Qantas A330 Business Class - QF20 Manila to Sydney 

G'day everyone and apologies, I made an error with the Points this flight cost & had it mixed up with another flight, this redemption was actually 68,400. So the math works out to be around 4.5c per point!

One can only hope that Qantas have a team of people reviewing this kind of content seeing for themselves exactly the poor value they provide with their lacklustre product!

I stopped flying Qantas many years ago after a particularly miserable Europe to OZ trip - (something I do regularly as an expat) - as a comparison, on a similar recent trip with Singapore Airlines, I had 'booked the cook' - but what arrived was like a bowl of sad water with a couple of green bits... I must have made a sad face and within seconds, the FA asked if there was anything else on the menu I would like and requested my email address. I ended up with a lovely meal, and the next day a gift certificate from Kris Shop in my inbox! Amazing level of service. No comparison.

Exactly why I changed my Qantas flights over to Singapore Airlines. Service and quality of food. $25,000 not in Qantas pockets !

As a person lived and breathed aviation and having worked for Ansett Australia, amongst others, this video highlights the difference between being a valued customer or just a source of revenue. Customers want to be treated like they are truly valued and the most important person on the aircraft, regardless of class of travel flown - and it really isn't all too difficult to achieve. Treat your passengers as you, yourself, would like to be treated. Air travel should be exciting, enjoyable, comfortable, and an opportunity to be looked after by highly trained, customer focused staff. I truly miss Ansett Australia for this reason. We truly were one of the world's best airlines and deserved the reputation.

I remember flying business many times pre-pandemic, although I was young I fondly recall the warmth of the staff. While moving often, it was so comforting to feel I had this extension of home onboard. It's a shame to see Qantas trim their staffing during COVID and lose a lot of their brass. These older flight attendants played such an important role in continuing and upholding a legacy of service, that we've sadly seen decline.

I had an identical experience on QF72 business class from Singapore to Perth the Monday following the recent Singapore Grand Prix. Food service was slow, disjointed where at times they appeared to forget what course my partner, myself and those surrounding us had received. Drink Service was non existent, attendant calls of those sitting near us were left unanswered by a passive aggressive cabin crew spending large periods holed up chatting in the galley. Qantas charge a premium price for this fare but the hard product is tired, dated and disappointing which was equally matched by the soft product with underwhelming service and meal quality.

My experience with QANTAS night international flights is that if you want to find a steward, look behind the curtains in the galley - they will be standing around gossiping. Service seems to be such an inconvenience.

I am a Lifetime Platinum and current Plat One. I now avoid Qantas as much as possible and fly Singapore which overall is excellent, or codeshare on Emirates or Qatar. FC Lounge and hard product is good but everything else has fallen so behind. Such a shame Qantas take us all for granted - it was such a great airline but those days are well gone now.

"Don't waste your money on Qantas, give it to someone else who will actually make you feel valued for spending it". I could not have said it better myself. I waited a very long time and multiple covid reschedules to attend a good friend's wedding overseas and booked Qantas business class, and had a very similar experience. It was so disappointing. I will give my hard-earned money to someone else next time.

I was on this exact flight with you in 4E-F, was hoping to catch a glimpse of myself haha! Couldn't't agree more with you. Like you, 10 minutes for service after pressing the call button twice. Had to ask twice for drink orders, no breakfast wake up and when asked was told it was too late for breakfast, staff bickering in forward galley. Complete inattentiveness from staff that day and stark contrast from what I got on SYD-HK two weeks prior. Loved Cathay Pacific lounge tho. Great video!

I think the sad truth is our Aussie hospitality standards pale in comparison to the Asian airlines. Thanks for the honest video

This is unbelievable. Over 2 hours for a main course! It happened to me in Economy back in 2016. Quite empty flight London to Dubai. I don’t travel often and get excited. Always desperate for a drink after take off. 2 hours in lunch arrived. No pre drinks offered. White or red on trolley. I caused a melt down when I asked for a gin and tonic. Thai air in 2018. 20 minutes in, drinks trolley arrives with a super strong G&T.

This was an awesome review! Great info. Thanks for taking the time to post!!

Room for improvements across the board for QF.. nice review 👍🏼

Appreciate these honest comprehensive reviews! Keep ‘em coming!

Perfect!

Great report! We flew the same flight last September, similar experiences, we didn't receive a mattress protector, and they ran out of choice of mains after row 2! There was no hot towel (did you receive a hot towel?) and like you a very small "breakfast". At least you avoided the contract lounge, which we didn't and you didn't miss much. I will say the crew were more attentive than what you experienced. I'm new to your channel, thoroughly enjoyed your report, looking forward to more!

Am planning on going to Singapore/Thailand in the next 12 months and after seeing this and other reviews lately I will be going Singapore Airlines now. Thanks for the tip, great vid mate. 👏

Hi there!....i am a new subscriber to your awesome channel, love your flight review✈.,last time i flew on Qantas was back in i think 2016 from Christchurch in New Zealand to Brisbane in Queensland Australia (return flights). And that trip was in fact really good on Qantas, a 737 aircraft economy class., service and food was good although the IFE programmes selection was limited. Have not flown on Qantas ever since!.

Thank you for being _honest_ and _kind_ at the same time. Some of these modern vloggers really resort to personal attacks and needless cruelty just to prove a point that they are unhappy with post-Pandemic service. It isn’t necessary. Your review was really helpful in providing real time, evidence-supported context to all that’s been going on at Qantas. Sad, but your review is appreciated.

I flew Qantas just recently & everything was great 😊

Great report, as sad as it is to see this happening to Qantas. My son is flying HKG-SYD next week with them, so will be keen to see what happens!

Great review.

I applied to work for this airline about a year and a half ago. Already working for an airline which is rated higher in service and quality I wanted to see what these guys were about. They declined me and told me I was not what they’re looking for. And all I can say is they’re right. This airline is embarrassing and I’m glad to continue working for an airline where people rate our customer service is the highest regards.

thank you ❤❤

I just returned from England in Qantas business and had exactly the same problems you described. The meal took forever and they don’t answer the call button and my cut up fruit also tasted like it had been defrosted! Singapore airlines here I come! I travel business class internationally at least once a year!!

Nice to see more aussie reviewers 🙏🏽🌟 you gotta subscriber mate

Haha, I took this flight on Monday 16th Oct. Business class seat was alright but I do agree with your assessment on service. Also, we had a 4 hour delay before takeoff so if I were in economy, I would've raged as someone who is 6'4 and 120kg. I'm doing the return trip to Manila next week on Business too but at least I'll have space. Also, next time I return to Australia, I'm flying Singapore Airlines business only. Gotta layover in Singapore but it'll be worth it!

Wow, as a Qatar Gold FF member watching this was painful. Great review! I recently flew from Auckland to Sydney on a Qantas flight and the service was average at best, albeit in economy. I'll rather fly via the Middle East on QR and have superior service and effortless layovers than deal with Qantas' bad service and overpriced flights.

Good one Joyce

Great review. Yes I could see that service was "lack lustre'

Wow! I have been deciding which to fly business class (Singapore or Qantas?) Thank you for the upload and clearly Singapore it is after watching this. Am sorry this was not a pleasant experience

To think once upon a time, Qantas were the envy of other airlines around the world, consistently achieving top status. I just hope somebody from their upper echelon are taking the time to check these reviews (others report similar experiences) and do something about it...

But look on the bright side. Alan Joyce walks away with more than $20,000,000. See? There’s always a silver lining to every grey cloud!.

Nice report mate. Hopefully with the caning they're getting by the media atm, they'll up their game given the level of fares they charge.

Excellent and honest review. Well Qantas - here's proof positive of your decline in service and standards. Not giving a rats rear end about your customers is the quickest way to drive said customers to other airlines. The food shown, regardless of the class of travel, is totally sub-standard. The service shown, regardless of class of travel, is sub-standard. Qantas should look at this review and take immediate steps to rectify their shortcomings. Over to you Qantas but I won't hold my breath.

Ive been a Virgin member for over 10 years. I was a Gold and Platinum member for a 5 year period and honestly, i never experienced anything like this. Recently i went to Europe and used Emirates, which I'd done in the past and wanted to go back to qantas. They disnt even honour the status points from Emirates. Sorry Qantas, we might be only one family of millions but I'll never fly you again which saddens me being Australian.

Wow, I can't believe it's changed this much. I remember flying business class from Sydney to Manila, return. In 2019 and it was great. I had prawns for starters, steak for main and unlimited drinks, they did my bed for me and always asking me I'd I needed anything. I'm worried now because I just bought my business class tickets back to manila for January 2024. I hope they pick up their act. Otherwise, like you said, I could go through Singapore on Singapore Airlines and get great service. It's very disappointing to see what is offered for a potential 7,000 dollars return trip.

Waah.

This was on 19th Sept? I was on the same flight at seat 2K. Service was really slow and had almost fallen asleep waiting for Dinner service. Went as well at the CX lounge which is probably the best that MNL can offer on T3 (Haven’t been on SQ lounge though). Unfortunately, there isn’t really much of choice of airlines going to Australia from MNL that is reasonable in cost when I booked my flights 2 days before this one.

This an unfortunate experience and a reality of flying Qantas in 2023/24. I myself have experienced poor service from Qantas cabin crew in recent times. Many of them lack passion, enthusiasm and unwilling to make your flight an amazing experience. A far distance from the good old days that made Qantas famous. Also a lot of cabin crew are well past their use by date and should’ve retired long ago. I truly hope Qantas can one day return to its glory days.

I will be flying Qantas BC rewards seat from Japan soon. Unfortunately it will follow Etihad, Emirates and Royal Jordanian. Hopefully it won't be so bad . One can only hope

Pleased that you managed to get a reward seat they not easy to come by especially at a good rate.🇦🇺👍🇬🇧

Hope you had a chat to the CSM about the slow disorganized service

Wow, ANA provides noise cancelling headphones in premium economy!

Totally agree. The hard product in business is great, although I didn't know those weren't noise cancelling headphones as I've never used them. The soft product, however, has declined considerably. They used to ply you with good drinks and the meal service was prompt after take-off. Now, I've had similar experiences to you on my last few trips to Singapore in business. The catering choices are, shall we say, interesting, to say the least. They have also messed up my special meal twice, which is quite something considering the number of people in business versus economy. It's truly sad to see how far they've declined in only a few years. They can't just keep pumping out slick, patriotic ads and expect Aussies to fork out their hard earned cash (or points). They have to lift their game. I hope they do!

what a bad onboard service

lol Carmen's Ice Cream - easy to get at 7-11. Flight is usually less than 8 hours - I am not sure you would ever get much rest with 2 meals included.

Just travelled Qantas to the UK and back business and very very unimpressed. Loyal customer for 50 years gone.

I would like to think that your report and others with similar a experience would be a wake up call for Qantas. Somehow I am not that optimistic.

Thanks for this review. They are really digging their own grave for what you have experienced. My partner and I have over a million Qantas points that is useless. I'm sure you would had a different story had you chosen PAL Business Class instead.

I flew Singapore Airlines Mel to Bkk on October 14th 2023, their flight attendant's make the bed for you. As an Australian they are one of the best Airlines in the world.

Love the hard product, so it’s sad and disappointing to hear that the service has declined since I last flew Qantas around 7 years ago. I avoid them these days in favour of the likes of SQ, Cathay, Emirates, JAL, ANA etc. My experience on Cathay this week (HK-SYD Business) was fantastic. Excellent seat, food and service. Ticked all the boxes.

Neil Perry my arse !! It like the staff don’t care anymore, sad sad story man !

Great review. No wnder it dropped so much in airline ratings

I think your video, whilst it has a few valid points is largely a setup designed to make qantas look bad or fail. There is so much that you could have done to improve your experience, and those around you, including the cabin crew. When you realise that customer service is a relationship and a 2 way street, you’ll be much better off.

As long as the shareholders are happy.....

Wow, That just reiterates my decision never to fly with our once proud airline ever again. Thanks for your review and time champ.

Technically business class doesn’t allow you to use one world lounges unless it’s agreed arrangement between airlines without status

Will never fly with them ever.

Could I be right in thinking that this kind of lacklustre service or soft product might be a result of big airlines featuring so many reward seats in their premium cabins ..? After all these cabins seem to be growing bigger and fuller , and a lot of airport lounges seem to be much fuller too .. staff seem to get less motivated when they are pushed to work harder and harder ? Just a thought .. nice work on that guitar line btw .. 🙏

I always think that if i can fly using points which i got for only spending money that i would normally spend anyhow, then i am saving money.

Fair review - and in context SQ is a fantastic product but keep in mind their crew to passenger ratio is far greater - I would have been disappointed If I had paid coin - way overpriced

Don’t hold your breath

Great informative review!! So sad what has happened to this iconic brand. The hard product is still so good. But they have a long way to go on everything else. Did you get a refund??

Honestly, this is pretty much the standard in Australia nowadays... You'll find the same disappointing level of service at almost every 5 star hotel as well. I wouldn't even use Qantas points for this, you'd probably get quicker service in economy.

The only time the cabin crew seem to smile is when ur getting off the plane, must be the Alan Joyce effect, how to run a national icon into the ground

Glad I stumbled into this review and channel My experiences reflect yours with QF SQ is much better A rip don't touch TG at the moment even worse than QF and they want 90 days to refund a cancelled flight

Gotta say, i travel economy with Qantas and find the onboard service fantastic. Mind you i usually take my meal tray back to the galley when finished and sit in the very back row. Ground service is.....hang on..did i say service?

it is interesting, my 4 Qantas international flights in the last month were all excellent service wise. The crew was attentive and personal to everyone, the food service was as I would expect and as I have to take drugs at a certain time they happily gave me my breakfast much earlier than anyone else was ready for it. I think the problem is consistency across all flights and that is what they will have to fight to get back. You want a consistently high level of service so I do hope someone at Qantas is trawling youtube for all these reviews. Just as an aside, I also flew two legs on Qatar and I was shocked at how bad the service was compared to all my previous flights with them so I do wonder whether it is a more general staffing issue than just the one airline?

You're too kind about the cabin crew. From what I gathered, you got a lazy, disinterested and lack lustre crew who did the bare minimum and certainly stretched out the dinner service for their convenience. How do you manage to pour a glass of wine without knowing what brand it is? Pure laziness to go and find out. When the crew member cleared your dinner plate away she asked you, do you know what you would like for for your dessert? Then she waited in silence as you referred to the menu before deciding. Did she not remember the choices? She could have said, would sir like the fruit, cheese or ice-cream? Absolute no proactive service from any of the crew. I'd be having a chat with the inflight manager about the shocking service. I couldn't believe it when I saw you eating breakfast without a tablecloth. No tablecloth for you while the passenger in the window seat across has one? Singapore Airlines wouldn't just ensure you got a tablecloth, they'd make damn sure it was placed the correct way up. When I last flew SQ from ADL earlier this year my water glass was NEVER empty during the meal service. This trip report is just about as shockingly bad as it could possibly be and worthy of complaints to Qantas. Next time, eat dinner in the CX lounge and get straight to sleep on these short red eye SE Asia sectors. That's my preferred routine, eat in lounge, shower, sleep as soon after takeoff and wake up for brekkie. Great trip report, well done

Maybe I'm crazy but you never get access to OW partner lounges without status..

I'm looking to use my points to go to the UK for Xmas 2024. However, while I understand the fares aren't yet released for those dates, when I look at the calendar, there were zero dates that have the little red rosette icon to indicate a reward flight is available. I'm talking from 23/10/23 to 10/10/24. I find this concerning cos I won't be able to afford to pay cash for the flights, hence my reliance on points.

That’s why i dont travel qantas especally the prices they charge is not worth it 😮

This seem pretty typical for Qantas these days. At least you got dinner, last long haul business flight I had they forgot to bring out my main meal and had to have 3 attempts to get breakfast right.

Link to the USB fan?!

is the 68,400 points per person or both and any cash involvement for fuel surcharge

Really bad experience, but I’d have complained to the cabin service director. For the cost, it’s unacceptable

I can’t just got a few things to catch up on

Qantas's overnight service back to Australia has been that way for 10+ yrs. And unfortunately their customer surveys seem to suggests thats what the majority of their J pax want (that limp Neil Perry salad, or the variety of soups hasnt changed). That said the staff not knowing the wines is very poor. At the very least they should present the bottle to you and read off the label. Historically QF has also had a wine guide which shows the rotating wines for that month (obviously F gets the best of them). And even other Yourubers wouldnt do the call bell chalenge during meal service. Very few airlines would react quickly during that. Indeed ive even seen a Singapore Air lead hostess almost scold a passenger for pressing the button during service, telling them they would attend thek after they had served everyone else.

I paid for 3 business class tickets to SA on 27/12 ...my seat was broken and would not recline ..the staff were nice enough however when i lodged a complaint upon return the Qantas staff member offered me a ridiculous amount of points ( 60,000 ) and then said " what more do you want at least we got you there " OMG who does that . We fly quite a bit adm sadly never ever will I fly with the again ...meanwhile that Irishman has skipped out with like $10 M f...that

Good thing u didn’t go into the paags lounge… it is awful. I was shocked this was “business class”…. Got into cathay as well and relaxed!

Sounds like the Alan Joyce cuts worked.

8:22 dead 😂😂😂

Qantas is a low cost company… with premium price… pretty much as everything in Australia

Hopefully QANTAS will improve. With luck, the finest management team of any company on earth, will set about improving things. The Industrial Relations team leaves the CIA for dead, in terms of skill set!

fly philippine airlines Business Class next time it will be probably be better

100% CORRECT IM A BRISBANE BOY, I STOPED FLYING QANTAS IN 2013 EVERY BODY IS BET🎉THAN QANTAS

I used to be a Qantas Club member & have noticed a decline in the service offered by Qantas. It’s usually a lottery as to what service you get depending on aircraft you fly. Qantas were once my first option & now my last. As an Aussie, Qantas is a global embarrassment! Why pay more for sub standard service when other carriers do it better for far less. Let’s hope Qantas lifts their game.

I’m an Aussie and have previously flown business with qantas. Several weeks back I returned to Australia business C with Vietnam airlines on their A350. This amazing airline ran rings around what is left of Qantas on every level. In light of what their previous widely despised CEO has done to the carrier, Qantas should simply rebrand it the flying road kill.

Had the exact experience with Qantas to Dallas. Seat comfortable, staff friendly, but it was clear they had poor training and attention to detail was terrible. My food took so long to be serviced the cabin lights got turned out beforehand. I’m a lifetime gold member but spend my money now with Star Alliance. Not only am I saving money, airlines like Singapore and Air NZ are miles ahead in crew and service. Don’t waste your money on Qantas!

How does an airline decline from one of the best to one of the worst? That experience was totally unacceptable for a so-called business class.

Hmmm, I didn't realize that a legacy, full-service flagship carrier could actually produce a rather disappointing experience, and in their premium cabin no less. - Red

I would not be a happy chappy if I had a similar business class experience. Check out my Qantas reviews if you'd like, I had a very sub-par experience with them from ADL to SYD. Nice video mate! I have subscribed.

That was a great watch, thanks for that. We just put in a bid to upgrade for our upcoming Manila to Sydney leg (58,000 each) can’t say I’ll be too upset if we don’t get it now 😂 We were even really let down by the Singapore business experience in May also, but funnily enough have found Malaysian Airlines far and beyond better than most flying out of Adelaide for us.

Just watched another you tubwr about frequent flying in us hes used delta for about 20 yrs and they changed how gwt point aeems only intybin there credit card seems aurlines . Nor interested now on frequent flyer

Seems like Qantas and BA are linked again - linked together providing the most expensive shit service going. Go Emirates or Singapore.

we should take the "spirit of Australia" off them

Qantas have a long way to go with inflight service and catering. Much better flying with a Star Alliance airline.