Qantas is basically my last choice for international flights to and from Australia.
That said... I got stuck flying them ex BKK recently when I had been in Uganda and needed to stop in Thailand on the way home.
I had previously done virtually all flying on QR for quite a while (roughly the last 20 sectors).
While I don't love the ME3 airlines, I like that QR is generally consistent and has a good service flow. Meal orders and drink orders taken early, drinks served quickly after take off, meals served as required.
QF flight was about 6 hours late leaving BKK. The plan was to get home in the early AM, grab 3 hours sleep, go to an afternoon function. Landing time was now about 1pm so I was heading straight to the function from the airport. Sleep on the plane was now important. Here's the QF conversation;
CSM - "I see you've preordered xx_. This is being prepared now. Will you be joining us for a starter?"
Me - "I'll just have a soup and try to sleep"
CSM - "So why did you preorder a meal?"
Me - "It's after midnight now so I don't need a full meal, I'll just have a soup and a glass of wine. What reds do you have?"
CSM - "Well I have no idea. I am clearly organising meals now, aren't I. I don't understand why you ordered a meal if you don't want it"
Me - "I'd just like to get as much rest as I can tonight. Can I just have a soup and glass of red please"
CSM "Well I'll obviously have to go and check what we have" (rolls eyes, walks away)
10 minutes later....
CSM - "There's a Shiraz. Do you want that"
Me - "Yes that will be fine"
CSM - "And you expect me to get it now"
Me - "Yes"
CSM - "Is there something wrong with you? I haven't even pushed out the drinks cart yet. I know it's late, but it's not that bad"
I go back to my book and remember why I don't fly Qantas.
There is a major cultural issue at Qantas and their staff have a strange way of treating their passengers.