QF introducing I class?

[aus_flyer]

Is QF finally introducing I class (discount business) fares?

I see there is now a published I class fare for AKL-BNE/SYD/MEL

Hopefully they will become more widespread throughout the QF network!

 

[bigjobs]

I thought that the D Class fares are the discounted business class fare ... is this I Class going to be a further discounted fare?

 

[aus_flyer]

I thought that the D Class fares are the discounted business class fare ... is this I Class going to be a further discounted fare?

Yes, C and D are discount business, but I is even further discounted.

For example, base fares for AKL-BNE on 1 Oct 2006:
D $1238
C $936
I $527

 

[JohnK]

I thought that the D Class fares are the discounted business class fare ... is this I Class going to be a further discounted fare?

Yes, deep discounted airfares but heavily restricted. I am probably wrong but I class airfares are commonly known as promotional business class airfares.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

It is matching (almost - QF a bit higher) a current NZ sale. That sale ends 21 Sept, although has already been extended once.

 

[Altair]

Yes there is some competition going on with NZ. Unfortunately for me I could not get my Y seats changed or cancelled, well I could but then the cost would be about the same , so I could take a business class flight.
Sometimes it just does not pay to plan and buy those early red e-deals...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Ha! probably jas something to do with the ongoing push across onto Jetstar, while making you feel like you're still travelling Qantas.

 

[Altair]

Ha! probably jas something to do with the ongoing push across onto Jetstar, while making you feel like you're still travelling Qantas.

Sorry I do not understand? QF NZ operations on the 737 are Jetconnect not Jetstar. The business seats on the Trans-Tasman flights are just old QF domestic seats so nothing to get excited about....unless you get the 747 to AKL then you get skybeds....

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

There are some jetstar trans-tasman flights, currently limited to Christchurch. However these have no business class so irrelevant for the I class sale.

 

[aus_flyer]

The business seats on the Trans-Tasman flights are just old QF domestic seats so nothing to get excited about......

Then I don't think you're going to like Jetstar StarClass
(unless you're talking about the dodgy 737-400 that runs BNE-AKL vv occasionally)

 

[SeatBackForward]

Sorry I do not understand? QF NZ operations on the 737 are Jetconnect not Jetstar. The business seats on the Trans-Tasman flights are just old QF domestic seats so nothing to get excited about....unless you get the 747 to AKL then you get skybeds....

Sorry I turned it into a bit of a non-sequitar.

I'm just being cynical, Qantas can make it seem like their offering discounted tickets to make customers happier, while really they eventually want to turnmore routes into Jetstar (like) operations and have lower operating costs....

Has nothing at all to do with this thread. Apologies.

 

[Altair]

Sorry I turned it into a bit of a non-sequitar.

I'm just being cynical, Qantas can make it seem like their offering discounted tickets to make customers happier, while really they eventually want to turnmore routes into Jetstar (like) operations and have lower operating costs....

Has nothing at all to do with this thread. Apologies.

Well CHC is one of those routes that QF turned to JQ. They have left one CHC-SYD flight QF 767. I have been told that the crew costs for Jetconnect are approxiamately the same as Aust JQ costs, well for short haul at least.
Person at work just returned from MEL-WLG taking advantage of these fares, same level of service. I am wondering if all these Trans-Tasman sales are just posturing for the Code-share Agreement?
Oh cheap fares AKL-SYD are on AR, $90+.
I hope they extend this sale to the new year and I can book my up coming flights on I fares

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I am wondering if all these Trans-Tasman sales are just posturing for the Code-share Agreement?

I would expect 2-fold. Showing still competing on price (even though the sales are closely matched?!), and also trying to boost their own market share ahead of code share (if approved) - since market share affects some of the terms IIRC.

 

[jakeseven7]

Well CHC is one of those routes that QF turned to JQ. They have left one CHC-SYD flight QF 767. I have been told that the crew costs for Jetconnect are approxiamately the same as Aust JQ costs, well for short haul at least.

I had heard the same, but also that QF wouldn't mind expanding Jetconnect operations but simply don't have the aircraft available. I understand that they are slowly upgrading the 737's in NZ and shifting the old ones to AAE freighters... wonder if they would ever flip some 767's to Jetconnect to operate Trans tasman? I much prefer the Jetconnect QF staff, highest level of customer service on any airline - I know its a big call but I'm continually impressed whenever I fly them.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

from a pax perspective the changes for domestic NZ flights are a downgrade - there used to be at least a small chance of getting business seat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Another benefit of the I class is cheap flights to europe. I haven't seen them advertised anywhere (even on QF/BA website) so perhaps it is fare combination trans-tasman + ex-Australia to europe?

 

[Altair]

from a pax perspective the changes for domestic NZ flights are a downgrade - there used to be at least a small chance of getting business seat

I have seen QF use one of their two 737-400 on the domestic run while the other is doing WLG-SYD, well I actually flew on it. I believe the domestic one has some maintenance problem, eg. APU that does not work and they will keep it until they can pull it out of the line for sometime in maintenance. Strange I was told that before they introduced them in NZ they were to undergo heavy maintenance C or D check) and they were to have the Millennium seats installed. Does not look like it happened as the J seats are not the Millennium ones

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Wunala Dreaming has posted on FT a correction to the information - won't be losing the business seats after all (and may get added to the a/c that don't have any). Yay.

Possibly related to your comment about maintenance, but QF had a number of schedule changes in October/November. Messed up quite a few itineraries of mine, but could have been much worse. Thanks to serfty for pointing out the changes.

 

[PaulZ]

Oh cheap fares AKL-SYD are on AR, $90+.

Altair,

Can you please expand on this further? Who is AR?

Thanks

PZ

 

[JohnK]

Who is AR?

Aerolineas Argentinas!