Really how many (transcons aside) are paying for J?
I've been on about 18 domestic sectors so far this year and judging from seat maps, conversations in cabins and behaviour of CSM's, the number of real true blue paying pax, vs staff on passes and upgrades, is very few.
I think QF are treating domestic J (again transcons aside) much like AA/UA/DL treat their domestic "premium" cabin (ie: 2 class "First") - a glorified upgrade cabin more or less.
I got on a MEL-BNE on Sat lunchtime early (wanted to settle my stuff in) and the CSM remarked "You're on early. I would have thought you'd still be eating in the lounge" (if but I could, lunch was not yet out in the J lounge). Wish I had eaten more as the "LUNCH" options (stated as Lunch on QF flight details) was the usual soup (tomato), thai beef salad of some sort, and toasted chicken sanga. Now I am all for carb overload, but the sandwich was just not enough for lunch.
Now J ended up 2/3 full with rows 1 and 2 fully occupied. I moved from 2C to 3C and had the whole of 3 to myself. On observation of fellow pax it seemed about 3 others were revenue. 1 guy who was in 2A mentioned to the overly chatty CSM that his sister worked for QF and he was on a pass (CSM remark: "it's such a great system isn't it?") then the other couple of guys in 2DF were also on passes ("He works for QF" I heard) and again the CSM loudly said how good it was. So much so that I felt the need to comment when he got to me that I was a real fare paying passenger who didn't work for the airline. I think he got the non-subtle hint and said "Yes I see that ... I made sure to keep all the meal options for you" (thanks mate).
Now sure, Saturday lunchtime is hardly peak time I get that, and I don't begrudge staff their perks, though I think the CSM could have been somewhat more subtle about it (normally they are, and normally they serve NRSA or pass riders last, but I digress).
So anyway on return yesterday(sun) 1pm BNE-MEL - again "lunch" - cabin was showing J6 an hour before departure, and only a few seats allocated and went out 2 short - they were allocated, but did not show for some reason (suspect staff) and luckily I wound up with seat next to me clear. My conclusion? at least half upgrades (ODU)
Again no issue and we all got our choices - such as they were - soup (a REALLy tasty/hearty spicy lentil soup) with Naan bread (yes!), a salad and another toasted sanga but really QF could do better but I think they figure if it's mostly pass riders and upgraders..... meh