HIGH FLYER - QANTAS
High Flyer - Qantas - Luxury Travel Magazine
 | |||||
High Flyer Qantas | |||||
| By: Nick James, Issue 47 – Winter 2011 | |||||
| (Qantas, Sydney - Johannesburg) | |||||
| BUSINESS CLASS FROM SYDNEY TO JOHANNESBURG, BY NICK JAMES. | |||||
| Check-in | |||||
| Qantas business class check-in staff were helpful and informative. If you’re one of those who prefers to use the scanner at the supermarket checkout, then check yourself in online between 24 and two hours before your flight. I received a wonderful express pass for Sydney and Johannesburg airports which was great for getting into the lounge more quickly and sipping on the divine champagne. At the gate there’s a dedicated boarding queue for first and business class passengers so you can avoid the hordes. | |||||
| The Lounges | |||||
| The business class international lounge is always full of business class passengers and frequent flyer members. It’s comfortable when it’s empty but more often than not, it’s filled with card holding members. Qantas introduced a new lounge experience at Sydney’s T3 late last year which we hope they’ll roll out to international. This will feature signature Italian wood-fired pizzas and a Candy Bar. A dedicated family zone will soon offer games at T3 by Apple, Sony, Mattel and others. | |||||
| Food and Beverage | |||||
| A date in business class must be celebrated with a glass of bubbly. Who can resist a good champagne? Qantas has an award winning selection of Australian and New Zealand wines and it also serves the French stuff, although non-vintage. Complemented by Neil Perry’s menu, seat 16A rivals any view at Aria with food just as decadent. Gluttons do not need to be embarrassed on a Qantas business class flight. They can just make their way down the aisle to the in-flight foyer where snacks are on show for the taking. Chocolates, sandwiches and the odd bit of fruit sit propped up awaiting the pyjama clad loungers or the indulged children. If you sleep through your meal and get a particularly nice in-flight attendant, they may pull out something special from the cabin which is not on show. | |||||
| The extras | |||||
| Amenity kits aren’t what they once were but the Qantas business kit has everything you need. Korner skin products and a good lip balm, comfortable eye masks, ear plugs, socks and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Those of us with quick growing hair should be pleased that razors and shaving foam are also available but only on request. | |||||
| The Service | |||||
| Qantas staff are most friendly and helpful. My only gripe with flight attendants, all of them, not just Qantas employees, is that they don’t lift your luggage into the overhead luggage compartments, but I understand that there is an OH&S issue here which makes sense. Qantas staff reflect Australia, friendly and laid back. It’s always a pleasure to step foot on board a Qantas flight after you’ve been holidaying in a foreign country. It feels like you are already home. | |||||
| The Cabin The seats all face forward which is a relief as I’m not partial to flying backwards. Choose row 16. This is the emergency exit upstairs and there’s more room than in first class. The Se ats What I want in a seat is one that lies flat and allows me a great sleep. Qantas passes this test with flying colours. The seat transformed into a bed almost two metres long and 61cm wide. The pillows could be a touch fluffier but for an airline bed, the Skybed is bliss. The seat is described as a cocoon style. Qantas has employed a leading Australian ergonomist who has designed the seats to create a more comfortable sleep. | |||||
| Entertainment | |||||
| For every big kid there’s the 26.5 cm screen for watching 60 movies, 200 TV programs, a moving map and 10 interactive games. The highlight was the pause button on the movies. How wonderful to be able to stop a movie at a whim, grab another chocolate bar and settle back into your comfortable seat, while drinks are just the press of a button away. For the audio minded there are 20 Radio Q channels and 150 CDs. | |||||
| The Gripes | |||||
| Who doesn’t love getting gifts? The thought of Peter Morrissey designed pyjamas for my collection excited me until I unwrapped the cotton XL PJs. They were way too big unfortunately! | |||||
| Flight Frequency & fares | |||||
| Qantas operates daily services between Sydney and Johannesburg and codeshare services between Perth and Johannesburg. Business class fares start at A$7,248 return. Prices can fluctuate so make sure to check qantas.com before you travel. | |||||
|
