Qantas upgrades Australian domestic service standards

Qantas's strategy on its core domestic network has been to split services between its low cost subsidiary - Jetstar- and its full service offering.  It has now launched an upgrade to its full service domestic offering.

Qantas domestic business class - Airbus A330

It has three key features:

- Upgraded lounges and catering in lounges;

- Upgraded catering and onboard service; and

- Next generation check in.

Next generation check in allows Qantas Frequent Flyer to automatically check in using their cards to touch in, and the card acts as a boarding pass (and boarding pass details can be automatically sent by SMS to mobile phones). 

Business lounges are to have:

• New Neil Perry designed seasonal menu changing weekly

• New tray around snack service in the morning and evening

• Island dining offering a "plate of the day" with matching wine

• Appropriate time of day meal offerings and increased portion sizes

• Enhanced environment with new furnishings including Qantas signature Akira Isogawa fabric feature walls and custom lounge furniture designed specifically for Qantas

• Qantas Signature Moooi Light pendants in contrasting sizes which animate the bar area

• Enhanced environment with fresh flowers and a new scent specifically designed for Qantas by Air Aroma

• New Apple Mac technology

Qantas Club lounges will have much the same and wood fired pizzas with a candy bar.   The key point being that frequent flyers will have reasonable options to eat before flights.

Economy class domestic in flight service will be closer to international standards:

• New Neil Perry influenced seasonal menu changing weekly with matching wines selected by the Qantas Wine Panel
• Complimentary Bar from 4pm on all CityFlyer flights
• New premium breakfasts
• New range of hot dinners
• Enhanced refreshments and seasonal fruit
• Enhanced personal recognition for Frequent Flyers by Cabin Crew

Complimentary bar on evening CityFlyer flights will be popular no doubt!

Qantas keeping the monopoly on quality economy class domestic travel.  The challenge of Virgin Blue's premium economy is being met by an upgraded business class:

• New Neil Perry designed seasonal menu changing weekly with matching wines selected by the Qantas Wine Panel
• Addition of an entrée course on trans Continent and trans Tasman flights
• Customer Service Manager hosting Business Class passengers
• Silver service in the Business Cabin
• Appropriate time of day offering (i.e. antipasto platters in the afternoon) 

Qantas is determined to remain the airline of choice for corporate travel within Australia, but the interesting thing will be to see if this sets off more competition to improve standards of service when the last few years have been primarily about price.  Qantas is setting the standard for domestic service, but the money is in the corporate market, and both Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways have found it difficult to crack into a market focused more on frequency and service than price.

UPDATED:  There will also be AVOD rolled out on some domestic aircraft (newer Boeing 767s).  Rumour was that there is to be new business class seats, but forums have only shown new seats on A330s which are akin to international premium economy.   That in itself would appear to be a downgrade.