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. Add to all of this the fact that it has a reputation for safety and it certainly does seem as if you've got yourself a good deal.

When you finally arrive at your seat, a pillow and plastic wrapped blanket await you, in either orange or blue, Qantas' colours. The seat appears inviting enough, yet when you actually sit in it, there's no denying the lack of space. Sitting in the middle makes it worse, with two elbows sliding onto your lap as their owners doze off and the person in front eases their seat into recline position so your knees are forced to dive for safety under the seat - cramped conditions is an understatement. I am 5.7, not particularly tall, yet I was unable to stretch my legs fully straight under the seat in front as it resulted (several times) in an embarrassing clash of feet. Trying to escape to the toilet is no easy job either. If the person sitting between you and the aisle is asleep (usually sprawled over both their seat and yours) it is near impossible to successfully squeeze out without waking and asking them to stand in the aisle. That said, the seats are well padded and comfy, also the pillow and blanket they provide you with are good quality.

The in-flight entertainment has to be the best aspect of Qantas, it runs rings around other airlines with its multitude of films, games, radio and own personal seat phone. Each person has their own television screen located on the reverse of the headrests in front with individual headphones. Although the screens are admittedly small, this is soon forgotten as the picture is so good. In each armrest there is a remote control/mobile phone. The television control doubles as a games control and is extremely simple to use. The phone requires the swipe of a credit card to be of any real use and will happily charge you phenomenal amounts of money for both calls and sending text messages.
Around 12 channels are available in Economy/Business Class. First Class are entitled to 5 more (as well as impossibly spacious seats and free champagne, the lucky devils). The channels include recent films, British comedies (My Family anyone?), documentaries, cookery programmes, in-flight yoga, music videos and concerts. Everything restarts every two and a half hours which is pretty good considering you also have millions of games to waster hours playing: Tetris, Poker, Solitaire, Pairs etc..
The weather, news and your flight path can also be accessed which help pass away some time.
The entertainment system Qantas now offers ensures you will rarely become bored, actually I got off the plane wishing I hadn't slept so much and watched more films instead! Plus of course you are guaranteed a good view of the screen.

Comparing Qantas to B.A., the other major airline I've travelled by, Qantas has to win hands down. Although the lack of space is a downside, it is more than compensated for by the entertainment and food. Staff are more than friendly too, they don't mind stopping to talk to passengers travelling alone which doesn't happen often elsewhere. If you are even thinking of travelling to Australia, I would definitely recommend you use Qantas, it's worth it - honestly!