My thoughts on MEL-PER A330 flight

[PERLHR]

Last night I flew between MEL and PER. Boarding commenced pretty much in an orderly fashion and push back was just 10 minutes behind schedule. I had the "delight" to be sitting in 55A of the A330. A seat I chose myself for flying down the back on this aircraft. Constant checking revealed 55B to be free (not blocked) so I confess I was reasonably comfortable for the 4 hour flight with that spare seat beside me.

I noticed that the seats behind me 56 and 57 are kept for "crew rest" whatever that means on a 4 hour flight, and I did feel a bit sorry for the "larger" lady who politely requested could she move across as she was sitting in an aisle seat in the middle rows. I'm sure the middle seat passenger beside her was also not so happy about the snappy response of "no they are for crew" mother interaction..and walk of. Service was fine I guess, you still got the impression they wanted it over with and I had asked for a gin and tonic
forgetting that Qantas don't seem to
provide such drinks behind the curtain. The wine was average. the good thing was the pillows and.blankets are back. Did I feel it was a shame that the CSD did not come to say hello and ask if I was ok?;Actually on a 4 hour flight and given that he came to "rest" behind me yes I do think as oneworld emerald, it would have been nice and maybe even offered me that sneaky G&T from biz. (Although why they can't pour a spirit down the back?) I think QF still lack in customer engagement and towards FF in OneWorld. Overall it was ok but still not warming my heart to QF. The next time I fly to MEL will be in a 737 in biz with the return down the back on the Dreamliner..mso that could be interesting or not!.;however I'm the meantime next week it's back to Virgin to Tassie.

 

[NickCorr]

Did this last week on a 737. Had forgotten, because of COVID, how tight they were down the back... Exit row next time...

 

[Sprucegoose]

Did I feel it was a shame that the CSD did not come to say hello and ask if I was ok?;Actually on a 4 hour flight and given that he came to "rest" behind me yes I do think as oneworld emerald

CSD or CSM (whatever they are referred to these days) ought to have acknowledged your presence, no matter your seat. That is the QF customer business model, after all.

I didn't see the CSM once on QF 11 recently, and I was also flying as an OWE. It appears QF is not as match fit as they think they are and will need to pick up its game. There is more competition being added as well as economic headwinds.

I can only assume Richard Goyder must be quite content with his management.

COVID is an old excuse.

 

[Saab34]

I had no idea that crew members come and say hello to passengers in economy class. I have not seen this on any other airline? This individual sort of service I only thought was evident in J Cabins and on Private jets?

 

[NickCorr]

I had no idea that crew members come and say hello to passengers in economy class. I have not seen this on any other airline? This individual sort of service I only thought was evident in J Cabins and on Private jets?

EK always come over to say Hi and greet me as a Qantas Gold FF when travelling in Economy. QF do this once in a blue moon.. Used to happen more often and the FA would get an early beer in before drinks service started...

 

[Sprucegoose]

I had no idea that crew members come and say hello to passengers in economy class.

It has been (is) a common practice, especially when you are tagged as a CIP.

 

[oz_mark]

I had no idea that crew members come and say hello to passengers in economy class. I have not seen this on any other airline? This individual sort of service I only thought was evident in J Cabins and on Private jets?

It's a fairly common thing on Qantas international services. Less so on domestic services.

 

[PERLHR]

I had no idea that crew members come and say hello to passengers in economy class. I have not seen this on any other airline? This individual sort of service I only thought was evident in J Cabins and on Private jets?

BA do it fairly regularly depending on flight duration and AY (I was surprised by them in particular,) do it. Even IB have done it with me.

 

[Saab34]

What about Qatar?

 

[PERLHR]

What about Qatar?

Always been in business with Qatar and always addressed. Mind you when I was upgraded from biz to first at Doha to Melbourne the agent at the desk said "thank you for being OneWorld emerald" ....

 

[encryptededdy]

It's a fairly common thing on Qantas international services. Less so on domestic services.

In my experience I get it 50% of the time on International Y, and 100% on International W, J, or F.

On Domestic J I've only gotten it once, and never in Domestic Y.

 

[Quickstatus]

OWE

and WP is the new NB

 

[Sprucegoose]

On Domestic J I've only gotten it once, and never in Domestic Y.

I've been given a bottle of wine in Domestic Y.

 

[encryptededdy]

I've been given a bottle of wine in Domestic Y.

I don't drink Alcohol most of the time, so there's nothing they can offer me from J usually. I guess there's Green Tea, but I found that even without status they usually got that from J for me.

If it's international Y then I usually take the chance to ask for a J amenity kit to add to my evergrowing collection.

 

[Mattg]

I think the free spirits and Oneworld Emerald greeting in QF Y are reserved for international flights (and even then, the greeting doesn't always happen). Not sure if you'd get this on QF9/10 though between Melbourne and Perth?

 

[RichardMEL]

The question begs - how do VA treat partner elites in Y? eg: as a UA 1K would I get any kind of ack from VA? maybe a drink? seems unlikely when they are BoB for everything in Y.....

Unfortunately we do not know if same CSM on the flight in question greeted QF WP/P1/CL in Y.....

I've been greeted in Y on a couple of domestic flights, and on others not even a "hey you" - I mean I don't really worry about it too much personally but I know some do.

probably the usual case of Consistently Inconsistent(tm) ...

 

[BCons]

It used to be a QF ritual that the CSM would make an effort to say hello to QFF's, some times an individual visit, doing the rounds, or as part of cabin service, in any class. First time as newly-minted silver down the back on Intl I was quite impressed.. Thereafter it became pretty standard with QF, tho domestic flts usually didnt allow for that sort of nicety.

These days flying with with SQ, at least in J, its automatic for crew to hv checked your FF status and welcome you accordingly. Was tagged recently boarding in Sin, probly when my BP was scanned - CSM walked up the ramp to meet me, offered to take my bag etc. Nice touch that

 

[Quickstatus]

I dont care about greetings if they are a required task imposed by management and therefore unlikely to be genuine. Contrived greetings are cringe.

 

[Peanutbladder]

I had no idea that crew members come and say hello to passengers in economy class. I have not seen this on any other airline? This individual sort of service I only thought was evident in J Cabins and on Private jets?

Plenty of times on BA as a OWE (in the old days, not sure about now).

 

[AndyC1970]

I flew QF783 MEL-Perth in J on A330 last Thursday. Gold. The only positive thing that I have to say that it was nearly on time so I could make my connecting QR flight. The crew were disinterested at best . This was especially jarring when compared to the rose petal at feet treatment given on QR. Even the AY staff on Doha-Helsinki route were much more engaged. The whole trip opened my eyes even further on just how far QF are falling behind.