Airline review: Qantas crew makes an effort with jaded passengers

The airline: Qantas

• Route Sydney to Johannesburg, flight QF63
• Frequency Six days per week
• Aircraft Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner
• Class Economy class
• Flight time 14 hours 40 minutes (delayed by 20 minutes; arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule)

Qantas flies Boeing 787 Dreamliners between Sydney and Johannesburg six times a week.Credit:

Checking in

Having previously endured gridlock at Qantas’ self-check-in at Sydney International Airport, I’m relieved to find plenty of available kiosks. My bag tag is stamped with my final destination (the western city of George), where I’m headed on a non-codeshare airline the day after my arrival in Johannesburg. Concerned it’ll be marooned overnight at O. R. Tambo Airport, I wait in a short queue to speak to an agent. He says my bag will, in fact, be available for collection upon landing, but puts my mind at ease by reprinting the tag with JNB as the final destination.

Baggage

Up to 30 kilograms for standard economy international flyers. Qantas Club members and silver frequent flyers can take 42 kilograms each; this weight can be distributed among any number of bags. One piece of carry-on luggage weighing up to 7 kilograms is allowed, plus one small item such as a handbag, laptop computer, overcoat or duty-free goods.

Loyalty scheme

Qantas Frequent Flyer, part of the Oneworld alliance.

The seat

The rear of the economy cabin has no overhead luggage compartments above the middle seats.Credit:

58D. Seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, with a pitch of 32 inches (81.28cm) and width of 17 inches (43.18cm). I’ve selected the second-last seat because the back of the plane is often quiet, but this day’s flight is jam-packed. There are no overhead compartments above the centre seats in the last four rows, and though storage space is expansive on this aircraft I can’t find space for my modest-sized day pack. It doesn’t squeeze beneath the seat in front of me, either. Aisle access somewhat relieves my discomfort, and the seat easily accommodates my average-sized frame. A side note: on the return leg I’m moved to the last row, seat 59D, to make way for a family. Contrary to my fears, the seat reclines, and the absence of rear neighbours affords a sense of spaciousness.

Entertainment + tech

The lights are dimmed after take-off despite this being a daytime flight. Credit: Craig Platt

This is a daytime flight but the Dreamliner’s windows are immediately dimmed, making for easy viewing of a surfeit of content on the 12-inch entertainment screen. The Oscar contenders are all there, along with classics, family favourites and niche genres. I love the audiobook selection, with works by Australian writers like Hannah Kent, Sally Hepworth and Markus Zusak, and the meals menu, which negates the need for inaudible announcements. The nifty cubbyhole with a USB is the perfect spot to store my phone while it’s charging.

Service

I get the distinct sense that Qantas flight attendants’ morale has lifted, that they’re making an effort to re-establish trust with jaded passengers. The service is warm, attentive and enlivened with a dash of that quintessentially Australian jocularity.

Food

A snack pack of olive dip, veggie sticks and lavosh is served with drinks after take-off. Sitting at the back is risky at mealtime: I bag the last chicken schnitzel parmigiana with sweet potato mash for lunch, followed by a chocolate ice-cream. Copious snacks are available in the galley, and attendants bring around a light meal of a Portuguese chicken sandwich. Supper service begins at the back of the plane and I select the plant-based lemon herb pearl couscous with vegetables and toasted almonds. Vegan meals are the most frequently requested dietary choice on Qantas flights, and plant-based options are now standard on all international flights.

Carbon emissions

0.622 tonnes for flying economy class. Customers can earn points when offsetting their flights with Qantas’ Fly Carbon-Neutral program; the airline will match customers’ offset contributions.

One more thing

Good news for regular passengers on this busy route: from late September 2024 the flight will operate on the far-larger A380.

The price

From about $1800 return from Sydney*.

The verdict

This non-stop flight is by far the best way of reaching Johannesburg and it’s good to see that, after a shaky few years, Qantas is getting its rhythm back.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew as a guest of South African Tourism and The Africa Safari Co. See qantas.com.au; southafrica.net/au/en/travel and africasafarico.com.au

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication, and subject to change.