Intl J service to Perth - what does this mean?

[aus_flyer]

As we know, Qantas is bringing back the 747 and other internationally configured aircraft for some flights between Perth and the East Coast.

"Increasing the premium service we provide business customers flying from east to west will help further cement our position as the 'Best for Business' airline," Mr Joyce said.

"Passengers in both cabins of the Boeing 747 between Perth and Sydney will experience Qantas' globally-renowned international service. Business passengers will experience the Skybed Business Class seats, with passengers in both cabins having personal in-flight entertainment options.

But what does this actually mean in terms of onboard product - apart from skybeds on a few flights?

Champagne? Printed menus? Pyjamas?

And will soft product still only be on internationally configured aircraft or will food/drink be of international standard on all flights?

Anyone have some inside info?

 

[Hvr]

One would hope that PJs would be included noting that advertisements for the service show a passenger sleeping in them.

 

[tuapekastar]

One would hope that PJs would be included noting that advertisements for the service show a passenger sleeping in them.

A pertinent observation, but I think PJs are only handed out on overnight flights (on International) so if this trend is followed this would limit it to PER-BNE/MEL/SYD redeyes (are there BNE redeyes?) and I doubt the 744 services would be operating the redeyes anyway?

333s have operated a number of PER-East Coast services in recent years but not sure if they've been redeyes.

 

[oz_mark]

A pertinent observation, but I think PJs are only handed out on overnight flights (on International) so if this trend is followed this would limit it to PER-BNE/MEL/SYD redeyes (are there BNE redeyes?) and I doubt the 744 services would be operating the redeyes anyway?

333s have operated a number of PER-East Coast services in recent years but not sure if they've been redeyes.

The 747's are scheduled to operate morning/afternoon's so I wouldn't see the need for PJ's!

..but they do have internsational crew, and in the past the service is a cut above what you would normally get on domestic.

 

[cove]

Bring it on!

 

[Berlin]

Flew PER-SYD last night, on OJD which is almost exclusively used on this route. J class, upper deck. Flight was pleasant but far off what you get on "proper" international service. The usual creative (you could call it misleading) advertising that Qantas seems to love with their suite-less F "suite" and "enhancements" etc.

Seat: Older style 747 slip-seat.
IFE: Older style 747, acceptable but old and worn screen.
Aircraft: An old looking 747, lots of dirt on the seat and between cracks in the wall etc.
Staff: Older than the seat, one really sweet granny close to retirement, one professional but not overly friendly old guy and another old guy who was an exceptionally grumpy old +&%#.
Pyjamas: None but not really needed with an arrival time just after 8pm.
Amenity kit: None.
Printed menu: Nope, first thing that really got me :evil:
Champagne: Nope, "sparkling wine only Sir" :evil:
Salt and pepper for my Bloody Mary that I had instead of the non-existing champagne: "Sorry Sir, we don't have this as such" :evil:
Meal: Presented in ceramic oven trays rather than International J experience :evil:
Meal choices: One choice of entree only, three choices of main of which one is cold. I had a Asian chicken dish which was yummie but could as well be served on SYD-MEL.
Desert: At least a glimpse of International J with the proper desert trolley offering choice of ice cream or cheese plate. as only too happy with the latter

All in all, a slightly enhanced Domestic J experience with a rather unpleasant crew but lots of alcohol. Just don't ask for "proper" champagne, you might otherwise get the death look!

Pity that Qantas advertises too much- I would otherwise not even expect more than what they actually deliver!

 

[smit0847]

Staff: Older than the seat, one really sweet granny close to retirement, one professional but not overly friendly old guy and another old guy who was an exceptionally grumpy old +&%#.

Hahahahahaa - oh Qantas - it'll never change!

 

[Baguss]

The 747 is being pulled very soon and it reverts back to the a330

I was told (probably not 100% accurate) this is the 747 which skidded off the runway in Bangkok.

 

[jono88888]

Staff: Older than the seat, one really sweet granny close to retirement

On the 747 flight last Friday they announced two of the crew were retiring and this was their last flight.

 

[alieninperth]

The 747 is being pulled very soon and it reverts back to the a330

I hope this isn't too soon. I have a flight next week on this bird and I wouldnt like it to change.

 

[yohy?!]

I was told (probably not 100% accurate) this is the 747 which skidded off the runway in Bangkok.

That would be VH-OJH A.K.A. 'The Golf Buggy', according to flight aware she hasn't done any domestic runs recently

 

[markis10]

The 747 is being pulled very soon and it reverts back to the a330

I was told (probably not 100% accurate) this is the 747 which skidded off the runway in Bangkok.

No, it's pretty much always VH OJD which is up for sale.

 

[spentan]

from what I could see when I was booking my flights today on this route, the 747 will have its last flight on Friday 4th May, and The A330-300 will start replacing it on Sunday 6th May 2012.

There seems to be another A333 for use domestically, as there are two A333 flights on Monday 7th May, possibly so that they can have them well distributed between the hubs.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

That would be VH-OJH A.K.A. 'The Golf Buggy', according to flight aware she hasn't done any domestic runs recently

The 747 is being pulled very soon and it reverts back to the a330. I was told (probably not 100% accurate) this is the 747 which skidded off the runway in Bangkok.

You're 100% accurate about what you were told being inaccurate. As mentioned above the 744 involved in the BKK incident was VH-OJH. The 744 on the SYD/PER/SYD is VH-OJD.

Who told you it was the same plane? A cabbie perhaps or was it some other armchair expert?

 

[Nigelinoz]

That would be VH-OJH A.K.A. 'The Golf Buggy', according to flight aware she hasn't done any domestic runs recently

Yep,Libhomeradar shows VH-OJH as doing a couple of QF29's as well as QF107/108 and QF23/24 and QF63/64 in the last few weeks,so a long way from
SYD-PER !
Cheers
N'oz

 

[Berlin]

No, it's pretty much always VH OJD which is up for sale.

Well... If they really get rid of the 747 on this route, then there is indeed nothing at all left of the so-called "International Experience". Did I mention they didn't serve proper champagne? :evil:

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Well... If they really get rid of the 747 on this route, then there is indeed nothing at all left of the so-called "International Experience". Did I mention they didn't serve proper champagne? :evil:

I didn't notice much difference between the 767, 747, A330 on Transcon sectors - J service wise...

Differences to me were AVOD and seating;

AVOD
767 - main screen
747 - didn't work much of the time
A330 - worked

On the Airbus Dom config, 2-3-2 isn't that best for a J product IMO (more like Y+ and I would have thought that QF would have put Skybed's in by now?)

 

[missafternoondelight]

I was on a 747 a few weeks back SYD to PER (front row, window, upper deck) and the service was brilliant. Also the food was great.. full cheese options at the end which isn't always offered. The staff were all over 50 but the male one waiting on me was more of a George Clooney / Bruce Willis than a John Howard, so I had a most enjoyable flight all the same.

AVOD was good, nice big screens.. no skybeds. Have had this a couple of times on A330s on this route, but not a 747.

 

[Paddy55]

Surprised no Skybeds on this 747. Go SYD-PER-SYD about every 6 weeks these days and have far preferred the 747 over A330s, especially Skybeds in Rows 1-4

 

[serfty]

Surprised no Skybeds on this 747. Go SYD-PER-SYD about every 6 weeks these days and have far preferred the 747 over A330s, especially Skybeds in Rows 1-4

????

No Qantas 747 is without Skybeds ... some have mark I the others have mark II - OJD has Mark I.

Some 747 have first class seats in rows 1-4 (zone A), but there's also Skybeds up top (zone F) and in Zone B.