Qantas business class service issues on Sydney-Johannesburg A380 flight QF63
Consensus Summary
Two identical articles from THEAGE and SMH detail a Qantas business class experience on flight QF63 from Sydney to Johannesburg, highlighting a stark contrast between the aircraft and amenities and the service quality. The Airbus A380-800 offers spacious 1-2-1 seats with fully-flat beds, generous baggage allowances, and high-end amenities like RM Williams kits and Australian-designed bedding. However, the service was criticized as under-crewed, with delayed meal service, forgotten orders, and indifferent cabin crew. Despite these issues, the food—particularly the mushroom casareccia pasta and Pat and Stick’s ice-cream sandwich—received praise. The flight departed 75 minutes late, and while the airline’s sustainability efforts (net-zero by 2050, 25% emissions cut by 2019 levels) and a new sustainable aviation fuel project were noted, the lack of Wi-Fi and an incomplete wine list were seen as oversights. Both sources rated the experience ★★★½ out of five, acknowledging the aircraft and food as strong points but service as a major letdown.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Flight QF63 operates four times a week from Sydney to Johannesburg on an Airbus A380-800
- Business class cabin has 70 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration on the upper deck
- Seat 26K is a window seat with a fully-flat bed measuring 2 meters long, 23 inches (59 cm) wide as a seat, and 24 inches (61 cm) wide when reclined
- Checked baggage allowance for business class is up to 40 kg total (no single piece over 32 kg), with 14 kg carry-on (either 1x10 kg + 1 personal item or 2 small pieces + 1 personal item)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer program is part of the Oneworld alliance, and passengers earn ~12,000 points each way on QF63
- Flight departs 75 minutes behind schedule
- No Wi-Fi is available on this flight, but seat-back screens (40 cm) offer entertainment including Australian films, with noise-cancelling headphones provided
- Qantas aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with a 25% reduction target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2019 levels
- Qantas and Airbus recently announced a major investment in a sustainable aviation fuel project
- The price for a return business class ticket is approximately $9,000 (based on fares available three months from publication)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The writer flew with assistance from Bunnik Tours and upgraded using her own frequent flyer points (explicitly mentioned in both, but only THEAGE includes this detail in the footnote)
- The amenities kit includes black socks and skincare by Grown Alchemist, with bedding by Australian designer David Caon (no slippers provided)
- The butter-soft Qantas business class grey PJs are described as 'still as comfy as ever'
- The mattress is described as 'thin'
- The seat-back screen has USB charging and AC power outlets
- The A380 has a social lounge bar with booth seating
- The wine list is described as 'no comprehensive wine list, which seems like a disservice to our nation'
- The verdict includes a rating of ★★★½ out of five
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Both sources are identical in content, so no contradictions exist between THEAGE and SMH
Source Articles
Cabin crew on this Qantas superjumbo deliver less-than-super service
My choice of meal has run out and one of the crew is so indifferent that she makes no acknowledgement nor eye contact when serving me.
Cabin crew on this Qantas superjumbo deliver less-than-super service
My choice of meal has run out and one of the crew is so indifferent that she makes no acknowledgement nor eye contact when serving me.