QF F - First Impressions

[RooFlyer]

OK interesting response - so should pax tell crew 'Hey my first time in F - please explain what F has to offer?' Or should crew address each pax with a 'Welcome - is this your first in F with us?' - and if it is a YES then go on to explain F cabin / seat features etc - OR - no approach to F pax by cabin crew at all?

I think both the first 2 - pax initiating and crew inquiring are undesirable (IMHO ) Pax may not want to self identify as a non F 'regular', nor would I want the crew asking it (surely they KWIA ? ).

I think a simple "If you need any assistance with any of the amenities or services available, please ask any one of us". Maybe followed with (as they have always said to me) "Let us know when you'd like your bed made up." and/or maybe, have the QF magazine helpfully opened at the requisite page? Hmmm ... thinking about it now ... have the screen on and tuned to "Your First Class flight today...."

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have heard QF crew on numerous flights asking "Good morning Mr Smith have you travelled before with us in this cabin? " or some such pleasantries before giving Mr Smith the full run down on the seat and suite features. I've taken note of it as it sometimes delays my welcome glass of Taittinger CdC if there are two of them at it on both aisles :mrgreen:

 

[opusman]

Another recent report of underwhelm-ment: Qantas A380 First Class Sydney To Los Angeles - One Mile at a Time

 

[ReLoad]

Over the last week and a bit I've done 3 flights in F; 93, 12 and last night on 7 into DFW.

Highlights:
The bed, it's one of the best around, when it's all made up its amazing, sorry SQ they have you covered.
When travelling solo its a great private experience.
The cabin feels right, it's not uber bling like EK.

Hit and miss:
staff, the same as any carrier, you get good days and bad days. (SQ being the exception)
Food. Having had an amazing meal from HKG to SYD on the AFF do a few months back I had higher hopes.
Entertainment, I know this the same no matter what class in QF, but it's starting to fall behind a bit. I had the odd experience of watching a movie which had the swear words blanked out. (Really QF?) - the new Jennifer Anniston one about being kidnapped. Made the movie unwatchable. Please go talk to EK about IFE.

Lowlights:
Busted seat twice, once reset and fixed, the other had to move seats. The cabin is starting to show its age.
When travelling as a couple it sucks, mrs reload is right on that J is better when travelling as a pair.
This one is probably a personal choice thing, but at times I felt a bit uncomfortable, We are not wealthy, we are firmly middle class, the only way I've been able to be in F is because of AFF and maximising my points (and using my status to my advantage - I do a lot of flying for work) but at times I was made to feel that I don't belong, just subtle things, but mrs reload noticed it too, so take that for whatever it's worth.

Would I pay for F? No chance, J is just fine thanks, but is it worth the points to upgrade? Heck yes, the bed alone makes it a wise choice if you need to hit the ground running at your destination.

 

[opusman]

Would I pay for F? No chance, J is just fine thanks, but is it worth the points to upgrade? Heck yes, the bed alone makes it a wise choice if you need to hit the ground running at your destination.

Well said, with QF F is really all about the bed (and possible the Pol). Otherwise, J is just fine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Another recent report of underwhelm-ment: Qantas A380 First Class Sydney To Los Angeles - One Mile at a Time

i guess I can see the point about the 'wow' factor having read that report. And i suppose for a first time flyer they may feel a underwhelmed. There's little 'special' about the menu - nothing 'exotic' like caviar or lobster. (And to be honest couscous and quinoa is getting a bit tired as a 'new' concept... can we move on NP?)

But it brings me back to my original musings... for someone who knows the offering and routine... the slow service, the food, the real chance they might get a crew who will make you wish you weren't flying Qantas... it's exactly what you would be expecting. On QF there's possibly no 'wow' experience to expect, or be disappointed not to receive.

There are very few airlines able score top marks in every single category (except for my beloved Lutfhansa... who I won't hear a word against! )

 

[vantage03]

There are very few airlines able score top marks in every single category (except for my beloved Lutfhansa... who I won't hear a word against! )

+1
When we're talking F, Lufthansa just gets it so right. Flying their A380 F for the first time in a couple of weeks SIN-FRA!

Back on topic though, QF F is usually a very pleasant experience. They really need to try to do something about the inconsistent service though.

Also, to be frank, unlike LH or SQ, it's become both "Upgrade Class" and more frustratingly "Staff Travel Class" whereby they'll be showing F9 the day before takeoff, then you'll be surprised with a cabin full to the brim of QF family and friends paying significantly less than you are for the same experience. This was particularly bad on the HKG route, but still rings true when flying to the US or to DXB and beyond.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

On QF there's possibly no 'wow' experience to expect, or be disappointed not to receive.

TBH MEL I did expect a 'wow' experience - this was my first ever QF F indulgence and when I started this thread I intended to be honest and subjective - given QFi's stature and history I was expecting a 'wow' factor. After booking 2 o/w rdpts I checked commercial tix price for exact dates we were travelling (ret date not applicable I admit) - $17K ret - half that $8.5K o/w for the flt we took - now tell me if I am expecting too much but for $8.5K I thought I would get a 'wow' experience.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

TBH MEL I did expect a 'wow' experience - this was my first ever QF F indulgence and when I started this thread I intended to be honest and subjective - given QFi's stature and history I was expecting a 'wow' factor. After booking 2 o/w rdpts I checked commercial tix price for exact dates we were travelling (ret date not applicable I admit) - $17K ret - half that $8.5K o/w for the flt we took - now tell me if I am expecting too much but for $8.5K I thought I would get a 'wow' experience.

Yes I guess... but QF simply doesn't offer a menu which we might associate with First class. Their wine list is good, and their lounges are good in Australia. But... that's about it for their 'wow'. I guess they introduced their tasting menu... that was sort of unique when they brought it out!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes I guess... but QF simply doesn't offer a menu which we might associate with First class. Their wine list is good, and their lounges are good in Australia. But... that's about it for their 'wow'. I guess they introduced their tasting menu... that was sort of unique when they brought it out!

Except it's not now as the tasting menu has been dumbed down to be a subset of the normal menu rather than a stand alone menu as it used to be.

QF F isn't really about the wow factor. It's about being the closest thing to flying private with warm, if at times informal, honest service, a very comfy bed and a simple food menu which on the whole is pretty good by airplane standards.
Yes there are swankier F cabins around (I've flown some of them) but on the whole I'm pretty happy with QF F as a points redemption or upgrade.
I cannot comment on any F airline as a revenue fare option as that's way out of my league until I win the lotto.

 

[RooFlyer]

+1
When we're talking F, Lufthansa just gets it so right. Flying their A380 F for the first time in a couple of weeks SIN-FRA!

<snip>.

Would appreciate a Trip Report with pic on the LH A380 F (please). Tossing up whether to do that F or SQ F to spend my accumulation of Aeropesos (Aeroplan miles).

I've heard LH F is nice ... should be .. their J on the A380 is very average ... an inclined bed on a new A380 product for goodness' sake!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

+1 on wanting info on LH F - any TRs here? Or do we need go look on FT?

 

[Kangol]

This one is probably a personal choice thing, but at times I felt a bit uncomfortable, We are not wealthy, we are firmly middle class, the only way I've been able to be in F is because of AFF and maximising my points (and using my status to my advantage - I do a lot of flying for work) but at times I was made to feel that I don't belong, just subtle things, but mrs reload noticed it too, so take that for whatever it's worth.

What exactly do you mean by "made to feel that I don't belong"?
Were you wearing trackies?
Or do you look young which changes their perception of you...?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Would appreciate a Trip Report with pic on the LH A380 F (please). Tossing up whether to do that F or SQ F to spend my accumulation of Aeropesos (Aeroplan miles).

I've heard LH F is nice ... should be .. their J on the A380 is very average ... an inclined bed on a new A380 product for goodness' sake!

LH is in the process of replacing the a380 seats - they will be full flat as per the 748 etc.

Now... LF F... that has 'wow' factor.... which begins with the red and silver wallet for your boarding pass at check-in. I prefer it over SQ. (And yes it's a huge step up from their business class offering.)

 

[opusman]

Pretty detailed review on LH F here (747) and here (380).

 

[RooFlyer]

Pretty detailed review on LH F here (747) and here (380).

Thanks ... and bingo! ... from Vancouver ... (almost) done!

Edit: OK, read his ... and then read hers ... Hmmm ... still want to do it, but crew better perform better than she found.

 

[boomy]

Pretty detailed review on LH F here (747) and here (380).

Apart from the champagne on the B747 (had the same on BR J) everything looks very impressive.
QF can learn a thing or two from LH, here is one example:

 

[Flying mermaid]

What exactly do you mean by "made to feel that I don't belong"?
Were you wearing trackies?
Or do you look young which changes their perception of you...?

I wouldn't say Miss FM is made to feel she doesn't belong, but she certainly gets worse service when she flies on her own. E.g 2 years ago she was joining us in London but flew QF there in F on her own and also F from Lax back to Sydney on her own. She asked for her bed to be cleared away before breakfast flying into London but was forgotten and ended up doing it herself. She felt fairly ignored on the Lax leg as well. I was a bit annoyed, as an AONE4 is not cheap and I don't feel she should get poor service just because she is young but it does seem to happen. It is even worse at checkin, particularly in London where she often gets told she is in the wrong queue - always very nicely though - she says they tend to talk to her very slowly as though she is obviously a bit intellectually challenged or can't read!

I must say I always find the FAs in Qantas F excellent and they actually seem to enjoy having someone who is travelling in F for the first time so I think the experience of being made to feel they didn't fit in is a rare one.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I wouldn't say Miss FM is made to feel she doesn't belong, but she certainly gets worse service when she flies on her own. E.g 2 years ago she was joining us in London but flew QF there in F on her own and also F from Lax back to Sydney on her own. She asked for her bed to be cleared away before breakfast flying into London but was forgotten and ended up doing it herself. She felt fairly ignored on the Lax leg as well. I was a bit annoyed, as an AONE4 is not cheap and I don't feel she should get poor service just because she is young but it does seem to happen. It is even worse at checkin, particularly in London where she often gets told she is in the wrong queue - always very nicely though - she says they tend to talk to her very slowly as though she is obviously a bit intellectually challenged or can't read!

I must say I always find the FAs in Qantas F excellent and they actually seem to enjoy having someone who is travelling in F for the first time so I think the experience of being made to feel they didn't fit in is a rare one.

Not in F but I do find people really like to judge!!!

Was funny watching people look at my sister and her bf when they flew
J with us on cx to LAX.

It was either people looking at them or looking at my 2 year old sipping her OJ pre-take off while they were walking down the back.

It is also funny when you have 2 kids in two and 4 adults 32/32/21/21 and we go to line up in the business line and they try direct us to economy until the actually read our boarding passes......

I think it's just habit and they don't think that 'youngish' people fly these cabins....they haven't discovered this forum that's why!!!!! But shhhhhhhhh the more people who work this out the harder it will be for me to nab 5 business seats again next year!

 

[Flying mermaid]

It is also funny when you have 2 kids in two and 4 adults 32/32/21/21 and we go to line up in the business line and they try direct us to economy until the actually read our boarding passes......

I think it's just habit and they don't think that 'youngish' people fly these cabins....they haven't discovered this forum that's why!!!!! But shhhhhhhhh the more people who work this out the harder it will be for me to nab 5 business seats again next year!

We once flew J with SAS from Shanghai to Copenhagen with a 15 yr old and 13 yr. when we boarded the FA didn't even look at our boarding passes just the letter code and told us to turn right. I was tired and frazzled and not thinking so led the troops that way and was just thinking "this is a pretty crowded J cabin" when Miss FM realised what was wrong and we retraced our steps to go the right direction.....