Another day and yet another Qantas press release referring to their long-haul business class as “mini-first”. They have been beating this tired old drum since the Boeing 787 first entered service.
The claim has expanded over time, as it was originally “nicknamed “mini First Class” by some frequent flyers”, while now it is “dubbed “mini First” by the airline’s frequent flyers”. That seems very certain, now doesn’t it? Let’s have a look at this wonderful class.
The “Mini-First” Seat
You would think that the Qantas seat is a bespoke design, with amazing features that make it just a cut above the rest. If you thought that, you’d be wrong. Qantas uses the Vantage XL seat, made by Ireland’s Thompson Aero Seating.
Why All The Fuss Then, Qantas?
Either one person somewhere once said it looked like mini-first class and marketing jumped on it, or it was a great idea during a corporate brainstorming session. I’m sure I know which one my money is on!
While I can understand the logic behind it, after all, the seats are private compared to previous business class seats, I still think it’s a load of bollocks. Business class is never as good as first class, though Qatar Airways business class certainly comes closest in my eyes.
However, my gut feeling is the airline is mentally preparing the populace down under with this mini-first propoganda. When the airline no longer offers First Class, everyone will automatically think, “oh well, we have a business class that is just as good”.
Overall Thoughts
Sorry Qantas, but your business class cabin is not unique. Sure, you offer all the bells and whistles such as pyjamas and mattress toppers, but so do other airlines around the world.
It really is just a marketing line and is a bit of a stretch. What it does is give other airlines carte blanche to go ahead and refer to their business class product as mini-first class too. But, I guess they won’t, because I bet their frequent flyers haven’t made that claim.
What do you think of Qantas doing this? Is it really mini-first class or can you smell the manure emanating from Qantas headquarters in Sydney? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image via Qantas.
SAS image via SAS.
All the other airlines offer wifi on their fleets, Qantas oddly doesn’t.
Well, that’s not quite true. Qantas offer Wi-Fi on their domestic fleet. It is fast and it is completely free – I’ve used it and am amazed it’s free. That’s a great touch! Internationally, they have it on some routes. Thanks for the comment!
[…] WHY DOES QANTAS SAY ITS BUSINESS CLASS IS “MINI-FIRST”? – Travel Update […]
You are nearly correct…
“Irish people will know this is the same seat that Aer Lingus use on their long-haul fleet of Airbus A330s, Boeing 757s and Airbus A321neos”
Aer Lingus seat (and the image pictured, Malaysia Airlines, Swiss, Jet Blue) is actually the smaller “Vantage” seat, not the XL version that QANTAS, LATAM and SAS use.
A simple bit of fact checking would not go astray…
Well, thank you for pointing that out – I will amend accordingly. Regardless, they are not that different, as I’ve flown in both the Qantas and the Aer Lingus seat and noted the similarities more than the differences. Appreciate the heads up!
I am actually on an SAS flight. Believe me the seat is very comfortable.
BTW: Swiss is using another seat
It certainly is comfortable, I’ve flown it on Aer Lingus. Nothing wrong with the seat at all, however it’s nothing like a real first class seat, in my opinion! Thanks for the comment!