Qantas replaces Emirates on most Trans Tasman flights

[RichardMEL]

Bummer looks like my long business days in Melbourne saw me miss the cheap F option.

I note could still do points over 54,000 and $131.... and ex-NZ 1273 which is like $117 cheaper than booking ex-Australia. Does say 5 or fewer seats left....

I would give good odds that there will be another one.. and watch for ex-AKL sale fares as the price can drop down to NZD$900 or so.

 

[CaptJCool]

I would give good odds that there will be another one.. and watch for ex-AKL sale fares as the price can drop down to NZD$900 or so.

Thanks Richard...
It's far enough in advance to hold off for now....

Would appreciate a regular say monthly update on F availability cause obviously if seats sell before a sale, it's of no use. No seat, no sale. Haha

 

[TheRealTMA]

Just like the majority of European and American airlines around the world too.

Yes but they can do much better. But, the European 'J' is just Y with empty seat between and 'food' you don't have to pay for!

We'll never fly QF to NZ on a 737. Look fwd to when then upgrade to 330s.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I am aiming now for my final 380 to AKL now for early Mar 18.
J or F.
Will miss the in flight bar to AKL.
And yes I realise the SYD - CHC EK flight on the 380 still flies for now.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I would give good odds that there will be another one.. and watch for ex-AKL sale fares as the price can drop down to NZD$900 or so.

That's the price I used to pick them up for. A steal.

 

[CaptJCool]

I would give good odds that there will be another one.. and watch for ex-AKL sale fares as the price can drop down to NZD$900 or so.

Yea ones up right now, the QF website doesn't appear to want to show the lower prices after mid-Jan even thought they're on EK Website and something similar on Expedia.

 

[RichardMEL]

So flew EK F trans-tas over the weekend.

Some observations.. they have been some small downgrades in the service that I have noticed.. For one, the snack basket is no longer probided (now on such relatively short sectors I kind of get it).

The food offerings seem somehow a little downplayed.. just a bit less somehow. I can't put my finger on it exactly it just somehow seemed "less" compared to previously. Still great quality mind you specially out of AKL as always.. last night a delightful potato and ginger soup, lamb and mocha mousse were lovely but everything just seemed a bit smaller somehow.

Of course this started when they removed the special Dom Rose 2-3 years ago and the specialised canapes that went with it (sadly, that was a fantastic service)

Wine was of the usual high quality though and there was no problem with that whatsoever

And I noticed the bubbles in the AKL lounge have changed from VC to Moet.

 

[pomkiwi]

I flew CHC-SYD last night in F and was the only pax. The snack basket was provided. I thought the food was much on a par with previous trips on this flight both in quality and quantity. Wines were good (although some confusion when I was given the DXB-JFK list which did have the DP rose!)

 

[RichardMEL]

Well that's even weirder if CHC-SYD had the snack basket. how odd.

I'd also comment that on both my sectors to and from AKL the CSM went missing. Not a greeting let alone acknowledgement of status or the like (previously they've tried to woo me to skywards).... I don't really care tbh but it was funny to not see them on either sector or even a greeting as a F passenger.

 

[2tall4Y]

Happy to report that my DSCs from Friday’s QF8766/8765 status run posted today

The following is an excerpt from the terms and conditions of the non-targeted DSC offer which was open for bookings between 2 March and 6 March 2017:

'An Eligible Flight for the purpose of this promotion means any Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number on the ticket where Status Credits are normally earned, excluding Classic Flight Rewards and any flight with a QF flight number on the ticket which is not operated by Qantas including Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Valuair, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Pacific and other partner airlines except for a Qantas marketed flight operated by Emirates between Australia and New Zealand with the following flight numbers: QF8764, QF8763, QF8762, QF8761, QF8770, QF8771, QF8766, QF8765.'

I read that as saying the listed Emirates-operated trans-Tasman flights booked with a QF code are eligible for DSC. I hope I am right

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I'd also comment that on both my sectors to and from AKL the CSM went missing. Not a greeting let alone acknowledgement of status or the like (previously they've tried to woo me to skywards)

I’ve had the CSM greet me on each EK F flight but never had the hard sell for Skywards. I only mention this because I’ve seen multiple trip reports on FT where this happens. I’m starting to feel left out

 

[RichardMEL]

I haven't had the "Skywards hard sell" for a few years to be fair.. it seemed to be during the first couple of years post the tie up.. like they were trying to lure QFFs over specifically... but lately nope.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have done several EK trips TT now, and haven't had the Skywards hard sell change FF programs spiel.
Only been plied with alco, ...

 

[RichardMEL]

Um it's the pax's choice if they want to consume alcohol.. they're not sticking a funnel in your mouth and decanting the bottle straight down it

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Um it's the pax's choice if they want to consume alcohol.. they're not sticking a funnel in your mouth and decanting the bottle straight down it

But they keep offering, thats my point.

 

[TheRealTMA]

But they keep offering, thats my point.

I usually take my own funnel.

 

[RichardMEL]

But they keep offering, thats my point.

yep. Keep offering is service. Refusing more when one has had enough is called responsibility

 

[RichardMEL]

Bumping this thread a bit only because it's this Saturday we bid farewell to AKL-MEL/BNE !!

I suspect the Dom 2009 will run out even on the short sector!

Party on!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Sad to see this entry to QFi F lounges and EK J/F lounges end.
There are still means of entry to these, but they will be severely curtailed to QP members like me, and even if I paid J, my only access will be EK SYD lounge on the TransTasman sectors (SYD - CHC).
EK F/J sectors to SIN are quite pricey.

 

[kermatu]

I'd be very grateful if someone can post the new operating hours going forward for the AKL EK lounge.