First F flights booked....

[RichardMEL]

You make a fair comment re QF F vs J. The difference in catering is not a lot and the product is nice, but not a huge step up (compared to say EK on the 380).

For me the pros of QF F are:
- direct aisle access
- privacy
- the flat bed made up is quite good for sleeping
- crews are generally very good

and the Champagne is a much nicer drop than in J.

I think you've made a reasonable assessment

 

[scaredeycat]

Have to say I was similarly underwhelmed by my sole experience of F. It was an op-up LHR-DXB and a very pleasant surprise, but the food was disappointing and the flight a bit too short to settle in for a decent sleep (which I consider the greatest potential advantage over J). I'd happily accept another upgrade if offered, but not sure that I would pay for it (apart from using points). Unlike John K, I'm reluctant to spend more than 3 hours in Y so the extra expense of J is money well spent. Everyone's mileage varies...

 

[boomy]

QF F is basically glorified J product. Not up to par with many F products out there but still miles ahead from their outdated A380 J cabin.

 

[russ]

If it doesn't have a door, it isn't F

 

[kermatu]

I have a similar assessment - F is great but I'd only ever seek a points upgrade (or us a FASA if they ever come back!!). I don't think the difference from J to F is worth the significant extra $ cost on normal fares. The privacy and space are the big bonuses. The food is a real letdown. But of course still a great experience and I too am glad I have sampled it a handful of times. This year I should get to sample a Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines F experience which will be interesting to compare.

 

[boomy]

This year I should get to sample a Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines F experience which will be interesting to compare.

Here's a spoiler:

LH/SQ>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>QF

 

[kermatu]

Here's a spoiler:

LH/SQ>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>QF

I gathered that from your TR!

 

[RichardMEL]

If it doesn't have a door, it isn't F

In general I agree, but I do rate CX as a superior F product, and there's no doors there. I believe LX is outstanding in F also, but have not personally sampled.

QF F is a real step up hard product wise but not so much in the soft product though with the roll out of Business Suites (I wonder if the 380 will ever see some sort of version of this?) the differences become less.

But different people value different things in a premium product, so everyone's mileage will vary

 

[hutch]

You really must.

View attachment 63203

Was under the impression that EK did not open up showers on trans-tasman runs?

 

[Steady]

Was under the impression that EK did not open up showers on trans-tasman runs?

They did for me and have for other AFFers - I was also given PJ's and amenity kit etc

 

[russ]

Sure they do. Two attendants.

 

[RichardMEL]

TT the showers are not really encouraged/advertised in my experience, but I think if you ask it's no issue as the staff are on the flights. I've often seen the shower attendants wandering through F on these flights with nobody using the showers and thinking "how boring for them" but they are being paid I guess.

In some instances they have offered and made quite a fuss about it (last year I flew AKL-BNE with a friend in F and we were the only 2 in the cabin) and they were falling over themselves to offer showers. I declined but was delighted my friend got to enjoy it as she'd never done the shower thing and so that was a real treat for her.

I don't recall ever being offered kits or pj's, but I am sure if one asked.....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Was the sole F pax 25 Dec 15 MEL - AKL and the F Perser also did mentioned why not I try the shower experience.

 

[Moindardt]

In the last 4 months, I have been lucky enough to fly F on QF, CX and EY and AA transcontinental, as well as J on all the same plus QR, JAL and AA international. Personally I consider EY to be miles ahead on all counts as well as miles ahead of their J. The others are slightly better than their J products and, whilst I would use points on them, don't consider them to be significantly better that I would pay for it. Other than JAL, I wouldn't think twice about flying any of them again in either F or J.

 

[Steady]

I don't recall ever being offered kits or pj's, but I am sure if one asked.....

I didn't ask or even hint for anything other than the shower - I came back from my shower experience and the PJ's, amenities kit and a calico bag with Emirates embroidered on it was on my seat - they also took a polaroid happy snap and all of the crew signed it.

 

[boomy]

I didn't ask or even hint for anything other than the shower - I came back from my shower experience and the PJ's, amenities kit and a calico bag with Emirates embroidered on it was on my seat - they also took a polaroid happy snap and all of the crew signed it.

All that on short Trans Tasman flight?
Impressive!

All I got from my FA was "flight very short, only 3 hours but if you want to do shower, ok" in the not most friendly Russian accent.

Looks like EK can be inconsistent as well, they must caught the bug from QF

 

[TomVexille]

All that on short Trans Tasman flight?
Impressive!

All I got from my FA was "flight very short, only 3 hours but if you want to do shower, ok" in the not most friendly Russian accent.

Looks like EK can be inconsistent as well, they must caught the bug from QF

Sounds like our Trans Tasman experience in J. Service was terrible on the way over and amazing on the way back.

 

[Steady]

All that on short Trans Tasman flight?
Impressive!

All I got from my FA was "flight very short, only 3 hours but if you want to do shower, ok" in the not most friendly Russian accent.

Looks like EK can be inconsistent as well, they must caught the bug from QF

Sounds like our Trans Tasman experience in J. Service was terrible on the way over and amazing on the way back.

Yes I was truly impressed - when the crews realised I was doing SYD-AKL-BNE on the same day purely for the Emirates F experience they didn't hold back....

 

[RichardMEL]

I think EK can do exceptional but it's very crew dependent.

I was absolutely delighted and surprised by a crew for my birthday just a few months ago. Yes, I'd mentioned it to a couple of the FA's on the flight over when at the bar chatting (they asked why I was only spending the night in AKL ) and, since it was the same crew coming back, when I boarded all of them seemed to know and most stopped by and wished me happy birthday, and the two lovely ladies who were working J on the flight over came and visited me in F too, and they presented me with a "cake" (well one of the dessserts enhanced with other bits and pieces) and took the happy snaps and signed etc. Truly remarkable.

Then after all that (and mor Rose ) I waddled down to the bar and clearly the two FA's had clued in the crowd as the pax seemed to know also and exclaimed "He came down ! Happy Birthday!" and all this. It was a bit embarrassing, but very sweet too.

Then other flights, same route, really very much the bare minimum

for the price and the general product I can't complain, but it does seem hit and miss - as with most airlines and crews let's face it

(flying again in March )

 

[JohnK]

Unlike John K, I'm reluctant to spend more than 3 hours in Y so the extra expense of J is money well spent. Everyone's mileage varies...

My decision is purely monetary. Cannot justify spending 3x-4x the cost of economy for business class. I'd rather have more trips.