To the OP - please don't dislike Qantas just because you can't pre-assign seats. Almost all the domestic business class seats are quite OK. They're not like the current BA CE seats where there are two on the left and three on the right.
Leave your judgement until you've flown with Qantas. They're really not that bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick65
BTW: I like Qantas, but I also like Boeing and would never fly the A380.
I don't mind Qantas (I may even like them a lot of the time) but I also like Airbus and I wish they replaced 737s with A320 for domestic (JQ don't count).
To the OP - please don't dislike Qantas just because you can't pre-assign seats. Almost all the domestic business class seats are quite OK. They're not like the current BA CE seats where there are two on the left and three on the right.
Leave your judgement until you've flown with Qantas. They're really not that bad.
I don't mind Qantas (I may even like them a lot of the time) but I also like Airbus and I wish they replaced 737s with A320 for domestic (JQ don't count).
I agree the Title of this post is not supported by the gripe
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"Bums on seats" was how Captain Eddie Rickenbacker of Eastern Airlines liked to describe the airline business.
If travelling with someone on a sep PNR you simply call QF and have the bookings linked, this will tell the system who will deal with it all the same.
I don't know about this in general, but linking bookings certainly doesn't work in all situations. When I've traveled with my wife and infant on separate but linked PNRs, only one adult gets the bassinet request and it takes a fair bit of talking at check-in to get it fixed. This happened on 3 out of 4 cross-pacific 747 sectors.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AusEuroFlyer
They're not like the current BA CE seats where there are two on the left and three on the right.
Not after 23 Feb..and still Free Booze for Economy with BA
British Airways is to offer passengers more comfort and privacy in its Club Europe cabin from February 23, 2009 by removing the use of the middle seat.
The new configuration will offer those customers booked in the airline's shorthaul business class cabin a guaranteed window or aisle seat, with the middle seat free.
Passengers will benefit from a more relaxing travel experience, while enjoying the full range of onboard Club Europe services including extra legroom in a comfortable leather seat, a choice of hot and cold refreshments and a complimentary bar.
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OneWorld F AAwards the Best Deal in Frequent Flyer Redemptions, now if only somebody can remind QF and CX they are Members.
I fly Qantas domestically and internationally. Usually I have 100,000 real air miles every year. But, when I pay $13,000 USD for a ticket and have a broken foot I just am a wee bit unhappy when they can under NO circumstance provide a seat assignment even within 24 hours of the flight. Note that I can do this on virtually every other OneWorld member. Even LAN allows you to make seat assignments on line and that is for all classes of service and up to 365 days before the flight. Maybe QF will get there someday but for now I find them wanting.
Oh, do you think it should take 1.25 hours to bring you your first drink in First on an A380? I don't.
But, when I pay $13,000 USD for a ticket and have a broken foot I just am a wee bit unhappy when they can under NO circumstance provide a seat assignment even within 24 hours of the flight.
In a broken foot situation, a call to Qantas can normally get a note put into your reservation and before the automatic allocation occurs, a manual pre-screen by staff will note your request and *attempt* to seat you in a suitable seat. Did you try this route? Did you ask Qantas at the airport?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwaysOnTheRoad
Oh, do you think it should take 1.25 hours to bring you your first drink in First on an A380? I don't.
Depends on the flight. Depends on a lot of things, but generally I would suggest within 10 mins of the Seat Belt sign going off, you should be asked for a drink choice, and it should arrive within 10 mins of that.
Last edited by Aus_Mal; Jan 4, 09 at 2:21 am.
Reason: spelling!
Actually for domestic as I have tried to explain you do have a seat assignment it is just that you cannot a) change it or b) see it until you get to a quickcheck machine. As also mentioned this is going to change in 2009 as QF introduces seat allocation for domestic at the time of booking. However as I also explained AA and BA FF will always be seated after QF FF. So if you are holding out for a bulkhead (which arguabley with a broken foot you couldn't have anyway) then these will generally always be allocated to a QF Platinum or Chairmans Lounge member before going to a OW E flyer. This is online with a policy set by BA (and one I have been on the blunt end with both BA and AA on many occasions).
So what it sounds like is you have status envy because there are others on the flight who the auto seating machine ranks higher than yourself. That's OK I have the same thing any time I am not auto-allocated 1A or 1K. It is not a case of someone else all ready selecting the seat you want, it is the case of someone else is ranked higher than you are in the allocation system.
1. I asked that action be taken at check-in and the QC club on a flight the day before the one in issue. A person at the QC said to call 131313 and they said they could do nothing.
2. As for my first and certainly disappointing A380 flight. The seat belt sign was off within ten minutes of takeoff. The crew appeared very disorganized. It is also worth noting that at least three and as many of the five seats in First were occupied by QF cabin staff. I have sent a note to QF Customer Relations. I will be surprised if I receive a response.
3. Surprisingly when I sent a note to American Airlines just a few days before I received a personal response in 48 hours.
Then you are already aware of the domestic seating policy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwaysOnTheRoad
But, when I pay $13,000 USD for a ticket and have a broken foot I just am a wee bit unhappy when they can under NO circumstance provide a seat assignment even within 24 hours of the flight.
I agree that having international sectors is a pain because you can't check on online but I am not sure what avenues you went to, to get allocation?
In any case when you check in for that flight seating to some extent can be changed. I have been in similar sitution [domestic leg on international itinerary - not broken foot], and was able to have my seat changed to what I wanted even within 1 hour to departure.
I have also had a [domestic] seat allocated more than 24 hours ahead by calling QF.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwaysOnTheRoad
Oh, do you think it should take 1.25 hours to bring you your first drink in First on an A380? I don't.
Again as previously noted, depends on the circumstances at the time. Where the crew having problems in the galley..etc. Could be more excusable than asking for orange juice and being given a G&T, asking for a steak sandwhich and being given soup...[both on the same trip in F!]
Again as previously noted, depends on the circumstances at the time. Where the crew having problems in the galley..etc. Could be more excusable than asking for orange juice and being given a G&T, asking for a steak sandwhich and being given soup...[both on the same trip in F!][/quote]
If there was no turbulence, it is completely unacceptable not to be served a drink in F for 1.25 hours regardless of any problems.
1. - I have all ready answered this a couple of times but the staff in the QC generally cannot access a booking for another port to check you in. 131313 can give mixed results depending how busy they are.
2. - This isn't great but perhaps isn't unusual considering the newness of the A380 and the crew operating them. I just did a PER-SYD in J flight and was seated next to and had crew in front of me and I found them to be excellent inflight and didn't impact on the level of service I had from the operating crew at all. With that said I have had some service issues in F before on the 744 so don't feel like it is just an A380 thing.
3. - QF customer complaints are dealt with by real people out of Sydney and it can take them a little while to get back to you and occasionally it might require a follow up call. I do find however that there are two ways to get a response. The grumpy/ rude/ demanding way generally results in nothing being provided. The polite/ positive/ suggestion for improvement way usually gets a multi purpose voucher of a few hundred dollars for future QF travel. I don't think it is fair to draw a comparision to AA as they offer a lower service to start with (and outsource customer service to India) and when you expect nothing it is always easier for them to over deliver. I think there is a post around which included the telephone number for QF customer complaints if you wanted to call or even fax them.
Did it really take nearly an hour and a half to get a drink? Even I can't get my head around that. It takes 2 seconds to make a drink.
After my recent SYD-JNB experience (admittedly in J) when I gave up trying to get a drink between meal service after several attempts, I can unfortunately believe sometimes things go wrong.
