Qantas adds amenity kits, champers to trans-Tasman business class
By David Flynn, February 13 2015
Qantas is raising the bar on its trans-Tasman business class service ahead of challenger Virgin Australia entering the market next month.
Starting this Saturday, February 14, Qantas passengers flying in the pointy end across the pond will receive amenity kits and a selection of top-shelf champagne.
Jacquart Cuvee Brut Mosaique NV, Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut NV and NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve are all on the menu to accompany meals from Neil Perry's Rockpool empire.
The Kate Spade and Jack Spade kits will be handed out in business class on overnight flights between Australia and Auckland departing after 6pm, the airline says.
They're the same as those offered on long-range international flights, containing unisex skincare products from New York’s Malin+Goetz plus the obligatory toothbrush and toothpaste, eye mask, socks and ear plugs.
Later this year Qantas will update those kits to the most recent Kate Spade and jack Spade designs with Australian Aurora spa products (below).
“We are always looking at new ways to help our customers feel comfortable and have a relaxing and enjoyable flight,” said Kylie Morris, Qantas' Head of International Customer Experience.
Virgin Australia has already announced amenity kits and a "Luke Mangan gourmet full service dining experience" on its new trans-Tasman business class flights, which begin on the Sydney-Auckland route from February 28.
Read: Virgin Australia starts selling trans-Tasman business class
If you're not flying trans-Tasman (or anywhere else) in the near future but still fancy some of that fine fizz, the Qantas epiQure wine club is offering 20% off the retail price of Jacquart Cuvee Brut Mosaique NV and Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut NV through to February 28.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
Hi David, I've always taken EK tin to date across the ditch and given Jetconnect/Qantas tin a miss (although always under the codeshare since alliance), so I am asking this somewhat in the dark. The headline says adds champers, did Jetconnect services not offer Champange at all in the J cabin in the past? (domestic fizz I imagine was at least offered previously)
I'll still stick to EK tin codeshares I think, the comfort of the A380 (if you are in Business or First) or even 77W is hard to beat and the product quite good. I'll give VA a try though, once they have Business running on the route.
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 62
Long overdue, but still lipstick on a pig until they offer a true biz seat to match the fares they ask. Having used them in J across the ditch, I didnt feel like I needed an amenties kit, but please give me a proper J seat. It doesnt need to be lie flat, but it needs much more legroom than the current offering.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
qantas uses the 737/800 on the Tasman flight which is not good enough to compete with its competitors on this route.a better fiz and kits will not make any difference when it's competitors use the a380 air NZ uses B 777 and A320
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 156
On what planet is a 737 uncompetitive against an A320?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
The planes ok it's the business class seating and pitch of seat that's no good as they used domestic 737 on this route and until they get the new upgraded seating it's terrible for the price,better to fly Emerates on the A380 or Air New Zealand on the B777 the service is better as well
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
If I might be so rude as to pull a Jeremy Paxman on you, I notice you're not actually answering the question about B737s vs A320s, particularly in the case of QF B737s which have J, and NZ A320s which don't.
But hey, whatever Works (Deluxe) for you. #pun
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
This is about a buisiness class product if an airline chooses not to have one then it's not in the comparison even if air NZ's premium economy on the transtasman is better than Qantas jet connect buisiness package unfortunately .as I said until Qantas fits it's new business seats it doesn't compete.looking forward to the new seats?
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
interesting that this subsequent post by YOU (conveniently) makes no reference to YOUR previous post implying ANZ A320 offer a superior J/C product to QFs 738s..anyway...well done watson ;)
a simple search tells us that the MAJORITY of ANZ trans tas flights are operated by A320s..(a widebody/flat bed appears on 1 flight per day)..some would say that ANZ offers an inconsistant product trans tas..
also QF and EK aren't competing on these routes...they are complimenting eachothers timetables (and profit sharing due to code sharing)
and while we're at it...let's intro VAs J/C trans tas product into the debate.. the only competitors that QF REALLY need to 'worry' about are ANZ/VA.
QF dont need to install flatbeds on trans tas...because NO other airline offers them ON ALL FLIGHTS with the SAME/SIMILAR SCHEDULE which regular business pax value more...maybe you should be asking why ANZ/VA DONT offer flatbeds on ALL trans tas flights.
btw...it's EMIRATES...NOT EMERATES
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
I fly this route regularly and am again in a few days I fly Emirates to auckland ,ANZ when flying to Wellington .unforuately I have to fly j with jet connect out of Wellington some times ,I personally like a flat bed even on a 4hr journey Wgton to Melb and yes I know it's 3.5 hrs melb to Wgton.sorry about the the spelling ,just had chemotherapy treatment and its knocked me for a six.just passing the time on ABT
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 62
Sorry to hear your news Merc. Hang in there and get well soon.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
Thanks for your kind thoughts,
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