Qantas Premium Economy

[medhead]

I oft wonder why some people feel the need to stuff toilets full of paper and hand wipes and stuff.

We did have much discussion about whether this occurred because of a culturally misunderstanding for a particular group of people. for example the teutonic mind being unable to accept that QF bogs were not the same has the highly efficiency, precision engineered bogs that they are used to in Germany. Especially, as the toilets started to block up again once we left SIN.

 

[Platy]

Has anyone got a handle on how extensive the issue of non PE equipped aircraft for PE scheduled flight actually is? Is it possible to predict which flights are affected looking ahead?

 

[serfty]

Not really; but early this month, Qantas found the 388 that was due to be 'delivered' in "November 2009" would now be arriving Dec 12th or 19th - that set the cat amongst the [transpacific] pigeons.

 

[spj709]

Please see my rather lengthy notice about Qantas and Premium Economy. Its more the engineers strike ( when Qantas wouldn't sit down to discuss the situation with htem ) that has caused the delay. They advertised the premium seats then couldn't deliver. Lots of luck.

 

[Platy]

Please see my rather lengthy notice about Qantas and Premium Economy. Its more the engineers strike ( when Qantas wouldn't sit down to discuss the situation with htem ) that has caused the delay. They advertised the premium seats then couldn't deliver. Lots of luck.

I notice that the pilots may follow suit as they have voted against the 3%+1% pay deal after 18 month negotiation. Seems that QF want both productivity benefit and to keep wages under CPI. :shock:

 

[milehighclub]

Please see my rather lengthy notice about Qantas and Premium Economy.

To be fair, this can happen to any airline that introduces a new product and it's always the same kind of posts. It happens with the Skybed, it now happens with Premium Economy and in a few short weeks we'll start seeing the posts about not getting an A380.

Even if the engineers strike had not gone ahead, there was still no guarantee you would of ended up in Premium Economy till you had a boarding pass in your hand. And even then I wouldn't be satisfied until the aircraft has taken off, because we all know aircraft go tech last minute.

So according to your theory, Qantas (or any airline) really shouldn't take any bookings for any flight unless they can 100% guarantee the product , which no airline ever does.

 

[Mal]

Could you please tell me where I can see these other reports.

Try:

Qantas downgrading me (and denying it)? - FlyerTalk Forums

for some very interesting stories about downgrades, upgrades and everything in between.

 

[Platy]

To be fair, this can happen to any airline that introduces a new product and it's always the same kind of posts. It happens with the Skybed, it now happens with Premium Economy and in a few short weeks we'll start seeing the posts about not getting an A380.

Even if the engineers strike had not gone ahead, there was still no guarantee you would of ended up in Premium Economy till you had a boarding pass in your hand. And even then I wouldn't be satisfied until the aircraft has taken off, because we all know aircraft go tech last minute.

So according to your theory, Qantas (or any airline) really shouldn't take any bookings for any flight unless they can 100% guarantee the product , which no airline ever does.

I dunno, if I ordered an iPhone and was downgraded to a common or garden GSM handset, I wouldn't be too pleased, even with a refund of the difference. Most businesses do work with product guarantees! :evil:

On the other side of the coin, obviously, a J seat instead of PE would be v very nice indeed.


It seems to me that the questions are have QF made all reasonable effort to:

1. deliver the product they have advertised and taken people's cash for
2. re allocate (eg to J) or compensate in some other way
3. advise customers of the situation

Are QF still selling this product despite the known risk of not being able to supply?

Feedback herein suggests that performance in addressing the above is far from consistent, with some being advised and receiving a better product (fantastic!) and others experiencing confusion, downgrades, etc.

After all, it's not a one-off problem is it? It is a known and continuing problem. That should make it easier to handle.

 

[oz_mark]

Qantas have formalised things into a procedure for agents
Latest Fare Changes

Involuntary Downgrade Policy16 September 2008
Qantas has introduced procedures to assist Travel Agents in facilitating reservations and ticketing for passengers who have been affected by operational changes resulting in an involuntary downgrade of class of travel.

Reservations

Travel Agents will be notified of the above either by a call from Qantas Telephone Sales or via an SSR/RM remark in the PNR. All affected bookings will be automatically re-booked to the new cabin class. Should you require any assistance with your passenger’s flight, please contact Qantas Telephone Sales on 13 13 13.

Ticketing

All ticketed bookings will need to be reissued to reflect this change. Travel Agents can reissue these tickets using the guidelines below, and maintain control of the booking.

• Original ticket to be reissued to reflect the new booking class or cabin
• All fare details of the original ticket to be shown including fare basis and fare calculation
• Ticket to be reissued with no additional collection or refund
• Waiver authority number #472581 should be placed in the tour code box

Alternatively the Qantas Industry Centre (QIC) can reissue the ticket on behalf of the agent.

Fare Adjustment

All affected passengers will be eligible for a fare adjustment refund. Please click here for details on this fare adjustment.

To claim this fare adjustment, Travel Agents will need to submit a fare adjustment application form. Please click here for the form.

Note:

• Valid for the period 10 September to 30 November 2008
• Passengers travelling during the period 10 September to 30 November 2008, who wish to cancel may do so without penalty
• The above policy applies to all tickets validated to Qantas (081)
• Valid for gross, published, APOSD, private and net fares
• Qantas Industry Centre (QIC) will continue to reissue tickets not validated to Qantas (081)

Fare Refund table: http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/fareRefundTable160908.pdf

 

[serfty]

Interesting that W & T are re accommodated in B.

Obviously, Qantas don't want to give Full Y SC's to downgraded PAX now, do they ...

(Of course, there's nothing to stop one putting a claim in for ORC)

 

[JohnK]

Well at least the refunds for involuntary downgrade from premium economy to economy look reasonable.

 

[tscharke]

slightly off the topic

it was interesting to check out the changes to the 744 cabin configuration due to the inclusion of the PE section on yesterdays flight from SYD-SIN QF31

From memory it appeared to model BA's 744 setup except that they really didnt pay attention to finishing off the installation - i.e. bolts covers missing, flashings misaligned, dirty marks, scuffed carpet etc

the new PE section has also created a rather funky and private row of seats in regular economy (hmm! can Y ever be funky :?!!! middle row40 is in front of the toilet block and behind the PE separation wall! They have made some extra leg room holes and the seats appeared to be able to recline (fully? not quite sure)

However these would be great Y seats IMHO - very quite as there is hardly any traffic, except for the PE passengers peeking through the curtain looking for the toilets! Would be great for a family of 4!

 

[TanyaB]

Just on Qantas Premium Economy and use of toilets discussion earlier in this thread...I emailed Qantas recently with the following question:
Question about toilets for Premium Economy use. In the 747LR out of Melbourne, do the PE customers use the Business Class toilet in front of them, or the Economy toilet behind them? In PE on the A380, do the PE customers use the toilets marked Baby Change toilets at the rear of their cabin? Thanks

And received the following reply:
Dear Mrs B,

Thank you for your email.

The baby change toilets can be utilised on both aircraft types. Please refer to the seat maps provided on Qantas.com, the toilets are marked B.
The toilets are located at the front of the cabin on the 747 and at the back on the A380.

Yours faithfully
Koula
QANTAS Airways

If I do go ahead with a PE booking in September next year (and surely by then all long haul aircraft will be properly fitted with the new seats??), I should perhaps print out this email and take it with me in case I'm challenged as I make my way to the J class loos!!

 

[milehighclub]

That e-mail is not quite correct. On neither the 747 or A380 are PE passengers to use the Business Class toilets.

 

[Evan]

slightly off the topic

it was interesting to check out the changes to the 744 cabin configuration due to the inclusion of the PE section on yesterdays flight from SYD-SIN QF31
<..>
the new PE section has also created a rather funky and private row of seats in regular economy (hmm! can Y ever be funky :?!!! middle row40 is in front of the toilet block and behind the PE separation wall! They have made some extra leg room holes and the seats appeared to be able to recline (fully? not quite sure)

However these would be great Y seats IMHO - very quite as there is hardly any traffic, except for the PE passengers peeking through the curtain looking for the toilets! Would be great for a family of 4!

I sat in 40C the other day and was fantastic...(As far as whY goes... slept really well) the recline on the row behind may be a little less than normal but you can recline all you want, nobody behind you need to care about.

I think these seats may go at some time and become PE though....

E

 

[oz_mark]

That e-mail is not quite correct. On neither the 747 or A380 are PE passengers to use the Business Class toilets.

I suspect that what was meant was that they are to use the toilets at the front of the economy cabin on the 747.

 

[oz_mark]

I sat in 40C the other day and was fantastic...(As far as whY goes... slept really well) the recline on the row behind may be a little less than normal but you can recline all you want, nobody behind you need to care about.

I think these seats may go at some time and become PE though....

E

ACtually the first time I saw that row, I wondered why it even existed. Looks like a prime candidate for PE! (unless it doesn;t quite fit)

 

[ArseneV]

Hey everyone,

I was just on the Qantas website and checked out the dimensions for PE.
49.5cm wide & layback of 23cm.
However, they seem to lack any info on the dimensions for just plain economy.

Just wondering if anyone here knew?

I'm starting to think it's just a gimmick,would be a waste of money to fly and that you might as well pay for J.

I also find it weird you don't get anymore status credits in PE.

Thanks

 

[MelUser]

Does anyone know whether on the A380, economy passengers will be prohibited from going upstairs and using the premium economy toilets?

[This would seem to be line with the current 747 prohibition on premium economy passengers going into the business cabin to use the business toilets.]

 

[serfty]

Does anyone know whether on the A380, economy passengers will be prohibited from going upstairs and using the premium economy toilets? ...

Almost certainly ...