I have just come back from a short Asia trip and it was the first time in 3 years that I flew Qantas, our Australian Airline, long distance. Having flown Singapore Airlines, Asiana, Thai, ANA and JALbefore, it is worthwhile to have a closer look at our carrier.
Qantas has recently posted a massive half yearly profit, so the inevitable question at what cost to the passenger.
The airline has also been under heavy critique in respect to flight cancellations and lost luggage. *post Covid
Well, I am pleased to say, that my flights all left on time and my luggage arrived intact and with the same flight I was on. So no complaint.
Since I was using frequent flyer points and took advantage of a very interesting low milage offer, my flight routed Sydney – Melbourne, Melbourne – Singapore, Singapore – Sydney.
The first sector was on board of an mid morning A330-200. As these domestic flights, nothing special. A cup of coffee and some snack, served by a moderately friendly crew. This is what you would expect. In usual Qantas fashion, the aircraft was clean and well maintained. The Qantas Club, which I visited before boarding, offered the usual assortment of bread, cheese, ham and many healthy fruit and vegetable options. Less impressive was the long barista cue, opting me to use the ‘machine’ coffee.
Transfer in Melbourne. Since I already had a boarding pass, immigration was quick, only to find myself in a slightly confusing shopping centre. After some twist and turns, I managed to find the Qantas Lounge, which unfortunately has no outside view. Since I had been up at 5:30am, I was ‘hungry’ for some daylight so, I made my way up to the gate. Only to find myself at empty Jetstar gates. Wrong direction.
Finally my gate. A long cue awaited me. While split between ‘Premium’ and normal economy, there was no such order during boarding. This may have had to do with the unusual positioning of the gate. Based on the number of people cueing, the flight seemed to be full, and it was. The airfraft, an A330-300.
Finally I got to my economy seat, which at Qantas I always find something of a let-down affair. Similar to Lufthansa and I guess some other carrier, the Qantas economy cabin is geared for people less than 1.7m tall. Otherwise it is tight seating and one can only hope that the passenger in front has either the courtesy to recline their seat slowly or best not at all.
The inflight entertainment was somehow of a let down this time. Technically it all worked fine, but the content. Now that may have to do with the more eclectic taste and my love for European and Asian movie cuisine. Both are on low supply with Qantas. But somehow, and maybe it is the signs of the time, all the other movie and TV offers I found less inspiring. But maybe it is just me.
Equally less inspiring I found the food offering. On any of the Asian carriers I have flown, you get a tray with an entree, a main dish, bread, butter, desert. Sometimes even two entree’s. And that in eco.
Not so at Qantas. In fact I remember only that we were served a smallish plate, with an aluminium container which had the typically three split, condiments-meat-vegi offering. Ah’ I think some icecream was served separately. On the nearly 8 hours to Singapore, this was repeated once. But maybe Qantas is concerened about the health of the passengers and feels that slimed-down offerings are better.
So I was very happy to leave the aircraft after landing and glad to be able to stretch my legs.
With some trepidations I was looking at my return flight. This was to be on an A380, which came in from London. Nice, I had an, points paid, upgrade to premium economy. So leg and elbow room was guaranteed. The Premium Eco cabin is located at the rear upper deck of the A380. But different to the usually noisier rear cabin on smaller aircraft, the A380 upper deck is very quiet.
This aircraft was fitted with the newer premium economy seats, which I found comfortable. What I found strage however was, that the remote control for the entertainment system, seems fixed inside the armrest and, to say the least, difficult to operate. But maybe the designers reckoned that all control is done on-screen anyway.
A small amenity kit is provided in a nice black. The blanket provided is long enough for even taller people and warm.
What bugs me, as it has been with the previous seats, that the first row (Bulkhead row) aisle seats, there is not enough, convenient storage. The window side has the storage on the side of the wall, as typical in th A380, but the aisle and presumable middle seats, really make it difficult to store things. Yes there is at floor-height some footrest-storage but this is inconvenient to reach. As inconvenient as to plug in the three spronged connector of the headphone.
A nice surprise was the meal service. While, for a seven hour flight, we had a massive tailwind, it took a bit long to get the dinner served, there was a proper tray, metal cutlery and porcellan dishes. The food tasted well and provided, together with a glass of red wine, the base for some sleep. However one had to choose, breakfast or longer sleep, because of the late dinner service, there was no option to have both.
But then, many passengers had already come down from London and were by now wide awake.
About the inflight entertainment offerings we do not have to talk again, as after one week, it was the same as on the flight up.
The flight left on time and arrived equally so. So no complaint here.
Summary: If I have to choose between Qantas or any Asian carrier, like SQ, CX, JL, AN, TG for the same airfare, I would take the Asian carrier. Sorry Qantas. But paying a premium price, I expect a premium service. An extra 1-2 inches leg room, better eco meals and a better choice of international entertainment and I would have no hesitation of flying the Kangoroo. But so, If I have a choice…….
Aviation - Aircraft - Flying 