The Qantas-Emirates alliance: four years on...

I have also flown the etihad Syd-Abu-London. I like the Etihad on-arrival lounge (shave, iron, food, shower). However, I prefer the flat emirates bed. 

Since 2013, a lot about Qantas' product and value proposition have changed. While the number of international trips that I take with Qantas has decreased significantly since 2013, it is not exclusively due to the QF/EK alliance, although it is a significant factor.

i) Do I long for the days of QF/BA kangaroo code share routes? YES

ii) Do I long for the days of QFF being a neutral programme, with a focus on price competition rather than deploying preferential status credit earning rates as a competitive advantage? YES

To what extent is (i) a factor in the development of (ii) and the wider QF strategy of linking up with EK? I don't know. Though I cannot help but feel these things do not occur is isolation.

Upshot: I value Qantas as an excellent domestic carrier. For international trips however, I've largely written it off due to unfavourable pricing, poor frequency and timing, and the desire to avoid flying EK metal.

Perhaps my stance on QF is unfair. Granted I've chosen not to delve too deeply in the myriad of status credit earning rates across QFF partners. The "simplicity" of choosing Qantas in all instances to maximise status credit is unsatisfactory - I'm not one to be spoon fed. That coupled with the EK alliance is a non-starter for me.

So for me this has been a really positive change,  previously I would have almost always gone QF to LHR and connected from there,  but now I will go with QF/EK if its a one stop in DXB  to say GLA. Or more often via SIN with other airlines.   Not sure if that was what Mr Joyce had in mind. 

EK Y class is OK on A380 but not so good on the 777.  Space is not an issue on A380 (probably more than a QF A380) but service is slow and drink refills rarely offered.

I have only ever flown on a QF ticket so my Qantas Club membership has always allowed me entry into the Business Class Lounge in DXB but it is a potential trap that even some travel agents aren't aware of.

I'm off the AMS next month but avoiding QF/EK this time as they don't offer a morning arrival into AMS so I'm flying CX instead.

So much nostalgia for me.  All my life since I was 2 years old I've spent time on a QF 747 at least once a year.  In my early 40's now seeing the 747 leaving QF's ranks just makes me feel strange and well, sad.

The EK lounge in Perth is vastly superior - the QF lounge is pathetic. Overall flight times are much shorter, not having to go via Singapore or to LHR and double back to final destination. Overall EK onboard service is much better than QF.

The only negative and becoming more so each trip, is DXB is now beyond capacity and required transit times are extending.

Slightly OT, but has anyone here joined an Asian QF return flight with a separate carrier's Asia-Europe return? Interested in the level of pain that goes with this (if any). 

As a long time QFF Plat / Plat1 that always travels solo in F, I prefer the privacy and comfort of the EK F Suite and actually prefer EK  B77W over A380 due to the smaller F cabin and more personalised service. The A380 with 2 shower suites are roomy and nice to have, but the shower is not something I tend to use anyway, as I will use the Lounge shower facilities if I really have the need.

QF A380 F still has good food and service, but the seating arrangement is half a generation behind EK / EY / SQ / AF.

Have flown EK in F many times over the Tasman to AKL and CHC on QF codeshares, and it's a no brainer compared to a domestic configured B737 business class.

Wish they would add JNB or other ports in southern Africa from DXB with QF codeshares on EK metal so I can get there in F, but can appreciate QF don't want to cannibalise the QF63 SYD-JNB.  Perhaps an opportunity to send a QFA380 to JNB a few times a week when they free up an aircraft from the MEL-PER/DXB- LHR schedule changes from Q2 next year?

EK crews may look beautiful but multi-cultural teams don't fill me with any confidence should there be any emergency on board. I was on board a QF recently during a medical emergency in the seat behind- all the crew were amazing.

The Ek 777 343 Y is not exactly the most comfortable... Also the J on EK. 777 is light years behind QF 330s.... What the alliance needs to  is work on consistency... J and Y are very different with Qf 330 J being way better with direct aisle seating and Y is decently wide enough... Whilst Ek 77ws j requires you to climb over your seat mate for the aisle and Y is basically like just as bad as D7 330s....

On the other hand QF has a worst J than EK with QF you have to climb over your seat mate for the aisle where EK is all direct aisle.... The alliance needs to look at consistency between the 2 carriers going forward...

The Qantas food and seat comfort just is not competitive anymore, and the less said about the dodgy electronics the better.

Thanks Alan J for getting me to try the alternatives

As a plat 1 emirates treat you as a second class member. Qantas plat 1 cannot select your seat and be assured it's the seat you have when you board an emirates flight. Often they have the very old 3 in a row business seats and always seems qantas flyers are allocated the dreaded middle seat. I can't wait for the perth to London qantas flights and I can stopover in Perth rather than dubai. Only problem is qantas,s new business class seats are duds. Feet don't fit under when in bed mode, can't have option of 2 seats together for working or traveling with a friend or apart when traveling alone like most airlines do. Air Canada and Cathay have amazing business class beds. Seems Qantas don't ask their customers for feedback or input into the emirates relationship or anything for that matter like the new business seats that loyal qantas customers will be rewarded with having to endure bud business class beds for the next 10 years or so. I have been plat 1 for every year since introduced and never once have they "qantas " asked what I think as a customer, very strange. 

Purchase a ticket via Emirates noted of EK flight was told later we arw flying with Qantas. As a reult we dont get to choose any seats (flying with an infant, we need front row where possible) and was shuffed at a back seats of Qantas at the last minute. Then had to take a Jestar flight?

Both myslef and wife couldnt make it to the Hotel where booked where we had to stay in the airport hotel.

Son lost his voice we pretty nuch kicked around by the airport staffs and aur stewardess.

Flying is already tiring especially we had to be told and run counter to counter to figure out why we booked with emirates and fly with other airlines.

Pure nightmare where we had to be told at the counter during the process of transferring from Enirates and Qantas they have left my sons ticket out.

Got onto a Jetstar and told ee had to pay extra.

Horrible experience.