Not disagreeing but for me there's one other important aspect in addition to this which also comes in as a major trump when forking out money for J vs. Premium eco or Why even: It's the personalised service and that's where Qantas did often shine and more so than the somewhat scripted service on the likes of EK or QR. That's a gamble with the Middle Eastern carriers, I know- it can go both ways but I also had similar inconsistencies with SQ (admittedly J, not F) recently.
I'm digressing, my point: The personal touches and crew interactions is what makes it for me, more than the food and the space but of course ideally they all come nicely together and turn what can be a nightmare experience in the back of the bus into something that I genuinely enjoy. The difference is just so striking from the moment you board: Instead of sitting impatiently squeezed into some nightmare seat with smelly strangers, you get welcomed on board, settle into your comfy seat and enjoy some nice champagne (or even a little Fois Gras tart or two- that was the "standard" amuse buche out of LHR for Qantas First over quite some time).
oh for sure. crews are everything and usually QF F have been very good (at least pre-covid) even with the limited soft product they have to deliver. I can only remember one FA that should probably not have been working that day.. but we all have bad days (and poor crews).
Are EK, SQ and others' more "scripted" (or as some would say about SQ, robotic)? in some ways yes.. I think this is due to either very good, or very ingrained training and high standards (and specially with carriers like QR and SQ and probably EK if you screw something up it's actually quite serious). I would say though for me some crews on these qirlines in F have managed to find a way to be personal (and personable) in interactions to make it at least feel a bit less of a scripted exercise an that everything had rules etc.
The upside of such standards is that you get a far more consistent experience... eg you know pretty much what to expect on any given EK or SQ flight and it will be to a certain level. QF can be more hit and miss as we all know.. but when it comes to F crews and such I find this less annoying and more.. endearing? perhaps not the right word, but I suppose the more relaxed service standard allows for the more personal touch and for crews to reate to pax individually.
A downside of the high standards is thatif things go wrong or go outside of the expected things can get a little weird with some crews while QF, NZ etc seem to be more flexible to go with the flow (or perhaps they experience more "irrops" to be more prepared lol).
All pax are different too and specially in the F (and some J) cabins where expectations can be very different. I am not the sort to expect (or desire) to be fawned upon in F just because it is F. Some expect and demand that kind of thing. It must be hard for any crew to figure out that balance - and to get the feel for a certain passenger expects a certain level of formality(if you will) than others.
For me I know I have been so very fortunate to be able to experience these products - be it EK, QF, SQ or whoever and have a view. I don't take it for granted though. I always try and remember that 99% of travelling public do not get these kinds of chances and while I'm up to criticise an airline I try to keep my entitlement in check