Will you make the move?

[scibo10]

This is the million dollar question for DJ (and QF too I guess).
Living on the Gold Coast, the choice is a no brainer for me now. Once very loyal to QF, I found their ditching of QF in OOL, in favour of JQ a good reason for me to ditch QF. Having said this, there was never really any alternative for those seeking a full service airline. So, like many others, found myself making the one hour trek to BNE for my domestic flights.
Courtesy of DJ's imminent relaunch, and complimented by my status match to Gold , all, and I mean ALL my business is switching over.
While for most leisure routes, I can understand the QF Group's decision to replace some services with JQ, ditching OOL appears to me to have been a very premature move (maybe a hasty reaction to the slowdown caused by the GFC??). This has handed the OOL corporate market to DJ on a silver platter, especially if a Lounge can be built at OOL.
While we have had threads on this question before, interesting to hear the impact of recent confirmations by DJ on those who were sitting on the fence (and those who weren't of course). Has it convinced you to make the move? Things like Etihad alliance, Asian codeshare partner to be announced in 2011, possible DL and Air NZ JV, 4xA330s to PER, J class, revamped inflight entertainment, likely revamped Velocity, more generous baggage flexibility and so forth.... Also, is the lack of an alliance still a major issue now that DJ's virtual network is including top rated airlines (eg Etihad) that may not have been a codeshare partner had DJ moved to * Alliance or Skyteam? (I'm still unsure on this question myself). Thoughts?.....

 

[medhead]

I'm making the move. but only where schedule suits. I'm in the fortunate position that I should have about 100 flights a year. Anytime access kept me with Qantas for the vast majority of my flights. My main concerning being to have lounge access when I fly. I'm not going to be able to fly Qantas all the time I don't think anyone can make that commitment. It was a benefit that kept me on QF for the majority of my flights. With it's loss if I want that lounge access I need to do something different.

Luckily DJ have recognised this and offered a status match. I have been enjoying my recent flights with DJ with the lounge access and actually receiving priority boarding. Basically that whole domestic experience has been exactly what it says it will be in practice. Unlike Qantas that has a written benefit of priority boarding but in practice that never happens. Given my recent 4 trips with DJ I'm going to make a determined effort to keep gold, with 100 flights a year I think I can do it. The real shame is that I was already booked out to February before QF announced the changes. In the longer term I'm going to be flying 50-50 DJ-QF. Looking at my projections I might even be able to maintain WP and DJ gold. Before the change that would have been pushing towards partner gold with Qantas.

Anyway, long story short, my domestic experience is great so far, DJ have done me a big favour that says that want my business and they provide the published benefits unlike others. Bit disappointing that schedule means I can't fly more with them. Revamped domestic J will be good but even the PE offering would suit me and is more affordable (a big consideration as I'm on an improving wicket at work and will be able to afford to spend more). A330s to Perth will be good, but doesn't really affect me.

The Eithad addition is great for me as it suits me for international travel with a brother living in germany. Making for a shorter travel time to get to his place. Obviously others here have more detailed and diverse international travel needs and I can see that DJ needs a better network to suit them.

So yes, I'm making the move, and there is nothing significant to lose and everything to gain.

 

[Gold Member]

Dunno if I'll make 'the move', but very keen to see the new biz product ever since QF EBO new 'enhanced' biz seats. They're an insult to their passengers, so if DJ can produce a half decent biz seat I will move some domestic biz traffic their way.

 

[bossreggie]

I have only flown DJ Twice. I was impressed with the Staff! Sadly there was no PE on the 2nd flight but I did get a credit voucher as compensation. I am looking forward to seeing their J hard product. I will fly them and if it is good... Well then like some others I may well fly DJ a bit more often.

 

[oz_mark]

I am really waiting to see what their new offering brings, particularly on the trans-con sectors. As for the Asian partner, it really depends on which airline it ends up being as to whether it is useful to me....

 

[rtyuiop]

If there was a V Australia (or similar quality partner) BNE-SIN flight I think I'd be looking at switching over completely - as it is, I think I'll be making sure I requal QF SG as a first priority, but will definitely be using DJ when I can otherwise...

Danny

 

[koonyaflyer]

If there was a V Australia (or similar quality partner) BNE-SIN flight I think I'd be looking at switching over completely - as it is, I think I'll be making sure I requal QF SG as a first priority, but will definitely be using DJ when I can otherwise...

Danny

I am fairly certain that there is in fact an Etihad service BNE to SIN, which is part of the DJ alliance - and will have full reciprocal benefits

 

[rtyuiop]

I stand corrected - there is an Etihad flight. Hmm... Decisions, decisions...

Danny

 

[bossreggie]

I stand corrected - there is an Etihad flight. Hmm... Decisions, decisions...

Danny

I think they use 2 Class A330's from BNE. I'm fairly certain thier hard product would be pretty good.

 

[JohnK]

No. Personally QF Platinum is much more useful to me than DJ Gold. I will only use DJ the few times a year (i.e. school holidays) they have cheaper airfares than QF.

I want much more than just lounge access. I am more interested in a full service airline with more than adequate flight schedules that is part of an alliance rather than a network of partner airlines.

And also I find earning points in the QFF program much easier than DJ Velocity even on the cheapest of airfares.

I guess I am lucky living in SYD and commuting to BNE and the choice of airlines is there.

 

[jakeseven7]

This is the million dollar question for DJ (and QF too I guess).

Courtesy of DJ's imminent relaunch, and complimented by my status match to Gold , all, and I mean ALL my business is switching over. ...

Well I'm already here.... but only because 1 of my employers is one of the few businesses signed up to DJ!

Imminent relaunch... in words only.... Its going to take them a good couple of years to get their new hard product rolled out. And I mean gutting their 737 fleet, getting rid of cough2air and their junk food 'food' service and raising their service levels. A couple of A330's on some trans con won't cut it..... So they are making the right noises - VERY SLOWLY though, I mean they've been talking about this for 18months now - get a move on! But really until they actually get new product IN THE AIR they won't threaten Qantas.

Come back ask the same question in a couple of years

 

[markis10]

DJ have new 737 configuration arriving from June, at a pretty steady rate, I suspect they would have preferred that the current new arrivals would be in the new configuration but for the seat issues that required a rethink. Then lack of live to air on the new birds is an indication that we won't be seeing that again.

 

[jakeseven7]

Then lack of live to air on the new birds is an indication that we won't be seeing that again.

QF has committed to rolling out AVOD on domestic with its new 737 domestic fleet which also start arriving next year - DJ will have to put in something in, hopefully they just put in AVOD (that you don't have to pay for) instead of cough2air again.

DJ have said they expect their new look fleet to be fully implemented 2012/13.

 

[BAM1748]

DJ have a fair way to trek before I switch over. QF go to all the places I need to in regional areas and DJ goes to none.

Matt
PS, full service airline is the way to go for me.

 

[Justinf]

WHy are people so opposed to live2air?
Personally I love it when there's a sporting match I want to watch.

 

[medhead]

WHy are people so opposed to live2air?
Personally I love it when there's a sporting match I want to watch.

Yep, I love the moving map function and have been catching a few minutes of American chopper recently on take off - senior v junior! I have iPhone for listening to music.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I'll be honest, if DJ sort out their alliance and in-flight service (ie, meals + beverage on transcon routes, yes) l will move. At this point in time, no.

With more and more QF "troubles" (it's almost weekly now), DJ is looking more and more lucrative. I hate to be the laughing stock of the world. I used to stick up for QF, but not anymore. As they say, "Loyalty, those days are long gone".
I have even started to think that there is some sort of conspiracy going on over at QF, engineers got screwed and it's payback time? Staff cuts? "Insert crazy idea here"

On the alliance side of things, until they join Star or Sky Team, l will stay with Oneworld. I don't see any point in switching to DJ if l can't redeem flights to certain European destinations, while on QF l can. Or, if l do fly somewhere, l'll just use the main air-highways (ie, SIN, LHR, JFK, LAX) and go from there, so *Alliance/Oneworld/Sky Team, to me it doesn't make a difference. I could do a OZ-Europe return on a Star Carrier and make Star Gold atm (...hint hint DJ...).

There are also other factors that have started to effect me. Since l got WP status on QF, l have...

Pro's

• Had way better seat selection as a WP
• Used the J Lounges as an arrivals lounge, it's a fantastic benefit.
• After thinking about Next Gen check in, l really think that it will work great once it's up and running
• Had wine/beer top ups on Transcon flights

Con's

• Still haven't had a meet/great from the CSM or other QF staff for that matter (not that it really matters, but it's the little things in life...)
• op-ups...they don't exist. Still 0/~160 flights on QF metal
• Benefits still getting eroded
• At the SYD J Lounge recently, l was spoken down to when l asked for a shower pack. I came from inside the lounge, to the front desk to ask for a shower pack (didn't know they were already in the showers), and was asked rudely for proof if l was a J customer or a WP. Went from work to airport and needed to freshed up.
• OT; Flew Thai Airways and was very, very impressed in Y. QF really need to pick their game up in Y on Int sectors.

Flame away ladies and gentlemen, LOL.

 

[medhead]

On the alliance side of things, until they join Star or Sky Team, l will stay with Oneworld. I don't see any point in switching to DJ if l can't redeem flights to certain European destinations, while on QF l can. Or, if l do fly somewhere, l'll just use the main air-highways (ie, SIN, LHR, JFK, LAX) and go from there, so *Alliance/Oneworld/Sky Team, to me it doesn't make a difference. I could do a OZ-Europe return on a Star Carrier and make Star Gold atm (...hint hint DJ...).

Doesn't the link up with etihad give a better options to get to europe than oneworld? If alliance doesn't matter doesn't that mean that DJ/Etihad are equally in the running. I assume that they plan to provide redemptions on etihad, could be wrong of course.

 

[Joshua]

At the SYD J Lounge recently, l was spoken down to when l asked for a shower pack. I came from inside the lounge, to the front desk to ask for a shower pack (didn't know they were already in the showers), and was asked rudely for proof if l was a J customer or a WP.

Funny, I did the exact opposite at MEL J recently, had to scuttle back to the desk to ask for the pack. Consistancy!

As for DJ, oh I would love for QF to have a competitor but they are not there yet. Maybe one day. For where I fly domestically, QF cover just about everywhere (though lack some direct routes). I hope it will eventually provide some good market competition for the majority of suits on company $$.

For international, I've said a couple times that these partnerships are pretty much rubbish for myself. Maybe they suit the majority of pax or whatever case studies they've done but that velocity gold card isn't going to do me much good at most ports. When you're comparing it to say *A and OW, it is a bit of a joke. You might have more options to get to Europe but it is useless once you're there ie. intracontinental flights in Asia, Europe & Americas... OneWorld Emerald will remain my choice.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Medhead,
I was meaning that it doesn't matter if it's Star, Sky Team or Oneworld. As long as it's global and suits me, I'm happy.

Side note. for my European destinations, both Star and OW both fly to where l need to get to. However, I don't see the point in getting status on an airline if l'm only going to fly with them once a year and not be able to use their benefits domestically. Hence why l with QF. If DJ joined Star l would switch to DJ and also get a credit card that earns in the velocity program.