FlyerTalk Forums - Comparison between AN & QF meal

Last weekend's flights between SYD-MEL on AN and return on QF gave me a chance to compare meals and service on the two Australian carrier.

ANSETT's flight on Saturday 23nd July, from Sydney to Melbourne departed at 1100am. Checked in at 1010am at the new Ansett Domestic Check-in Concourse at Sydney airport. Check-in was done in less than 2 minutes and my BusinessFirst boarding pass was handed to me. Seat number: 4A. Proceeded to the Golden Wing Lounge. Showed the reception my boarding pass which clearly printed my Ansett Diamond Status (STAR:GOLD).

The main Golden Wing lounge is still on renovation, but the temporary one could have fooled me in thinking that it is to be torn down in a couple of month's time. There are lots of newspapers, magazines on hand. Self serve tables of beverages, fruits, tid-bits (?) , and beer for those who'd like one. A photocopier and fax machine is available for anyone's use. You may send faxes within Australia on Ansett's compliments!

There is no boarding announcement, so one has to b aware of the boarding time. The aircraft today was an Airbus A320-200. economy class passengers helped themselves to the complimentary headsets (though it's those horrible tube types that you plug into your seat). BusinessFirst passengers get their electronic headsets placed in the seat pocket infront of them.

Seat pitch was 'tight' at about 36". Confirguration in the BusinessFirst cabin was 2-2 with the centre seat sort of closed with the armrests on either side extended. Economy class configuration is 3-3. Jackets were hung up upon request. Juice, or mineral water were offered. Followed by newspapers and magazines. BusinessFirst was full. flight departed on time at 1100am. When we reached cruising altitude, the cabin crew came round to ask if we'd like a light 'snack'. White table mats were placed on seat tray. Meanwhile the top news headlines were screened.

The snack consisted of a selection of freshly sliced fruits, a smoked salmon quiche and a pastrami sandwich in a pita. Wine, water or juice were offered. Tea and coffee followed later. The quiche was actually quite tasty. But I didn't like pita so I just picked the meat off it. The fruit salad consisted of rock melon (cantaloupe), strawberries, and grape. Economy class passengers had a similar meal. Except they only got a hot beef pie or vegetable pattie and fruit cup. There was plenty of time to have a second or third cup of coffee before the announcement that we were preparing to land came on. We landed on schedule at 12.20pm. Baggage came on within 10 minutes of landing. All in all, a comfortable trip.

My return from Melbourne to Sydney on Monday 26th July was on QANTAS flight QF452. Departure time : 500pm. Got to the check in by 4pm. Boarding pass issued - OneWorld : Emerald status noted. Check-in agent was all smiles. Went straight to the Qantas Club lounge. It was quite packed by the late afternoon on a weekday. Still, there were 2 buffet spreads of help-yourself foods. And an open service bar for those who want a drink at the end of a long day. There is a photocopier in the business centre, and a fax is available for those who's like to send faxes within Australia.

There is no boarding announcement here either so I proceeded to the gate with a few minutes to spare before the general boarding call was announced. Aircraft today is a 767-200 series. My seat number: 3A. Seat configuration is 2-2-2 in Business and 2-3-2 in Coach. The seat pitch was better than Ansett's A320, at about 40". Jackets were hung on request, and juice or water offered.
After boarding was completed, newspapers, headests and magazines were handed out by an overzealous flight attendant. We departed on time at 5pm. The meal service today was "Afternoon Tea". Okay let's see what it is. Hmmm. There's a sandwich - sliced chicken breast with cheese on a wholemeal pita (oh no, not again) bread. And a few slices of pickle in it. "Dessert" was a slice of chocolate cake so small that it was 1/8 the size of the plate it was in - I am not kidding. I took a bite out of the sandwich and left it as it is. The chocolate cake disintegrated when I tried to cut it. So much for freshness. I opted for a couple of cups of tea instead. Economy class passengers got a chicken sandwich of some sort. Don't know if they got they same chocolate cake. Still after a few bumps inflight (turbulence), we managed to land on schedule at 620pm. Bags took about 10 minutes to appear on belt.

All in all, both airlines provided comfortable service on the hour plus flight. Qantas crew looked more 'reserved' and 'professional' but the journey was marred somewhat by quite a shocking meal. Ansett provided a much more friendlier 'homier' atmosphere as if one is in one's home. Still, I think these two airlines provide service far superior compared to any American carrier operating similar flight times within North America.