Qantas First - is it worth it

[Daver6]

Someone asked about the jump from Y to PE and PE to J. I've experienced PE a couple of times (both OP-UPS), so it was great. However, I don't think it is worth the money. You get a slightly wider seat and more leg room. The best thing I can compare it to in terms of food and comfort would be domestic J, but the service level not as good. It is day and night between PE and J in my opinion.

 

[Timba-Jet]

You may have been very luck but I suspect a J class Clonakilla would have been just the Shiraz, which I have seen in the F Lounge previously, rather than the Shiraz Viogner which is their flagship and as awilcockson points out comes at a fair price!

I picked up 2 bottles of the 2009 Clonakilla Shiraz Viogner when I visited this Canberra vineyard in 2010. Saving it for a special occasion . I do recall having a glass of the Shiraz in the F Lounge last year too.

I have only experienced QF F once, SYD-SIN last year. Very impressed by the onboard service and individual attention by FA. It was a points upgrade from a DONE RTW tix, so excellent value. Paying full price for F is out of my budget.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I've done F to JNB and I agree that the FA's make all the difference. We had an awesome crew and me and the Mrs were treated like royalty. The turn-down service was excellent as well as the try-and-stuff-the-guests-with-as-much-food/drinks-as-possible-service. The FA's were simply amazing and probably the best F experience that we have ever had. Whilst we didn't have the party atmosphere described above, the Mrs and I had our own personal party dining together etc etc.

I must say that the whole amazing experience started with the Flounge giving us amazing experiences including 1hr massages each before the flight.

.

Bit OT here - we are doing the SYD JHB leg in June - I was wondering whether there would be enough time for a massage before the flight - what time does the spa open? - I assume boarding is around 9:30 am?

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Paying full price for F is out of my budget.

PAX who pay retail for F have specific needs and are willing to pay for those - the rest of us can only dream (while we wait for the upgrade to come through)

 

[Canny man]

Bit OT here - we are doing the SYD JHB leg in June - I was wondering whether there would be enough time for a massage before the flight - what time does the spa open? - I assume boarding is around 9:30 am?

I do this route 4 to 5 times a year and have never managed a massage. Mind you I have to connect from BNE so my lounge time is limited.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I do this route 4 to 5 times a year and have never managed a massage. Mind you I have to connect from BNE so my lounge time is limited.

Thanks - I thought it would be a bit tight. We are planning to overnight in Syd at the airport hotel, rather than connecting in from Canberra so should be able to maximise lounge time, but it still didn't seem much time in the lounge.

 

[serfty]

I do this route 4 to 5 times a year and have never managed a massage. Mind you I have to connect from BNE so my lounge time is limited.

I use connecting from MEL to SYD in increase my lounge time.

If checking luggage and departing SYD, you are often not permitted to check luggage more than three hours out which gives up to two hours in the lounge.

If I have the time, I book an earlier flight from MEL though SYD such that I'll have three or more hours in the lounge.

 

[pagingjoan]

If I were offered QF F on the A380 for all my long haul flying for the next few years, I would be a very happy traveller. Would not feel the need to sample any other offerings. Have been fortunate to have such flights several times and have had excellent service on each occasion, to complement the amenities.

Alas, the budget allows the super premium experience less frequently than I would like - and the premium offerings on other services can be enticing.

So I need an increase in my travel budget (all self-funded and already equivalent to the GDP of a small nation), or some very attractive offers from QF.

I pin my hopes on the latter.

 

[Canny man]

This thread is whetting my appetite for a JNB trip in April. The upgrade is requested, there's a ton of availability, so chances are good.
In the Flounge for 8am, champagne breakfast, 14hrs of hedonism broken only by a post prandial snooze. Heaven.

I have never seen a degustation on this route - does anyone know if it can be requested?

 

[Simo]

I have a friend who could afford to have his own aeroplane and keep it running all the time and he won't fly F or even J class.

Says waste of money.

He is only a 5 foot Malaysian gentlemen.

Mind you I don't think he has ever booked a ticket on line just turns up and takes what ever is available at the time he wants to fly.

I think F would be great if you are doing long haul flights or flights that are over sleeping hours.

 

[Harpoon]

I am trying to book my honeymoon flights with QFF points. Tossing up between QF F, and CX J (new) to get to SIN or HKG on the way to Vietnam. I can't decide!!

*first world problems*

 

[Flying Fox]

Bit OT here - we are doing the SYD JHB leg in June - I was wondering whether there would be enough time for a massage before the flight - what time does the spa open? - I assume boarding is around 9:30 am?

From memory the spa opens at 9am. Regarding boarding, the Flounge staff approached us and informed us that we could now board our aircraft (pretty much the last on-board and no queues) at approx 9:45am (once again from memory).

I have never seen a degustation on this route - does anyone know if it can be requested?

Drat, I never even considered requesting it on my flight on this route. I would simply call QF and ask.

I have a friend who could afford to have his own aeroplane and keep it running all the time and he won't fly F or even J class.

Says waste of money.

He is only a 5 foot Malaysian gentlemen.

Mind you I don't think he has ever booked a ticket on line just turns up and takes what ever is available at the time he wants to fly.

I think F would be great if you are doing long haul flights or flights that are over sleeping hours.

The irony is that for the price he is paying for Y at the airport he could probably fly J with some planning.

My personal rule is 10hrs+ flight = No Y

I am trying to book my honeymoon flights with QFF points. Tossing up between QF F, and CX J (new) to get to SIN or HKG on the way to Vietnam. I can't decide!!

*first world problems*

Honeymoon = F

Good for impressing the new Mrs but it comes with a warning. She may become addicted like Mrs Flying Fox has.... its all my own fault really. I should have stuck her in Y

PS. Congrats on the future happy event !!!

 

[Flying mermaid]

From memory the spa opens at 9am. Regarding boarding, the Flounge staff approached us and informed us that we could now board our aircraft (pretty much the last on-board and no queues) at approx 9:45am (once again from memory).

Thanks - that's not so bad then. I can prebook the spa for 9am and aim for us to get to the lounge at 8ish, have breakfast, a massage and float on the plane all relaxed. I've never managed to get Mr FM near a spa, so it is only me to consider.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Never flown F, but if l had the money or points, definitely. You only live once...

 

[Flying Fox]

I've never managed to get Mr FM near a spa, so it is only me to consider.

Well I don't go to spas either but I thought that I should since I have paid for it. I needed to get value for money out of the whole experience and I wanted to experience everything that F has to offer. I made sure that I used the kerb-side service, special check-in, express lanes, spa, Flounge dining etc

 

[harvyk]

Interesting, Canberra isn't normally the location I'd first associate with quality wines. Can't go past a nice Shiraz, so will definitely give it a try.

edit: The Clonakilla 2010 is front page on epiqure and $90 a bottle!

IMHO, the Canberra region wines are getting pretty good these days. A couple of years ago we spent a day going between the wineries when my aunt and uncle were in town. I was most impressed with what there was on offer. I do agree though, in the past the Canberra region certainly didn't scream out "good wine found here"

 

[Flying mermaid]

Well I don't go to spas either but I thought that I should since I have paid for it. I needed to get value for money out of the whole experience and I wanted to experience everything that F has to offer. I made sure that I used the kerb-side service, special check-in, express lanes, spa, Flounge dining etc

I'll have to try that on him - he does hate not to get value for money spent.

 

[awilcockson]

Just had my call from Qantas First before my upcoming F flight tomorrow. Offered to check me in, booked me a massage in the spa (including a choice of male or female masseuse), and asked if there was anything else they can do for me.

I asked if the degustation menu is available on the flight, expecting a call back shortly

Service so far has been impeccable, only outdone by my anticipation for the flight (my first ever in F).

 

[awilcockson]

Second call received, not the answer expected. Tasting Menu WILL be available on tomorrows flight (QF 127 SYD-HKG)

 

[dfcatch]

Second call received, not the answer expected. Tasting Menu WILL be available on tomorrows flight (QF 127 SYD-HKG)

Enjoy it!

My only disappointing experience with A380 F last week was that it ended

PS. - I would suggest going easy on the F lounge breakfast/lunch before your flight.

I went a bit heavy on my Hilton breakfast and F lounge lunch - and the result was that I struggled through the degustation.......