The demise of the flying kangaroo?

[straitman]

I lived through the Ansett crash and lost half a million FF points in the process. Towards the end it was characterised by increasing unreliability of its planes and poor maintenance. The thing that I noticed most was that it was hard to get any headphones to work - it was obviously a soft maintenance item and they couldn't afford (or couldn't be bothered) to get them working. They simply ran out of cash and ended up having to close the doors because their owners (Air NZ) refused to top it up anymore.

A little OT but I feel the need to correct this statement.

It was not a case of (Air NZ) refusing to top it up it was more a case of Air NZ milking it dry. Many people have long memories on the subject. :evil:

 

[amaroo]

BBK, watching the QF23 A330 pull up at the gate doesn’t seemto have that inspiration anymore.

These have never inspired me.

 

[Melburnian1]

I have yet to travel on a QF A330.

How do members who have travelled on these and the equivalent MH planes that operate some KUL bound flights from MEL compare the two? Would you give each a similar comfort rating in J and Y?

 

[Awesom Andy]

I have yet to travel on a QF A330.

How do members who have travelled on these and the equivalent MH planes that operate some KUL bound flights from MEL compare the two? Would you give each a similar comfort rating in J and Y?

I think the best way to put it is, the only A330's that are worse that the QF ones are the ones that are configured for short-haul, eg, J seats that are recliners. And that applies no matter what airline you are trying to compare against.

 

[leadman]

I have to agree, possibly may have something to do about the A330 and how they use them, but you just don't seem to be comfortable, even in J class. And I think the TG config and semi reclining seats are one at the bottom.

 

[Awesom Andy]

possibly may have something to do about the A330 and how they use them

CX puts Cirrus seats in them and fly them to Australia so I guess it's not impossible to make them comfortable.

 

[leadman]

These have never inspired me.

Agree on the plane, referring to the red kanga, but I'm starting to miss the 747's.... they seem to be all consigned over to the "cargo yard"

 

[Clivem]

A little OT but I feel the need to correct this statement.
It was not a case of (Air NZ) refusing to top it up it was more a case of Air NZ milking it dry. Many people have long memories on the subject. :evil:

I remember only to well seeing container load after container load of parts being cleaned out of Ansett's BNE operations stores under what is now the VA satellite arm (and I'm sure elsewhere around the country) and sent to AKL for a few days before they flicked the switch in the still of the night ..... 'Milked' is a very mild way to puttingt it - They made the Vikings look like kindergarten teacher.

 

[leadman]

My last moment on AN was the lunch being served on SYD > MEL which was a Subway roll, in their wrapper. Those that did not want one could get the cookie!!! They only got 3/4 down the plan before running out, two days later they were gone......

 

[alexczarn]

As a fairly regular QANTAS flyer it's sad for me to watch the level of service dramatically decline in recent years.

 

[RobJ]

I believe Qantas made a major error not having at least one route go to Europe via Asia.

That is hurting them. The end of the airline? Perhaps not.

Absolutely. I always use Cathay or Finnair and will continue to do so even at lower SCs. Since I'm lifetime QC there seems little advantage in staying with QFF if I could get a gold status match with, say, Cathay. QI seems increasingly on a kamikaze business strategy, although it's enriching Emirates before it expires.

 

[marki]

Agree on the plane, referring to the red kanga, but I'm starting to miss the 747's.... they seem to be all consigned over to the "cargo yard"

Or storage even new at the Arizona facility to name one of a few places

 

[zainman]

Is there a possibility that EK may step in and provide SIN/BKK to LHR/EU services that could connect QF passengers to EU via Asia? (these flights would NOT go via DXB). I don't know if they have such rights etc but I remember reading somewhere that QF definitely cannot do this as it is against the agreement they have with EK (i.e, all planes to LHR must go via DXB).

 

[harvyk]

Is there a possibility that EK may step in and provide SIN/BKK to LHR/EU services that could connect QF passengers to EU via Asia? (these flights would NOT go via DXB). I don't know if they have such rights etc but I remember reading somewhere that QF definitely cannot do this as it is against the agreement they have with EK (i.e, all planes to LHR must go via DXB).

Why would EK do direct flights right over the top of their hub?

 

[megmcw]

It is amazing to still see the difference in the quality of the lounges - Emirates and Qantas. Qantas serve Lindaur champagne or similar, while Emirates serve Verve. Wonderful exotic food at Emirates same old stuff at Qantas.
If I had a lot of frequent flyer points I would be cashing up quick. I find the best way to use the points and still do bookings through Qantas. Is to book on the Qantas site, but use the Emirates flights - best of both worlds. Better food, better service, better champagne. The one flight that I do find fun with Qantas is the Trans Tasman flight where they use a Qantas plane with a NZ based crew. What this crew lacks in finesse they make for in helpfulness and service with a smile.
One way to look at it is "would you buy Qantas shares" if the answer is yes then you are optimistic enough to hang on to your points.
I do not think that aligning themselves with Emirates has done any good at all, other than show them up. Qantas Frequent Business flyers will think they are in heaven if they use the Emirates code share flights.
Guess flying these days is like a lottery - between flat seats, flight entertainment, food, lounges - it is hard to know who to fly with. Take into consideration the huge variety of fares e.g. Brisbane to Heathrow. Do you lose a bit of quality when you pay $2,000 less. It still beats Economy. Qantas can no longer go on and about their safety record, it is time they had something else to boast about.
This is just the opinion of one very senior citizen who is not flying on a business account.

 

[zainman]

Why would EK do direct flights right over the top of their hub?

dunno. who knows? I'm not fussed, If I want to stop in Asia on my way to Europe I'll fly on CX/SQ.

 

[Air Chef]

Hmmm, I spent 22yrs of my life flying as Cabin Crew on QF Long Haul. I started in 1970, just before delivery of the 747/200's. I rose through the ranks and was made redundant in 1992 when QF in their wisdom changed the configuration in F/C from 32 to 16 and decided that the most Senior Cabin Attendant would run First Class, instead of having a Chief Steward. The management now in Cabin Crew Training feel it is their duty to have new Cabin Crew members report to them, any incident involving senior crew, no matter what the incident, is it any wonder that there is no loyalty either to their companions or to the passengers. We fought for many years to build an airline that Australians would be proud to call their own, we suceeded, as was evident when up the track pax would say on boarding, "Good To Be Home". I refuse to fly QF, never have since I left in 92, preferring to spend my money with airlines that care. Until they get rid of money grabbing "Board Of Director Members", QF will end up as a sticker on the side of someone else's metal.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Qantas can no longer go on and about their safety record, it is time they had something else to boast about.

Can you please provide any credible verifiable evidence that Qantas (or indeed any other airline) "go on" about their safety record? In what publication or advertisement?

 

[harvyk]

Can you please provide any credible verifiable evidence that Qantas (or indeed any other airline) "go on" about their safety record? In what publication or advertisement?

I'm going to say none... Airlines don't want to talk about safety in their advertising since the industry as a whole wants the public to feel confident in flying. If an airline introduces safety as a factor, then it either says "the industry is inherently unsafe", or they run the risk of getting egg on their face should an incident happen.

In regards to QF's own record, it is certainly enviable, and no doubt they liked hearing thing such as the famous "rain man" spiel, or when newspapers talk about their safety record, but AFAIK, every time QF's safety has come up in discussions it's been thanks to newspapers either rehashing stories, or talking with union representatives who have their own agenda's.

 

[monoccular]

"Jetstar seems to have surpassed Qantas in the Asian flight market"- now that IS a worry. Jetstar doesn't, to me, surpass anything at all. It is the epitome of mediocrity....I have never ever flown on time with JQ, and as I sat at MEL and SYD lounges recently there were multiple cancellations.

Heaven forbid if QF ever sink that low - that would be the death knell