Qantas "New" First Class

[ronone69]

Had the distinct displeasure to travel in the new (world's stingiest) Qantas first class from MEL->SIN.

First, thought we would get to the new Melbourne first class lounge to check out all it had to offer. Took an hour for 4 of us to have lunch. The service was exceptionally poor (but then I understand it is run by Sofitel and anything with a "tel" on the end means **** hotel).

Then we get on board to be offered the new amenities packs. The new sleep suits seem to be missing pockets. The sleep suit comes with a toothbrush and comb. Why ? Because the new amenities bags (which have 3 little tubes of expensive cough earplugs) are too small for the toothbrush and comb !!! And my wifes was missing the toothbrush and appeared to have been opened by another sucker - whoops passenger.

Then there is the new crockery (which does not stack - a nightmare for the crew). The coffee cups are almost impossible to drink from. The tea kettle is so poorly designed it just - leaks. But it is all stamped : Mark Newson designed !!!

I can only say I am thankful I was on FF points tickets as I would hate to have actually paid for something this bad.

Congratulations Qantas - you have managed to turn what was a poor product (your old first class) into an exceptionally poor product. Only the stingiest airline in the sky could manage to do this.

I suppose the new first class should be dedicated to the almost left chairperson Margaret Jackson and her cost cutting / airline destroying CEO Geoff ****son. Congratulations guys !!!
:evil:

 

[thadocta]

Don't hold back now, tell us what you REALLY think.

Dave

 

[SF&]

I thought the new F lounges were great...


especially for us suckers in cattle class!!

 

[Dave Noble]

Had the distinct displeasure to travel in the new (world's stingiest) Qantas first class from MEL->SIN.

First, thought we would get to the new Melbourne first class lounge to check out all it had to offer. Took an hour for 4 of us to have lunch. The service was exceptionally poor (but then I understand it is run by Sofitel and anything with a "tel" on the end means **** hotel).

Since you this all places ending with tel are dire, then that covers just about every hoTEL there is

Then there is the new crockery (which does not stack - a nightmare for the crew).

and that matters why as a passenger?

Congratulations Qantas - you have managed to turn what was a poor product (your old first class) into an exceptionally poor product. Only the stingiest airline in the sky could manage to do this.

Umm... if you think it is so poor then why would you fly in it? I do think QF F is poor compared to others and would not tend to choose it unless there were no decent other options but not completely dire

Dave

 

[NYCguy]

I do think QF F is poor compared to others...

For sure... have you flown F on UA lately?

 

[straitman]

For sure... have you flown F on UA lately?

Even this really bad write up is better than last time I flew 'F' on UA :!:

 

[Standby]

Service is always subjective and even one persons product lies are other hates..other wise we'd all be fighting for the same seats on the same airline.
My recent QF F view MELHKGLHR and back was
1.Crew had improved considerable on all legs,I had NO issues
2. New ameneties kits are one of those subjective things.I like it all in one bag (especially given the new rules on carry on lotionsand potions) But all I had do was ask and it was there in a flash.
3.New crockery...no issues..in fact i really liked the new coffee cup..that it dosnt stack for the crew isnt my concern given the money I paid. Tea pot didnt use one but I preffered both coffee and tean in the individual plunger anyway.
4.New PJs are fine and saved me again from the relish spill on my clothes whilst having the legendary steak sanga
Overall great trip, attentive but not intrusive crew, I just wish I could afford it All te time
One observation the UK based Aussie crew were slightly better than the Aust based crew.
Only downside didnt leave myself enough time to use the new lounge
And concur UA First is only an alt when no other options avail...or a really tight supplier is paying for my trip

 

[Dave Noble]

For sure... have you flown F on UA lately?

Nope, but I did also fly BA and CX during the trip

Dave

 

[simongr]

My experiences of F are QF and CX and for me the only difference was the service. Food is often subjective as you can choose the wrong thing often - which is a bad habit of mine

I am hoping to sample AA's new Flagship First on the BEHEMOTH in August for a further comparison.

My main issue with QF F is that it just looks a little tired and the service is just not there for me. They either seem too busy or invisible - I have yet to have nicely attentive F - actually I take that back - outbound to HKG the first cabin crew was great - later they deteriorated

 

[dajop]

First, thought we would get to the new Melbourne first class lounge to check out all it had to offer. Took an hour for 4 of us to have lunch. The service was exceptionally poor ..

Having not flown first I am not going to comment on the rest of your post, however I can concur on above comment with regards to the FCL at MEL. In my one experience there, our meals were on the slow side to arrive, but OK given that they were made to order. But - we ordered a glass of wine each, and they took more than 10 mins to arrive .... in the meantime 3 tables around us were seated and had drinks within minutes. Ditto with the meals at surrounding tables. I put it down to teething problems (it was only 2 days after opening), either that or good old fashioned QF inconsistency .

 

[garyjohn951]

I have today returned from Europe and had the chance to upgrade to F on the outward bound QF29, 2 weeks ago. We arrived that the new lounge, and had the meal, one course, with drinks. Normal time for service would be my comment. Then we sat around for about 45 mins before boarding and if I had one minor complaint was that they kept asking us if we needed a drink. I had decided I had had enough with the meal and was then in a space of 15 mins asked by 4 different workers. I think I should have a small sign made. "Have been asked already............

The actual flight was good. No problem with the PJ's in my opinion, staff were attentive, came when I buzzed, happy smiles. On the whole a good experience.

While not exactly on this topic but on our return from UK on QF30, we were back in J and were caught up in the Terminal 4 lockdown on Tuesday. We were well into boarding when the Captain annouced that T4 was to be evacuated and we would remain on the plane, 2 police with machine guns arrive at the door and for the next 4 hours we were kept on the plane.

The Captain and Crew deserve a pat on the back. They keep us informed, with not much, but at least they told us. They feed us nibbles, etc and drinks, ALL classes. After 4 hrs we had to leave the plane with hand luggage for a search, while the plane had dogs do thru it.

After 5 hrs in total we were back on and allowed to leave, leaving 30 people who hadn't boarded in the 6500 people out front of T4.

Considering the time the crew were on duty, I cannot say in words how good they were THRU out the flight. Nothing was problem. By the time we landed in HK they had been on duty almost 22 hrs. QANTAS you need to recognise workers like this.

 

[NM]

Even this really bad write up is better than last time I flew 'F' on UA :!:

Really bad write up? the OP complained about slow food service in the FLounge, taking an hour to feed 4 people. I suggest people do what I did and sit in a comfy lounge chair doing whatever you like (working, reading, listening to music, watching the view etc) and give your meal order to one of the staff walking around taking drinks orders, and ask them to let you know when its ready so you can move to a dining table at that time. Then it really does not matter how long it takes so long as its done in time for boarding. This worked really well for me.

The next issue was with the amenities "kits". Well I am sorry, but even if there was no kit available it would not ruin my flight. I may be a little disappointed, but it would not raise in my the anger and displeasure that oozes from the OP's text. I can live without pockets in my PJs. In fact I don't have pockets in my usual sleeping attire at home :shock: .

The other complaint was that the OP does not have the same taste in crockery design as Mark Newson or the QF people who selected the service components. That is very subjective and while the OP found it so bad that it affected his travel experience, others like the new items. My personal view is that I would not purchase them for my home, but similarly would not purchase many such items I have used in restaurants around the world.

In my view, those three complaints do not make it a "really bad write up", but someone venting their thoughts after personal disappointment (which is perfectly ok on this forum).

 

[straitman]

Really bad write up?

NM,

Maybe we need a smillie for 'tongue in cheek'

 

[NM]

Maybe we need a smillie for 'tongue in cheek'

well there is one for "tongue out of cheek"

 

[ronone69]

Hey all

Read all the comments and in some respects this says it all about QF - inconsistent service. Some people have found the new FC (and the old one) good. I think QF have a vastly inferior product to SQ, TG and CX. And if I could use my QF points and get the same value per point on any other airline, you can be sure I would.

I can understand the cynicism of people who have not traveled (and may never get the chance to travel) FC, but when you are paying huge dollars or huge points, everything should be spot on - and QF simply does not cut it.

Other things I did not mention in my first post was that they seemed to run out of some of the food (yes this happens in FC too), the staff were not rude just slow and generally not attentive, the seats are old (and yes they are better than Y and J class, but they are no where near as good as SQ or CX), the TV screens are small (about the same size as Y class) and the entertainment system died about 3 hours out so no one on the plane could watch anything !!!


I suppose what I am really saying is if you are paying top dollar you expect top service and QF is simply not good enough

 

[simongr]

Good points = I hope I dont seem a QF apologist here but I dont rate the current QF seats too far behind the current (rather than next gen) CX seats. I have yet to fly BA F so cant compare but wihin OW I dont think QF F is too far behind. I think if I had teh choice at the moment I would edge QF F out of Sydney just for the extra differences before flying - express C&I, per bookable spa treatments etc. (for mrssimongr mostly ).

I am hoping to be ablet to come back with a reassessment over the weekend if the UG comes through

 

[Rae]

I'm trying out the First Lounge in Melbourne tonight (heading to London). I haven't booked a spa treatment or anything, but as it's an evening flight, I will be wanting to get something to eat. I wonder how well they cater to vegetarians...

 

[moa999]

the TV screens are small (about the same size as Y class) and
the entertainment system died about 3 hours out so no one on the plane could watch anything !!!

1. 4yrs ago a 10" LCD screen was not cheap and this was installed. Nowadays you could probably get 21" for the same price. Unfortunately you can't just do a simple replace, you would need to totally remodel the seat
FYI. Mosts of BAs screens are even smaller

2. Not a First Class only problem, would impact the whole plane
U/F QF bought a bad product, although reliability has improved

 

[NM]

I'm trying out the First Lounge in Melbourne tonight (heading to London). I haven't booked a spa treatment or anything, but as it's an evening flight, I will be wanting to get something to eat. I wonder how well they cater to vegetarians...

I understand the spa is not available at night prior to the QF29 departure. So you are probably already too late for a spa treatment. Enjoy the meal in the lounge. Remember that you can ask for a menu while sitting in the lounge chairs, and then have them let you know when it is ready to be served and move to the dining area.

 

[simongr]

1. 4yrs ago a 10" LCD screen was not cheap and this was installed. Nowadays you could probably get 21" for the same price. Unfortunately you can't just do a simple replace, you would need to totally remodel the seat

And that is going to be an issue for a few years on 744s....