Help a confused American choose a flight between Mel and Syd
Feb 6, 2019, 1:14 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 922
QF will serve a proper meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner though which makes up for the price differential over VA. If you’re flying at snack time then QF’s advantage is reduced.
Slightly better food options closer to VA terminal (adjoins International landside food outlets) in MEL.
I’d fly QF just to earn on AA really if the price difference is minimal. It’s a 1 hour shuttle run.
Your biggest consideration is baggage allowance.
Feb 6, 2019, 1:23 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
Feb 6, 2019, 1:30 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,723
QF and VA have nicer terminals than tiger and JQ.
I would take QF relax and enjoy, nicer terminal, luggage, easily solved irroops, earn some miles, and a snack and drink on the plane. End of the day it is like LAX SFO or JFK BOS. 60 mins and take a window seat. Great scenery.
I would take QF relax and enjoy, nicer terminal, luggage, easily solved irroops, earn some miles, and a snack and drink on the plane. End of the day it is like LAX SFO or JFK BOS. 60 mins and take a window seat. Great scenery.
Feb 6, 2019, 5:32 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,170
i consider safety. qantas is a safe airline.... i pay premium for their high calibre pilots, not the seat or IFE or lounge or points... biggest benefit is to arrive destination in one piece, not just one piece of you arriving at the destination.
Feb 6, 2019, 12:38 pm
#22
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,581
and what at all is there to suggest that Virgin or Jetstar are not safe airlines?
Feb 6, 2019, 1:54 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,170
Feb 6, 2019, 2:23 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
Feb 6, 2019, 3:00 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
Especially given the current worldwide pilot shortage there’s basically free movement of pilots between the major airlines in Australia. My partner flies for qantas but many of his colleagues have left to go to jetstar or virgin because what they offer (not necessarily monetary) is perceived as better for them at this moment (eg jetstar is generally better for people with kids who want to be home most nights)
if you wanted to draw a particularly long how you might be able to say something about cadets, although given that QF/VA/JQ all use them it’d be a struggle (and it would be a bloody long bow in the first place)
if you wanted to draw a particularly long how you might be able to say something about cadets, although given that QF/VA/JQ all use them it’d be a struggle (and it would be a bloody long bow in the first place)
Feb 6, 2019, 3:24 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
I'd echo what many are saying about QF - on an award flight from MEL to BNE, when I missed the flight due to taking the bus too late and failing to make checkin, QF called me and offered to rebook me at no charge on the next available flight, even though it was totally my own fault and I was prepared to buy a last minute ticket. And that's with no QF status. I can't say enough how valuable that sort of service can be, especially with MEL and BNE's constant roadworks.
Feb 6, 2019, 4:57 pm
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,404
In general however I would agree that legacy carriers probably have pilots with more experience.
Feb 6, 2019, 6:40 pm
#28
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,581