Qantas Airways

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.

Flew Sydney to Wellington return. As a regular Trans-Tasman traveller, Qantas has never ceased to disappoint. I chose the seats beforehand (front aisle, using One World Sapphire status) and took advantage of Q-Eats, which allowed me to choose meals before the flight. I opted for a Beef salsa in smoky-BBQ sauce and assorted vegetables. Check-in was available online. Inexplicably (and somewhat irritatingly) this is only available on a desktop and not on the app or on any mobile devices. If you try to check-in on a mobile devise, it will instruct you to check-in at the airport (which closes 90 minutes before the flight!). Because I didn't have to line up, owing to British Airways Silver (equivalent to Qantas Gold), I can't comment on the efficiency of service - there is rarely anybody in those lines. But there wasn't a lot of people queueing in the Economy lines. The service on the way there and back was impeccable, food was generous and tasty. On the return leg Q-Eats was not available; but I chose a warm dish of Hoki on a bed of couscous. The only criticism is the seats, which, at 17.2" wide, is on the stingy side. On the last returning flight I sat next to a solidly build rugby player, and it was truly a struggle to sit comfortably without simultaneously being squeezed towards the aisle and bumped by the trolley as it goes past.

Sydney to Singapore and return to Santiago de Chile via Sydney. Both legs in Business on an A330 and also in the flight to Santiago on a Boeing 747. Overall, a nice, but dated, hard product, compared to the one offered by LAN on their new Boeing 787. Flight attendants were attentive and the food was tasty. Good wines and beers, but the IFE needs to be modernized. I haven't flown their A380, but I suposse is much better. All flights were on time and the Business lounge in Sydney is comfortable and allowed me to take a shower, which is highly appreciated. I would fly Qantas any time.

A good Qantas flight. Short 2.5 hour flight from Cairns to Darwin, managed to do it in 2 hours. Had the option of pasta or tuna salad, opted for the tuna and was very nice. Lindt chocolates afterwards and a couple of wines. Good crew, some nice food in the Cairns Qantas Club beforehand. Don't mind the Boeing 717's, scored an exit row seat, but ok in ordinary seats too.

My first hot meal with the boxed service. I'm not sure what the point of this new catering is, except Qantas cost cutting. The meal itself was nice, lamb curry with rice and roti. The only other choice was potato salad with ham. Usual chocolate and ice-cream served later. Snacks also given when ordering wine. Good service with Qantas. While Qantas claim they will clear your tray quicker, this didn't happen. They also claim meals are bigger, but it seemed the same size as their previous offerings. Serving a soggy box is not the standard I expect with this airline. If you cannot manage proper full service on a four hour flight, there is no real point in flying them.