What it's like to travel Qantas in 2021

[Seat0B]

Forgot to mention it was B717 in both directions, CBR-OOL direct and same in reverse.

 

[clifford]

Forgot to mention it was B717 in both directions, CBR-OOL direct and same in reverse.

I've been to OOL and back from CBR recently. VA up (via MEL), QF down (direct).

VA was fine, empty adjacent seats, good hospitality, and MEL J lounge was good with its internet ordering and quick delivery .

QF on return (in Y, vacant seat next to me in row 4), the Qantas Club was fine, not too crowded, reasonable snacks for mid-afternoon, and no 3-drink limit (yahoos please note). All in all, quite a pleasant experience in these Covid times. And yes, mask wearing was optional, but I didn't find that offensive.

 

[henrus]

Ok... rant time but the QF/JQ flights I've taken in 2021 have been more disappointing than in 2020.

In June 2020 I took my first flight on Jetstar up to Cairns, it obviously felt weird being at an airport having not flown since February 2020 (a much smaller gap compared to many on here) but aside from that the flight was normal and rather full especially considering we'd just come out of a lock down. A month later I took my first pre covid Qantas flight and again was pleased even though there was limited service due to covid.

We're now well over a year but it seems the little things that people know and love don't seem to be coming back and the continued service cuts being blamed on covid. In 2020 I had my expectations set accordingly but one would have to think that after a whole year things would start to return.

Yesterday I flew Air NZ from Brisbane to Auckland in Business class on a 787... Oh, it felt good to be back! Unlimited pre-boarding drinks, personal welcome for status pax, a large movie/music selection, three types of bread, 2x entree options, dessert, cheese, spirits, and amenity kits all on a three-hour flight across the tasman! Air NZ has shown it can be done by providing an international business class standard on a 3 hr trans tasman flight during covid.

 

[Seat0B]

Ok... rant time but the QF/JQ flights I've taken in 2021 have been more disappointing than in 2020.

In June 2020 I took my first flight on Jetstar up to Cairns, it obviously felt weird being at an airport having not flown since February 2020 (a much smaller gap compared to many on here) but aside from that the flight was normal and rather full especially considering we'd just come out of a lock down. A month later I took my first pre covid Qantas flight and again was pleased even though there was limited service due to covid.

We're now well over a year but it seems the little things that people know and love don't seem to be coming back and the continued service cuts being blamed on covid. In 2020 I had my expectations set accordingly but one would have to think that after a whole year things would start to return.

Yesterday I flew Air NZ from Brisbane to Auckland in Business class on a 787... Oh, it felt good to be back! Unlimited pre-boarding drinks, personal welcome for status pax, a large movie/music selection, three types of bread, 2x entree options, dessert, cheese, spirits, and amenity kits all on a three-hour flight across the tasman! Air NZ has shown it can be done by providing an international business class standard on a 3 hr trans tasman flight during covid.

Yes, you’ve captured my sentiment very well. So here’s my matching rant!

The food offerings in the lounge are very poor. I don’t mind if they want to keep serving rather than buffet, but the choices are limited and the portions are tiny. Plus some of the food looks like it’s been there quite a while. Eg I had hummus and vegetables. It was literally 3 carrot sticks and 4 celery sticks, plus 2 teaspoons of hummus. The soup was french onion. Never a favourite, but this was watery and extremely salty and pretty well inedible. Plus it was served in a paper coffee cup! I got a small bowl of cut up fruit salad which was OK except for the usual under ripe wodges of honeydew and rockmelon. So what I actually got was 1 single strawberry cut into 4 pieces and half a kiwi fruit cut into pieces. There was no hot meal in OOL QP. In CBR business lounge, it was some kind of chicken slop. Looked disgusting, so I did not bother. Mr Seat 0A got it and it was full of gristle. He left it.

Service on board was better than in March. I was greeted as a WP as if they meant it. I was offered drink top ups, and also told to “ask for anything you want”. I asked for sparkling wine, and got it. I asked for both still and sparkling water and I got it. The crew member on QF 1765 yesterday - shout out to Kade - made time to chat small talk with me whilst serving, nd came back to check everything was ok. So much better than last time.

in flight meals were OK as far as they went - but they did not really go far enough for a fully paid Business fare. There was no in flight entertainment, no wifi, and they are still not taking suit coats or Canberra winter overcoats. And of course the boarding announcement playing as people stream on board is hysterical ‘Please respect social distancing requirements whilst waiting to take your seat’. But after that, just cram in, it will be OK! At least on these flights there was close to 100% compliance with mask wearing.

I understand that times are tough for airlines, but I guess they are tough for passengers too with short notice borders slamming shut and lockdowns interfering with plans made many weeks/months before. The airlines might want to think about enticing people like me - former frequent flyers with money to spend and time to travel, willing to pay for business class - by giving us a reminder of everything we used too love. Otherwise, I am wondering how bad it is in whY, given the massive price differentials, and maybe if it’s all just cough, I might take cheaper cough flights and worry about regaining status later on.

rant over.

 

[Scr77]

Flew MEL to DRW last night On A330 in J. Flight was fairly full given that Melbourne can’t enter without quarantine for another 10 days or so.

Airport was very quite and the lounge 5% full. The ground and air staff were great. Except for masks, it was a pleasurable experience.

 

[Ade]

Did a few SYD-CBR, SYD-MEL, SYD-OOL return trips on QF in 2021. Certainly feels good to be back on the air.

Check-in & baggage drop - nothing new for me. I have always used the kiosk thingy to do my check-in. Although on my recent flight to CBR, I did use the premium check in after almost a year and it was good

Food at the lounge - I have stopped expecting great food at the lounge post CoVID. There are still some dishes that I like and would go for a second helping - but I'm sort of restricting myself food-wise.

Liquor at the lounge - The selection seems sufficient to my taste. I usually nurse a glass of beer or wine before the flight. So it hardly matters what I nurse, as long as I have got something in my hand when I watch Netflix.

Food at the flight - again, not much expectations. I enjoyed what was served in my flights. I'm a vego, so there's not much options anyways. At least pre-CoVID one could pre-order meals. But that's not happening any more. Had a pasta once, which was good. Always a nice selection of sourdough bread, butted & red wine on board.

On a side note - digging the new coffee cups that QF gives on board. The red ones - they are sturdy and looks awesome too. I have got a pic somewhere in my phone, will try & post it here

Welcoming by last name when boarding as status member - happens to me all the time, pre & post CoVID. Always addressed by my last name. struggling to pronounce my Indian last name My +1 was also welcomed, the FA rightly pronounced her last name. To be fair, her last name is much, much easier than mine

The only Cabin Manager that did pronounce my name right was Brad, he was the CSM on QF127 & 128 pre-CoVID. He was managing the the 127/128 very often and I used to see him in almost all my trips to HKG. Everytime he sees me waiting on the aerobridge, he'd wave to me, nice bloke

Like everyone pointed out, there is no social distancing observed when boarding or alighting the aircraft. I have had pax, masks still in the pouch or in their hand and sneezing as they walk past my seat. I'm like, seriously, you could've at least worn the mask before taking a sneeze on me

Pax sitting in rows 4 & 5 are more ready to alight even before the J pax have had a chance to grab their bags

Unsure if this is a fair statement or if this ONLY my experience - but it's something I noticed, people are now LESS patient than they were pre-CoVID. There was this gentleman in row 6, QF, Y - who had this *look* on his face that he was not happy for some reason ... was eager to pick a fight, if only anyone initiated it ... was almost ready to burst off ... may be he was not, but that's the vibe I got off of him ... I was in 3C, politely waiting for the pax in rows 2 & 1 to alight. There was an elderly lady in 3A, who, seemed to me as though she needed a hand to take her carry on from the overhead. I offered to help and I could see the relief on her face - she thanked me for offering to help and I was replying her not to mention & took her bag. All of this correspondence lasted less than 5 seconds. But the gentleman from row 6, for some reason, couldn't wait and he almost pushed me & shouted - are you going to go or not ?!?!

I was taken aback ... I politely said, I'm sorry, moved a bit forward and got into row 2 to let the row 6 gentleman alight. The FA saw this and asked the pax behind the row 6 pax to wait until the elderly lady & I got off the plane. The row 6 gentleman, was very worked up for some reason and he was last seen moving erratically near the gate and at baggage carousel. I'm sure he would've caught the attention of quite a few pax in the airport

I have no idea why he reacted the way he did or I'm not sure what I did that would've triggered such a reaction. The elderly lady & the FA were both apologising and I said it's ok.

All in all - I'm quite happy with the flights I have taken post-CoVID with QF. I have a few flights coming up - but I don't think I will be travelling - not until the SYD & MEL lockdowns/CoVID cases go down/situation changes.

The one thing I have learned is to lower one's expectations when it comes to anything and you'll be spared any worry

 

[jakeseven7]

Did a few SYD-CBR, SYD-MEL, SYD-OOL return trips on QF in 2021. Certainly feels good to be back on the air.

Check-in & baggage drop - nothing new for me. I have always used the kiosk thingy to do my check-in. Although on my recent flight to CBR, I did use the premium check in after almost a year and it was good

Food at the lounge - I have stopped expecting great food at the lounge post CoVID. There are still some dishes that I like and would go for a second helping - but I'm sort of restricting myself food-wise.

Liquor at the lounge - The selection seems sufficient to my taste. I usually nurse a glass of beer or wine before the flight. So it hardly matters what I nurse, as long as I have got something in my hand when I watch Netflix.

Food at the flight - again, not much expectations. I enjoyed what was served in my flights. I'm a vego, so there's not much options anyways. At least pre-CoVID one could pre-order meals. But that's not happening any more. Had a pasta once, which was good. Always a nice selection of sourdough bread, butted & red wine on board.

On a side note - digging the new coffee cups that QF gives on board. The red ones - they are sturdy and looks awesome too. I have got a pic somewhere in my phone, will try & post it here

Welcoming by last name when boarding as status member - happens to me all the time, pre & post CoVID. Always addressed by my last name. struggling to pronounce my Indian last name My +1 was also welcomed, the FA rightly pronounced her last name. To be fair, her last name is much, much easier than mine

The only Cabin Manager that did pronounce my name right was Brad, he was the CSM on QF127 & 128 pre-CoVID. He was managing the the 127/128 very often and I used to see him in almost all my trips to HKG. Everytime he sees me waiting on the aerobridge, he'd wave to me, nice bloke

Like everyone pointed out, there is no social distancing observed when boarding or alighting the aircraft. I have had pax, masks still in the pouch or in their hand and sneezing as they walk past my seat. I'm like, seriously, you could've at least worn the mask before taking a sneeze on me

Pax sitting in rows 4 & 5 are more ready to alight even before the J pax have had a chance to grab their bags

Unsure if this is a fair statement or if this ONLY my experience - but it's something I noticed, people are now LESS patient than they were pre-CoVID. There was this gentleman in row 6, QF, Y - who had this *look* on his face that he was not happy for some reason ... was eager to pick a fight, if only anyone initiated it ... was almost ready to burst off ... may be he was not, but that's the vibe I got off of him ... I was in 3C, politely waiting for the pax in rows 2 & 1 to alight. There was an elderly lady in 3A, who, seemed to me as though she needed a hand to take her carry on from the overhead. I offered to help and I could see the relief on her face - she thanked me for offering to help and I was replying her not to mention & took her bag. All of this correspondence lasted less than 5 seconds. But the gentleman from row 6, for some reason, couldn't wait and he almost pushed me & shouted - are you going to go or not ?!?!

I was taken aback ... I politely said, I'm sorry, moved a bit forward and got into row 2 to let the row 6 gentleman alight. The FA saw this and asked the pax behind the row 6 pax to wait until the elderly lady & I got off the plane. The row 6 gentleman, was very worked up for some reason and he was last seen moving erratically near the gate and at baggage carousel. I'm sure he would've caught the attention of quite a few pax in the airport

I have no idea why he reacted the way he did or I'm not sure what I did that would've triggered such a reaction. The elderly lady & the FA were both apologising and I said it's ok.

All in all - I'm quite happy with the flights I have taken post-CoVID with QF. I have a few flights coming up - but I don't think I will be travelling - not until the SYD & MEL lockdowns/CoVID cases go down/situation changes.

The one thing I have learned is to lower one's expectations when it comes to anything and you'll be spared any worry

I don’t really deal or talk with people beyond row 5 on Qantas This proves my point

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The mask rule is a pain the rear end.
If you have the medical type of mask, they don't las that long, and you have to throw them out.
The long lasting one, try using that as a test for the expected flight time + plus airport entry to airport exit, dep to arr airport, etc.
I did it in BNE QFd terminal, not a nice feeling, if you wear glasses, as they fog up quite fast.
Haven't been through DRW, but it must be uncomfortable with mask, in that muggy humid weather up there.
"The Australian government stipulate that the wearing of mask is a requirement..."...
Not a happy poochie.

 

[Hvr]

The mask rule is a pain the rear end.

You're doing it wrong.

I have both single use and multi-use (between washes) masks and use a head strap to hold them on. While I don't like wearing them I prefer to wear a mask when out in public with others. Yes I've flown with them and like everything else you get used to it.

I ensure my mask is on tight so my glasses aren't fogged up and I make a spectacle of myself.

 

[nancypants]

The mask rule is a pain the rear end.
If you have the medical type of mask, they don't las that long, and you have to throw them out.
The long lasting one, try using that as a test for the expected flight time + plus airport entry to airport exit, dep to arr airport, etc.
I did it in BNE QFd terminal, not a nice feeling, if you wear glasses, as they fog up quite fast.
Haven't been through DRW, but it must be uncomfortable with mask, in that muggy humid weather up there.
"The Australian government stipulate that the wearing of mask is a requirement..."...
Not a happy poochie.

They’re really not that bad up here
Full ppe for swabbing etc though is horrific in the humidity!!

 

[jakeseven7]

Does anyone know if all the QF lounges in Sydney will close now with the lockdown?

 

[Berlin]

Does anyone know if all the QF lounges in Sydney will close now with the lockdown?

Great question! And are the lounges in Melbourne open again, both Domestic and also International Flounge?

 

[RichardMEL]

yes Masks should not be near the rear end!

It's not that bad. I normally use a re-usable one I wash and have in a sealed plastic bag. QF provide single use masks prior to boarding, and since you're supposed to change them after 2-4 hours (I see various versions of this) on longer flights I believe they provide replacements. My flights have been 2h or less so no biggie.

Yes, it takes getting used to, and the fogging is annoying at times, but that's also what the nose band is for to seal the mask more fully over the nose. I move glasses down a bit and usually do not get too fogged. I also have lens cleaner wipes which definitely help too if things get crazy.

I suppose being in Melbourne where outdoor and indoor masks have become a norm during the various lockdowns (and now SYD has the same to deal with for two weeks ) I think perhaps it's easier when you have regular daily experience of having to wear masks - specially indoors. I understand it would be difficult for those not routinely used to it though.

And no, I would not relish an international flight beyond NZ with masks - eg a 15 hour MEL-LAX would be something else. Hopefully by the time longer haul flights are generally available for us the mask mandate will be reduced - specially for those who are vaccinated - but we shall see.

 

[jakeseven7]

Ex-Sydney services will have a scaled back offering during the lockdown - just announced (not that there are many aircraft flying anymore out of Sydney)

 

[Scr77]

Great question! And are the lounges in Melbourne open again, both Domestic and also International Flounge?

The Melbourne Business lounge is open. As of Wednesday, there was no mention of replacing masks on MEL to DRW (4.5hrs)

 

[mviy]

And no, I would not relish an international flight beyond NZ with masks - eg a 15 hour MEL-LAX would be something else. Hopefully by the time longer haul flights are generally available for us the mask mandate will be reduced - specially for those who are vaccinated - but we shall see.

Whilst I would prefer not to wear masks on a long haul flight if it was the difference between travelling or not I would reluctantly put up with it.