*Why Qantas?*
As many of my friends on here know, I've just returned from a beautiful two week holiday with my dad in Singapore. Normally, my usual choice of airline is Singapore Airlines but as I was booking late (and found this option to be over £400 cheaper!); I decided to use Qantas ... Read review
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Advantages: Cheaper than other airlines Disadvantages: Poor customer service
...cheaper!); I decided to use Qantas for my journey provider. I was optimistic about the journey as I'd heard good things from them (through members from Ciao! amongst others), and thought that considering they were used to long haul flights, the kangaroo should be an expert when it came to flying.
*What happened?*
I don't really like writing negative things, but my flight experience was actually miserable. Let me talk ... ...corrected. They then contacted Qantas who said that they'd accept the name misspelled as long as a copy of the passport was attached, so they could make the provision for it before I travelled. This just wasn't the case - poor customer service and unfounded organisational links were the primary cause of failure, which I didn't appreciate as I had already been told it would be fine before I went.
As many of my friends on here know, I've just returned from a beautiful two week holiday with my dad in Singapore. Normally, my usual choice of airline is Singapore Airlines but as I was booking late (and found this option to be over £400 cheaper!); I decided to use Qantas for my journey provider. I was optimistic about the journey as I'd heard good things from them (through members from Ciao! amongst others), and thought that considering they were used to long haul flights, the kangaroo should be an expert when it came to flying.
*What happened?*
I don't really like writing negative things, but my flight experience was actually miserable. Let me talk you through exactly what happened….. Houston, we have some problems!
1) Grounding control -
Yup, problems from the word go - my ticket wasn't issued in the correct name and so I had to endure a long hour wait at customer services to get it sorted as well as paying at £25 correction fee. The actual problem was that Dial-A-Flight (the travel operator) had misspelled a letter in my name, and due to enhanced security measures, this had to be corrected. They then contacted Qantas who said that they'd accept the name misspelled as long as a copy of the passport was attached, so they could make the provision for it before I travelled. This just wasn't the case - poor customer service and unfounded organisational links were the primary cause of failure, which I didn't appreciate as I had already been told it would be fine before I went.
2) Poor take off -
Now, I'm not really that hard to please, but given that I was about to fly for say 13 hours, I find the excuse that they can't fly due to rain (yes, rain!) just rubbish. I mean, it rains practically every day in the UK! Ok, so this might not totally be the fault of Qantas, but it added to my bad experience of flying as it increased my journey by two hours! The way back was also as bad on the UK side where they kept us on the tarmac for half an hour whilst they were waiting for another plane to take off. Please do sort it out Qantas - you're lovely staff don't stay so lovely after the 40th person has complained… And really, who can blame them?
3) In flight problems -
Already upset by the longer flight time, I did manage to pass sometime by sleeping. Admittedly this is a little hard given the somewhat compromised space of Economy, but at least it's a timewaster. However, whilst awake I had to find something to do, and after watching Nicole Kidman's 'The Interpreter' for the fourth time, I decided to play some games on my in-flight system. Luck again was not on my side and I found the left and right directional buttons to fail me. I didn't think this would be a problem, but Tetris, chess, chequers, magma madness and crazy golf were all unplayable. I did ask the flight attendant if there was anything she can do, and so she suggested resetting the system. This didn't solve the problem though - another thing that could have gone better. The way back was really none the better, this time I did have directional buttons, but I also had a fuzzy line which would run up and down the screen. This does give you a headache after a while - although I did manage to put up with it through the whole of 'The sisterhood of the travelling pants'. It's a funny film.
4) Missing Items -
On the way there I also experienced another problem of missing luggage. You see, because of the problems with my ticket, they hadn't put my bag on the plane and so even though I was in Singapore, my jeans, pj's and toothbrush weren't. After a long flight with two overactive youngsters (my sister and cousin), I just wasn't up for causing a scene so like a passive customer, I filled out my Dad's details on a card and left the airport with the reassurance that they'd deliver my luggage after the next UK plane arrived… I got my luggage the next day which was inconvenient given that I was on medication and had left them in my suitcase. For me, three strikes and you're out is a good motto to live by. Qantas, you've had four.
*Oh dear, was it all that bad?*
Well, apart from the stated disagreements, the flight attendants were actually lovely. The service was very quick, they were very friendly and more importantly; they tried to keep us as best informed during all times. I appreciate their hard work and so praise go where praise is due, they were fantastic. The highlight I think for my cousin was receiving a kid's travel pack (he loves to draw) and for my sister, a food bag which I think consisted of water, hula hoops, chocolate and fruit. Every passenger was given this and I thought it was a good idea as people may like to pick between each meal.
The food itself was good, or so I was given to understand. Suffering from extreme motion sickness, I've never eaten (and rarely drink) anything on flight; except this time were I managed to put down half a pack of crisps. I do however always order one thing of the menu and give it to my sister so she can have both (she likes it, I don't know why). To me, I think plane food has got much better over the years; it didn't look so much like reconstructed plastic, but lamb, potatoes, veg and gravy; or aubergine pasta; or fish with mash potato. She ate it all and said it was good, and I trust her on issues such as this so a big thumbs up in that department.
Also, the choice of movies was pretty good. I had a bit of a problem with Singapore Airlines last year as they chose to play 'The Passion of the Christ' on the plane which I found very unsuitable for anyone under 18. Considering that there is no sort of block on such viewing, this could have been quite traumatising for young children if they got to watch it; either by selecting it, or just mucking around and accidentally flicking it on. Films this year were much more appropriate by having things such as 'Mr and Mrs Smith', 'Madagascar' and Jet Li's new film, 'Unleashed'. This I thought appealed to an extended audience and probably couldn't cause much offence if viewed by the wrong audience. The TV shows were also good, having a fantastic 2 hour documentary on the 1880 Krakatoa explosion (largest one ever don't ya know!) as well as the Simpson's, the sketch show and travel shows.
*So, all in all, would you travel with them again?*
Chances are I probably would. I have experienced similar problems with the in flight system on other airlines, my plane ticket also fell under bad times with another operator and I have been on one too many flights that have been grounded for whatever reason. I just think that it was pretty unfortunate for it all to happen at once - especially since flying isn't exactly my forte. For the price, it's worth it.
*To Finish...*
I leave you dear reader with a memorable quote from the 1988 movie 'Rain Man' :
Charlie: Ray, all airlines have crashed at one time or another, that doesn't mean that they are not safe. Raymond: QANTAS. QANTAS never crashed. Charlie: QANTAS? Raymond: Never crashed. Charlie: Oh that's gonna do me a lot of good because QANTAS doesn't fly to Los Angeles out of Cincinnati, you have to get to Melbourne! Melbourne, Australia in order to get the plane that flies to Los Angeles!
Advantages: Food, entertainment, serv ice, frequent flyer program - everything! Disadvantages: None that I can think of
Qantas is an Australian owned airline (with a kangaroo as its logo - hence the title just in case you were wondering!) but they fly all over the world. For us British citizens who might use Qantas a bit, this means we don't have to pay to be a member of their frequent flyer program whereas Australian and New Zealand citizens do. So if you are flying with these it is a good idea to join and if you don't ever use the points you accrue then hey - it ... ...from Heathrow to Sydney on Qantas with an hour stop in Bangkok to refuel.
**Check in**
Check in was two hours before for the international flight, it was really easy and proceeded with no blips! For economy class your baggage allowance is 20kgs.
**Leg room**
Although nothing in comparison to the business class and first class seats which were really roomy (why do they always make you walk through these to get to the economy part?!), the economy ...
Allyalcock 09.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Qantas - QFA
Advantages: All round excellence Disadvantages: On the expensive side
...Services Ltd. It was with Qantas aircraft that the flying doctors service was launched in 1928 and basically the company has gone from precariously flying one or two passengers around in flimsy bi-planes to a huge airline with numerous worldwide routes. They own more than 130 aircraft and fly around 15 million passengers globally per year. Flights with Qantas available from London Heathrow head out to Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. ... ...Seat pitch on a Qantas international aircraft is 32”. Now I know I’m only a shorty, but the seat pitch was fine for me, I could even stand up with ease and get past my row mate without waking them up. The seats I have to admit aren’t the widest but they have lumbar support and they were very comfortable. The headrests also have adjustable ‘wings’ which stops you falling onto your neighbours shoulder when you fall into a stupor or worse still having ...
rachels_ratty 24.11.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Qantas - QFA
Advantages: excellent service, unique services, good entertainment Disadvantages: ummm...... didn't find any really
BACKGROUND INFO:
QANTAS airlines are an Australian based airline. The acronym stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, in case you are interested. Their aeroplanes are easily recognised by their red and white kangaroo logo and the airline is based in Sydney. They carry a large fleet of well-known aeroplanes and jets and have many destinations in Australia, Asia, Polynesia, USA, Europe and South Africa, although Australia and ... ...I found myself on board QANTAS flight QF4. Destination: Sydney.
QANTAS' airport and in-flight services were unlike any of the other airlines' I had experienced previously. At Honolulu, boarding was organised and swift. Families with children and persons who needed support were permitted to board first, followed by specified row numbers. What I liked about boarding was that the attendants called passengers clearly and were stringent in boarding in ...
chellbian 14.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Qantas - QFA
Advantages: Fantastic in-flight entertainment system, comfy. Disadvantages: Space compromised in an attempt to squeeze in more people.
Qantas is Australia's leading airline and its distinctive logo, a bounding white kangaroo, means the planes are attractive and impossible to mistake for any other. Due to Qantas' recent link with British Airways, they are flying increasing numbers of passengers from the U.K to Australia at relatively cheap rates. Every Qantas plane was upgraded at the end of October 2003, now boasting better, comfier seating, improved in-flight entertainment etc. ... ...deal. Boarding a Qantas plane, you are greeted by the best attempt at genuine cheerfulness I've seen as Australian air-hostesses (yes, accents and all) welcome you aboard. These planes are vast. Truly massive. If you stand at one end, the other can hardly be seen. Seats are positioned in a structure of 3-4-3 across the plane, however you are guided there when you board so there is minimal danger of becoming hopelessly lost. It does happen though ...
Soph.E. 21.12.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Qantas - QFA
Advantages: Have some planes Disadvantages: Nasty design on the seats...
...seems that our friends at Qantas are experts at this however. Yes, today we look at the world of Qantas, Australia’s national carrier.
The flights in question are QF002 and QF047, the first involving a trip from London Heathrow to Sydney with a fuel stop in Bangkok and the second flight, QF047 being a short leg from Sydney to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand’s northern island.
Sorry for the delay in writing, but as most of you ... ...all about Qantas.
Who Qantas Are…
Qantas are the flagship Australian airline, that is, it is their responsibility to ferry people back and forth to their land and make sure that those who pay less to travel in economy class have a very uncomfortable ride indeed.
Their main base sits at Sydney but they also now have plenty of flights between Brisbane and Melbourne – their CityFlyer service has just been extended to offer some very regular ...
danieletheridge 26.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Qantas - QFA