Qantas First class SYD-LAX

[muppet]

And my experience says it depends.

For example, one flight I wanted something, probably the steak sanga probably 3h out of wherever we were flying. LAX iirc. I asked amd tbh the FA was hesitant giving me a spoel that they were preparing for breakfast and tgey weren't sure about iven space. i think I did get it, but it felt like I was being a spanner on the works and an inconvenience for sure (not that you expect in First).

Now that may have just been one crew member (though have had a few others over the years make me feel like I was imposing). Vast majority are fantastic of course, and I usually go with the expected servuce flow, but have experienced some resistance to some requests tbh.

So.. YMMV

Yep agreed. My last flight in F there were no mid flight options (steak santa / anything cooked). Then I asked for Champagne and they whipped out the random J class NV. I asked for Piper Rare instead. The CSM also told me off when I went upstairs to the self-serve bar for a kit kat.

I still book QF F when I can and go in with my eyes wide open, but I pity the poor retiree who splurges on the trip of the lifetime for a $20k fare … they’re in for a rude shock.

 

[RichardMEL]

Why would they have an issue with a pax going up to the "lounge"? That seems weird.

Crews can definitely be variable. I remember one year I had two separate F flights months apart, on 2nd flight one if tge FAs remembered me from the previous one and was so lovely and personable in a natural way. Everything was perfect.

Shout out to Amber who lived in ADL iirc

 

[Himeno]

What do you mean QF could do more with food?

Neil Perry is only in his third decade at the airline ….

The only times I've ever heard of Neil Perry is when QF throws the name around, as if it is meant to mean anything.

 

[muppet]

Why would they have an issue with a pax going up to the "lounge"? That seems weird.

Crews can definitely be variable. I remember one year I had two separate F flights months apart, on 2nd flight one if tge FAs remembered me from the previous one and was so lovely and personable in a natural way. Everything was perfect.

Shout out to Amber who lived in ADL iirc

Well perhaps “told off” was an incorrect way to describe it, but it’s how it felt. The CSM essentially said “why go up there, press the button and we will serve you” - but it was in a telling-off tone, not in a polite “oh do you need something” tone. No biggie for sure - but certainly after there being no food options, served NV champas - I was kinda wondering where I was.

 

[RichardMEL]

Well perhaps “told off” was an incorrect way to describe it, but it’s how it felt. The CSM essentially said “why go up there, press the button and we will serve you” - but it was in a telling-off tone, not in a polite “oh do you need something” tone. No biggie for sure - but certainly after there being no food options, served NV champas - I was kinda wondering where I was.

Got you.

I often walk up there to stretch and use my legs (DVT risk and all).. plus I am a self serve guy too.. why botger crew who might take time when I can walk up the stairs and grab something. I get that.

I guess that CSMs tone betrayed what they were trying to get across on top if your other experience.

I am suddenly reminded of the unrelated but somewhat unnerving experience on SQ of going to the lav, coming out and immediately someone is there offering anything. Like they're just there watching and waiting lol. I mean great service to be sure, but at the same time also felt weird. Maybe that's just me

 

[SeatBackForward]

I am suddenly reminded of the unrelated but somewhat unnerving experience on SQ of going to the lav, coming out and immediately someone is there offering anything. Like they're just there watching and waiting lol. I mean great service to be sure, but at the same time also felt weird. Maybe that's just me

"Would Sir like a hand?"

 

[RichardMEL]

"Would Sir like a hand?"

That was a different flight!

EK A380 F, the FA is running through the shower instructions and finishes with "Do you heed any help?" Or something like that.

I just looked at her and it took her a beat to realise what she'd said and got this very embarrassed look on her face the poor thing. I think I assured her I'd be fine and we had a bit of a laugh about it so all good.

.those showers are certified for two though!

Sorry, OT to QF F (though it probably was a codeshare flight) but just a funny memory.

 

[Sprucegoose]

That’s why the food offerings are still stuck in the 90s and with the same budget….

Steak and three veg? It's probably more important to focus on what competitors are offering in their product lineup and how important is catering for airline pax in deciding to part with their money.

 

[N860CR]

They met the request for the timing of the food, but I didn't expect a reaction when I asked for a published feature.

This is Australia. How dare you ask a service staff member to do their job? You’re actually the problem for even wanting service.

 

[CaptJCool]

And I

Yep agreed. My last flight in F there were no mid flight options (steak santa / anything cooked). Then I asked for Champagne and they whipped out the random J class NV. I asked for Piper Rare instead. The CSM also told me off when I went upstairs to the self-serve bar for a kit kat.

I still book QF F when I can and go in with my eyes wide open, but I pity the poor retiree who splurges on the trip of the lifetime for a $20k fare … they’re in for a rude shock.

And I think that’s the key point

Have you seen the price of them F fares to LAX ?

Surely it’s not too much to ask to actually provide a seriously brilliant wonderful gastronomic experience for that price point ?

And from the comments of others, the QF Sleeping mattress experience is truly Ah-mazing (not that I would know as I’d be asleep and not notice)

Even at $13,999 Syd-LHR I’d be anxious. (Although departing ex-Auckland to Syd and onto LHR can drop the ordinary price significantly -fly more, pay less)

 

[CaptJCool]

That was a dufferent flight!




.those showers are certified for two though!

Sorry, OT to QF F (though it probably was a codeshare flight) but just a funny memory.

Shared showers

Hmm that’s 2.5 minutes each ?

<redacted>

 

[Dmac59]

Even at $13,999 Syd-LHR I’d be anxious. (Although departing ex-Auckland to Syd and onto LHR can drop the ordinary price significantly -fly more, pay less)

That's amazing @CaptJCool
I would never have believed you could do that.
Just checked for March '25 - QF1 ex Syd $13,158 whilst from AKL-SYD-LHR also utilising QF1 is $9,601 AUD
How can they do that!

 

[RichardMEL]

That's amazing @CaptJCool
I would never have believed you could do that.
Just checked for March '25 - QF1 ex Syd $13,158 whilst from AKL-SYD-LHR also utilising QF1 is $9,601 AUD
How can they do that!

Simple. Competing via one stops like QR, EK and SQ.. lower price.

 

[eminere]

I often walk up there to stretch and use my legs (DVT risk and all).. plus I am a self serve guy too.. why botger crew who might take time when I can walk up the stairs and grab something. I get that.

It really is a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't sometimes. Using the call button can be so fraught with uncertainty.

 

[boardie_19]

Hi all,

I'm shortly about to fly QF First from SYD-LAX, and have a few questions:
1/ It's a classic reward, so will I still get a First host calling me the day before to book in a spa treatment?
2/ I have a connection from MEL-SYD (with ample layover). Will there be an offer for a First host to meet me in Syd for escorting through immigration / security (as happened in LAX when I flew F from there last year)
3/ is there anything good on the drinks menu "behind the bar", only for F passengers that you'd recommend?
4/ Has anyone flown QF12 in F recently and has a copy of the onboard menu?

Any other tips? I've been WP for many years, so I'm very familiar with the F lounge, but never flown out of SYD in F before.

Thanks!

 Josh

Hi Josh,

This is probably a tad late given your dates of original post.

I work for the roo, standard procedure for any passenger booked into First/Platinum One and Chairman’s status (irrespective of cabin type booked) is that a First host contacts the passenger one day prior to confirm details such as a spa treatment, pyjama size (if flying First or Business) as well as any requests such as requiring a quiet room in the lounge which they can reserve for you. Kerbside drop off is offered in Sydney and Melbourne (International terminals only) and for me personally this has worked, they greet you and escort to check in.

Does this happen with each and every passanger? Clearly not as per experience from those mentioned below.

Onshore they do not offer any form of escort unless requested prior via the First attendant when calling or by contacting a Qantas call center in advance. This is usually requested for medical reasons only.

Like others, transiting is simple and easy. And if you really want what you call the whole experience, my advice would be to choose another airline sadly. Inconsistencies exist sadly with Qantas.

Hope this helps any upcoming passengers flying First manage their expectations!

Happy flying!

 

[flyingfan]

I work for the roo, standard procedure for any passenger booked into First/Platinum One and Chairman’s status (irrespective of cabin type booked) is that a First host contacts the passenger one day prior to confirm details such as a spa treatment, pyjama size (if flying First or Business)

Thanks for sharing

Acknowledging how things are meant to work versus how they really do, I’ve flown many times as a P1 in F or J and have only had the host when actually in F - I snagged the spa a couple of times but only after reaching the lounge. And never pyjama sizes - on board there only ever seems to be two sizes: big and way too big.

(My niece who I upgraded into J from LHR to MEL was basically also fat-shamed by the FA and she absolutely is not ‘of size’ but that’s another story.)

 

[Sprucegoose]

This is executed more efficiently offshore than in Australia.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Be careful what you wish for when it comes to the "full experience" !

I have yet to see anyone praise the First class sector dropping experience on Qantas!

 

[DC3]

I have yet to see anyone praise the First class sector dropping experience on Qantas!

Please explain a “dropping experience” (in 25 words or less, if possible, please)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Please explain a “dropping experience” (in 25 words or less, if possible, please)

Qantas’ introduces their new first class award dropping experience where your Qantas award flight is mysteriously dropped only for you to find out when you try and check in at the airport. You’ll be amazed to witness the lack of care expressed by the helpless agents who tell you to pound sand because you no longer hold a valid reservation. And that’s just where the experience starts. You will then be greeted by one of the finest Qantas customer service agents when calling in from exotic destinations like Bali and Johannesburg. Experience the joy of waiting on hold for hours only for your call to drop part way through and for more points to mysteriously disappear from your account. Qantas First class award dropping: oh what a feeling!

-RooFlyer88