QF announce non-stop Perth-London B787 Services

[Melburnian1]

Hasn't Qantas been announcing loads 90%+?

Qantas has again been boasting about the 'success' of QF9 and QF10, stating that these flights have the highest net promoter score of any (presumably QFi) flights it operates.

This was in the context of a discussion about Project Sunrise with QF conducting studies with four teams of staff assessing the various factors that would make nonstops from SYD, MEL or BNE to LHR/JFK either feasible and profitable, or not.

The high passenger satisfaction for 'the 9' and 'the 10' may be so - in J - but it doesn't strike me as 'successful' if an airline reduces capacity between MEL and LHR (via PER) by half as compared to the previous daily A388 via DXB. One can travel on QF35/QF36 via SIN as an alternative, but if going to/from LHR that means fighting for a seat on QF1/QF2 SIN - LHR - SIN and so is (for through travellers, i.e. MEL - LHR - MEL) no increase in capacity via SIN.

I only know two couples who have travelled on QF9/QF10 in J. The male of one said it was great; the male of the other couple said it was tedious, not enjoyable, had poor service both ways, mediocre food and next time he'd choose an airline such as SQ. Take your pick. The positive review was from a man of about 70 but in good health. The poor review was from a male of 59, also in rude health but who would fly more than the older gent.

 

[Melburnian1]

After a bit of toing-and-froing with QF, I finally got the form to fill in for my EC261/2004 compensation for the massively delayed 10 of 2 Sept. EUR600 ($976) winging my way.

While it is easy enough to find on the QF website the document that describes EC261/2004, there is nothing that I could see explaining how to make a claim. It seems that the claim form to fill in has to be sent from a Customer Care agent - which means raising an incident with CC.

JohnM, how long did it take to receive the compensation? Was it paid into your bank account, or was a cheque mailed to you? Any further difficulties in claiming?

 

[cosi]

I know lots of people who have now travelled on this flight.

Majority have all been positive and will do it again, without hesitation.

"Its great to get on and then get off at your destination, avoiding the transit, change of plane and/or delays" is the main reason.

I have one friend friend, who is a regular speaker at medical conferences, and says the flight is brilliant and uses it all the time. Only complaint she has, is the cabin are all UK based and she misses the banter and warmth of Aussies, plus J is always full.

I know one couple who said it was a mistake and there gripe was "no where to stretch or stand"

 

[docjames]

Mrsdoc and I have both used QF10 on different occasions. In J. Both rated it a 9/10.

mrsdoc’s parents used 10 in Y+ on another occasion - they’ve now booked the 9/10 combo (Y+) for their next trip.


So the caveat is the reviews in the premium cabin - not sure i’d Want to do it in Y - the 12hrs in Y HKG-LHR was enough. Another 5 hours I think would have been intolerable. I think in Y in any event you’re effectively shopping on price not duration/stops etc (to a reasonable degree). SO my Y preference will still be via HKG/SIN/BKK/DXB etc to break it into 14/7 not 3/17.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What sort of pricing are they getting for the 9/10 combo in Y+? (are they ex Au or ex Europe?)

 

[calmelb]

I’ve done this flight a few times (in J) and I enjoy it. Though one big thing I feel QF could improve on is the food. There’s only two main meals at the start & end of the 17 hour leg, and only snacky things in the middle. You do get a little peckish when doing the flight.

One other good thing about it is no transit security. Both ways we walk off the plane and straight back into the terminal. It’s really good

 

[Princess Fiona]

I’m a huge fan of QF9 in J. I haven’t done the reverse as the idea of the PER transit to get back to SYD doesn’t really fit me with the timings but otherwise it’s a great flight. Whisper quiet on QF9 up the front after the first service is over.

 

[ajw373]

I would do it again and I’ve only travelled in Y.

I would add the caveat though that I was travelling with my wife and two young children (3 and 5) so we had 3 seats next to the window and an isle in the middle block of 3 and for the PER LHR leg the middle seat was vacant.

Someone was sitting there MEL to PER and it was a little squeezy so might be a factor on the long leg.

The positives for our family was the timing. Kids were excited so adrelanin got them to PER without sleep. When we got back on they had pumped up a little so eat and went to sleep after a few hours and stayed asleep until 5-6 hours out of LHR.

The alternative would have been via SIN and I know there is no way I could have kept them awake to SIN (though I can personally stay up) so would have needed to wake them a few hours into sleep, get them off and back on again. Would have been hard.

Other positives was leg room and the IFE system. Much better than the A380 on both accounts. And food was plentiful. Sure two main meals but they also came around with two hot snacks and food was available in the galley through the flight.

We arrived in LHR at 530am more or less fully awake. Quick through immigration and baggage reclaim and by 6 were in our minivan. We then made out way to St Pancras for a 1030am train to Paris. Kids were able to stay awake and not too grumpy until almost 6pm Paris time and basically the next day they were fully on Paris time. Don’t think we would have got the same result going via SIN.

I got a little less sleep, I find it hard to even in flat bed J. But overall felt pretty reasonable on arrival in London. A good breakfast and a flat white (fron Starbucks) and I was good to go for the day.

We didn’t fly QF10 return, instead we flew EK Via DXB and BKK where we stayed for a week so not sure how that would have worked out. But based on departure times reckon kids could have done 6 or 7 hours watching TV and a good 10 hours rest. So reckon it would work too.

As said only question mark for me is would it have been different if someone was in the middle seat on the long leg to LHR.

 

[JohnM]

JohnM, how long did it take to receive the compensation? Was it paid into your bank account, or was a cheque mailed to you? Any further difficulties in claiming?

Once I obtained the claim form it was plain sailing. IIRC, the QF person said allow about three weeks for payment, but it was paid within about three days directly into my bank account.

 

[JohnM]

Whisper quiet on QF9 up the front after the first service is over.

I'd be hard pressed to describe anywhere in a B787 (and my experiences have all been J) as 'whisper quiet'. The roar of the B787 has been the biggest surprise and disappointment for me.

Now, the A350 I would describe as whisper quiet.

 

[jase05]

I'd be hard pressed to describe anywhere in a B787 (and my experiences have all been J) as 'whisper quiet'. The roar of the B787 has been the biggest surprise and disappointment for me.

Now, the A350 I would describe as whisper quiet.

Maybe it’s my imagination but a couple of return flights on BI in J seemed very quiet

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The early versions of the 787 had this kind of weird high-pitched whine going on - very audible in the front cabin (although you got used to it after a while). Maybe they've fixed that, at least on newer deliveries, as I didn't notice it on my most recent flight.

 

[SOPOOR]

have you guys got any tips/suggestions/advice that you would do different to stop over long haul flight?
for people who are about to do this for the first time
I mean 17 hours or whatever it is on a plane is a heck of a long time

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'd be hard pressed to describe anywhere in a B787 (and my experiences have all been J) as 'whisper quiet'. The roar of the B787 has been the biggest surprise and disappointment for me.

Now, the A350 I would describe as whisper quiet.

I’m referring to the way that the front galley is cleared after the first service. There are no disruptions from pax or crew other than the odd person going past you on row 1 to the toilet.
Engine noise I regard as white noise on an aircraft.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I’m referring to the way that the front galley is cleared after the first service. There are no disruptions from pax or crew other than the odd person going past you on row 1 to the toilet.
Engine noise I regard as white noise on an aircraft.

I’m on QF9 early next year. @Princess Fiona are you suggesting row 1 is the best option when it comes to seat selection?

 

[serfty]

I’m on QF9 early next year. @Princess Fiona are you suggesting row 1 is the best option when it comes to seat selection?

Row 1 is fine ... if you can get it as is blocked until t-80 for all but P1/CL/AJ.

Any bulkhead is better if you have largish feet since there is more room.

As for the 789 it feels like it 'shakes' with turbulance more than 'flexes' like earlier airframe designs. It took me a bit to get used to it.

 

[marki]

I’m a huge fan of QF9 in J. I haven’t done the reverse as the idea of the PER transit to get back to SYD doesn’t really fit me with the timings but otherwise it’s a great flight. Whisper quiet on QF9 up the front after the first service is over.

I have done the QF10 return and must say it is painless as you don't go through that screening again. Straight into the Qantas Lounge and all is over.

 

[runway16R]

Just flew QF10 in Y+ and then QF582 to Sydney in J. Upgraded from Y in both instances with points. Happy to answer any questions!

Overall, I would do this again over a QF2 option. We sat in Row 20 (bulkhead) in Y+ and the seats were fine (flip-out table was flimsy though). Service/food was top-notch throughout. We were able to use the bathrooms in J and snack game was very good. The cabin lighting / window shades worked well to simulate when it was time to sleep which was neat. 15 hours passed very quickly despite little sleep.

Perth immigration was smooth (although no eGates were working) and quarantine was quick. Duty free offering much more limited than Sydney. We then went through security again, then straight to the Business Lounge for a quick shower.

Note that the Perth transit lounge for QF9/10 is only accessible to passengers travelling onwards on QF10. Any other domestic transfers go to QF Club or Business Lounge. We then caught QF582 an hour later on the older A330 (the IFE felt prehistoric). It was better arriving in Sydney at Domestic as we just picked up our baggage and left.

As we arrived in Sydney around 9pm, timing meant we were able to sleep straight away to combat the jet lag.

I'd agree with @JohnM that the 787 wasn't 'whisper quiet'. We sat on the wing and it was noisy throughout. Highly recommend some noise-cancelling headphones.

Will be doing this option again in future – definitely at least in Y+. Lounges in both London and Perth made a huge difference to our experience.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the report

I guess upgrading from economy might be an option price wise, but if purchaing for $$ PEY it seems a bit less of a value for money proposition. Picking random dates in Oct, QF PEY is £3008 for the one stop via PER (cheaper at £2760 with a double connection in PER and MEL) compared to £3500 for Etihad business class all the way.

Flight time 50 minutes shorter on Qantas with one stop (22:25 vs 23:15 on EY).

 

[runway16R]

I'd agree. It was 62,500pts each for the LHR-PER leg to Y+ or 100,000pts to J. I'd only do points upgrade.