QF JNB Services - First Class Gone From 01OCT12

[oz_mark]

Johannesburg loses first class

From 1 October 2012 Qantas will commence three class B747 services on all services to and from Johannesburg. As a result, Qantas has removed from sale its First Class product offering.

The new three class product will continue to provide customers travelling between South Africa and Australia with an exceptional inflight experience including access to award winning seats and inflight entertainment.

Qantas First Class customers booked for travel from 1 October 2012 will be re-booked into the Business cabin on the same flight. Ticketed customers will be entitled to a partial refund of the fare paid.

Latest Qantas News

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Changes to Product Offering on B747 Services to Johannesburg

From 1 October 2012 Qantas will commence three class B747 services on all services to and from Johannesburg. As a result, Qantas has removed from sale its First Class product offering.

The new three class product will continue to provide customers travelling between South Africa and Australia with an exceptional inflight experience including access to award winning seats and inflight entertainment.

Qantas First Class customers booked for travel from 1 October 2012 will be re-booked into the Business cabin on the same flight. Ticketed customers will be entitled to a partial refund of the fare paid.

Alternatively, passengers will be entitled to a full refund.

Source

Hardly comes as a surprise!

 

[kpc]

There are going to be some very upset AFFers!

 

[11sjw]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

QFi making a cutback, who would've thunk it?

 

[elbarto]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

This was obvious when they announced the 744 refits.

 

[IGetAround]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

It's presumably one of the non-refurbed B747s, as this press release omits mentioning whether it's the new product (whilst all others made a big song and dance about it).

 

[pauly7]

It's presumably one of the non-refurbed B747s, as this press release omits mentioning whether it's the new product (whilst all others made a big song and dance about it).

Some news sources are saying it is the refurbed 747.... Confused now...

 

[simongr]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

It's presumably one of the non-refurbed B747s, as this press release omits mentioning whether it's the new product (whilst all others made a big song and dance about it).

If it wasnt refurbed it would still have F seats.

 

[IGetAround]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

Some news sources are saying it is the refurbed 747.... Confused now...

That's interesting. I may be wrong, but I don't think QF has sufficient fleet to operate a refurbished 747 SYD-JNB daily. They have announced that those 9 planes are to be employed as follows:

2 on SYD-LAX-JFK
2 on SYD-DFW
1 on SYD-SCL
2 on BNE-LAX
1 on BNE-SIN (moving to A330 as per QF/EK submission to ACCC)

If it wasnt refurbed it would still have F seats.

QF do have some 744s without F seats. My guess is that they're stopping selling F on this route so that they can operate it with whatever is available (rather than being locked into a 4 class bird).

 

[serfty]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

If it wasnt refurbed it would still have F seats.

In the near future I expect many operations to have 4 class configurations with zone A sold as business. i.e. Lay flat first seat for up to 14 business class passengers.

 

[simongr]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

In the near future I expect many operations to have 4 class configurations with zone A sold as business. i.e. Lay flat first seat for up to 14 business class passengers.

I think I would quite enjoy those flights sat in 4A with the enormous table for dinner and no sloping beds. Be great if they could run them up to BKK later this month

I personally with choose a Zone A seat over an A380 J if that was an option.

 

[zachary.august]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

Very annoyed at this move :/

 

[markis10]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

If it wasnt refurbed it would still have F seats.

Not quite true, there are the old two class that were turned into three which are equal now in fleet numbers to the four class birds. the next two retirements are F class birds so it's safe to assume OJA and her sisters might do a run to JNB.

 

[drron]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

Was really expecting this.wonder whether any points back on our FASAs?
Then again on the day booked the JASAs were dearer-someone was obviously quicker off the mark in getting the JASAs or classics at the low points.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

It had to come - I was always worried that it would happen before our trip in June. We have a few more planned to South Africa over the next few years - having caught up with my brother for the first time in 36 years, the experience was so enjoyable I will have to repeat it Oh well - saves us money I guess......

 

[markis10]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

Just had a closer look at fleet status, OJT is about to get the rework, and OJQ is off to the graveyard, that means only three birds will be left with old F, OJL, OJM and OEB.

 

[infinity]

Re: Johannesburg loses first class

I have 2 FASA for me and partner and 2 JASA for my daughters, in April 2013

Just checked with QF. At the moment we keep the 2A,2E seating for the FASA tix but get refunded 84,000 each points (had used all points for tix no cash), and can expect business class service

Kids have been moved upto 4 E/F so good for them

Only provisio is aircraft maybe a refit, but we'd get Mark II skybeds then anyway

Still get F lounge in Sydney and JNB F lounge not worth the trouble, so no big deal!

 

[anat0l]

I have 2 FASA for me and partner and 2 JASA for my daughters, in April 2013

Just checked with QF. At the moment we keep the 2A,2E seating for the FASA tix but get refunded 84,000 each points (had used all points for tix no cash), and can expect business class service

Kids have been moved upto 4 E/F so good for them

Only provisio is aircraft maybe a refit, but we'd get Mark II skybeds then anyway

Still get F lounge in Sydney and JNB F lounge not worth the trouble, so no big deal!

What were you doing booking F away from your daughters in the first place? :mrgreen:

At least there will be a row of separation . But good that all the rearrangements went smoothly.


This had to be coming soon - surprised it was not earlier. Many of the flights (can't remember which days or what not) were sold as 2 or 3 class anyway.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AustFreqFly

 

[infinity]

Qf has always allocated most J seats to SAA so I agree was always going to happen. The last 2 years I have been to SA on FASA's the front is almost empty (good for us)

Now we'll have to share some loving up the pointy end

the girls were JASA but can now move up to row 4- lucky them!!

 

[serfty]

...
the girls were JASA but can now move up to row 4- lucky them!!

Unless a skybed mk II equipped 744 operates the service - there is no row 4.