Airline review: Qantas domestic business class on a new dream route

The Flight

Qantas Flight 1052 – the inaugural Melbourne to Learmonth flight, Boeing 737-800, Business Class, seat 1D (aisle). Twelve business and 162 economy passengers fly four hours and 40 minutes from Tullamarine Airport to Learmonth Airport (Exmouth).

Take-off is 20 minutes late at 9.55am but we arrive five minutes early at 12.20pm (West Australian time). The flight shaves about three hours from the original route flying via Perth. This direct flight runs twice-weekly on Thursdays and Sundays during Exmouth’s peak season, from April to October.

On the way to WA - Qantas now flying direct between Melbourne and Exmouth.Credit: Brent Winstone

The Loyalty Scheme

Qantas Frequent Flyer (part of the oneworld alliance). Business class passengers have access to airport lounges, priority check-in and extra baggage allowance.

Emissions

The flight generates 1.1 tonnes of CO2 per business class passenger. In September 2021, Qantas phased out plastic cutlery having already removed plastic drinking straws, stirrers and non-compostable hot cups.

Check-in

There’s a smooth flowing line of passengers with strollers and bags in the economy queue for bag drop but I’m first in line for the priority desk and nobody is there. I wait. Five minutes, maybe longer. “Don’t stress”, says the economy check-in attendant. It’s straight through the priority security channel so arrival in the Qantas business lounge takes less than 10 minutes. No stress.

The Seat

Business class on a Qantas 737 features a Marc Newson-designed leather seat.

Extra legroom in front of this first row, Marc Newson-designed luxury leather seat, in a 2-2 configuration. There’s a 37-inch (94 cm) seat pitch with up to 22 inches (56 cm) width. I also have extendable leg rest with fold-out footrest, cocktail table, PC power access and USB port.

Baggage

The check-in baggage limit for business is generous: Two pieces of luggage up to 32 kilograms. Maximum of 10 kg carry-on plus a laptop and handbag.

Entertainment

It’s easy once on board to use your own device to browse the web or stream entertainment thanks to a good connection to Qantas’ free Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, I have a 27 cm entertainment and an engaging selection of movies, TV series, albums, audiobooks and radio channels. Select newspapers and magazines are free to download.

Service

Crew are exuberant, warm, and chatty. “It’s a long flight,” cajoles one crew member, offering another glass of champagne. “We’re making history today,” she says.

Food

Unremarkable. It’s still breakfast time but the first offering is savoury (pretzels). Lunch is lacklustre: a salty tomato pasta with spinach or a quinoa with chicken and a slaw. A good South Australian wine selection and quality chocolates. More please!

One more thing

The direct seasonal service between Melbourne and Exmouth (avoiding Perth and cutting significant travel time) is expected to bring an influx of travellers while creating growth across the Coral Coast region.

Verdict

A direct flight from Melbourne to Exmouth is a wish come true for travellers who have World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef on their bucket list.

Our Rating Out Of Five

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of Tourism Western Australia and Qantas. See westernaustralia.com qantas.com

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