Qantas Airways

Flew Auckland to Washington, the first two legs from Auckland to Sydney and Sydney to Dallas/Ft Worth with Qantas. I booked extra legroom seats in the small economy cabin on the top deck for my flight to Dallas from Sydney. This was a really good value purchase and the extra room was great. Managed to get a decent amount of sleep, crew were great, offering water, prompt service and really friendly. The return flight Dallas to Sydney was up against headwinds so took over 17 hours, my longest ever flight. A great selection of movies and TV options as well, once again, as great service made this flight not seem so long. Neither of the long haul flights were full which probably helped, but I was impressed with comfort, service and entertainment. The shorter flights with Qantas and their US partner American Airlines could best be described as functional. They got me from A-B not much more.

We travelled from Sydney to New York and return in business with Qantas. On all legs one could only say the service was perfunctory. The cabin staff were either almost mute or in the case of one individual excessively talkative. There is no charm or sense of energy in what seems to be a deliberate attempt to make the staff as colourless as possible. At the beginning of the flight the flight service director comes to each passenger to introduce themselves and to engage in robotic conversation. I am generally a good sleeper however I found the beds to be uncomfortable despite the overlay which made the 14 hour legs a lengthy experience. One positive was the food and beverages where the selection was attractive and the quality high. In our view Qantas is not in the same league as its Asian and Middle Eastern competitors and the lack of profitability of its international services is easily explained by the quality of its not inexpensive product.

Qantas from London to Sydney via Dubai and Singapore. Check in, IFE, meals and service left a lasting impression and I was very well looked after. I was grateful to Qantas crew for upgrading me on the Dubai to London sector. By far the best flights I have ever experienced. Qantas lounges in Singapore /Sydney and Emirates lounge in Dubai made for a relaxing start before each flight. Qantas take pride in displaying Australia's finest wines. I can't recommend them more highly.

Qantas from Brisbane to Los Angeles. It was apparent prior to boarding at BNE that this was a very full flight. Upon boarding the cooling system wasn't working and we sat in the plane, melting, for about 20-30 minutes until we were given clearance for take off. Even after take off, it took a while cool down. It was a very long 13 hours to LAX. The IFE had to be re-booted 3 times and the USB ports didn't work. The food was below average even for economy and the seats were terribly uncomfortable. One of the older FA's almost dropped food all over my partner and at one stage he didn't even stop to listen to a simple request. Qantas has really gone downhill.

Jakarta to Sydney with Qantas. Last minute aircraft change to a non refurbished A330 with angled Skybeds. Not happy, as there is no room to put anything and the most uncomfortable business class seat/bed around. We went to Jakarta 3 days earlier and were impressed with the business class suites and then on the way home this happened. Also the AVOD was pretty ordinary - had some issues with the controls not functioning. Luckily it was a quick flight. Service and food was fine, but please Qantas don't use these non refurbished aircraft on long haul routes!

Flew Qantas Airways from Melbourne to Hong Kong, we never expect that much with Qantas but this was flight was an all time low. When we travel economy we choose to sit at the back of the plane as we prefer the two by two configuration. The downside to this is your are served your meal last. This was not an issue, what was an issue was having the option of cold chicken salad, or cold chicken salad, as the other two options had run out. The improvements to Qantas's food was evident through the new menu options and size of everyone's meals, yet this was somewhat irrelevant to us as we ate nothing as we were unable to order what we wanted from the menu nor have any choice whatsoever (not wanting a 'cold' chicken salad). I realize this all sounds petty, but when you are traveling eight hours or so, you expect a 'hot' meal and a 'choice' of which hot meal, especially considering these meals cost the airline $2-$4 per passenger. Compare this to our Emirates flight from HK to Dubai where breakfast was fresh fruit, danish, tea/coffee, and warm croissants that we're offered throughout the meal time. In addition, the airplane interior was terribly dated, terribly dirty with the entertainment system at least 10 years old and 1/2 the size of Emirates entertainment systems. We really try to support our national carrier choosing this flight above other 'cheaper' flights (Royal Brunei, Malaysian, Air India) but they do make it hard to do. As Qantas have and continue to 'outsource' many jobs overseas I think we'll just give up on Qantas from now on as they have given up on so many of their loyal workforce.

Flew Qantas from Melbourne to Hong Kong, we never expect that much with Qantas but this was flight was an all time low. When we travel economy we choose to sit at the back of the plane as we prefer the two by two configuration. The downside to this is your are served your meal last. This was not an issue, what was an issue was having the option of cold chicken salad, or cold chicken salad, as the other two options had run out. The improvements to Qantas food was evident through the new menu options and size of everyone's meals, yet this was somewhat irrelevant to us as we ate nothing as we were unable to order what we wanted from the menu nor have any choice whatsoever (not wanting a 'cold' chicken salad). I realize this all sounds petty, but when you are traveling eight hours or so, you expect a 'hot' meal and a 'choice' of which hot meal, especially considering these meals cost the airline $2-$4 per passenger. Compare this to our Emirates flight from Hong Kong to Dubai where breakfast was fresh fruit, danish, tea/coffee, and warm croissants that we're offered throughout the meal time. In addition, the Qantas airplane interior was terribly dated, dirty with the entertainment system at least 10 years old and 1/2 the size of emirates entertainment systems. We really try to support our national carrier choosing this flight above other cheaper flights, but they do make it hard to do. As Qantas have and continue to outsource many jobs overseas I think we'll just give up on Qantas from now on as they have given up on so many of their loyal workforce.

Sydney to Jakarta with Qantas. Refurbished A330 featuring the new business class seats and brings Qantas into line with other carriers. Not a big fan of the Skybeds even on the A380, but these new seats are excellent. Qantas needs to consider upgrading the A380 and B747. Service was excellent as was the food. The only issue albeit small are: need salt and pepper shakers, and nibbles with the drinks should be in a bowl not a packet.

Overnight Qantas flight from HKG to SYD with new refurbished A330. Cabin was clean, the seat pitch was pretty awful that when the person in front of me reclined, I can barely move. They got some sort of net footrest which I found to be useless. Powerpoint and USB charger available. Welcome drink served after take off, however no hot towel provided. IFE was good, unlike my previous experience with Qantas. The screen was pretty large and also touchscreen. Plenty of films available. I ordered Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet and the food served was quite good: vegetable pasta for dinner and scrambled egg + baked beans for breakfast. The concept of providing meal in plastic bag is very efficient, I can just chuck everything in the bag when I finished my meal and fold my tray table immediately. Qantas also provided 3 choice of meal for those who would like to pick from the standard meal choice. Except one Asian lady, all other FAs was disinterested, never smile and seems like they are being forced to do their job. M&M chocolate, pretzels and apples were offered to passenger who were awake during the night. No hot towels were distributed throughout the flight, No wi-fi availble. Overall, I can see some improvement from Qantas, however comparing Qantas to Asian or Middle Eastern airlines, Qantas still has got more to learn. The only reason I flew with them is because Emirates doesn't operate HKG-SYD route, otherwise I'd rather go with Emirates. Same price with a better service.

Los Angeles to Melbourne. Exit row window seat with extra storage bin was a fabulous seat. Premium economy worth every extra $. Flight attendants were friendly, attentive and helpful on this overnight flight. Got 6 hours of sleep. Entertainment system worked and easy to navigate. Connecting Qantas 747 flight from JFK was running late - they made up time and it was a seamless transfer to the A380 to Melbourne.