QF94 Business LAX-MEL A380 Trip Report

[Layslow]

Just wanted to provide a trip report from QF94/LAX to Melbourne 07/11 - A380 Business. The scheduled departure of 10.30pm gradually was pushed out to 1.30am, which was a pain, but nothing you could do about it. Spent the time initially at the AA Flagship First Lounge, that (if you want to avoid the Aussie throng) is a peaceful respite with a great buffet (and a self-service bar to boot). Upon boarding at 12.45am, a glass of champers was provided along with a photo copy of a thredbare menu (attached). If you notice there is no steak sandwich, replaced by a 'cheese and mushroom' toastie. Yes seriously. I don't know where all the money to improve 'the passenger experience' has been spent - because on this route, there is no evidence of it. Had the rigatoni, whose serving size was straight from the children's menu - tiny. The entire dinner/supper service was deliverd on one-tray complete with Neil Perry's famous Grass Clippings + some bread (only plain, no garlic). No entree was provided and when asked what was for dessert - the flight attendant simply replied there was only 'plain' icecream left. So I passed and asked for another glass of wine, which never arrived and so eventually went to sleep. Woke up with 5 hours to go and thought I would go grab a snack from the front galley/lounge and found 4 apples and absolutely nothing else (see attached pic). Went back to one of the flight crew - asked for a coffee, which whilst they were not thrilled about, they delivered. Tip for the breakfast - order the BLT - it is the pick of the bunch. Everything else is either cold or barely reheated. During the flight there were no hot towels (singapore economy 1, Qantas Business 0) and no snack cart (Singapore economy 1, Qantas Business 0). Even the bedding was a let down. In the old days (yes a while back) those beautiful lambs wool bed bases were the best for sleeping on. In their place, is some weird thin base that does nothing to improve the cushion of the seat/bed. I don't get Qantas' strategy for the premium cabins flying international. All the investment that is going into upgrading the A380s and introducing a new fleet is always going to be let down by a soft product woefully lacking. Tip for flying this route - stock up before the flight - grab a sub for the carry-on and come prepared to look after yourself. The flight crew didn't want to be there and (by the end of it) neither did I. 4/10

 

[jase05]

That menu looks pretty ordinary TBH.
Sad to hear that your flight experience was poor.
These flights aren’t cheap but it seems the soft product is very cheap

 

[cove]

We haven’t been back to QF longhaul for quite a while now. We still do a bit of a long cut out of Perth to Singapore overnight then go via Narita to Los Angeles. This is our SQ run.
It would be easier for us to go SYD or MEL-LAX as it looks quicker but QF A380 does not generally run on time so it doesn’t work out to be quicker.
Now we tried AA and I couldn’t get my Resmed sleep machine to power up so that is a never again.
We are unimpressed with the QF salad and it is time to dump that chef for good.
With the price of fuel really tanking we should see some pretty good prices soon.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just wanted to provide a trip report from QF94/LAX to Melbourne 07/11 - A380 Business. The scheduled departure of 10.30pm gradually was pushed out to 1.30am, which was a pain, but nothing you could do about it. Spent the time initially at the AA Flagship First Lounge, that (if you want to avoid the Aussie throng) is a peaceful respite with a great buffet (and a self-service bar to boot). Upon boarding at 12.45am, a glass of champers was provided along with a photo copy of a thredbare menu (attached). If you notice there is no steak sandwich, replaced by a 'cheese and mushroom' toastie. Yes seriously. I don't know where all the money to improve 'the passenger experience' has been spent - because on this route, there is no evidence of it. Had the rigatoni, whose serving size was straight from the children's menu - tiny. The entire dinner/supper service was deliverd on one-tray complete with Neil Perry's famous Grass Clippings + some bread (only plain, no garlic). No entree was provided and when asked what was for dessert - the flight attendant simply replied there was only 'plain' icecream left. So I passed and asked for another glass of wine, which never arrived and so eventually went to sleep. Woke up with 5 hours to go and thought I would go grab a snack from the front galley/lounge and found 4 apples and absolutely nothing else (see attached pic). Went back to one of the flight crew - asked for a coffee, which whilst they were not thrilled about, they delivered. Tip for the breakfast - order the BLT - it is the pick of the bunch. Everything else is either cold or barely reheated. During the flight there were no hot towels (singapore economy 1, Qantas Business 0) and no snack cart (Singapore economy 1, Qantas Business 0). Even the bedding was a let down. In the old days (yes a while back) those beautiful lambs wool bed bases were the best for sleeping on. In their place, is some weird thin base that does nothing to improve the cushion of the seat/bed. I don't get Qantas' strategy for the premium cabins flying international. All the investment that is going into upgrading the A380s and introducing a new fleet is always going to be let down by a soft product woefully lacking. Tip for flying this route - stock up before the flight - grab a sub for the carry-on and come prepared to look after yourself. The flight crew didn't want to be there and (by the end of it) neither did I. 4/10View attachment 414871View attachment 414872

QF hasn’t had lambswool mattresses in J ever that I recall.
Have always been thin and not much good at padding the seat.

 

[Notyourbag]

Did they have snacks out in the galley? Sometimes if you're game to disturb the cabin crew gossiping during the break (and having their meals) they put out the snacks.

 

[Katie]

I had the same menu on QF11 on 31/10.

The night flights ex-USA have only had a main option (no entree) for ages. There also tends not to be a pre-dinner drink service IIRC.
For food, I think they're finding most people have eaten in the lounge before, and don't want a three course meal at after 10pm Pacific or 1am Eastern. Or that's an excuse/reason for cutting down on the meal service.

I noticed the same lack of snacks in the lounge area, but to be honest, I eat plenty enough on those flights with the meal services that I haven't had an additional snack in years. I was underwhelmed with the dessert offerings, and declined them, very unusual as I'm a sweet tooth, but I had ice cream in the lounge for first dessert.

I've only heard of garlic bread rolls being served in Y on QF, in J it's usually a sourdough or multi-grain.

I read a review elsewhere of QF11 in the past day or two, and it seems there's a new menu and service style in J (using trays). I can't remember how old that menu the both of us had was, I'm thinking it was mid year. The date and routes are printed in the bottom right corner of the menu.
Oh, I also had a colour photocopy of the menu, which made me wonder if it was in its last gasps and soon to be replaced.

 

[DC3]

Interesting TR. And a good flight for getting some sleep, especially after grazing in the AA Flagship Lounge