Qantas A330 Business Class Review (Melbourne-Jakarta)

Qantas Airbus A330-200 at the gate
Qantas Airbus A330-200 at the gate in Melbourne, ready to fly to Jakarta. Photo: Matt Graham.

Qantas recently launched a new, non-stop route from Melbourne to Jakarta. Supplementing its existing daily Sydney-Jakarta service, this increases the number of weekly Qantas flights to Jakarta to ten.

Numbered QF39 (and QF40 on the return leg), the new Qantas service from Melbourne to Jakarta operates 3x weekly using Airbus A330-200s. There are 27 lie-flat Business Class seats and 224 Economy seats.

“Jakarta is becoming an increasingly important destination for our corporate travellers. These direct flights offer more choice and make it even easier for them to do business with one of Australia’s closest neighbours,” Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said.

“The route is also a great opportunity for more Indonesians to explore the best of Victoria or visit family and friends, with the flights launching in time for the Lebaran holiday period,” David added.

So, what can business travellers expect when flying with Qantas to Jakarta? I found out by booking a Business Class ticket on the inaugural flight from Melbourne to Jakarta!

Flight Details

Flight number QF39
Route Melbourne (MEL) to Jakarta (CGK)
Aircraft type Airbus A330-200
Class of travel Business
Seat number 3A
On-time performanceWe arrived 75 minutes late
Star rating4.5 stars out of 5

The route

QF39 route map

Flight Cost

I redeemed Qantas Frequent Flyer points to book a Classic Flight Reward seat on the inaugural flight from Melbourne to Jakarta. To my amazement, there was a Business Class reward seat available just a couple of weeks out from departure. This cost me 57,000 Qantas points and $195 in taxes & carrier charges.

QF39 Classic Reward seats on the Qantas website
I used my Qantas points to book a Business Classic Reward seat on the inaugural Melbourne-Jakarta flight.

To be clear, although this was the inaugural flight, I did not receive a media freebie from Qantas. I booked this ticket using my own points.

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Airport Experience

There was no queue in the Qantas priority check-in line at Melbourne’s international terminal. The friendly check-in agent asked to see my vaccination certificate (still a requirement for travel to Indonesia), and checked that I’d downloaded the Satusehat App and completed the electronic customs declaration for Indonesia. They also asked if I had a visa or was planning to apply for one on arrival.

This only took a few minutes, and I was soon on my way through security with my boarding pass and an Express Path card in hand.

Due to my Qantas Platinum status, I was able to use the Qantas First Lounge in Melbourne. I was warmly welcomed to the lounge and even offered a complimentary spa treatment, since it was quiet in the lounge and there happened to be an appointment available.

While the First Lounge was excellent, Qantas normally sends its Business Class passengers in Melbourne to the Qantas international Business Lounge. Therefore, I’ll incorporate the Business Lounge experience into my “airport experience” rating for this review.

I popped into the international Business Lounge briefly. It’s pleasant, but unfortunately just isn’t in the same league as the First Lounge.

The Qantas international Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport
The Qantas international Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport. Photo: Matt Graham.

Due to its location below the ground level, there’s no natural light in the Business Lounge and it can feel a bit dark in there. There was a selection of buffet food available including Thai red curry with rice, sandwiches and salads. Barista coffee, beers, wines and spirits were also available, although the one drink I actually wanted – soda water – was out of stock.

While it’s still a peaceful place to wait for your flight, the international Business Lounge will benefit greatly from the renovation planned for later this year.

Boarding was delayed while engineers completed some work on the plane. Eventually, boarding was called in the lounge and I headed over to the gate. There was a priority and a general boarding queue, but the priority signage was not observed at all.

Qantas Melbourne international boarding queue
Boarding QF39. Photo: Matt Graham.

There were no particular festivities at the boarding gate for this inaugural flight. But when checking in, the display screen above the check-in counters said “QF39 Welcome Jakarta”. On board, the crew also mentioned that it was the inaugural flight and all passengers were handed a special souvenir bag when disembarking in Jakarta.

Every passenger got this goodie bag when disembarking the inaugural QF39 in Jakarta
Every passenger got this goodie bag when disembarking the inaugural QF39 in Jakarta. Photo: Matt Graham.

The Hard Product

Qantas has a great Business Class product on its Airbus A330s. Business Class is laid out in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access available to every passenger and a reasonable amount of privacy. All Qantas A330 Business seats recline to become a fully lie-flat bed.

The Qantas international Airbus A330-200 Business Class suite
The Qantas international Airbus A330-200 Business Class suite. Photo: Matt Graham.

As this was an internationally-configured aircraft, the seat was covered in cloth (rather than leather on the domestic-configured aircraft) and there were two toilets available in the Business cabin.

Whether sitting, lounging or sleeping, I found the seat very comfortable. The mattress cover provided also adds some extra padding (and helps to keep the seat clean).

There are various small storage spaces around the seat. There was also plenty of space available in the overhead lockers.

Although this aircraft didn’t have any wifi available, there was a large in-flight entertainment TV screen. The in-flight entertainment was fine, with a good selection of movies, TV shows and games. I would love it though if Qantas would bring some music back onto its IFE program!

Settling into seat 3A on QF39 to Jakarta
There’s a large TV screen for each Business Class passenger on the Qantas A330. Photo: Matt Graham.

The Soft Product

When Qantas gets it right, they really do get it right – and this was one of those flights. All of the flight attendants seemed genuinely happy to be on board the inaugural Melbourne-Jakarta flight and were keen to ensure everyone had a great experience.

After taking my seat, I was immediately offered a cold glass of champagne. Before take-off, the Customer Service Manager also welcomed me on board with a personalised card.

Upon boarding, there was already a pillow, blanket, mattress cover, water bottle, menu and amenity kit at my seat. The amenity kit contained all the usual suspects including socks, an eye mask, earplugs, hand cream, face cream, lip balm, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Premium headphones were also provided, although I prefer to use my own Bose QC35 noise-cancelling headphones.

Matt Graham in a Qantas A330 business class seat
I was excited to be on board the inaugural Qantas flight from Melbourne to Jakarta.

Qantas doesn’t offer pyjamas on daytime flights from Australia to Asia, but they are provided on the overnight return leg from Asia back to Australia.

Qantas recently made some improvements to its catering on international flights, and it showed. I really enjoyed the food served on board. This was the Business Class menu on QF39:

The QF39 Business Class menu
The QF39 Business Class menu (click to view a larger version).

And this was the drinks menu:

Qantas Business Class drinks menu
Qantas Business Class drinks menu (click to view a larger version).

The meal service began after take-off with an “aperitivo” – a tasty arancini ball served with Qantas’ signature “Sky Spritz” cocktail.

Qantas "aperitivo" - a roast pumpkin & mozzarella arancini ball with a Qantas Sky Spritz
The lunch service began with an “aperitivo” – a roast pumpkin & mozzarella arancini ball with a Qantas Sky Spritz. Photo: Matt Graham.

For the starter, I opted for the potato and leek soup. This came with focaccia and sourdough bread, along with a somewhat sad bowl of leaves.

Potato and leek soup with chives and Pepe Saya crème fraîche
Potato and leek soup with chives and Pepe Saya crème fraîche. Photo: Matt Graham.

The cabin crew were feeling generous and happened to have some spare food on board, so let me try a second starter. The Korean fried chicken with pickled radish – served on flights to Indonesia instead of the pork dumplings you’d find on flights to most other Asian destinations – was an absolute winner. The chicken was slightly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, covered in a sticky, sweet sauce, and was seriously delicious!

Korean fried chicken with pickled radish in Qantas business class
Korean fried Bannockburn chicken with pickled radish. Photo: Matt Graham.

The main course – I chose the seared snapper with black bean sauce – was also very tasty (and pleasingly spicy).

Seared snapper with black bean sauce, seasonal greens, jasmine rice and salted chilli
Seared snapper with black bean sauce, seasonal greens, jasmine rice and salted chilli. Photo: Matt Graham.

The dark chocolate cream with hazelnut cake, poached pear and caramel – paired with a dessert wine or Baileys from the trolley, if you feel like it – was the perfect way to end a great meal.

Dark chocolate cream with hazelnut cake, poached pear and caramel
Dark chocolate cream with hazelnut cake, poached pear and caramel. Photo: Matt Graham.

As the meal service was wrapping up, we were flying over the south Australian coastline and had some great views of the sunset ahead of us.

Flying over the south Australian coastline on QF39
Flying over the south Australian coastline on QF39. Photo: Matt Graham.

After lunch, I watched a movie and had a short nap. As I woke up – already over four hours into the flight – we were just passing the west Australian coastline near Port Hedland. (It just goes to show how huge the Australian continent is!)

Around 90 minutes before landing, we were offered a choice of a quiche or wheat noodles with chicken for supper. The noodles were quite adequate as the flight was too short to necessitate a full second meal service, although I felt the dish could have used a bit more flavour. I would have happily added some more chilli to this if it was provided on the side.

Spicy red braised Bannockburn chicken with wheat noodles, cucumber, sesame and chilli oil
Spicy red braised Bannockburn chicken with wheat noodles, cucumber, sesame and chilli oil. Photo: Matt Graham.
Qantas A330-200 Business Class (international)
  • Airport Experience
  • Hard Product
  • Soft Product
4.5

Final thoughts

I really enjoyed the Business Class service on the inaugural Qantas flight from Melbourne to Jakarta. The seat was very comfortable, the food was good and the service provided by the enthusiastic cabin crew was warm, personable and attentive.

With Garuda Indonesia having cut back its international schedule since the pandemic, this new Qantas service is a convenient and comfortable way to fly to Jakarta. Given the fairly good award availability on this route, it could also be a good option in the future for those needing positioning flights to Asia in order to pick up separate tickets to Europe or North America.

 

You can leave a comment on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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Nice write up! Looks like a comfortable flight and as you say could be a great positioning option given cheap ex-CGK fares.

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Nice write up! Looks like a comfortable flight and as you say could be a great positioning option given cheap ex-CGK fares.

Doing SYD-CGK in June for that purpose.

No doubt QF are watching. Reward seats (even in whY) have been scarce. We scored two reward seats - only whY. Computer said “No” on a WP request for J an even though cabin was entirely empty…

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Great review. And I agree with you it's a shame about the loss of music on the IFE.

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I’ve flown the Qantas A330 to Manila earlier this month and was quite impressed with the seat. For sleeping I’ve found it much more comfortable compared to other airlines, such as Qatar and their Qsuite product.

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I’ve flown the Qantas A330 to Manila earlier this month and was quite impressed with the seat. For sleeping I’ve found it much more comfortable compared to other airlines, such as Qatar and their Qsuite product.

Couldn’t agree more. Flew SYD-CGK a couple of weeks ago on QF41. The seats were a lot more comfortable for sleeping than Etihad CGK to AUH. The service was outstanding and I was very well looked after for the entire trip (as a WP). On Etihad I was fed and watered, then never saw another FA for 6 hours (despite being one of only a couple of passengers in J both ways).

Sadly the let down was the toilet floor in J on QF42 was sticky for the entire flight, whereas Etihad was spotless and obviously serviced after each visit.

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Nice writeup, good on you getting the bonus food! I wouldn’t have minded a comment on the arrival experience at CGK too (although bet you travelled HLO)

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This may not be the right thread, however, anyone getting cheap fares ex CGK: I had a 23 hour stopover in Jakarta and decided to book Anara Hotel at CGK. I was coming out of a very busy tiring week at work and just wanted sleep. Quick walk (about 5 mins) from terminal. Very clean, cool and quiet. Around $ 100 including breakfast.

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Manila Qantas lounge is size of a toilet.. terrible and hardly any food or drinks..

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Manila Qantas lounge is size of a toilet.. terrible and hardly any food or drinks..

The Cathay lounge in T3 recently reopened and imo it's pretty good. Very quiet but I reckon it's mostly cause all Oneworld airlines are still inviting passengers to the PAGSS lounge (us too).

Freshly made food such as veggie stir fry, wonton soup, dumplings and more, it was very decent.

View image at the forums

View image at the forums

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I wouldn’t have minded a comment on the arrival experience at CGK too (although bet you travelled HLO)

Believe it or not, I did check in a bag for this flight. (I was travelling for a total of 9 days on this trip, and haven't quite got HLO down to a fine art yet in the way that people like @JessicaTam have!)

I had applied in advance for an e-VOA and when I got to the immigration counters, the lines weren't too long. Unfortunately, I made the silly mistake of lining up in the "Foreigner" queue rather than the "VOA" queue. When I got to the front of the line, the agent informed me I was in the wrong queue and would need to line up in the VOA line. Which was fine, except that by this time the entire planeload of passengers from QF39 and an Asiana Boeing 777 had joined the queue and I ended up waiting almost an hour as it took several minutes to process each passenger. The queues were reasonably orderly, though.

By the time I made it to the luggage carousel, my bag was already on the belt. From there you just had to scan the QR code on your customs declaration form and the exit was quick.

Terminal 3 at CGK seemed perfectly fine overall.

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