Review: Qantas Boeing 787 business class, Brisbane-Melbourne
By Brandon Loo, July 27 2018
Qantas is now flying its latest Boeing 787-9 between Melbourne and Brisbane, giving business travellers a domestic Dreamliner treat along this popular east coast route.
The Boeing 787 is seen on around four flights each day – the best flight numbers to watch are QF609, QF611, QF614, QF625, QF627 and QF634 – through to August 31, 2018, when Qantas launches a daily Boeing 787 from Brisbane to Los Angeles and then continuing through to New York.
For the airline, these Melbourne-Brisbane flights mean that more pilots can be trained up on the Dreamliner.
For passengers, it's an excellent opportunity to sample Qantas’ next-generation Business Suite, which offers fully-flat beds (not that you'll need them on this 2½ hour trip) and convenient direct aisle access as well as plenty of personal and working space around the seat.
We've previously reviewed these seats on the initial Boeing 787 delivery flight from Seattle to Sydney, as well as on commercial flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne and London to Perth.
This is also the same seat that will be fitted to Qantas' fleet of Airbus A380s from the middle of 2019.
Read: Qantas to upgrade A380 business class seats to new Business Suites
Australian Business Traveller contributor Brandon Loo flew on the Boeing 787 from Brisbane to Melbourne to bring you this first-hand report of the experience, from Brisbane's impressive Qantas Premium Precinct check-in facilities to the renovated Qantas Business lounge and of course the business class flight itself.
Premium Lounge Entry
Arriving two hours before my flight to Melbourne, I make a beeline for the Premium Lounge Entry area located at the far left end of the domestic terminal's check-in hall, near the main security line.
This affords a fast-track experience from the departures hall to the Qantas lounges, complete with a dedicated security screening lane.
The X-ray system automatically shunts items of interest over to another lane for investigation, leaving the cleared bags to flow smoothly back to you. The trays are also automatically collected and returned to the start, which definitely speeds up the overall process.
There's also baggage drop facility if you're encumbered by checked luggage, plus self-service check-in machines (if you haven't already checked in online or via the Qantas app on your smartphone).
However, being open to almost every Qantas passenger – business class travellers, Qantas Platinum and Gold frequent flyers (and their Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire equivalents) plus Qantas Club members – it can get busy during peak periods.
Once cleared, I head up the escalator to what Qantas calls its ‘Premium Lounge Precinct’.
This includes the Qantas Club, the Business lounge and the elite Chairman's Lounge.
Photos: inside the new-look Qantas Chairman's Lounge
The Qantas Business Lounge
Brisbane's Qantas Business lounge is the most recent of the domestic business class lounges to be overhauled, although the similarly made-over Melbourne Business lounge is expected to be revealed by September.
We’ve already reviewed this lounge in great detail, and it’s definitely one of Qantas’ best efforts.
Review: Qantas domestic business class lounge, Brisbane Airport
In the early afternoon, light food is available at the buffet...
... and the Mexican-inspired 'cantina', where the menu is changed every two weeks.
I tried the spiced pork tostada with adobo sauce and pickled pineapple, and a bowl of chipotle rice with chicken, cabbage and honey-lime vinaigrette – both proved to be quite spicy but also pleasingly filling.
The ‘Quench’ station provides a refreshing array of non-alcoholic beverages, including a very refreshing lemonade and ginger mocktail.
There's a cosy nook at the far left of the lounge, where a secondary coffee and wine bar is located, which is an excellent spot to settle down away from the hustle and bustle of the main lounge.
Qantas Boeing 787 business class
With priority boarding being properly enforced, I'm quickly onto the Boeing 787 and settle into seat 6K.
It's evident that this is very much a 'surprise and delight' for passengers who were expecting a far less impressive Boeing 737. The crew quizzes passengers if this is their first time on a Dreamliner and the captain announces over the PA that we're about to fly on the newest jet in the Qantas fleet.
A simple pre-departure drink of still or sparkling water is offered, before we depart on time at 4pm.
The seats are an improved version of the Business Suite found on the Qantas Airbus A330s, most notably with a sliding privacy divider for the paired middle seats, and are extremely comfortable.
Legroom is not an issue, and the foot cubby is of reasonable depth.
The sturdy tray table swings out of the side console, and is large enough to tap away on a laptop without much bouncing.
The side console is where you'll find noise-cancelling headphones for the 16 inch video screen, plus AC and USB sockets and an adjustable reading light.
The seat can be slightly reclined before take-off, with electronic window dimming to screen out the sun and make for a more relaxed journey.
It seemed like the crew were still getting used to working on the Boeing 787, with drinks eventually offered forty minutes after take-off and afternoon tea served shortly after.
This comprised of a choice between potato & leek soup or chicken curry. I opted for the curry, which proved to be flavoursome and delicious, and was accompanied by sourdough bread and Koko Black chocolate.
While the Dreamliner is equipped with an espresso machine capable of serving up a decent cappuccino, on this flight only brewed coffee was available.
Runway closures at Melbourne resulted in an extra 30 minutes being added to the flight time, and the crew thoughtfully brought me a very fluffy pillow and thick duvet so I could indulge in a 'power nap'.
Summary
If you're planning to fly between Melbourne and Brisbane before the end of August it’s definitely worth seeing if you can get yourself onto one of these Boeing 787 flights – the trip will be far more enjoyable and more productive compared to the standard Boeing 737 recliners, although there's no inflight WiFi on the Dreamliner.
Fares cost the same as a regular Boeing 737 service, and if you're looking to spend Qantas Points to upgrade from economy or book a reward seat you'll find plenty of business class seats available.
Brandon Loo travelled on the Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner at his own expense.
Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Not even a simple tablecloth on the meal tray? Come on Qantas, that sloppy presentation makes it look like canteen food.
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
Yes the meal was an heated up in one plate, foil on top, economy-style. The competition plates up their food separately which helps with presentation, though there's no simple tablecloth on either carriers for short flights.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
I was on a BNE-MEL Boeing 787 flight on Tuesday – offered a dhal & coriander soup or bacon & egg sandwich (went for the dhal) and likewise, the table was simply set, no tablecloth, but I cared less about that than that the soup was delicious.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 113
You can say "Virgin Australia" instead of "the competition".
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 113
A simple news article would suffice. We have already seen the QF B787 J class reviewed multiple times. Losing credibility somewhat. Thanks.
30 Apr 2015
Total posts 6
I think you will find that domestic is very different to International. Tablecloth on a VA domestic on a medium sector???
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jun 2015
Total posts 105
Interesting that you say priority boarding was enforced. Can you elaborate on this a little more.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 319
Good question. Wouldn't it be good if priority pax were boarded first, followed by general boarding. And that non-priority pax were sent back during priority boarding. Too hard they say. Bah!
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
The flight was boarded at the standard 20 minutes. Premium passengers were all called together, no distinction for Golds. The line went on for about a minute before they called general boarding - that covered most eligible passengers already waiting in the gate area.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 162
Coffee in a paper cup?
27 Jul 2018
Total posts 3
I noticed that too. Paper cups definitely not standard in Business. Might have something to do with issues regarding new crockery being introduced throughout the network.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Yes, that did look odd - mine was definitely served in the new David Caon cup.
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
Paper cups are definitely not standard - tea was served in a proper mug earlier in the flight.
Yes I did travel last Sunday afternoon.
27 Jul 2018
Total posts 3
I can tell cause the catering on the weekend in business class seems markedly different to weekdays
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Nov 2015
Total posts 36
Interesting, how would you say the catering is different - better or worse on weekends?
15 Feb 2013
Total posts 163
Are they reserving premium economy seating for platinum passengers to select on Y fares?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Qantas has indicated that premium economy seating is available for selection by Platinum and Gold frequent flyers. There’s a post in the Community section which has a bit more on this as well as the flight schedule for domestic Boeing 787s: https://www.executivetraveller.com/community/view/42/7573/qantas-boeing-787-flights-between-melbourne-and-brisbane
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 209
While the business suite is nice, overall isn't this Qantas 787 story getting a bit over-hyped? I mean we have over 700 787's delivered now, sit at any major airport around the world and you can quickly get into double digits counting them.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 35
I wouldn't classify this as over-hyped, it's a story telling people how they can fly on a Boeing 787 instead of a Boeing 737 on a domestic route. That's top advice in my book!
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
Definitely not trying to 'hype' things — as James mentioned, it's just a story on how to try the newest QF product on a domestic route for one more month, while shining some light on the improvements to the BNE ground experience :)
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
I appreciated this review.
QF
04 Oct 2013
Total posts 11
Have done 4 trips on the Dreamliner MEL to BNE as will as MEL to PER ( domestic leg of QF9) Other than the seats in Business, I much prefer the A380. Its great to get it on the domestic legs, but going to PER on it, service is often worse than the normal domestic product. As for priority boarding - its a joke with QF. Overseas I regularly see staff refuse to board PAX in the wrong line and send them back. It can be done. Unless double boarding using the 2 airbridges is in operation it takes forever.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Sep 2011
Total posts 15
Being based in Perth and someone who has flown the new product on both A330 & B787, I am not surprised that you East Coast travellers are excited about it. It does compare very well to Virgin's 'The Business' but for me, the general vibe of the VA product is still better. But hey, look at domestic travel in AU then compare it to product in the US or Canada. We have nothing to complain about!!
07 Mar 2014
Total posts 1
Hence Qantas dumped again off Skytrax Top10 Best Airlines. Too sad, a small thing like tablecloth or proper coffee cup showed how the company doesn't really care about serving the best for customer. This is why Asian airlines dominating the Top10.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
And yet on a similar flight distance Lufthansa and Air France who are ahead of Qantas on that so called ranking would give you an economy seat with no-one in the middle, and at best a sandwich or salad.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer P1
23 Aug 2014
Total posts 147
That depends on whether or not you accept the methodology, reliability, validity and ethics of the Skytrax circus.
26 May 2011
Total posts 62
Skytrax? Take it from someone in the 'know'. Take these awards with a grain of salt/he who pays the most :-)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Feb 2016
Total posts 49
Domestic 787 flights are just crew training and aircraft testing. 787, 330 or 737 Dom J is all the same. Int J different story.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2018
Total posts 26
01 Nov 2012
Total posts 5
I did the flight recently and was pretty underwhelmed by the whole experience too. Turkey sandwich and a muffin in business class. Hardly impressive for a 2hr flight from 11-1pm (pretty lame lunch).
23 Jul 2017
Total posts 99
Definitely under-whelmed by the 787. I was on the REAL first international flight in December 2017 from Melbourne to Los Angeles. (Forget the PER-LHR flight. That was several months later. It was only a new route on an already well used plane). I was in the business class "suite". It was the same as that on the A330. The 787 interior is definitely over-hyped. It's just another plane, albeit a new one. It will never revolutionise air travel. That was done almost 50 years ago by the old lady of the sky, the Queen of the Sky, the Boeing 747.
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