Qantas: 'one of the worst airlines in the free world'

[Pushka]

SFO777 is indeed well known on FT for his TRs.

Here's his TR thread for this trip: Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef via Qantas First Class - FlyerTalk Forums

and here's his whinge about the QF SYD J lounge: Dreadful SYD T3 Lounge makes me long for an Admirals Club or even a United Club - FlyerTalk Forums

Some of his complaints are valid, but the hyperbole is excessive.

That’s weird, search picked up one post that I didn’t think was his. Thanks for that.

 

[VPS]

You don’t hold back!

Sometimes but he just seemed to get up my nose not sure why

 

[VPS]

Yep United and Qantas fly direct non-stop from LAX to MEL. Also had he connected via Sydney (as he didn't spend plan to spend any time in Melbourne anyway) he could have flown direct non-stop on Qantas or United or Virgin or Delta or AA.

Re Sydney Business Lounge - I laughed when he commented about horse sized carrots - what he failed to recognise is that the fruits and veggies on that table are positioned next to a juicer - so you can make your own fresh fruit & veggie juice. The carrots for eating are julienned and over near the main food offerings.

The lounge does seem to be super dirty that day (suspect a very busy travel day) but the fact that the Qantas Club and Business Lounge have real barista made coffee puts its ahead of any AA lounge I've been in.

I laughed over those carrots as well.

I've been in a few AA lounges and I think I prefer a grubby Qantas lounge (or even better a clean one0

 

[VPS]

the Islington, in South Hobart. yes, its very nice.

I didn't know there was a B737 sim here though.

..

Maybe I need a trip to Tassie to stay in the Islington and do a B737 SIM (actually anywhere that's cooler than Adelaide today). The Islington is a bit expensive but the SIM didn't seem that bad.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh - the messy floors in QF lounges! That's probably the most enduring memory of all the MEL lounges... domestic QF club, J lounge and MEL Int business lounge. Maybe it's the dark carpet? SYD is not much better when I'm there.

Anyway - one of the reasons I discontinued my QF club membership after 20 years. (That plus the poor food.)

 

[eddie 73]

Aus v USA lounges?

Yeah, onya, hahaa..

 

[serfty]

I was reading this without having clicked the luck, wondering who this blogger was until the reference to SFO777!

That FT member has a really good reputation more of a TR writer than a blogger. the have been around for well over a decade andIhave come to respect their writings/photos.

 

[serfty]

That’s weird, search picked up one post that I didn’t think was his. Thanks for that.

With FlyerTalk, use a desktop.

Go to the search function and search for all threads in the Trip Reports started by them and select display results as threads only.

 

[serfty]

I've now had a look at the thread up until arrival into HBA.

There is nothing there that I have not previously experienced with Qantas myself in the last five years.

The only thing I would have done differently is used the transit security on the arrivals level at TBIT.

 

[Pushka]

Ive now had a look at the thread up until artival into HBA.

There ia nothing there that I have not previosly experinced with Qantas myself.

The only thing I would have done differently is used the transit security on the arrivals level at TBIT.

I think it’s a bit rich for US folks to call our Aussie Club wardens Dragons.

 

[serfty]

I think it’s a bit rich for US folks to call our Aussie Club wardens Dragons.

I don't - its a common term used on FT to describe those who you must pass to access a lounge.

More used on the BA forum there.

I dont use it myself.

 

[Pushka]

I don't - its a common term used on FT to describe those who you must pass to access a lounge.

More used on the BA forum there.

I dont use it myself.

Doesn’t make it right though especially when using it online other than FT.

 

[serfty]

No, but I disregard it, just like I do when people use LOTFAP.

 

[Matt_01]

I actually thought it was a pretty fair report looking at the photos, I have been there done that e.g. LAX, check-in, F lounge etc. MEL J lounge actually looked quite good when compared to the 5-7pm peak hour. Tasi, been there too. The writer/ photographer knows how to work a camera as some of those photos are stunning.

The lounge in HBA is nothing to be proud about and the SYD J lounge can be a nightmare. Also when it comes plane (plain) food, it is what it is.

At the end of the day it seems like there are some here that do not like our national carrier being criticised by someone from aboard. However we are quick to criticise other carriers and our own as evidenced on this site. Maybe if QF management are made aware of reports like this things may improve but I will not hold my breath in anticipation.

 

[Melburnian1]

...

It does embarass me when I do see people, specially at home here in Australia, act like bogans.. moreso in food courts where they just leave their cough everywhere when they literally pass bins on the way out but can't be bothered to take their tray o cough 5m to dump it (but I digress)...

"...act like bogans..." - they are bogans! At least 25 per cent of Australians.

The lack of any recent vacuuming in the harder to reach sections of carpet in the QF1572 SYD - HTI J section is apparent. A turnoff. QF cleaning contractors need to visit a Godfreys. Cleanliness is next to Godfreyness (notwithstanding financial troubles of this listed company whose founder recently died).

It's possible that the QF lounge in SYD floor rubbish was all from opening, but also concerning that it may not have been vacuumed properly during the SYD curfew overnight.

Overall. I agree with Matt_01 that it was a fair report with some excellent photos. Australians are quick to criticise foreign airlines, such as those from USA. Many here seem to think Qantas is some sort of "god." I don't.

If I was a QF manager viewing that trip report, I'd be asking for an explanation from cleaning contractors or staff of aircraft and the lounge.

 

[BAM1748]

Don't forget Americans do get pretty good service when back home. They are much more service orientated even if the product isn't great.

I've had waitresses apologise for keeping me waiting for 20 seconds.

No excuses for a dirty lounge in any class of travel.

 

[moa999]

The state of the floor is pretty terrible

Yes. But holiday period with Qantas Club closed so it was obviously packed...

But who takes 10 photos of the floor.

While obviously not a great experience, think it's more he got up a little early that morning.
Still having breakfast items on the 1130 flights a bit weird

 

[yohy?!]

Was amusing to say the least,

everyones entitled to their opinion and I have experienced most of the gripes mentioned and wouldn't mark them as unreasonable - QF consistently inconsistent as always (oh dear QFlink though...).

I guess we forgive a lot because we see the highlights as well as the lowlights

 

[N860CR]

Seems pretty accurate to me. Basically why I do everything possible to avoid flying Qantas

 

[LadyC]

Having visited the new J domestic lounge in MEL last month, I was surprised how scrappy parts of it was looking already. Some of the carpet seemed in very poor condition. It was an oasis however compared to the international J lounge in SYD which was a zoo (not surprising considering the holidays period).