Swiss Tony

Just a quick ^ to QF domestic J class. I flew PER-ADL then ADL-SYD, admittedly on an award booking, and was amazed by the service (and how much wine they managed to make me drink...)

3 choices of hot main course on PER-ADL!!!

Friendly, attentive cabin crew.

Decent lounges in PER and ADL (although the bar should open at midday not 1pm IMO).

Sadly the airline was let down miserably by the attitude at the desk of the FCL at SYD (bad, bad signing that needs to be addressed) and the woeful state of the lounge opposite gate 24 at SYD that was probably not helped after BA10 (not my flight) was delayed for 5-6 hrs, ensuring 70 or so thirsty pax had drained the gin bottles and emptied the coffee machine!

Was my experience the norm for QF J (am now considering them for a long haul) or did I just get lucky??

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

Hi Swiss Tony

There is an interesting thread over on the BA board comparing Club Europe to Qantas domestic Biz Class. Pretty much the same impression you had - QF domestic biz is much, much better.

But then you have to bear in mind that Club Europe can often be purchased for a small sum over the eco fare - sometimes as little as GBP59.

In Australia - the return SYD-PER is not going to get you much change from GBP1350. I would expect a choice of three courses for that!

The service often depends on the crew. My firends recently flew biz class MEL-PER return - on neither leg was the requested vegetarian meal loaded (was even confirmed for the return leg and failed to show). The outboud crew offered an economy pasta (non-vegetarian) which was not accepted while the return crew tried their best to make a meal using spare salads, cheese and extra bread rolls. Oh and on the outbound there were only 2 out of 5 wines available. So it can be hit and miss - but glad you scored well!

regards

lme ff

justin_krusty

As is the case with all carriers in all classes - the crew has a large impact on enjoyableness (is that even a word?). I've had good QF J and BA CE, and I have also had ordinary on both, and its always been down to the crew's attitude. In general though, QF J is consistently good, and I think we all agree that consistency is something we would like to see from everyone.

nonce

You can get SYD-MEL for $900 return in D class, which works out to be around GBP400.

Having experienced Finnair, American and BA regional business class, QF does appear to be the pick from a seating and service perspective.

Keep in mind that the lounge opposite gate 24 is only there while the real J lounge at SYD International is upgraded.

I prefer the BA seat for longhaul but the QF service.

edy4eva

I flew them in December, MEL-CBR on a 734;
I was impressed with the following:
- Seat comfort, shoulder space and legroom.
- Attentiveness, but then there were only 3 pax in J.
- Meal size (considering a 50-minute flight), taste, presentation as well as the drinks offered. I had ordered a vegie meal and changed my mind few hours before the flight. The attendant put me a salad tray that had ham on it; I asked her if she had anything else, and she went away for 2 minutes coming back with a delicious chicken salad.
- The Qantas club at MEL domestic gives a good view of the tarmac, has comfortable chairs, neat bathrooms and a good selection of drinks.
- Free wireless internet (but did not know this until I read the instructions in one obsucre corner of the lounge, otherwise I was hesitant about forking out $10 for the couple minutes access).
- Baggage allowance: 3 checked pieces of no more than 32Kg each (a total of 96Kg). This puts to shame even QF's own international J product.

What I was dissapointed with:
- Although I was sure that domestic QF meant complimentary access to the club, the check in staff did not invite me there; and when I asked her if I was allowed in, she said no; she paused for few moments before saying she was not sure and to try my luck, and be sure to have the time I want before the flight!
- Poor food selection in the lounge; I am not sure how pickles and satay sauce could work out to be a good snack prior to departure.
- Flight info TV's in the lounge are dated; you need to stand close to be able to read the flight/gate info.
- Not enough chairs/computers in the business centre (saw a lot of kids playing up with the machines); 2 computers had broken mice.
- Priority luggage delivery (or lack of); my bag, though tagged business, appeared LAST on the belt!
- Not like what QF claims about online check in, some flights (including the one I took) can not be checked in online. I was first blamed by QF CS that my browser had a problem; after several pc's/browsers, I called back to be told no, it was not a fault, some flights do not have online check in (which is weird as it states all flights ex-MEL allow so). Not a problem really, just weird.

As a side observation, a very old lady that boarded the flight last escorted by a QF ground staff was supposed to sit in 16A (I overheard the attendant say to the staff to take her there). The staff walked the old lady to row 2, and sat her right behind me. I am not sure what was that all about.

Another thing, the couple sitting on the other side from me, got a bottle of wine from the flight attendant shortly before arrival, wrapped in a paper bag; surely tht was an unopened one, as they had just consumed several glasses during the meal! My q here is, if they're giving away free wine bottles why did I not get one (not that I drink anyways).

Overall, QF domestic J, I would rate it higher than EK's overstated J product.

tallboy

In my experience QF domestic J class is well ahead of the equivalent product in most other parts of the world. Short-haul J class in Europe is rarely much different from the Y class product, and usually not worth much in terms of extra $$. In particular I find BA's CE product to be pretty patchy, with service, food and drinks usually about the same as domestic Y class within Oz. Seating is also less-spacious than J product here. IB and AY are a bit better, IME, but still below what we have come to expect here.

The best 'short-haul' J product I have experienced recently was flying with LAN from SCL to GRU on one of their reconfigured B767s ~ admittedly this is an international (short) flight, and the product is probably directed primarily at the SCL > US market ~ excellent new fully flat sleeper seats and very nice catering, IFE, wines and service ^, but it was still very enjoyable. Ironically much more comfortable than the long-haul overnight I had just arrived on from AKL (old-config A340).

Cheers,

tb

hobarthoney

I agree QF J domestic is a very, very good service. I think Australia is very lucky with the standard of service we get from QF in domestic J considering they have no competition. I have had very good service every time I have flown in J domestic.

og

I just love a PER-SYD flight in J in the 333 with an afternoon departure. Long leisurely wining & dining with a movie thrown in. This is followed by a stagger off the aircraft, flopping into a taxi, then crashing into bed to get over it.

QF Lad

I have to agree, although due to the time difference I find going the other way even better. It allows you a couple of extra hours to sober up after the flight!

bensyd

But you have to pay for it. Maybe if DJ provided J QF wouldn't be able to charge the high prices they do. I just booked a LGW-NAP for £240 return in CE, granted CE is not the same as QF dom J, but I still get my 120SC's.

grov

"I just love a PER-SYD flight in J in the 333 with an afternoon departure."

Had an even better flight on the midnight horror PER-SYD on Boxing Day evening, when they put on a 744. Those Skybeds were great!

behuman

[QUOTE=edy4eva;9023427]- Although I was sure that domestic QF meant complimentary access to the club, the check in staff did not invite me there; and when I asked her if I was allowed in, she said no; she paused for few moments before saying she was not sure and to try my luck, and be sure to have the time I want before the flight! QUOTE]

In the past flying QF C domestic did not give access to the "club" (except when connecting C international on the same day). This was diasppointing for foreign visitors spending a lot on their tickets and having no status with oneworld.

This seems to have changed as I just noticed on the QF website: http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying...nessText#jump2 QF seems even to launch a proper business class lounge (only for C class passsengers and certain oneworld elites) - their club (for which access can be strangely purchased on an annual base - which lowers the quality level) resembles too often a kindergarten .

Once in the air, QF C domestic is paradise indeed, comparing to all European products!

FlightDetective

... and hence the main advantage of living in Europe and trying to keep my FF status. For the price, BA is amazing - and on longer hauls (LHR-DME, LHR-IST) they are even better.

I was seriously underwhelmed when I used an upgrade credit on a BNE-SYD with QF. Apart from the seat being the AA seat (which is no problem), the food offering and standard of service was poor - and this was a dinner flight!

Quite frankly, I was more impressed with AAs domestic J than QFs... AYs euro J is slipping (between 2005 and 2007) and CX intra-asia J beats them all.

og

It will always be a struggle to provide a quality J service on a short city pair like SYD-MEL. It is probably fine if you are in the first row as that is where the service starts, but the poor sods in row 5 get to watch all this while their tummies are rumbling. Common to see them served when at the top of the descent . Also, the first row passengers get to intercept the FAs and get top-ups while the FAs are racing to please everyone.

DownUnderFlyer

I didn't have many short domestic J flights so far (most domestic J will be SYD-PER). But the ones I had were all superior to any European C or American F in terms of service and food quality. And the seat is not the AA seat. AA seat only allows to recline while most QF seats will have leg rests etc.