QF announce non-stop Perth-London B787 Services

[Quickstatus]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

I totally agree. Listening to cough that QF has been spinning is almost nauseating. Especially when you arrive Melbourne and there are three other airlines with the 787. And coming out of BKK there is a lot more on the tarmac, but of course with the lack of focus in Asia I'm not surprised they have ignored that; I was talking with someone at the QF lounge in BKK, oh sorry I forgot, no lounge any more! looking at the Thai 787. Even Ethiopian fly them!

The "smell of new leather" will subside quickly.

 

[Melburnian1]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

Listening to cough that QF has been spinning is almost nauseating.

While I don't always criticise News Ltd papers, observing how some of these are uncritically reporting this new route is not just almost nauseating - it is truly sickening.

To give 'The Age' and 'Sydney Morning Herald' their due, at least they had an opinion piece by travel agent Michael G pointing out that on the return to PER, there will be problems if PER airport is closed for any reason, not that this often occurs.

Does the News Ltd "reporting" have anything to do with advertising dollars? Does SQ or VA, or CA/CX/CZ/DL/JL/KE/NZ/PR/UA to name a few receive the same uncritical "analysis" so frequently?

None of the "journalists" invited on the first one way or round trip will be sitting in whY, will they?

I haven't even consciously 'tried' but I've already travelled on two different airlines with B787s - big deal. Just another aircraft that at least in whY has one more seat across in its configuration than it ought have.

 

[getluv]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

Qantas could have offered 8-across seating and people would have had an issue with something Qantas did, even if they offered alternative a380 routes via Singapore to go with it. Qantas can't be everything for everyone. Qantas might be a national carrier, but it is not government owned or subsidised, it is a business.

As for going 9-across with this 'innovative' route, who can blame them. If consumers are willing to pay what consumers were paying 20 years ago [plus inflation] with the same level of 'comfort', then it's called Premium Economy. If they're not, then they deserve 9-across Y.

It's quite easy to let tall poppy syndrome kick in.

Qantas have every right to be excited about the 787, because they were in dire circumstances not that long ago. Yes, they are aware of many other carriers already operating the aircraft, but they also have a rather effective marketing team. Let them have a win for a change and vote with your wallet if you're that upset.

 

[getluv]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

While I don't always criticise News Ltd papers, observing how some of these are uncritically reporting this new route is not just almost nauseating - it is truly sickening.

To give 'The Age' and 'Sydney Morning Herald' their due, at least they had an opinion piece by travel agent Michael G pointing out that on the return to PER, there will be problems if PER airport is closed for any reason, not that this often occurs.

Does the News Ltd "reporting" have anything to do with advertising dollars? Does SQ or VA, or CA/CX/CZ/DL/JL/KE/NZ/PR/UA to name a few receive the same uncritical "analysis" so frequently?

None of the "journalists" invited on the first one way or round trip will be sitting in whY, will they?

I haven't even consciously 'tried' but I've already travelled on two different airlines with B787s - big deal. Just another aircraft that at least in whY has one more seat across in its configuration than it ought have.

Most media will regurgitate what they get from press releases especially relating to business news. That's the nature of the 24/7 news cycle with even less money to spend on journalists. However, it is also likely the media will call an expert looking for another angle, with the expert having no actual information in front of them.

And like all routes that every airline flies, there are bound to be issues with weather, issues at the arriving airport etc. So that's not news. QF8 has had to make scheduled pitstops on the odd occasion due to strong headwinds.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

Qantas might be a national carrier, but it is not government owned or subsidised, it is a business.

No - but not so long ago they were asking for taxpayer guarantees and just recently for government funding to achieve its operations at PER.

When people vote with their wallets the airline cries poor and wants taxpayers to come to the rescue. This isn't about tall poppy, this is about protecting my taxpayer dollar.

We don't need to pay the same airfares we paid 20 years ago for the same comfort. Fuel is at rock bottom prices, planes are more efficient, catering has been cut, staff have been axed, foreign staff brought in to work flights, frequent flyer points cut, award seats are double charged with fuel surcharges, through baggage check axed, seat selection charged for, alliances formed that don't necessarily put passengers first. Those savings still allow us to have reasonable comfort even if the soft product and all the frills have gone.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

Qantas could have offered 8-across seating and people would have had an issue with something Qantas did, even if they offered alternative a380 routes via Singapore to go with it. Qantas can't be everything for everyone. Qantas might be a national carrier, but it is not government owned or subsidised, it is a business.

As for going 9-across with this 'innovative' route, who can blame them. If consumers are willing to pay what consumers were paying 20 years ago [plus inflation] with the same level of 'comfort', then it's called Premium Economy.

It's quite easy to let tall poppy syndrome kick in.

Qantas have every right to be excited about the 787, because they were in dire circumstances not that long ago. Yes, they are aware of many other carriers already operating the aircraft, but they also have a rather effective marketing team. Let them have a win for a change and vote with your wallet if you're that upset.

you had me in your corner until this: "it is not government owned or subsidised..." - qantas are one of the most adept corporate lobbyists in the country and have demanded taxpayer funding at the federal and state level on numerous occasions to prop them up.

folks here are tired of the marketing spin and "enhancements" because they as frequent flyers will be the most impacted by these decisions - by no means is this tall poppy syndrome...

 

[fairbasa]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

I will own up to being a bit negative on QF lately. However, it's easy to when it feels like every change to their loyalty program is a negative one. It's great they're doing something new, I'm just not sure this is the answer.

I'm quietly optimistic they have something up their sleeve in terms of a unique new route for the 787

 

[Aussie_flyer]

This is a unique new route.

Anyway it really doesnt matter what QF do, you can guarantee AFF members will pick it to pieces and make it extremely negative.

 

[leadman]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

Qantas can't be everything for everyone. Qantas might be a national carrier, but it is not government owned or subsidised, it is a business.

It's quite easy to let tall poppy syndrome kick in.

Let them have a win for a change and vote with your wallet if you're that upset.

Absolutely agree that it is a business and I for one think their business "model" is in need of repair. Having just come off three long trips, most in J, the QF BKK > SYD last week was the worst of the major legs. And its all about focus and customer service. Having done the 2 US trips with EVA a few Qantas heads might want to fly them and see what service is about. When staff gather around the galley for most of the night chatting like its a Friday night after work, its not a good look. And for the CS to primarily focus on two customers for the trip is not what I would call service.

Tall poppy - No, no, I'm begging for QF to put something back to Asia for us, I miss the lounges and service that was previously there; always proud to see the flying Kangaroo on the 747, but alas those days are gone.

And for my wallet - QF customer service contacted me after an in-flight discussion with a CS after I told them I split between OW and SA as there was nothing much beyond WP (pre-P1). Was told in no uncertain terms that they didn't care and there was other plenty of other customers! So like restaurants that have poor you don't go back until you hear things improve.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

QF customer service contacted me after an in-flight discussion with a CS after I told them I split between OW and SA as there was nothing much beyond WP (pre-P1). Was told in no uncertain terms that they didn't care and there was other plenty of other customers!

I'd like to hear how that conversation went down.

 

[getluv]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

Absolutely agree that it is a business and I for one think their business "model" is in need of repair. Having just come off three long trips, most in J, the QF BKK > SYD last week was the worst of the major legs. And its all about focus and customer service. Having done the 2 US trips with EVA a few Qantas heads might want to fly them and see what service is about. When staff gather around the galley for most of the night chatting like its a Friday night after work, its not a good look. And for the CS to primarily focus on two customers for the trip is not what I would call service.

Tall poppy - No, no, I'm begging for QF to put something back to Asia for us, I miss the lounges and service that was previously there; always proud to see the flying Kangaroo on the 747, but alas those days are gone.

And for my wallet - QF customer service contacted me after an in-flight discussion with a CS after I told them I split between OW and SA as there was nothing much beyond WP (pre-P1). Was told in no uncertain terms that they didn't care and there was other plenty of other customers! So like restaurants that have poor you don't go back until you hear things improve.

Their business model takes into account many different factors other airlines in other countries don't have to consider, and vice versa. There are many different things I'm sure Qantas would love to have for its customers, but unfortunately you have to make do with what you got with a cost base that is significantly higher than competitors in the very next continent. And I make the same point I did before, even if Qantas offered everything you wanted, there would still be something wrong with them.

If you're waiting for QF to start flights back to Europe via Asia, you'll be waiting a very long time.

 

[getluv]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

you had me in your corner until this: "it is not government owned or subsidised..." - qantas are one of the most adept corporate lobbyists in the country and have demanded taxpayer funding at the federal and state level on numerous occasions to prop them up.

folks here are tired of the marketing spin and "enhancements" because they as frequent flyers will be the most impacted by these decisions - by no means is this tall poppy syndrome...

They are allowed to ask for a handout and lobby the government if it wants. Doesn't mean they always win. I mean they still have the QSA to deal with. Furthermore, they also deal with monopoly owned airports and have employees in unions who also have efficient lobbyists. So in the end, its all a moot point that you're making.

This thread is also about Qantas adding a 787 route from Perth to London, so I don't take your point about enhancements in this particular thread.

Side note: I'm very aware of the "enhancement" threads I've seen over the years on this forum. I'm also aware of other consumers of other loyalty programs complain about the "enhancements" of their particular loyalty program.

 

[flightobserver]

AFF member flightobserver's projected timetablen (in the previous thread) for QF2 that shows a 1400 hours arrival in PER ex LHR, a 1530 hours departure and a 2230 hours SYD arrival is problematical.

Imagine how often the flight might terminate in PER if late and 'the delegate' failed to grant a SYD curfew dispensation.

Melburnian1, you conveniently neglected to consider the departure time. My projected timetable was based from a 1200 departure from LHR time with a padded 18 hour flight time (conversely I had padded out PER-LHR to 19 hours). Given that QF has now said they expect the flight to take 17 hours, there is now an extra hour's buffer from curfew (potentially more as the plane is flying east). That being said, I may need to slightly revise my proposed timetable anyway after today's official MEL-LAX announcement, which makes a MEL-PER-LHR routing more probable.

Are your concerns on late running based off the current QF 10's on-time performance? If so, I am interested to hear whether you think the on-time performance is affected more by LHR or DXB - I think more the latter.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

They are allowed to ask for a handout and lobby the government if it wants. Doesn't mean they always win. I mean they still have the QSA to deal with. Furthermore, they also deal with monopoly owned airports and have employees in unions who also have efficient lobbyists. So in the end, its all a moot point that you're making.

This thread is also about Qantas adding a 787 route from Perth to London, so I don't take your point about enhancements in this particular thread.

Side note: I'm very aware of the "enhancement" threads I've seen over the years on this forum. I'm also aware of other consumers of other loyalty programs complain about the "enhancements" of their particular loyalty program.

expecting the taxpayer to beome the default funding source to prop up imbalances in industries is worrying! WA in particular can ill afford the cash splash on what is likely a short term route anyway.

enhancements are very relevant in this case (both in QFF and in their airline operations generally) - the 787 economy cabin following the jetstar density is simply another example of this.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is a unique new route.

Anyway it really doesnt matter what QF do, you can guarantee AFF members will pick it to pieces and make it extremely negative.

In 2016 it's just a new route... yes it connects Australia direct with the UK but it's not like the UK is the motherland anymore.

I think passengers have a right to be cynical... new route, but 'revolutionary'? other airlines already fly the plane in a lower, more comfortable density. Some other airlines are flying 2-4-2.

more generally I think we need to be critical with just about anything qantas puts out... fly business class all the way to Europe but only earn economy points? sure... if you choose to fly MH and credit to qantas. If we weren't critical changes like that would get largely unnoticed. Refunds on downgrades that barely offer adequate compensation? emails promoting products that come with terms, conditions and exclusions that are longer than the email itself? promoted enhancements to let us rest longer on board that actually translate to the removal of a proper meal (cafe breakfasts). All a330s to have the new suites? umm, no. All deserve a critical analysis.

qantas may not be alone, but it doesn't have a great record of being upfront or introducing changes that actually benefit the passenger, new business suites aside.

 

[fairbasa]

Rumoured now there'll be a new international lounge in PER T3, similar to SIN/HKG/BNE lounges. A lot of dollars being poured into PER lounges recently if so!

Qantas may build new Perth lounge for its Boeing 787 flights - Australian Business Traveller

 

[coriander]

Re: Qantas: non-stop Australia (Perth)-Europe (London) Boeing 787 flights set to soar

If you're waiting for QF to start flights back to Europe via Asia, you'll be waiting a very long time.

Ok, I know this is a "I heard this from a mate who heard it from a mate"........ but on "Plane Talking" a commenter has posted (in the 744->787 MEL-LAX thread) "According to to the Airservices Commission QF has just regained MEL-SIN-LHR rights"

 

[JohnK]

What was the issue with PE SYD-LAX?.

14.5 hours in any cabin is not fun.

 

[TomVexille]

14.5 hours in any cabin is not fun.

Well 12.5 hours on JL F was lots of fun and not nearly long enough, as was QF 10.

 

[Daver6]

Rumoured now there'll be a new international lounge in PER T3, similar to SIN/HKG/BNE lounges. A lot of dollars being poured into PER lounges recently if so!

Qantas may build new Perth lounge for its Boeing 787 flights - Australian Business Traveller

Seems like an interesting business decision to spend that kind of money in a terminal when they are expected to move across the airport in a few years anyway.