Yesterday I wrote an opinion on what I thought of British Airways or rather what I didn’t think of them! So when pondering what to write about today I thought I’d stay in airline mode and tell you all about my experiences with Qantas. Once again I took these flights a while ago but they were so good I figured it was time I put fingers to keyboard and got this written down.

In 1920 a company was formed called Queensland And Northern Territories Aerial 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.

Both planes were what I would call ‘roomy’. Not over-spacious of course, this is economy flighing I’m referring to! What I mean is that the aisles were wide enough to stroll down without tripping over my fellow passengers and the stewards/esses certainly didn’t seem to have any trouble with their trolleys when moving up and down the plane. The overhead lockers were also located at a height where all but the shortest of people could access them easily but not so low down as I (at only just 5 foot tall) couldn’t stand upright in my window seat.

The loos (sorry but got to go there..) were plentiful and spotless.

Now on both flights there were no back-of-seat built in television screens, which was a bit of a pain but not on the scale of things detrimental to the Qantas experience. The movies were shown on ‘big screens’ at the front of each seating block and on small television screens suspended from the cabin ceiling at intervals down the aisles. The down side to this of course you have no choice as to what film you’re watching; but as most airline in-flight movies are dire…! We were ‘treated’ to two films on the Heathrow – Singapore leg, both of which were so memorable I can’t remember a thing about either!! I do however remember falling asleep during Crocodile Dundee III on the Adelaide leg.

There was of course the obligatory in-flight magazine, which was of a fairly high standard. The articles were interesting; it was well laid out and did give details of what entertainment was available and the menus etc.

Water was brought round roughly each and every hour and we were all encouraged to keep hydrated and to do our in-flight exercises (which were demonstrated on a pre-flight video). All in all they were just a very ‘chatty’ bunch…and this IS both flights to which I am referring. They regularly went around the cabin with torches after lights out (these were both night flights) and if they saw you awake they would ensure you had everything you needed or they’d just stop for a natter!

~ The Food ~

The brief (around 45 minutes) flight between Adelaide and Melbourne was on an aging 737. Seat pitch on here was slightly less than on their international aircraft but not enough to make things uncomfortable. Despite this clearly being an ‘older’ aircraft the seating was well padded and comfortable, and there was enough room under the seat in front to stow my hand luggage without having to us the overhead locker.