Qantas First versus Business

[Journeyman]

No offence and we were all little people once - but spare a thought for the couple who, unlike you road-warriors whose companies generally foot the bill, have saved up for the trip of a life-time in First and then get seated next to a colic infant for a 12 hour leg!

 

[pax1a]

No offence and we were all little people once - but spare a thought for the couple who, unlike you road-warriors whose companies generally foot the bill, have saved up for the trip of a life-time in First and then get seated next to a colic infant for a 12 hour leg!

bit off topic but...Was on a flight from HK once, in first and there was a young child who was an absolute pain the whole flight and the parents ignored the hostie’s request for them to control the child.

About 2 hours out of Sydney, when breakfast was being served, the child asked for a bowl of water. The hostie accommodated the request and delivered the bowl of the water. The Child then pulled a live turtle out of his bag and plonked it into the water.

The hostie didn’t bat-an-eyelid, but when we landed everyone was asked to remain seated as 3 quarantine officers boarded the plane and removed child, parents and aquatic wildlife. Talk about a look of surpise on the parents face... priceless.

 

[NM]

Single Malt

Highlands
Aberlour 10 years 43% vol
Balvenie founder's reserve 10 years
Balvenie double wood 12 years
Cragganmore 12 years
Criagnure 10 years
Dalwhinne 15 years 43% vol
Ferintosh 10 years
Glenfarclas 10 years
Glenfarclas 21 years 43% vol
Glenfiddich havana reserve 21 years
Glenfiddich solera reserve 15 years
Glenlivet 12 years
Glenlivet 15 years 43% vol
Glenluig 10 years
Glenmorangie 10 years
Glenmorangie 18 years 43% vol
Glenmorangie sherry wood finish 43% vol
Glenmorangie madiera wood finish 43% vol
Glenmorangie port wood finish 43% vol
Highland Park isle of orkney 12 years
Knockando 12 years 43% vol
Macallan 12 years
Macallan fine oak 18 years
Mortlach 15 years
Talisker isle of skye 10 years 45.8% vol

Lowlands
Glenkinchie 10 years 43% vol

Isle of Islay
Ardbeg 10 years 46% vol
Ardbeg uigedail 54.2% vol
Druichan 10 years 43% vol
Lagavulin 16 years 43% vol
Laphroaig 10 years
Laphroaig 15 years 43% vol

Thanks for the reminder. I might have to give it a try one time, so long as I have about 3 days to transit FRA so I can sample them all :mrgreen:.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Thanks for the reminder. I might have to give it a try one time, so long as I have about 3 days to transit FRA so I can sample them all :mrgreen:.

I thought that might appeal

Simply done though. Book Oz-STR (or similar) in F with sidetrip anywhere in europe that is served via FRA and not direct. There will be a small cost for the extra 2 legs on sidetrip, but much less than a separate ticket and you could drink more than the extra cost I suspect. Bingo get to use the FCT 3 times (possibly 4 depending on how you schedule it).

I forgot to mention the FCT also has full sized, self contained cigar lounge, small business centre, and of course waiter service no matter where you are in the terminal.

 

[Alan in CBR]

I remember reading about this, and also that some airlines allow for it in their seat design?

Yes. When they first introduced a bed in First Class, BA made a point of saying that the foot of the bed was 3" lower than the head to counteract the rigger's angle of incidence. Marketing gimmick in my opinion. I agree with NM that it's such a small slope that a pillow more than makes up for it.

BA were strangely silent on the matter when Club World became a combination of forward and rearward facing beds.

 

[NM]

I thought that might appeal

Am I that predictable?

Simply done though. Book Oz-STR (or similar) in F with sidetrip anywhere in europe that is served via FRA and not direct. There will be a small cost for the extra 2 legs on sidetrip, but much less than a separate ticket and you could drink more than the extra cost I suspect. Bingo get to use the FCT 3 times (possibly 4 depending on how you schedule it).

Nahh, I just want one 3-day transit. That way I can save on hotel rates and just live at the whisky bar .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Nahh, I just want one 3-day transit. That way I can save on hotel rates and just live at the whisky bar .

Not possible. FRA is not open 24 hours.

 

[NM]

Not possible. FRA is not open 24 hours.

Darn ... that kill what could have been a good idea :evil:.

 

[Chester]

Yes, I agree with the replies previously. I have done both F and J, and if you look at it from "value for money" point of view, I think J will win every time. The extras you get from F compared to J are really a matter of degrees, the food and beverages, beds and services. If you think that the extras are worth $3000+, then go for it. For a RTW trip, I think it may be worth it, but for point to point trip, I would prefer the J.

 

[rhjames]

I regularly fly Sydney/LAX using Qantas business and first class (often upgraded due to my platinum status and upgrade credits.

Benefits of 1st. : you have a seat by yourself, flight suit provided (comfortable pyjamas) and the seat goes completely flat, and is made up as a bed. Food is excellent. On some flights even in 1st class movies still aren't on demand, though this is changing. Had a flight from LA yesterday where they were on demand, and one 2 weeks ago when they weren't.

Comments on business - new seats are pretty close to first class, and are near enough to flat. I have no problems with the food - sometimes I skip a meal and ask for a sandwhich when hungry (this is more than a basic sandwhich - I sometimes prefer this to the meal). Of course this applies to 1st also.

Having experienced a lot of both, 1st is better, but I wouldn't spend my own money on it. Of course in LA you get to use the AA 1st class lounge, but if you need the internet, you have to go to the business lounge - work that one out.

 

[Dave Noble]

Comments on business - new seats are pretty close to first class, and are near enough to flat.

I would disagree here. The seats are not close to being flat imo. I find the seats quite poor compared to BAs genuine flat seats for sleeping

Dave

 

[rhjames]

I would disagree here. The seats are not close to being flat imo. I find the seats quite poor compared to BAs genuine flat seats for sleeping

Dave

Dave,

Perhaps you misunderstood. The skybeds are flat, but not quite horizontal. However, they end up a bit lumpy. I like the BA, but am not sold on the opposing direction configuration for alternate seats. What do you think of this.

Ross

 

[NM]

On some flights even in 1st class movies still aren't on demand, though this is changing. Had a flight from LA yesterday where they were on demand, and one 2 weeks ago when they weren't.

But if the aircraft does not have AVOD installed, the F seats still have the VCR built into the arm rest and a very comprehensive library of movies available upon request. That is sometimes better than having AVOD installed.

 

[rhjames]

But if the aircraft does not have AVOD installed, the F seats still have the VCR built into the arm rest and a very comprehensive library of movies available upon request. That is sometimes better than having AVOD installed.

I agree, but sometimes I like to just see a short comedy or documentry etc over dinner before sleeping. If I get bored with one I can flick to another. VOD has been standard on other airlines for a long time. I would have expected this on QF 1st years ago.

 

[NM]

Dave,

Perhaps you misunderstood. The skybeds are flat, but not quite horizontal. However, they end up a bit lumpy. I like the BA, but am not sold on the opposing direction configuration for alternate seats. What do you think of this.

Ross

I don't mind the alternate facing orientation of the seats. But I do find the QF seats better for sitting and the BA seats better for sleeping. So for a daytime flight I would prefer QF, but for an overnight flight I would prefer BA. Wherever possible I try to take daytime flights because I find it hard to sleep even with a QF or CX First Class seat.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

But if the aircraft does not have AVOD installed, the F seats still have the VCR built into the arm rest and a very comprehensive library of movies available upon request. That is sometimes better than having AVOD installed.

Agree it is better than QF's AVOD (given the lack of reliability) but not as good as other airlines' AVOD. Eg on SQ I can start watching a movie (selected from hundreds) while we are taxiing.

 

[Aircrash 1]

Wow, 6 pages!!!!!!


Not 1 of them comenting on how BAD Qantas is in F!!!!!!!

The old saying, Queer and nasty, try another service - still rings true.

Why bother???????

There are soooooooo many better.

 

[rhjames]

I have to pop over to India and Saudi next month, so I I'll be testing other airlines. Flew Turkish recently - very impressed for business class. I watched all meals and drinks prepared by beautiful girls on a bar in front of the seating area. No need for movies - I had plenty to look at. Better than Qantas first class.

 

[serfty]

... [t]here are soooooooo many better.

Sad fact of life Aircrash 1, but not everyone has a choice on these things ...

 

[garyjohn951]

lhr to hkg on 10 Aug, on QF30, no Avod, Purser said, works 50% of time. Told us that they had stopped the final upgrades to the system.