QANTAS - All went well ... for the most part.
Written: Feb 23 '07 (Updated Jun 15 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Service, safety-first-attitude, reliability, good pricing
Cons: Delays seem to be relatively common
The Bottom Line: Good service is rare these days, but Qantas exceeded expectations for us.
|
|
|
| theuerkorn's Full Review: Qantas |
Our trip to New Zealand involved 3 flights with Qantas (LAX-AKL, ZQN-AKL, AKL-LAX), and were very satisfied with the service (comparing it to the average in 2006/2007) and overall courtesy.
For details on New Zealand -> [Click Here]
LAX-AKL: (QF25) The flight was without any event and onboard service was friendly and attentive while leaving us enough time to actually sleep. (Lufthansa service is “better” but you’re also more often disturbed.) The 12.5 hour flight offered the usual personal entertainment with a number of movies and tv shows and games, one warm meal and a snack. Movies play times were fixed though and one had to choose between channels. Seat comfort in coach was "normal" and while not plenty leg room still a little more than on US Air flights to Germany (after they consolidated flights).
ZQN-AKL: (QF4019) Domestic flight from Queenstown to Auckland. This time a 30 minute delay was caused by the incoming plane, but inconsequential for our itinerary and reduced to 15 minutes once the plane confirmed the route. The service was reduced to the typical level for a short flight (snack only, no entertainment). Seat comfort was again snug but no problem for my slightly over 6 feet height (with long legs).
AKL-LAX: (QF26) The flight from Auckland to Los Angeles put the airline under test. After initial slight delay of 30 minutes, we took off and about one hour later the announcement to return to Auckland due to safety precautions. (An engine-fire sensor wasn't working.) About 50,000 liters of fuel had to be dumped and after about 3 hours we were back where we started, but were allowed to go into the terminal unlike the recent JetBlue scandal. After 3 hours of repair we made another attempt, but once again after about another hour in the air had to return to airport for the same reasons. Hot meals were served quickly on the way back so they didn't have to throw those away too. It took about 4 hours to provide a new airplane. We arrived 13 hours delayed and of course had missed all connection flights. However, Qantas generously rescheduled all connections (US Air), provided hotel and transportation as well as food vouchers, and everything before we even landed in LAX! Good, since we worried due to the reduced service on the third attempt. There was only breakfast served and stress seems to have taken over the crew as well. (It's a 12 hour flight that just turned into a 25 hour ordeal.)
In retrospect, the delay was substantial but safety-first attitude certainly a welcome choice when considering that the airline lost a lot of money by being cautious. Normal service is good to excellent, especially in light of cut-backs by most airlines after the much cited 9/11. After typically flying American, US, United and Delta; Qantas appears to be a slightly better choice or at least one of the better ones.
© 2007, theuerkorn
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.