Qantas to ditch long-haul first class

[Slats7]

Qantas to ditch long-haul first class | The Australian

QANTAS is axing first-class travel on some of its international Boeing 747 services over the winter because the global financial crisis has cruelled demand.
The unusual move affects three long-haul routes - Sydney-Buenos Aires, Sydney-San Francisco and Melbourne-Hong Kong-London between July 6 and October 31.
Demand has slipped for first-class flights as businesses have found it more difficult to justify the cost. A June departure on Melbourne-London return was yesterday listed on the Flight Centrewebsite at more than $17,000.

 

[Slats7]

I think there is a good chance it will be reinstated later this year when the economy starts to pick up again.

 

[Homer]

On the plus side, this may mean that a D/J fare gets those with, um, appropriate status a seat up in the F cabin albeit with J service. Assuming of course that they aren't using two-class aircraft which would seem unlikely.

 

[dot]

The unusual move affects three long-haul routes - Sydney-Buenos Aires, Sydney-San Francisco and Melbourne-Hong Kong-London between July 6 and October 31.

At least they aren't doing what BA seem to be be doing and removing F altogether for all of their routes.... I do hope it is only a temporary measure as the announcement seems to suggest...

Although, I do like the idea of F seats when travelling in J! I just hope my company's current policy of all Y changes back to the old policy of J for >8hr flights before F goes back on sale for those routes (MEL-HKG is a route I fly quite a bit).

 

[NM]

At least they aren't doing what BA seem to be be doing and removing F altogether for all of their routes.... I do hope it is only a temporary measure as the announcement seems to suggest...

Its going to take a long time for BA to get to the "no F" situation. All they have said is that new aircraft will not be delivered with F class. They specifically said they are not planning to remove F seats from existing aircraft.

 

[JohnK]

I think there is a good chance it will be reinstated later this year when the economy starts to pick up again.

You are very optimistic. There may be a slight improvement in the global economy this year but we are not likely to see a full recovery until at least 2014.

I would expect the demand for premium cabins to remain low for a few more years and as reported some airlines are not even installing F products in the newer aircraft that are delivered to them. I would not be surprised if some airlines actually send off current aircraft to be refitted with less premium seats and more WHY seating....

 

[dajop]

Said it before, but can't help but think with reductions in size of J cabin, stopping of selling of F, increase in number of Y+ seats.... we're turning the clock back. The J of today is the F of ten years ago and ditto for Y+/J of 10 years ago.

The trouble is with the new improved J cabins, and many airlines with flat seats, those who fly F for the comfort alone of a lie flat seat are probably now saving their $$$ and flying J (or Y or not at all if their company is in trouble), leaving F to the sole domain of those wanting all the trappings and some of the privacy that comes with F.

Last year I managed to get an op-up to F SIN-LHR (QF), and have flown on SQ's new J on A380/77W. I know many disagree, but personally I think F is overrated. I cannot see the extra value that F brings over the lie flat J products out there (particularly if you score a bulkhead on SQ's new J, which I prefer over the QF seat), given the extra cost. Sure, fancier food, service and champagne is nice but I am sure many people have done the math, and for the price difference, one could have a few very nice meals at top restaurants. I am sure there are others in the real world (particularly the accountants driving travel policies) that have the same views.

 

[Slats7]

You are very optimistic. There may be a slight improvement in the global economy this year but we are not likely to see a full recovery until at least 2014.

I would expect the demand for premium cabins to remain low for a few more years and as reported some airlines are not even installing F products in the newer aircraft that are delivered to them. I would not be surprised if some airlines actually send off current aircraft to be refitted with less premium seats and more WHY seating....

I am optimistic but I feel as though the Australian economy will start to recover later this year and next year I think things will be booming.

 

[JohnK]

Last year I managed to get an op-up to F SIN-LHR (QF), and have flown on SQ's new J on A380/77W. I know many disagree, but personally I think F is overrated. I cannot see the extra value that F brings over the lie flat J products out there (particularly if you score a bulkhead on SQ's new J, which I prefer over the QF seat), given the extra cost.

I have only ever flown F on short haul flights but I still feel it is totally overrated.

Also being able to comfortably sleep in a WHY seat helps a lot.

 

[Slats7]

Said it before, but can't help but think with reductions in size of J cabin, stopping of selling of F, increase in number of Y+ seats.... we're turning the clock back. The J of today is the F of ten years ago and ditto for Y+/J of 10 years ago.

The trouble is with the new improved J cabins, and many airlines with flat seats, those who fly F for the comfort alone of a lie flat seat are probably now saving their $$$ and flying J (or Y or not at all if their company is in trouble), leaving F to the sole domain of those wanting all the trappings and some of the privacy that comes with F.

Last year I managed to get an op-up to F SIN-LHR (QF), and have flown on SQ's new J on A380/77W. I know many disagree, but personally I think F is overrated. I cannot see the extra value that F brings over the lie flat J products out there (particularly if you score a bulkhead on SQ's new J, which I prefer over the QF seat), given the extra cost. Sure, fancier food, service and champagne is nice but I am sure many people have done the math, and for the price difference, one could have a few very nice meals at top restaurants. I am sure there are others in the real world (particularly the accountants driving travel policies) that have the same views.

I agree