MEL-DRW - Using Embraer's for a 4 hour flight??

11 replies

Gold_member

Member since 23 Dec 2021

Total posts 12

I went to book some flights later this year. I noticed now that Qantas are using an Embraer/Alliance plane rather than a 737.

For this the asking price was 2k per person each way in Business.

Booked return business flights on Virgin for the same amount

I'm left scratching my head a bit on the disparity. 4x price for a crappier plane.

makes me wonder why I am trying to get to Platinum by end of Sept......

FmD

Member since 25 Jun 2019

Total posts 21

The business class seats on the E190 are better than the standard Qantas B737. Not sure what you’re going on about. There’s also the advantage of having a row with only 1 seat, so there’s more privacy if you’re travelling alone.

The Business service is nearly identical if not better. Was on a E190 this morning and they were serving The Lane Blanc de Blanc Sparkling, whilst on the 737 you get a Grant Burge. I’d rather have The Lane…

You’ll also find that the average age of the Alliance E190s is way lower than the Qantas B737.

GBRGB

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2014

Total posts 292

I have found the service on the 190 to be quite poor, cabin crew are Alliance staff and are used to mining services etc and really struggle on the service side of things, when you are in business class and have to hit the service button to get a drink because staff have gone missing it’s poor form. Apart from that the plane is quite good, seats are comfortable and the single seat is a winner.

Gold_member

Member since 23 Dec 2021

Total posts 12

Originally Posted by FmD

The business class seats on the E190 are better than the standard Qantas B737. Not sure what you’re going on about. There’s also the advantage of having a row with only 1 seat, so there’s more privacy if you’re travelling alone.

The Business service is nearly identical if not better. Was on a E190 this morning and they were serving The Lane Blanc de Blanc Sparkling, whilst on the 737 you get a Grant Burge. I’d rather have The Lane…

You’ll also find that the average age of the Alliance E190s is way lower than the Qantas B737.

I've flown their business. There is massive variability. It's just another example of Qantas taking the piss and treating Melbourne with a level of contempt over planes and schedules.

The e190 interiors can be a bit shabby and the seats uncomfortable.

Definately not worth a price premium over a 737.

Firstworldissues

Member since 02 Mar 2019

Total posts 15

Platinum status is a thing of the past, so many ways now to accomplish a great business class trip with feeling valued. Each time you book just choose the routing that you want and the airline that is best on the route and you will feel happier. 2023 means you no longer donate money to an airline to possibly be treated 'ok'.


Thanks to the pandemic I've flown different airlines and am not tied to Qantas. Never been happier on my journeys to the destination and back.


QF is great in some areas but they really fail when comparing the price they charge. Its all relative to what you value.

Nalanji

Member since 28 Mar 2018

Total posts 23

I live in Darwin. The use of Darwin based E190s on transcontinental flights to Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra or Brisbane is increasing.

Personally I've had no issues with the crew service and I prefer the 2 abreast in economy or solo business seat, but that's where the positives end.

The lack of any entertainment, smaller baggage lockers or lack of footrests in business quickly start to detract.

Out of all the airlines (QF, JQ or VA) and aircraft combinations (E190, A320 or B737) flying to Darwin in the wet season, QF to Sydney will be the ONLY transcontinental sector from Darwin with WIFI. That shows how poorly we are being treated up here.


Last editedby Nalanji at Aug 22, 2023, 08:42 AM.
Last editedby Nalanji at Aug 22, 2023, 10:48 AM.

Ryan K

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 May 2013

Total posts 156

Originally Posted by FmD

The business class seats on the E190 are better than the standard Qantas B737. Not sure what you’re going on about. There’s also the advantage of having a row with only 1 seat, so there’s more privacy if you’re travelling alone.

The Business service is nearly identical if not better. Was on a E190 this morning and they were serving The Lane Blanc de Blanc Sparkling, whilst on the 737 you get a Grant Burge. I’d rather have The Lane…

You’ll also find that the average age of the Alliance E190s is way lower than the Qantas B737.

At least the 737s have inflight wifi and entertainment, which I don't believe the E190s do? However, I strand to be corrected if that's not the case anymore.

Nalanji

Member since 28 Mar 2018

Total posts 23

Originally Posted by Ryan K

Originally Posted by FmD

The business class seats on the E190 are better than the standard Qantas B737. Not sure what you’re going on about. There’s also the advantage of having a row with only 1 seat, so there’s more privacy if you’re travelling alone.

The Business service is nearly identical if not better. Was on a E190 this morning and they were serving The Lane Blanc de Blanc Sparkling, whilst on the 737 you get a Grant Burge. I’d rather have The Lane…

You’ll also find that the average age of the Alliance E190s is way lower than the Qantas B737.

At least the 737s have inflight wifi and entertainment, which I don't believe the E190s do? However, I strand to be corrected if that's not the case anymore.

The E190s lack WIFI or Entertainment.

ACM

Member since 05 Sep 2017

Total posts 31

Love the single throne seat in business on the E190. I would chose this anyday over a 737. I read a book and don't see the lack of screens or wifi as a problem. Service and food is on a par with Qantas.

williamjs

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Aug 2017

Total posts 10

Yeah, it is pretty funny, they now exclusively use the same on ADL-BNE. Pretty disappointing to go from QF mainline to that. Will take VA every day on that route. Spirit of Sydney.

Tlar

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Jul 2013

Total posts 4

Two of three E190s flights in June, had WIFI Entertainment on board, uses the QF app. But the Entertainment is patchy at best then. First flight. Nothing will load, can see option but video won't play. Second flight, Video played but kept getting "Passenger announce" Pause error every 5 mins. Flight map did not work(aka show nothing). One annoying thing(esp Row 1) is no tablet holder.

As e190(darwin based) been on 5 e190 flights this year, all on Business, throne and twin, i prefer it over 737 out of darwin. Window is at head level. Seats are dated but comfortable. Throne seats lack side table storage. if it is empty flight i would go for twin seats vs throne, you can manspread your self, esp if your using the tablet for entertainment.

Food catering is getting better, this year On longer flight over 3 hours you get an entree/starter(haven't seen that in many years) plus main meal(3 options from Adel to darwin) and sourdough bread. Coffee, tea(speciality as well), and drinks are all there too, all in standard Business QF glassware.

Staffing, Yes sometime they just super busy, 10 people to feed and water by one cabin crew(three in total perflight), i won't blame them to be slow. But i never had an issue with staff esp if they are allanice crew. Some of those guys have 3 uniforms to wear, Alliance, Airnorth and QF, during their ratation out of darwin.

Only major downside of E190s is scheduling ex darwin. I miss the QF 737 flight up morning and fly back afternoon. E190s is Dwn-adel is like 6am or 6pm. someone who live an hour form airport 4am walkup is not pleasant, or a 10pm arrival roots your next morning.

abudhabi1

Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus

Member since 15 Jan 2013

Total posts 104

Originally Posted by williamjs

Yeah, it is pretty funny, they now exclusively use the same on ADL-BNE. Pretty disappointing to go from QF mainline to that. Will take VA every day on that route. Spirit of Sydney.

Super disappointing.One has on VA TIME their flights to be on the 737 not the Alliance operated F100 THOUGH for direct or be happy to go via Sydney or Melbourne.the other option if you can afford it is into the Gold Coast and something on a rideshare or limos to Brisbane.

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