Qantas: no plans for Airbus A380 to get new Business Suite seats

By David Flynn, February 24 2016
Qantas: no plans for Airbus A380 to get new Business Suite seats

Qantas says it has no plans to upgrade its flagship Airbus A380 business class cabin with the airline's latest Business Suites in the face of growing competition on its flagship routes to the USA and London.

While there was speculation – or more accurately, fervent hope – that yesterday's record-breaking $921 million half-year profit may have raised the curtain on such an announcement, Qantas remains adamant that its A380 business class pods are more than good enough for today's business travellers.

"At this stage we have no plans to replace the A380 Business Suites with those in in our upgraded A330s" a Qantas spokesperson told Australian Business Traveller, adding that the A380 Skybed II seat "performs very strongly with customers."

The Skybed II seats of the A380's business class deck will go up against Virgin Australia's spacious business class from early April when the challenger begins flying its refreshed Boeing 777s between Sydney and Los Angeles.

Read: Virgin Australia bullish on new Boeing 777 business class

Although the core features of Virgin's The Business and the Qantas Business Suite are on par, the Virgin Australia seat out-guns the 2008-era Skybed II in every measure including comfort, space, privacy, personal storage, easy access to the aisle and size of the inflight video screen, driven by competition and changes in traveller expectations over the past decade.

Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti has previously described it as "the business class to beat" between Australia and Los Angeles.

Review: Virgin Australia's 'The Business' Airbus A330 business class

Qantas partner American Airlines, which in December began daily Sydney-LAX flights, has a similar seat design to The Business – albeit one based on that of Cathay Pacific – on its own Boeing 777-300ER jets (below).

Review: American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER business class

On the Kangaroo Route to London, Singapore Airlines (below), Etihad and Emirates have also adopted modern 1-2-1 business class designs with plenty of personal space for passengers.

More business class seating stories from Australia Business Traveller

Follow Australian Business Traveller on twitter: we're @AusBT

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 377

Disappointing news. Hopefully down the track once A330's are complete.

07 Oct 2012

Total posts 1251

I'm not surprised by this, but wouldn't expect QF to say otherwise. I'm sure they are aware that the clock is ticking on the current business configuration. But it'll probably be timed around the 787's after the 330's are done... which will be around the 10 year mark for the A380's entry into the QF fleet.

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1208

It is a puzzling decision.  The A380 is well liked by QF customers and is an ideal aircraft for flying into gate restricted airports like LAX and LHR. It seems to be a risk, though probably calculated, to persist with a product which is looking old compared to competitors and partners alike.  EK are rumourred to be releasing a new J class product this year to compete with superior products on airlines like SQ and EY.  This will mean EK have a product approximately 2 generations ahead of its LSA partner.

On US services, AA and VA J class products will be well ahead of QF (and UA) especially when you consider that VA's soft product is already comparable with QF and their hard product will surpass it significantly.

07 Oct 2012

Total posts 1251

Yep, VA will have the best J product across the pacific... shame they only have 5 B777's. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

12 Jun 2011

Total posts 148

EK still has a terrible J product on anything other than their A380s so I'd hardly call it 2 generations ahead of QF. 

I personally would still prefer the Skybed ahead of the staggered 1-2-1 alternate config like those on EY as I personally find those seats claustrophobic. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Sep 2012

Total posts 132

As a six foot tall 110kgs make, give me a Skybed II over the tight narrow EK A380 J seat any day of the week....

27 Jan 2016

Total posts 53

Realistically for EK to update 140+ 777’s and 70+ A380’s would be a project that would take years. Even an expedited update would be a minimum 4/5 years surely?

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

Why would EK bother updating all their current aircraft? How many aircraft have they kept past 8ish years before passing them back to the leasor?

If EK were to change seats and push to roll them out, they'll stick them on new orders and newer (1-2 years) aircraft.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jul 2011

Total posts 1378

Semantics I say.

The seats will be replaced - seat configs don't last operating life of an aircraft, the only question is when.

As QF has not announced anything yet, all the PR person can say is 'we have no current plans'.

My expectation would be for a late 2016/early 2017 announcement, with refurb commencing in late 2017 in line with the first 787s which will have s similar product  

24 Oct 2010

Total posts 2559

moa999, I'm in agreement with you. AusBT can of course report only what we know and what's said, but I would expect a mid-life refresh for the A380s, and we are now edging close to that point (assuming 20 year span starting with the late 2008 delivery of the first three) so I'd expect next year at latest would see such an annoucement and featuring the same updated Business Suite as the Boeing 787s.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

19 Mar 2014

Total posts 567

I too am of the same view. Announcing something a year ahead only serves to undermine the exitsing product. Qantas took a few liberties with corprate travel arrangements and the perception that VA weren't a serious full service airline when they announced the raising of the bar with the A330 suites a year out. That was nearly two years ago and Qantas today is a much more cautious animal.

Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus

16 May 2011

Total posts 113

Well in MEL atleast, QF has nothing to worry about, its either their Skybed II or UA's also equally average BusinessFirst product which all sport the 2-2-2 configraion.

06 Jan 2015

Total posts 66

AirNZ on the 777 with a quick stop in AKL, extra couple hours but certainly worth it. Usually cheaper too.

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

I wouldn't compare a 1-stop product directly against a nonstop product....2 diff animals aimed @ slightly diff mkt segments.

For 1 thing, a 1-stop product between a city-pair typically can capture few(if any at all) connecting traffic demand beyond that city-pair(i.e. would become at least a 2-stop product in such cases).  In contrast, a non-stop product can easily capture significant connecting traffic demand beyond that city pair(i.e. still a 1-stop product in such case).

In this day & age, very few biz/corp travellers(i.e. the higher yield mkt segment) will accept more than 1-stop even for very long intercon flights(Probably except ultra-longhauls).  It's not just the extra total travel time but also the extra hassels of disemarking+security re-screening @ intermediate stops+queuing up for re-boarding. 

10 Mar 2011

Total posts 526

Both Virgin and American J seats far outclass Qantas. How disappointing that they don't recognise that. Just about every other competitor now offers better seats than Qantas on long haul flights. The A330 suites would be an ideal replacement.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2015

Total posts 43

Same goes for shorthaul flew syd cairns monday on virgin business and cairns brisbane on tuesday business, qantas seats, food and wine all inferior to virgin these days.

Staff still great though

sgb
sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

30 Nov 2015

Total posts 731

The age of this seating arrangement certainly no longer displays any 'Hallmarks' of world standard Business Class seating.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Oct 2014

Total posts 693

Sorry, but I have to disagree. The inconvenience of lack of immediate aisle access is only felt by thos occupying a window seat in each J class row, so yes, it affects 2 seats in each row. All other seats do have instant aisle acess in J. Perhaps, that window seat inconvenience is balanced by not having someone having to climb over you?

The seat coverings still look fairly smart, albeit on some of the older aircraft, compression-wear is beginning to show through - but this is simply 'wear abd tear' and can be replaced with a new cushion. A lot cheaper and cost-effective than ripping out and replacing seats every time a competitor comes up with something new.

I believe that QF will tie in a 'refurbishment' announcement within the next 12 months to leverage off the B787-9 introduction. That is how you keep the experience cogent and consistent across the fleet.

"At this stage we have no plans" is very tentative, bet-hedging language so it barely means anything alongside "no refresh right now, not ruling it out though."

QF will have to refresh the A380s eventually and they'd be mad to NOT put the Business Suite onto them when they do so.

Qantas - QFF Platinum

20 Mar 2012

Total posts 211

Frankly, there are far worse biz class's out there and I actually enjoy Skybed II as it gives a great sense of space. Sleeping comfort and aisle access (obviously) can be improved but I suspect QF have a number of other priorities in the coming year, eg 787 EIS, to be refurbing what is already a pretty good product. 

As a frequent user I am not perturbed.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2015

Total posts 43

if only qantas would realise how much business they lose with this type of thinking, these seats were uncomfortable when they were introduced, the offering is steadily becoming less attractive versus the competitors

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

My only issue with the Skybed 2 is the IFE screen being in the arm. I haven't really noticed any of the issues others talk about.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Jan 2013

Total posts 50

the things is , they are making a lot of money from this product, I don't see them losing business any time soon, they have a very loyal client base that is forgiving of the hard product in lieu of great soft product, I agree they shouldn’t fall behind, but might as well maximise the initial investment. The trick will be to make the upgrade decision at the right time and not leave it until it’s too late. 

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

<<...don't see them losing business any time soon..>>

Me neither....but for more clinical reasons than the one cited by U.

<<they have a very loyal client base that is forgiving of the hard product in lieu of great soft product..>>

QF does hv a large+loyal client base but IMHO, it has little to do with a<<great soft product>>(Frankly, VA is no slouch in this dept these days...) but a lot more to do with:

a) A huge FFP base where most members are entrenched for yrs or even decades...trapped or addicted if U will.  VA's FFP base is just nowhere as large or addictive.  It's similar to why so many American flyers continued to fly the U.S. Big3 for decades despite their hard products used to be significantly inferior(Not any more) to foreign competitors'.

b) QF Group's network is simply much much larger globally than VA's.  In addition, QF is a senior member of a global alliance whereas VA is still not really in any(ok, may be in a quasi-alliance).  All these hv strong mkt implications in terms of network reach available to customers especially the corp sector with frequent int'l travel needs.  VA is not much useful fm Australia if U hv a meeting nex wk in Manila, Shanghai or Tokyo....

<<I agree they shouldn't fall behind>>

But QF can afford to...@ least for a while, due to reasons cited.  In a nutshell and I know many readers here won't like to hear this:  It's not critical for QF to lead in the product front(like VA must) as long as it continues to lead(Ahead of VA and by a wide margin currently) in the FFP & network front.

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

How many people really expected QF to announce anything related to A380 seats now? They'll announce something at the full year results in Sep? or more likely, next Feb with the FY16/17 half year results. After the A330 seat announcement was made a year before they started rolling the seats out, VA had more then enough time to counter it. They announce the 787 seat details and an A380 refresh together late this year/early next year.

18 Apr 2015

Total posts 67

I find the seat itself good. And I can see why they want to retain the unique across the industry Marc Newson pod design. I just find IFE woeful. On my last itinerary went from a new Emirates a380 economy to Qantas a380 business. Screen sizes similar! Also Emirates much more responsive, better quality and clearly more choice. Not sure if they could fit a new style screen in the existing pod though?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2015

Total posts 43

What is it you find good about these seats?

The hard seat?

The limited shoulder space?

Being climbed over when you are asleep?

The absence of storage space for books etc?

18 Apr 2015

Total posts 67

I've not felt it limited re shoulder space.

I always have window - and tbh there's too much storage. Could quite easily forgot things in those side storage compartments. 

And speaking of climbing over, I find you can easily walk around your neighbour, unlike Mark 1 skybed where you had to do an acrobatic manoeuvre to get out without disturbing your neighbour.

My biggest gripe is IFE which is embarrassingly bad for J, followed by service (wish domestic business class service standards were applied). However, if you and others feel strongly then I guess Qantas will need to respond to the market.

30 Jul 2015

Total posts 135

come on alan joyce you must see the writing on the wall, which states that soon virgin australia will soon have a superior business class product flying over the pacific ocean. Etihad, cathay and Emirates all have superior business class products over the skybed. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Oct 2014

Total posts 693

C'mon now. Remind me how many iterations of J Class seating Cathay has had in the last 6 years? I remember the universally hated fixed back bum-slider that was hard as hell, and then a couple of iterations with questionable and missing foot supports. Herringbone vs reverse herringbone. 

Changing this stuff every two years or less fleetwise is neither efficient or cost-effective. When you get a good design, you stick with it until a substantial advance arrives - and then you research the hell out of it, before committing funds to it.Not jumping at every competitor's change.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 May 2014

Total posts 467

Qantas's competion on the pacific routes from Virgin and American doesn't seem to be a driver here.  VA will only have 74 J seats per day, while QF have over 300 (minimum 3 x A380 and 2 x 747).  Is AA really competition?  I though they were a JV.

If there is a rush to upgrade the A380s, then the 747s appear even more outdated.  Perhaps the A380 upgrade needs to be viewed as part of replacing the 747s, hopefully with 777X.

 

 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Aug 2014

Total posts 504

A lot of people I know just don't care about what the seat is. Since the general public looks at Qantas as an iconic Australian brand and doesn't fly in J a lot, they don't care what the hard product is like since they know the soft product is one of the best in the world and frankly there are not as many FFlyers around anymore after 2008 GFC so Qantas will keep the ball rolling as long as the general public doesn't bat an eye.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Aug 2014

Total posts 504

What I am trying to get across is that most people ascociate Qantas as the one true Australian airline with an almost perfect safety record, so they will generally not mind shelling out money for an outdated product as opposed to Virgin which doesn't have a lot of international exposure.

And by most people, I mean the general public who fly J just to experience the product.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

26 Jul 2012

Total posts 38

It;s not surprising, QF are not pace setters when it comes to inflight service, but follower! And followers they are from a long way back, even with their new JC, that is not a new concept, many airlines have a 1 2 1 config. Come on Phil get with the programme!!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2012

Total posts 135

I think the A380 wins hands down over 777s as an aircraft. But the QF J seat is not up to standard for 2016 when compared to competitors using 777s.

QF would have the best product by far with A380 + a better seat - no doubt!

For me, I'm now flying Air NZ from Perth International side of airport to Aukland and then on AirNZ 777 into Houston. 4 returns a year on that route. Seats on ANZ 777 are on par with AA VA Cathay etc. Only downside is no First class for upgrades.

QF wins there.

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

<<I think the A380 wins hands down over 777s as an aircraft.>>

Interesting declaration.  The industry(i.e. airline operators/customers, leasing firms and investors/investment communities alike which are the ones who actually get to decide whether to buy a 380 or 777) itself certainly disagree with such declaration as per the cold hard sales figures:

a)  Yrs available for sale since program launch:

380=16yrs vs 77W=16yrs vs 779=2yrs+

b)  Total accumulated firm orders today:

380=319units vs 77W=796units vs 779=253units

 

Hypothetically if we run a poll today about what is their top favourite airliner EVER(i.e. wins hands down over anything else), I bet Concorde will be @ or near the top of the list....yet it's a type in which only 14units hv ever been sold.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Mar 2013

Total posts 132

I imagine they're waiting to see how the A330 seats stand up to wear and tear as part of the decision. No point updating to a lesser build quality. 

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 670

To Qantas brainiacs....one question

WHAT planet are you on?!  I thinks its called 2008 time warp!!

If it was a good enough product you wouldn't have updated tyhe A330s!

I can understand the 744's but really...the A380's..youve lost me as a J customer on A380 routes.

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

To anti-Qantas brainiacs...one question

WHICH galaxy are you in?  I think it's called 2003(The yr when Skybed1 began Rev$ service on 330 with QF) time wrap!!

1.  Before the advent of the Business Suites product a yr ago, the best J class design available across QF's 330 fleet was Skybed1.  It's old today in terms of wear & tear beyond its seating surfaces/cushions since 2003(13yrs).

2.  Skybed1 was an inclined lie-flat seat design pitched @ no more than 60in.  This is no flat bed seat....a product config now very common for widebody flights between Asia and Australia.

3.  All J seat in QF 380 fleet is the Skybed2 which debuted in 2008(8yrs ago) along with 380 debut @ QF.  It's old but clearly younger than Skybed1 found on almost all QF 330s prior to Business Suites.

4.  While Skybed1 and Skybed2 are essentially the same hardwares in terms of design, their configs/specs are vastly diff.  Skybed2 is a horizontal flat bed pitched @ a minimum of 78in(i.e. 30% longer than Skybed1).  If we ignore direct aisle access, privacy/side table and the latest electronc gizmos, Skybed2 is actually on-par with the Business Suites product(And its equivalents @ competitors) purely in terms of sleeping comfort.....no way we can say the same about Skybed1.  In fact in nearly all functional aspects, Skybed2 is still on-par with the BEST J product  today @ UA(i.e. BusinessFirst), LH and CA....all 3 still hv no direct aisle access for example.

Skybed2(On 380) is good enough to a certain extent(@ least relative to other big dogs like UA, LH and CA) while Skybed1(On 330) wouldn't be.

<<I can understand the 744's..>>

Of course U can, some frames(Especially those 744ER x6) in the QF 744 fleet already hv been upgraded to Skybed2 since shortly after 380 debut in 2008.

<<youve lost me as a J customer on A380 routes>>

Fair call....the simple & elegant beauty of mkt competition.  But let's see QF will loose U to exactly which alternative carriers due to the <inferior> Skybed2 on those <<A380 routes>>:

A) SYD/MEL-DXB-LHR

Well, there's EK and its J class on 380 is indeed superior to Skybed2.  But hang on, isn't EK and QF in a JV and share all Rev$ on all routes between Europe and AU anyway?  Financially, will it really be a lost for QF even if U buy a EK ticket and superficially APPEAR like U're not giving your biz to QF?  Hmmm....interesting.

Of course if going only to/fm LHR and not via DXB, plenty of good J choices superior to Skybed2 such as BA, SQ, CX, QR, EY/VA, etc.

B) SYD-LAX

AA=Similar story as A)

VA=This J is superior to Skybed2 but are U willing to forfeit the far superior FFP earning+spending/benefits of the enormous+powerful OneWorld network?

DL=This J is superior to Skybed2 but unless U fly outside of AU much more often than within AU, a SkyTeam FFP is pretty useless.

UA=This J(Only on 787 & 777) is only on-par with Skybed2.

C) MEL-LAX

UA=Same as B)

D) SYD-DFW

QF is the only game in town so no alternative.

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 670

As I said..if Mk II was a good enough product A330's wouldnt be getting the suites. Im a paying pax on an airline which prides itself on being a "premium full service carrier"(not to mention it's almost always THE most expensive). Not my concern their profit and loss statements....if they are running an airline in this category and can't reach expected standards they need to reassess their strategy. To announce no upgrade is a negative for Qantas and their marketing department leaves alot to be desired. They could have said something a little more positive - such as upgrades are being considered at this stage or the like.

NB: the Mk II is hardly 180 fully flat; the footrest slopes down when in fully 'flat' sleeping position and has done so since soon after they were introduced. 

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

<<...if Mk II was a good enough product A330's wouldn't be getting the suites.>>

U are still referring to the incorrect tech facts in making your point:  QF 330 fleet did NOT hv Skybed2 before upgrade to BusinessSuites.  They had Skybed1 before their refurb in J class.

<<Not my concern their profit and loss..>>

Of course not.  But their financials clearly will dictate what product will appear in which particular airframe, in what time frame, and most importantly, on which routes against which competitor(s) and their products.

<<...running an airline in this category and can't reach expected standards...>>

1) Only 1 set of standards exists today applicable to most(let alone all) J class consumers across Australia and beyond?  2) Whoever establish/dictate such set of standards and decide other purchase priorities for consumer(e.g. a strong FFP, network size/frequency, etc.) can be disregarded?

<<...they need to reasses their strategy.>>

Frankly, for a corp like QF group, do U honestly believe it doesn't constantly assess /adjust /adapt fleet-wide product strategy @ least once a yr including decision/conclusion fm such assessment that e.g. Skybed2 stay on 380 for the time being?

<<They could have said something a little more positive - such as upgrades are being considered...>>

Fm a purely consumer point-of-view, U're probably right.  But U hv forgotten that such statement may also be a slightly NEGATIVE news/uncertainty fm the investor mkt/analyst community perspective.....especially when QF Group has only returned to profitability so recently after yrs of huge loss.  It may be interpreted as QF is now quickly heading back into a period of spending-spree.  Of course, U wouldn't care(as U've stated earlier) but someone sailing the QF ship(e.g. Alan Joyce) must care such boring details such as financial disciplines....

<<...the Mk II is hardly 180 fully flat..>>

Your descriptions are for Skybed1 product in which none has ever been installed on any QF 380.   If U still don't believe Skybed2 is a horizontal flat bed product, try this link on ausbt.com fm 2011 for clarifications:

www.executivetraveller.com/lie-flat-or-fully-flat-beds-we-put-the-truth-to-the-lie-flat-lie

15 Jan 2013

Total posts 36

What a shame - just entrenches my view that it's never worth flying all the way to Europe with QANTAS - would much rather fly via Asia and pick up a Oneworld carrier with a proper 1-2-1 seat like Cathay or Finnair for the longer Asia-Europe leg. 

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

But is there really many real choices by Oneworld that offer 1-2-1 in J for AU to Europe via Asia?

Except CX(Fares are on-par and in fact typically significantly higher than QF yr-round especially in J) and QR(But only for the upcoming ADL-DOH route on 350), the fact is that no Oneworld carrier offers a true 1-2-1 layout in J for a 1stop routing(defined as connecting duration being well within 12hrs @ the stop) all the way between AU and Europe.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2015

Total posts 43

You could just fly with another airline, thats what i do when i am unhappy, the FF and status points are not that hard to get if you are a regular flyer.

The one world scheme is good but not the be all and end all, the comfort of the singapore 777 business class to europe is superior to qantas business and first class, food and wine are better also.

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

<<You could just fly with another airline...>>

I think that's pretty basic and goes without the need to saying it out loud.  However, I suspect the problem is that folks(e.g. QF flyers) don't want to switch fm a carrier(e.g. QF) due to superior FFP but continue to complain about that carrier's inferior  product....basically they complain why 1+1 does not equal to 3. 

<<...the FF and status points are not that hard to get if you are a regular flyer>>

Theoretically true.  However, if a frequent flyer split all of his/her flying activities across FFPs fm 2-3 diff alliances, earning per FFP(And therefore account balance, loyalty status/tier, etc.) will be significantly lower in each than if he/she sticks with only 1 FFP no matter how we slice it or dice it.  It's really just basic math and all FFPs are fundamentally designed to trap a frequent flyer within a single FFP/alliance.  For most AU-based frequent flyers, it's hard to exclude a Oneworld FFP in his/her portfolio due to the leading mkt position of QF Group in AU mkt.

<<...comfort of the singapore 777 business class to europe is superior to qantas business and first class....>>

I strongly believe most frequent flyers on the AU-Europe routes already well understood the above.....not just today but since @ least 2 decades ago even before the 1st 777 entered service with SQ.   That's not even a subjective bias by SQ lovers when we look @ their diff in rating by SkyTrax QF vs SQ for over a decade.  Yet after decades, we still hv not seen flyers deflecting to SQ in droves(And QF forced to abandon such routes) and QF continue to be able to attract customers AND carry significant frequent flyer traffic volume on AU-Europe routes despite its product being inferior to SQ.  Why?  The only logical conclusion I can draw is that inflight product simply cannot be the only factor(or even just the most important factor) in consumer's purchase decision.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

30 Aug 2016

Total posts 23

As a P One Qantas customer often flying to Europe I always select an EK A380 codeshare flight over a QF A380, as a 6" guy the feet support are not great on the skybeds compared to resting on something solid in the EK suites. The privacy, space for drink and food, screens, padding, comfort are superior on the EK A380s.

The bonus of the 1-2-1 config also means that you don't have to step over any to get in and out of your seat.

The screens on the QF flights are terrible for watching any movies. The most wonderful thing have been the A330 upgrades, which brings them back on a level playing field with their competitors. Food and service is is always better on the QF flights!

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

02 Sep 2014

Total posts 17

And yet it still makes me wonder why everyone would prefer QF over the likes of VA/DL who have direct aisle (already in use or in the future). They do status matching most of the time for corporates and offer comparable times and connections. DL even operates all flights out of T5 to make onward 40 minute connections possible - and yes I've done this connection and it absolutely works for those who don't care for spending time in the lounges. 

FLX
FLX

10 Dec 2015

Total posts 177

<<...makes me wonder why everyone would prefer QF over the likes of VA/DL....>>

No need to wonder.  <<why everyone would prefer QF>> because they are not only choosing QF.....they are actually choosing the entire combined network reach+FFP benefits of QF+JetStar+AA+EK regardless if U are a U.S.-based or AU-based flyer.  In contrast, VA+DL only work on Trans-Pcf routes or if U are U.S.-based mainly due to SkyTeam's or VA's FFP+network are much less useful for AU-based flyers especially on AU-Europe routes.

<<They do status matching most of the time for...>>

Yes, they can.  But they can't match network coverage as easily against QF & its buddies.....and corp travel depts do place high value on the network reach of an airline vendor+its close partners when awarding biz travel contracts typically on a global basis(i.e. 1 vendor to cover every route fm short hops like LAX-PHX or MEL-ADL to ULH intercon journeys like SYD-DFW or MEL-LHR.

<<DL even operates all flights out of T5...>>

Which is precisely the inferior aspect of the DL+VA combo even if a pax only care about AU-U.S. routes.  In LAX, all DL ops are really just in T5.  Where do U check in for VA?  T3....on the opposite side of T5 and involve either a very long walk outdoor or hopefully not too long a wait for the equally long free shuttle bus tour around T6->T7->T8->T1->T2.  Where do U arrive on a VA flight?  TBIT...closer than T3 if connecting to a DL flight @ T5 but still a bit of a hike if U hv large bags in tow after the mandatory U.S. custom @ TBIT.

Now compare the above mentioned LAX connecting experience against connecting between QF @ TBIT and AA @ T4.....not to mention the brand spanking new, fully a/c + movable walkway equipped indoor connector between TBIT and T4.

If we ignore the total frequency advantage of QF+AA over DL+VA @ LAX, I believe most J-class flyers connecting @ LAX will gladly trade direct aisle access on QF(Not an AA issue though) for the opportunity to avoid the difficult trail between any DL and VA flights....

<<make onward 40minute connections possible...and it absolutely works...>>

<<Absolutely works>> if your entire itin is operated by DL which offers a grand total of 1 daily frequency to/fm AU against @ least 3x daily for the QF+AA combo.  If your itin involve VA, a reliable connections will be closer to 140mins.....

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2015

Total posts 43

You obviously work for Qantas or one of their marketing companies FLX, sorry but qantas are not what they were and each time i travel with a better airline the difference gets better.

BA first, Singapore First and Business, VA Business, Cathay Business and JAL Business all better than the four QF business flights i have made in the last 3 months.

The food on qantas really has become a joke now, so bad i pay for a meal before i get on the plane (sydney excepted where the QF first lounge is great).

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 May 2016

Total posts 1

I was also under the opinion that the Skybeds weren't going to be as good as the new 1-2-1 layouts. However, after experiencing them, I can confidently say they are still a good product for J Class for long haul. In 3 years time, they might need a review as more airlines change to the suite- style suites.


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