How Do They Do Domestic Business Class In Australia?

Heading down to Australia is always fun and flights on the national carrier Qantas are an eye opening experience. Most flights are operated by the Boeing 737-800 but some feature the international Airbus A330.

This aircraft features the Qantas Business Suite which is the international product. When flying domestically, the only difference is the on board service. Lie flat seats in business class on a flight of under an hour and a half is really something.

QF460 – Melbourne to Sydney (MEL-SYD)
21 April 2017
Airbus A330-300 – VH-QPI – Cairns
Seat: Business Class 2A
Departure: 18:30 Arrival: 19:55

I selected this flight for two reasons. First, it is during the dinner meal window meaning a good feed. Secondly, the aircraft operating it would be an Airbus A330.

Spacious Business Suite

Seats are arranged one two one with plenty of space available for each person. The suite is well designed with lots of room for any personal items you may have as well as device charging ports and a generous screen.

For safety, the seatbelt is very much like those found on a car that go across you. Your personal television is quite large which is expected nowadays when flying long haul. Each suite has a very sturdy tray table and in the arm rest is a vanity mirror. I am not sure what that says about Australia but it must be welcome when freshening up before landing. There is a do not disturb button which changes the colour of the seat number on the outside of the suite from white to red. This means cabin crew know not to bother you if you are sleeping. Very handy!

Pre-Departure Drink and Headphones

Prior to departure, passengers are offered juice or water. The lemon juice is quite refreshing, especially after a few drinks in the lounge before flight.

My seat had some headphones already at the seat which are the cheaper economy class kind. The crew passed through and switched them out unobtrusively with the proper business class headphones. These are much nicer than the others as you would expect.

Dinner Above The Clouds in Australia

Once everyone was on board, the video safety demonstration plays and then it’s time to go. Once in the air, I scrolled through the entertainment and picked a documentary about Carrie Fisher and Debbie Fisher to watch while eating. Service soon commenced and tonight I chose the Barramundi. This is a very nice Australian fish – my favourite – so I was very happy!

Sourdough bread is offered and there is a small handmade dessert. The Barramundi is fantastic, moist, well seasoned and complimented well with the vegetables. Champagne was my drink on this flight which comes as no surprise to regular readers. Once done, the crew cleared up the meal and in no time at all we descended and landed in Sydney.

Overall Thoughts

Qantas is beloved in Australia with a good portion of the population being a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer. The airline could rest on its laurels and provide whatever service they like. The domestic business class meals are well presented and have enough variety to satisfy the most fussy eater.

Service training is clearly rigorous as I found the crew to be very similar on all the flights I took. Getting on an internationally configured aircraft rather than the usual is lots of fun. Much more luxurious, far more spacious and generally a more relaxing experience all round.

Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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