Qantas Trans-Tasman Business Class

[timjhurd]

Hi AFF

My partner and I are booked on QF163 SYDWLG and QF162 WLGSYD in J in January.

I couldn't find much in the way of reviews for QF trans-Tasman J class - can anyone who has flown this or similar routes share their experiences? Particularly the meal service - is it an improvement at all over domestic J, considering the short (3:10/3:45) flight time?

Cheers

Tim

 

[TomVexille]

They serve champagne

 

[opusman]

The seats are the same as domestic 737 J. Food is basically the same too although they have proper champagne.

 

[blackcat20]

The seats are the same as domestic 737 J. Food is basically the same too although they have proper champagne.

Yep, this was what I was going to say. Same as domestic except for Champagne. And amenity kits on flights after 6pm.

 

[timjhurd]

Ok, thanks all!

 

[kermatu]

I haven't flown to Wellington, but on the assumption the Auckland runs are basically the same, I agree they are pretty similar to domestic. The crews are usually top notch. In J you'll get served by both the CSM and a dedicated J cabin manager for the meals. I'd rate the food slightly better than domestic - as there's usually a soup or starter served first, along with ice cream for desert. Drinks and coffee etc anytime.

Amenity kits and champagne before take-off as others have mentioned.

I think the aircraft are generally the older 737s (or at least not refurbed ones). So can be a bit hit and miss on comfort of seat. But all have IFE I believe.

Hope I'm able/allowed to do this - here are some links to reviews of QF trans-tasman flights. Google search will show more.

Qantas 737 Trans-Tasman Business Class review - QF132 Auckland to Melbourne - Point Hacks

Aussie Flyer: Qantas Trans-Tasman Business : Melbourne to Auckland on a B737-800 QF131

 

[blackcat20]

I haven't flown to Wellington, but on the assumption the Auckland runs are basically the same, I agree they are pretty similar to domestic. The crews are usually top notch. In J you'll get served by both the CSM and a dedicated J cabin manager for the meals. I'd rate the food slightly better than domestic - as there's usually a soup or starter served first, along with ice cream for desert. Drinks and coffee etc anytime.

Amenity kits and champagne before take-off as others have mentioned.

I think the aircraft are generally the older 737s (or at least not refurbed ones). So can be a bit hit and miss on comfort of seat. But all have IFE I believe.

Hope I'm able/allowed to do this - here are some links to reviews of QF trans-tasman flights. Google search will show more.

Qantas 737 Trans-Tasman Business Class review - QF132 Auckland to Melbourne - Point Hacks

Aussie Flyer: Qantas Trans-Tasman Business : Melbourne to Auckland on a B737-800 QF131

Our flight to AKL early this year had one FA serving the whole J cabin. She spent almost the entire flight running endless drinks to two blokes in the back row. Took until almost the end of the flight to get a cuppa, as I skipped the meal due to not feeling well. Not her fault at all but one FA and two demanding pax never ends well.

 

[Altair]

IIRC from many flights there is usually one FA dedicated to the Business Class cabin, but supplemented with the CSM for pre-meal service.
Meal service is better than domestic. You do get a PDB (water, juice or sparkling wine). Hot towel, pre-meal drink orders taken and provided with packet of snack mix.
Soup is first plate, then meal choice usually 3 choices one of which is healthy another express, and dessert is ice cream or cheese plate.
Amenity kit is only offered on flights after 5:30 pm departure.
Service is attentive, as long as there are over demanding pax.
Enjoy your flights and WLG, lovely little city.

 

[Red Roo]

Hi AFF

My partner and I are booked on QF163 SYDWLG and QF162 WLGSYD in J in January.

I couldn't find much in the way of reviews for QF trans-Tasman J class - can anyone who has flown this or similar routes share their experiences? Particularly the meal service - is it an improvement at all over domestic J, considering the short (3:10/3:45) flight time?

Cheers

Tim

As background, here's our media release from earlier this year: Qantas Business class to sparkle on the Tasman - Qantas News Room

 

[kermatu]

I'm doing the overnight MEL-AKL flight soon. Be interesting to see service on this one. Have already been forewarned the meal is 'refreshment' only (so will need to eat up in the F lounge beforehand!). have secured a points upgrade to J which is welcome.

 

[michaele]

Flew SYD-ZQN on Wednesday. Agree, the JetConnect staff (based in NZ) are excellent. Bianca in the J cabin was fantastic.

I do prefer the widebodies though.. so flying back EK from CHC. Hard to compete with the pokey 737s..

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Immigration opens at WLG about 2hrs before a flight so cant spend hours in the QP or QC WLG.
I was QP member now on SG holding pattern, wanted to spend more time in the QP WLG lounge but wasn't to be!
But because its a smallish airport and not a lot of int flights, with express path and Smartgate, it won't take long passing immi.
The Kapiti ice cream is delish.
The Smartgate in NZint airports outgoings keeps your Smartgate ticket.

 

[BD1959]

Here's some snaps of my WLG-MEL J service (about a 3:40pm departure from memory) back in April.




Agree with posters here that (generally) the crews are excellent, though on this particular flight the CSM appeared very young - as was the dedicated J FA - and I just got the feeling that they were not as enthusiastic. On outbound the dedicated FA had been truly outstanding - my glass was NEVER empty - and managed to maintain that same consistent high-level of service throughout the full cabin. I certainly provided feedback to QF at the time.

Regards,

BD

 

[ajw373]

Ok, thanks all!

What did you expect? A lie flat bed? End of the day it is the equivalent of a domestic flight, it just happens to fly between two cities in different countries.

Consider yourself lucky your not flying around Europe. For the most part there, international flights of a similar length you would be lucky to get a seat like the Qantas 737 J seat. BA for example, use the same seat and now pitch throughout the aircaft. Only difference is no one in the middle and a 'better' meal.

 

[mannej]

What did you expect? A lie flat bed? End of the day it is the equivalent of a domestic flight, it just happens to fly between two cities in different countries.

Consider yourself lucky your not flying around Europe. For the most part there, international flights of a similar length you would be lucky to get a seat like the Qantas 737 J seat. BA for example, use the same seat and now pitch throughout the aircaft. Only difference is no one in the middle and a 'better' meal.

Sorry but this is harsh. The OP never made mention of the seat originally but more the food and service.

 

[MarkD]

What did you expect? A lie flat bed? End of the day it is the equivalent of a domestic flight, it just happens to fly between two cities in different countries.

Consider yourself lucky your not flying around Europe. For the most part there, international flights of a similar length you would be lucky to get a seat like the Qantas 737 J seat. BA for example, use the same seat and now pitch throughout the aircaft. Only difference is no one in the middle and a 'better' meal.

I love this comment. I get flamed for saying lie flat on domestic transcon is overkill, but here we are an international flight with lesser quality seating is getting called overkill bahahaha

 

[scwappy]

The seats are the same as domestic 737 J. Food is basically the same too although they have proper champagne.

Recently flew SYD-BNE in J. Food was outstanding, so if you get similar quality you should be well pleased. Had a fish dish with potatoes.

 

[opusman]

Recently flew SYD-BNE in J. Food was outstanding, so if you get similar quality you should be well pleased. Had a fish dish with potatoes.

Yes the QF J catering has improved a lot lately imo. Note I did not say it was bad, just "basically the same".

 

[timjhurd]

Helpful feedback everyone, thanks - looking forward to the trip!

What did you expect? A lie flat bed?

No, did I give the impression that I was whinging about the seat quality?

 

[Groundhog]

Not sure of your status Tim (forgive me if you already knew) but you can also use the J lounge at Sydney INT to "warm up" for the flight. The J lounge at WLG is quite nice too.