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

[Flying mermaid]

Yes but what makes it “pleasant and comfortable”?. For the price shouldn’t it be “luxurious”?

How many pay “the price” though. If you book in advance pretty easy to get heavily discounted F with Qantas, then add in awards and upgrades ..... People are probably getting what they pay for, except the few who actually pay full fare.

 

[lacuska1]

Welcome @lacuska1 !

I guess it depends on the reference point. What were your expectations of F class?. Have you experienced F before?. The problem with expectations is that often it is not in sync with reality.

Thanks for your opinion. I don't travel F much, but I have done QF F on a couple of occasions and have found it very nice. Sorry I don't share much of your opinion.
Others have noted that QF F is not truly F. But I prefer the understated product than the Bling of EK.

"All airlines in the world serve better in economy" definitely identifies your post as an over the top rant - or at least that part of your post.

Book the cook. You know thats just a marketing ploy. There is no cook/chef onboard.

I think you mean airline surcharges rather than taxes. Taxes are the same across all the airlines operating in the same airspace and airport.
But the ridiculous surcharges are QF feature - some call it a "Fine"

yes indeed- I have quite a reference points I flew a few times on first class with Singapore Airlines -return from SYD-ZRH-MEL,a few times on Emirates from ADL-DXB-BUD or many time on business with both and Qatar and Etihad and these airlines are light year ahead from the QF product in every aspects.
The cutlery is "prison ranking" I meant as its' looks and feel cheap
Of course I'm not an idiot and know very well that the book the cook feature on SQ is a booking feature but at least you can prebook whatever your taste and fancy-I booked a whole kaiseki expereience on SQ eg!

 

[Quickstatus]

Payment cAn be various currencies.
Cash/CC is one. Points another. Even with points I would not pay with points to upgrade into F as bang for buck better with getting an extra traveller into J. Notwithstanding MrsQS uses the points to upgrade into F

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But unfortunately ‘discounted F’ with QF is still very expensive for what it is. Same price gets you SQ/LH.

 

[JJJJJJJ]

My source is impeccable and I’m reliably informed that in Melbourne prisons it’s wheat flakes, room temperature black and gold long life milk, a red plastic bowl, and BYO international roast. Neil Perry food does have its flaws but I reckon your average crim out at Port Phillip would sell his granny for eggs Benedict in the Qantas lounge. As for a latte ....

I have worked in prisons and trust me, first class food is better.

 

[lacuska1]

Just returned form a Mel-SIN-Mel first class 'experience' on QF35-36
Well to my opinion this product is nothing more than a premium business class if I want to be mild...
The interior is worn and torn,the pod like seating are awkward with no privacy sat in 1K.
The Melbourne lounge is mostly busy by status FF-s not the real first class Pax,horrible eggs Benedict is served got a runny stomach after eating the over vinegary thing!
The food on board is mediocre-not to mention the breakfast which is a simple disgrace and the cutlery???
The same cheap metal combo both for the lounge and first class-all airlines around the world serve better in economy than this.

The only positive is the crew who were very friendly and chatty and the bed is comfy too!
Also on this trip I took SQ to Hanoi and Saigon on business class-short flights yet they provide a much better service!-book the cook to start with!
My conclusion please avoid this product and don't waste your points and money on them!To start with I had to fork out nearly a 1000$ just for taxes while I booked another ticket with AA points was hardly 200 $ so this is nothing more than a big rip off from Qantas!

Just for those who think this is nothing more than a rant!-I can compare this product with the top 5 as I flew with them all both in first and business class and no wonder that QF didn't even made it of the top 10 airlines in the world!
Take a look at their cutlery -both the lounge and first class they use cheap metal forks,knives etc -most airline serve better in Y class-The breakfast choice was a horrible dish with a poached egg and lots of green something and other option is a bun filled with mushroom and bacon? Do you think this is a fit for first class???
Well I rest my case as the Qf lovers who got a free ride will clap for anything free and they don't know that if you actually have to pay for this -it will never measure up for real first class airlines!

 

[Flying mermaid]

You agreed with the post Cossie. On the dress standards? Are you intending to wear your dinner suit next flight?
I thought only Y got the Bickfords.
I don’t mind casseroles per se but they do need to be well made and not just a pile of gristle in gravy.

Actually the worst F I had was BA where for breakfast I asked for a croissant and that’s all I got on the plate. No butter, jam etc and not even asked if I wanted them. Hardly an exquisite dining experience.

BA really went downhill . Travelling them in the 90s in F they had superb service, but after a really bad trip with them in 2012, Mr FM refuses to let me book them.

 

[Austman]

Take a look at their cutlery -both the lounge and first class they use cheap metal forks,knives etc -most airline serve better in Y class-

But that is the signature Marc Newson cutlery. You might not personally like it - that's up to you.

Sorry, but when you trash a genuine designer brand that an airline has chosen to use, it seems to me that it becomes a matter of personal taste.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But that is the signature Marc Newson cutlery. You might not personally like it - that's up to you.

Sorry, but when you trash a genuine designer brand that an airline has chosen to use, it seems to me that it becomes a matter of personal taste.

Designer or not, it comes down to the brief given by the airline. They wanted ultra light weight to save money. Just because there’s a designer name on it doesn’t mean it’s good.

If it were true that QF was paying homage to aussie brands, they’d allow designer foot wear and clothes into their lounges, They don’t, they ban flip-flops, even if by a legendary aussie designer.

 

[mrsterryn]

Not sure if relevant
All flying self funded
I am retired
Husband still working
Love travelling to Europe *try for once a year *
Both of us are platinum

Have flown EK first..not my cup of tea
Have flown QF F a few times
The flight crews have all had different attitudes and styles.
First trip we took ....always someone around. I like to settle in and have an occasional 'do you need anything '
Most of the trips we have had relatively good service (actually most of the time really enjoyed the food as well )
About to try JAL first so that will be interesting
I realise Q isn't the best however regardless one company is never going to satisfy 100% of its client base
Going to try BA 1st next year (advice of a friendly AFF person )
On costs we have also purchased two first class tickets cheaper than 2 business class.
On travelling we love the ride as well as the destination be it flight or train

 

[Austman]

Just because there’s a designer name on it doesn’t mean it’s good.

True.

But Marc Newson design exists throughout the Qantas premium offerings. Furniture, porcelain, cutlery... Not everyone likes it.

 

[DC3]

So many with Great Expectations. Then comes the reality.

 

[eminere]

True.

But Marc Newson design exists throughout the Qantas premium offerings. Furniture, porcelain, cutlery... Not everyone likes it.

It's David Caon now for the onboard product, isn't it?

 

[amaroo]

How many pay “the price” though. If you book in advance pretty easy to get heavily discounted F with Qantas, then add in awards and upgrades ..... People are probably getting what they pay for, except the few who actually pay full fare.

I've done all of the above except pay full fare. I avoid paying RRP for anything, houses, cars, furniture... right down to movie tickets.

 

[drron]

So many with Great Expectations. Then comes the reality.

Why 5 months into my QFF year and I have 0 points,0SCs.

 

[Quickstatus]

P

True.

But Marc Newson design exists throughout the Qantas premium offerings. Furniture, porcelain, cutlery... Not everyone likes it.

nothing special about the furniture, porcelain or cutlery.
I don’t expect “concept” designs - just functional designs.

Hate the carpet

Not a wine/chamber aficionado either (as I said very low expectations) but I’m told ever since QF ditched their Wine Panel in favour of Neil and his “team” it’s not as good.

 

[Quickstatus]

Why 5 months into my QFF year and I have 0 points,0SCs.

Any withdrawal symptoms?

 

[Alyopsis]

Just for those who think this is nothing more than a rant!-I can compare this product with the top 5 as I flew with them all both in first and business class and no wonder that QF didn't even made it of the top 10 airlines in the world!
Take a look at their cutlery -both the lounge and first class they use cheap metal forks,knives etc -most airline serve better in Y class-The breakfast choice was a horrible dish with a poached egg and lots of green something and other option is a bun filled with mushroom and bacon? Do you think this is a fit for first class???
Well I rest my case as the Qf lovers who got a free ride will clap for anything free and they don't know that if you actually have to pay for this -it will never measure up for real first class airlines!

mmm, what kind of mushrooms were they ?

 

[oz_mark]

So, how do Qantas view it. From their Business blurb:

"Qantas’ Dreamliner carries 236 passengers across three cabins. It features the latest version of the airline’s Business Suite, nicknamed “mini First Class” by some frequent flyers, "

So, how do you spin it. First Class is Premium Business Class, or Business is Mini First Class. I think Qantas has positioned it that way....

 

[fifo]

I have a QF first class booking from DFW to SYD later this year, 167k points and 200usd.
Given it was only 20-40k points more than J (I forget exactly, Y+ is 96k points on that route), i'm looking forward to the experience. I'd spend that much extra just to ensure that i'm not in a 'skybed' for 17 hrs - those are truly horrible j seats.

This thread has had a LOT of naysayers in it and ridiculous expectations. Did you get 2/3 windows to yourself and the corresponding space, along with some decent food and drinks? oh you did? then you probably got what you paid for.