Phuket Thailand

dizbuster · #1 22-08-2007, 08:57

This is taken from the Qantas website...

Introducing a new class of travel with Qantas. Premium Economy will be rolled out on our B747-400 services to London via Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong, plus on services to Johannesburg from next February.
This new inflight experience offers wider seats, more leg room and a greater recline on your seat. Your entertainment screen will be deployed from your armrest and features a noise-cancelling headset. The service also features a Neil Perry-designed menu and access to refreshments throughout your flight. And you can enjoy dedicated check-in and priority boarding.
Premium Economy will also be available on our new A380 fleet, arriving in August 2008.

I've also tread elsewhere, that the seats will have a 42" pitch (biggest of all airlines offering Premium Economy) and a seat width of 19½" - good for all of us with large asses !!

SirDougless · #2 22-08-2007, 09:54

It will be interesting to see the cost. I currently fly JetStar Starclass which is just under $2,000 return. Their seat pitch is only 38", their portable Video-on-Demand sets are not as convenient as the fixed/stowable screens and the food is ordinary. There are some advantages, however, SYD-HKT direct and Qantas FF points at the business class rate.

I might give the Qantas Premium a go in April next year.

Minder · #3 22-08-2007, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizbuster

This is taken from the Qantas website...

Introducing a new class of travel with Qantas. Premium Economy will be rolled out on our B747-400 services to London via Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong, plus on services to Johannesburg from next February.
This new inflight experience offers wider seats, more leg room and a greater recline on your seat. Your entertainment screen will be deployed from your armrest and features a noise-cancelling headset. The service also features a Neil Perry-designed menu and access to refreshments throughout your flight. And you can enjoy dedicated check-in and priority boarding.
Premium Economy will also be available on our new A380 fleet, arriving in August 2008.

__________________________________________________ ____________

Sounds good....but I suspect Qantas will still be Qantas. I have been everything from a Chairmans Lounge member down. Notice how "access to refreshments throughout your flight" is regarded as something special instead of routine ...IMO this is because except for the meal service Qantas in-flight staff normally disappear between take-off and landing. Access to refreshments ? Just buzz...wait 15 minutes and then walk down the plane and get yourself a beer from the fridge! Enjoy.

aussie45 · #4 23-08-2007, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minder

__________________________________________________ ____________

Sounds good....but I suspect Qantas will still be Qantas. I have been everything from a Chairmans Lounge member down. Notice how "access to refreshments throughout your flight" is regarded as something special instead of routine ...IMO this is because except for the meal service Qantas in-flight staff normally disappear between take-off and landing. Access to refreshments ? Just buzz...wait 15 minutes and then walk down the plane and get yourself a beer from the fridge! Enjoy.

I now use Qantas as my airline of last resort when leaving Australia to go on Holidays. Their service over the years has, I believe, reached rock bottom. Bar service outside of meal periods is non existent and grudgingly (is this a word? ) supplied. Meals are at best average and the staff, generally speaking, un helpful. Recently after arriving in Perth from Sydney on a B767 we were waiting 30 minutes for bagage to be offloaded. The airport manager made an announcement that the baggae would be coming off soon. I went and queried him as to what the delay was and his reply! "They forgot to unload it!" How the hel canyou forget to unload a 240 ton aircraft that is due to be turned around in 45 minutes for the return journey to Sydney. Luggage came through about 45 minutes after docking.

I could go on for a long time about other poor service, first hand experiences. If you can avoid them do so. I much prefer Singapore,Thai, Cathay and even Tiger.

MrDK · #5 23-08-2007, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie45

...and his reply! "They forgot to unload it!" How the hel canyou forget to unload a 240 ton aircraft that is due to be turned around in 45 minutes for the return journey to Sydney.

Some years ago on a domestic flight in the US I had the same situation, except the plane took off with all the luggage that was supposed to be offloaded (B911).

Talbotman · #6 23-08-2007, 14:10

QUANTAS THE WORLDS WORST AIRLINE !

flew with them once bags lost on both directions unable to prebook seats yet when i arrived at the heathrow check in desk 5 hours before flight was told only middle seats were available wonder why ? (i know) cabin crew were extremely unhelpful and grumpy could get water in the sahara quicker than a beer

needless to say i will only fly with them again if i get a free flight !

SirDougless · #7 24-08-2007, 05:08

I've never had any problems in business class.

nelsonone · #8 24-08-2007, 06:07

Not a fan of Qantas, Air NZ....both my national carriers....+ KLM and BA nor any of the US carriers

Have had cr@p experiences with them all

I tend to use the Asian cariers as much as possible....Singapore + Cathay are my faves but Thai sinece it introduced sleepers in business is also high on my list now.....

I think Dodger said it somewhere else....but getting on a plane to LOS with LOS cabin crew makes your holiday start a little earlier...and that's nice!!!!

Pentire · #9 24-08-2007, 06:15

I'll stick with CAL, Dynasty Class out of Amsterdam.
Never been a fan of Qantas despite their excellent safety record and quite frankly, I can not be arsed to use Heathrow or Gatwick.

Mav · #10 24-08-2007, 06:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie45

I now use Qantas as my airline of last resort when leaving Australia to go on Holidays. Their service over the years has, I believe, reached rock bottom. Bar service outside of meal periods is non existent and grudgingly (is this a word? ) supplied. Meals are at best average and the staff, generally speaking, un helpful.

Couldn't agree more........do not enjoy flying with them.........unfortunately l have FF points and have to use them from time to time.

steve@thaib · #11 24-08-2007, 21:16

BA/Qantas are showing great prices from the UK just now, £670 to Melbourne via Bangkok.

I had a big problem with Qantas a few years back (double booking, massive cancellation/correction fee) but have to say I have never had a bad flight with them; I can't remember any serious delay or lost luggage.

I flew premium economy with BA on one trip and it was good, nothing special but pretty big seats and enough room to wriggle around. I'm a bit wary of using Heathrow at the moment, but would fly Qantas without a second thought.

Maverick351 · #12 25-08-2007, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie45

I now use Qantas as my airline of last resort when leaving Australia to go on Holidays.

I totally agree, and only use them as a last resort if flying international. I've also had issue with them on the domestic, and would rather fly Virgin Blue.

I believe that if you fly on a plane which is more than 4hrs in the air, individual enterainment systems are a must. (I can't sleep on planes either).