Qantas First Class "Nothing more than a premium business class"

[rynorex]

I'm currently booked J from London to Dubai late January and have the ability to upgrade to First for 44,000 points. Having only ever flown J a few times and never F, i'm sceptical about doing it now! I don't fly often, and even J is a luxury for me. What's the chances this route will have had the refurb done? Either way, i'll probably still do it, I have the points and well, life's short?

 

[equus]

What's the chances this route will have had the refurb done?

No chance - and I doubt you have an opportunity to upgrade using QF points - as QF metal no longer flies to Dubai - if you have a QF flight number, it is a codeshare on EK metal.

 

[rynorex]

No chance - and I doubt you have an opportunity to upgrade using QF points - as QF metal no longer flies to Dubai - if you have a QF flight number, it is a codeshare on EK metal.

Whoops.... you're right, i'm on QF2 to Singapore not Dubai... I need more coffee

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm currently booked J from London to Dubai late January and have the ability to upgrade to First for 44,000 points. Having only ever flown J a few times and never F, i'm sceptical about doing it now! I don't fly often, and even J is a luxury for me. What's the chances this route will have had the refurb done? Either way, i'll probably still do it, I have the points and well, life's short?

EK F? Well worth it. this discussion is about QF, not EK Even BA i’d do it.

 

[equus]

i'm on QF2 to Singapore

Much better chance then. Unless things get delayed, probably a reasonable chance of a refurb, but getting one probably changes the equation. The refurbishment is likely to narrow the difference between J and F, with J getting much more of an upgrade than F, making the benefits of upgrading less.

Given the biggest advantage of the F over J for LHR to SIN at the moment on a QF380 is the far superior bed, then the upgraded J of the refurbishment will give that improved non-droop bed.

 

[RooFlyer]

, i'll probably still do it, I have the points and well, life's short?

Yes, I'd do it ( or at least apply). Most of the comments here have been by way of comparison with other F products ( but still on the mark, I think).

Even better now your have had expectations lowered a bit.

The bed is still comfortable and the overall experience, incl the F lounge in SYD, pretty good.

 

[equus]

incl the F lounge in SYD, pretty good.

Agreed, expect that the F lounge in SYD (or MEL) is not applicable to a LHR to SIN QF2 experience....

 

[Austman]

Agreed, expect that the F lounge in SYD (or MEL) is not applicable to a LHR to SIN QF2 experience....

The new QF F-lounge in SIN should be open by the time rynorex flys on QF2, assuming a return ticket is booked...

 

[mviy]

I’ve tried F on QF. If I do it again, next time I’d prefer to try it travelling with a friend. Being able to eat a meal sitting opposite a travel companion would be a novel experience.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’ve tried F on QF. If I do it again, next time I’d prefer to try it travelling with a friend. Being able to eat a meal sitting opposite a travel companion would be a novel experience.

lol. novel. most people do it once. and only once. The buddy seat is small and uncomfortable. The noise of conversation disturbs other passengers. It’s just like sitting across from someone in a crowded little cafe (complete with no legroom).

 

[RooFlyer]

Agreed, expect that the F lounge in SYD (or MEL) is not applicable to a LHR to SIN QF2 experience....

Oops. Teach me to post while out on a walk.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Another - consistent - issue seems to be FA demeanour on flights returning to Oz. Time and again we see complaints (mostly J) of disengaged crews; this *is* something Qantas can - and should - do something to address.

I'll agree with that having crews on LAX-SYD and LAX-MEL best be described as 'underwhelming'. Contrast that to the lead FA on my last SIN-LHR, a Scottish lady and I assume UK based, who seemed dtermined to feed me the entire Champagne and Scotch Whiskey provision.

 

[RichardMEL]

So another person who agrees with the notion that QF is "one of the worst airlines in the free world"

but seriously I think the reference to breakfast being poor (apart from the unfortunate lounge experience with the eggs benedict) refers to QF36 SIN-MEL as it's such a short flight that the breakfast, at least last time I took this, is more a continental one as they want to max sleep time. It may have changed as it's been a few years since I took it, but it does seem a little sub par on the surface.

A few weeks ago though I took MH KUL-MEL and while they had more of an brekky offering, they also woke the cabin 2.5(!) hours prior to landing, and in a 7:45 flight, after 2 hours for initial service meant that "sleep time" was quite limited (I was lucky to get about 4 hours). I think QF thinking on Asia-Oz redeyes to max more sleep time.

No contest the F product is not "F" in terms of EK, SQ Suites/F or CX but it's hardly Air Nambia or something.

Anyway edited out prision comments say more about the poster than the product, IMHO. I get a bad experience and all, but really... perspective....

 

[Flying mermaid]

I'm currently booked J from London to Dubai late January and have the ability to upgrade to First for 44,000 points. Having only ever flown J a few times and never F, i'm sceptical about doing it now! I don't fly often, and even J is a luxury for me. What's the chances this route will have had the refurb done? Either way, i'll probably still do it, I have the points and well, life's short?

i would do it, it’s only points and a novel experience for you. Most of us are picky because we know there is better for the same price, but Qantas F is certainly not bad. The bed is actually amazing - still one of the best I have had.

 

[DC3]

I'm currently booked J from London to Dubai late January and have the ability to upgrade to First for 44,000 points ...

Just do it. On QF A380s, I've flown F and J. Prefer F.

 

[defurax]

I guess the point I was making was the more the F cabin is filled with “discount” tickets, whether that is cash discounts or award or upgrades, the more the luxury is going to be watered down.

Other airlines have started going down the path of smaller F cabins but more luxury. Qantas is keeping full sized F cabins, but delivering J+ standard. You get the feeling that Qantas F is more there to provide incentives and awards to its FF base than any commitment to deliver a true F product.

Absolutely agree. On the other hand QF has one of the best premium economy product of any airline on its 380 and considering that many business travellers pay more than 6K for PE on QF that's no wonder!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Best premium economy? I don’t know the difference between it and any other airline?

 

[defurax]

Best premium economy? I don’t know the difference between it and any other airline?

I flew PE multiple times on CX, BA, AA, QF and JL and I have to say seat comfort, food and wine were significantly better on QF. Haven't tried SQ though. Anyway my point was more that where I work due to travel policy it is very common for people to spend up to 7K on QF PE product. I would imagine that's why QF is increasing PE cabin size on the refurbished 380. Happy to try a better PE product if there is one out there...

 

[Anjan]

I have to admit I thought the same thing on QF 2. Champagne on menu not served told the Veuve Grand Same was served on LHR to SIN leg though menu card had SIN to SYD. I rang and told them what a underwhelming experience it was the phone almost went dead. It took nearly 2 hours to get dinner again nothing special. Only redeeming factor is it is a very comfy bed though after dinner service you only get 3 hours rest before the noise of breakfast gets going. I also think meal service in business on that leg is a lot quicker giving you more rest

 

[ajca]

I've been stuck with the SQ "supper" service in J (SIN-SYD) which definitely wasn't a full dinner offering.

On the overnight SQ SIN-SYD flights?

I used to catch those every couple of weeks and I was always puzzled why people would want to stay up 1.5 hrs after takeoff to eat dinner at like 11:30pm local time on departure, and then wake up 2 hrs before arrival to eat breakfast at like 4am new local time, on a 7.5 hour overnight flight. I get it, free J food and all, but why not eat before takeoff and get a nice toastie at a cafe on arrival and actually sleep on the flight.

Maybe I was just cranky because the SQ flight attendants would keep the lights on and make a fair bit of noise while serving said meals, limiting the snoozing time for those who wanted to fall asleep shortly after takeoff and wake up shortly before landing