Qantas will shortly be servicing the HBA-MEL services substantially with a one classs 717. After Easter (and perhaps before) there will be no business class available therefore on flights QF1555, 1556, QF1557 and QF1558. I cannot say if this applies every day, but it does on every day that I have looked at with a view to booking. Fair enough, you might say, and I couldn't argue with you. There are no direct flight options (other than the Jetstar red eye special).
But what isn't fair is that their web site will let you book a business class itinerary to HBA transiting thru MEL via a one class plane and pay the full business class fare without telling you this. For example, on 14 April, BNE to HBA. booking J via QF613 and QF1553 shows the same fare as for QF627 and QF1559. The latter is J all the way, the former Y from MEL to HBA.
There nothing on their web page that would lead you to believe this. Could this be an oversight or is it intentional? Hmmm ... well here's a clue. On the itinerary page usually if you click on the flight number there is a link to the aircraft seat map. But not for these flights.
I consider this practice to be at best unethical.
But what isn't fair is that their web site will let you book a business class itinerary to HBA transiting thru MEL via a one class plane and pay the full business class fare without telling you this. For example, on 14 April, BNE to HBA. booking J via QF613 and QF1553 shows the same fare as for QF627 and QF1559. The latter is J all the way, the former Y from MEL to HBA.
There nothing on their web page that would lead you to believe this. Could this be an oversight or is it intentional? Hmmm ... well here's a clue. On the itinerary page usually if you click on the flight number there is a link to the aircraft seat map. But not for these flights.
I consider this practice to be at best unethical.