they going to offer a Limo service like EK do.

Given this is all about competition with DJ in the domestic market .... one would think not. Can you imagine the fleet of limousines required to service MEL/SYD flights alone! QF some time ago announced plans to upgrade the intl J offering (on the 744 anyway) and no mention of limousines then.

 

[anat0l]

Yes, Pobblebonk will now be on the menu for breakfast in order to aid QF emptying the cellar of this below average offering as soon as possible. It will be served as a mouthwash alternative.

Pobblebonk? Help me out here.

 

[arrow]

I saw Crawford Rix of Tiger on TV saying how Tiger was attracting more business customers, who were just looking at getting lower fares.
Given that Tiger's fares are often not lower, given the cost of all the extras, and that their fares for last minute travel are often higher than their specials, I'm not so sure business travellers will flock to Tiger.
Given limited routes, cancellations, check in requirements, and dare we say lack of frequent flyer lounges I think Tiger are whistling in the wind.

Agree - especially the new vertical seats???? I would never stand during a flight

 

[arrow]

Given this is all about competition with DJ in the domestic market .... one would think not. Can you imagine the fleet of limousines required to service MEL/SYD flights alone! QF some time ago announced plans to upgrade the intl J offering (on the 744 anyway) and no mention of limousines then.

I agree - if they aren't going to provide a limo for F passengers, why should they provide one for business

 

[anat0l]

I agree - if they aren't going to provide a limo for F passengers, why should they provide one for business

Because EK does? (Yes, they provide limos for F and J).

Still, I agree - rather infeasible IMO to offer limo service for J unless it's for a domestic connection to an international flight in F. Well, that really is only my IMO. I outlined my intentions for a limo service from QF in this thread of old: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ground-service-benefits-21432.html#post294553

Also, if the common stereotype / stigma / whatever holds true - i.e. the people who fly J don't usually pay it out of their own pocket - then it's likely that transport is covered for them as well (i.e. taxi voucher, arranged transport, reimbursable). For the self-funded J traveller or leisure J traveller......

 

[straitman]

Pobblebonk? Help me out here.

I'm waiting for this answer also :!:

 

[arrow]

I'm waiting for this answer also :!:

It's like drinking vegemite with dynamtie juice :-|

 

[dajop]

For the self-funded J traveller or leisure J traveller......

If they can't afford their own transport to/from the airport, perhaps they need to reconsider the need to fly J ... IMHO QF have a strong enough loyalty program that the status/oneworld benefits that come with regular (or even occassional) J travel outweigh a free limo ride to/from the airport.

 

[samh004]

I do look forward to a refurbishment of the lounges and I hope they come with a new food menu.

 

[nlagalle]

I saw Crawford Rix of Tiger on TV saying how Tiger was attracting more business customers, who were just looking at getting lower fares.
Given that Tiger's fares are often not lower, given the cost of all the extras, and that their fares for last minute travel are often higher than their specials, I'm not so sure business travellers will flock to Tiger.
Given limited routes, cancellations, check in requirements, and dare we say lack of frequent flyer lounges I think Tiger are whistling in the wind.

I am glad we have a strict Do Not Fly Tiger policy at work. Hopefully it will stay that way. Not reliable enough and too many pitfalls!

 

[markis10]

Pobblebonk? Help me out here.

Its been the white of choice in J for a lot of flights for the last two months and IMHO is a shocker, its named after the sound of a whole field of frogs bonking, and has a picture of two frogs on the label, very classy!

2006 Quealy Pobblebonk - Ben And Wine

Perhaps Qantas could improve its business class offering by being honest with its customers, compare the notes above in terms of the naming of the wine with that below:

That was taken from the current inflight wine guide:

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/wineGuide/inflightWineGuide.pdf

 

[737]

Pobblebonk? Help me out here.

'Quealy Popplebonk' wine served in J, blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Muscat Giallo & Riesling.

 

[medhead]

Its been the white of choice in J for a lot of flights for the last two months and IMHO is a shocker, its named after the sound of a whole field of frogs bonking, and has a picture of two frogs on the label, very classy!

Maybe the frogs aren't just on the label :idea:

 

[Dalescott]

I was referring to International flights, not domestic.

 

[notzac]

'Quealy Popplebonk' wine served in J, blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Muscat Giallo & Riesling.

Dear gods ... that sounds truly awful.
Australia has so many good wines, and that's the best that the QF cellars can offer J pax? Wow.

 

[pauly7]

Does anyone know what the refurbishments/new food menus & cabins will involve?

The new domestic cabins are already being rolled out... On the new A330s and all the next gen 73H's - which Jetconnect currently operates trans Tasman.

Excellent cabin product. Not sure about food and lounges though so that's exciting

One disadvantage QF has is that DJ knows their product so will be able to take it into account designing theirs... But DJ will have to shell out the big bucks to do so as the next gen product is excellent! AVOD being a highlight.

I think QF is really going very hard on premium now and just think this is because of what DJ is *saying* not even doing!.... Yet..... Great to see some competitive pressure!!