Qantas Business Class QF51 BNE-SIN Adventure

[rcn]

The month of May arrived, which meant an adventure to Asia was in order. I took this trip as as opportunity to sample the Qantas MKII business product, which I had yet to try.

Flight: QF51 BNE-SIN
Dep 1020 Arr 1605
Cabin:J
Seat: 3A

Arrived at Brisbane International at 0800 for a hassle free check-in.

Proceeded to the Qantas Business Lounge - very packed, given the departure of a few other QF flights in the mornings.
The terrible things I heard about the BNE international lounge were true: old and tired decor, lack of seating, limited food options (no hot breakfast), limited drink options. Escaping the crowded lounge, I found sanctuary in the public waiting area. Benefits included elbow and breathing room, and wifi which was just as fast.


VH-OEJ Boeing 747-400ER, former Wunala Dreaming
Good morning! Guess you'll be my ride today!




Seat 3A - Nothing quite like the nose section of a 747
(Source: Qantas)

Boarding was orderly, with priority line working as intended. Welcomed onboard by the very warm QF crew, with beverage, menu, amenity kit and newspaper offered.



Welcome drink: OJ, Amenity kit and Menu



View from Seat 3A

A very light load this morning, with only 17 passengers (out of 58) in J.


To be continued...

 

[rcn]

I find eating on a plane quite a novelty, akin to having a picnic. Sure you can get better food elsewhere (in your own kitchen for example), but its not quite as fun. The recent improvement to the food service ("small and main plates" and removal of trays) came at a good time. Shortly after takeoff, food orders were taken, including an explanation of the new menu format.


Menu - Beverages


Menu - Food


The new table setup


Small plate - Fish Cakes with Nuoc Cham

The entree was really good (8/10). About 30 mins after I finished the entree (with no sign of the main meal to come), I was asked if I wanted dessert. When asked about the main course (fish), the FA who took my food order very apologetically explained that the food had somehow found its way to the galley floor. He offered another item from the menu, and insisted I henceforth refer to him him as "butter fingers". I took his first offer and chose the lamb fillet.



Cassoulet of Murraylands Lamb Fillet with White Beans and Aioli

Perhaps the galley incident was a blessing in disguise. Fantastic tasting lamb (9/10), though the presentation could be improved.

​To be continued...

 

[rcn]

Dessert was up next.


Nice Cream Vanilla and Caramel Ice Cream with Almond Praline


Espresso

The rest of the flight went by quickly. Overall it was excellent - good service, good food. Hard product is a great improvement over the MK I - comfortable in both seat and flat bed mode. Well done Qantas!

 

[boomy]

Thanks for the report.
Sorry to hear about the bad experience in the lounge. I never been there but if you preferred to sit outside it sounds really bad and not at all up to the usually hight QF standards.

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the report.
Sorry to hear about the bad experience in the lounge. I never been there but if you preferred to sit outside it sounds really bad and not at all up to the usually hight QF standards.

The retimed flights have affected the lounge badly in Brisbane, it's a pity the EK lounge is so far away.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Interesting that the ice cream was served in a bowl as we were given it in its plastic tub on QF35 recently... bowl would have looked a lot better

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks for the lovely TR.
They were not short on the newspapers for that flight.. :shock:
Sure, sadly the QF lounge at BNE INT can become ever so crowded between 0700 -> 1000, as you mentioned the numerous AM departures which tends to crowd the lounge, & the food offerings are spartan.
I much prefer the lounge in the evenings, it truly is so much more pleasant, & I can't recall any major refurb. of this lounge since 1995.
The view & light filled QF lounge areas are welcoming though.

 

[diningdecadence]

Thanks for the TR.

can you clarify the response regarding the main? They dropped it and then tried to act like you had forgotten? Seems like very ordinary customer service.

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks for the TR.

can you clarify the response regarding the main? They dropped it and then tried to act like you had forgotten? Seems like very ordinary customer service.

I was thinking the same.. Though with QF anything goes at times.. I've asked for a drink on many occasions in various classes. On one occasion, after request...... 10-20 minutes later.. waiting.. waiting... politely visit the galley.. They are reading No Idea & doing crosswords whilst chowing down on a surplus J meal.. Embarrassed FA apologises, then decides to deliver & leave the bottle at my seat.. :shock:.. ->

 

[rcn]

Thanks for the TR.

can you clarify the response regarding the main? They dropped it and then tried to act like you had forgotten? Seems like very ordinary customer service.

I think what happened was that the meal was forgotten, and when informed of it, it was dropped during the preparation. The alternative was that it was dropped at the beginning, and hushed up hoping it would go forgotten.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report rcn!

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks for the TR. I am on QF52 later this month with an upgrade request in. I hope to experience what you did - without the forgotten meal of course.

 

[Inver]

Thanks for sharing this trip report Rcn, very much appreciated.

 

[Melburnian1]

If there are typically fewer than 20 in the J cabin, with perhaps one or two being QF staff, it's little wonder that QF isn't making any money on its international flying. I'm so glad that I am not a shareholder in this company!

 

[mannej]

If there are typically fewer than 20 in the J cabin, with perhaps one or two being QF staff, it's little wonder that QF isn't making any money on its international flying. I'm so glad that I am not a shareholder in this company!

What airline would you be a shareholder in then? It's not as if its a big money winner share wise...
P.s - VA don't seem to be filling their J cabins either according to anecdotal evidence on here