Airline review: Qantas domestic economy class

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This was published 9 years ago

Airline review: Qantas domestic economy class

By Lynne Whiley
A Qantas 737.

A Qantas 737.Credit: John Woudstra

THE ROUTE

Sydney to Broome, direct.

THE PLANE

Boeing 737-800.

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

Qantas Frequent Flyer, part of the oneworld alliance.

CLASS

Economy, seat 12F.

DURATION

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Five hours, five minutes.

FREQUENCY

During the dry season (April-October), there are three direct flights a week from Melbourne return and two a week return from Sydney. Qantas also has daily flights to Perth with connections to Broome.

THE SEAT

A very comfortable 30-inch (76 centimetre) pitch and 17-inch (43cm) width. In economy, it's a 3-3 layout with 156 seats and there are 12 seats in business with a 2-2 layout.

BAGGAGE

Economy passengers are allowed to check one bag free, plus have a carry-on bag of the standard size for Australian domestic flights.

COMFORT

Excellent. I'm tall but my knees don't graze the seat in front; there's sufficient elbow room and I don't feel cramped. There's the added comfort of an adjustable headrest, so my neck is well supported, too. Leggy models, off to shoot fashion in the desert (as you do), lounge in the row ahead of me without reclining their seats.

ENTERTAINMENT

There's a good size seat-back inflight entertainment touch screen. Hundreds of entertainment options, including new release movies, TV shows, CDs, games and Q radio channels are available. I'm travelling with a nine-year-old, who is delighted with the selection of G-rated children's zone options. I watch two of this year's Oscar-nominated films and a spot of TV.

SERVICE

Cheerful cabin crew help passengers stow items in the overhead lockers, then distribute headphones in a fast, efficient way before the safety demonstration.

FOOD

I was expecting sandwiches, but it's a hot meal menu on this service, with a choice of a chicken or beef main dish, plus a roll, salad and dressing, water, juice and a small serving of chocolate. Then ice-cream is served. The nine-year-old requests a second serving of ice-cream and it arrives with a smile in no time. I'm happy and she's happy, too.

ONE MORE THING ...

This flight's Qantas pilots are informal tour directors, bless them. As we fly across Australia's diverse interior, the captain gently announces key desert landmarks to the aircraft's left and right. On approach to Broome Airport, the aircraft swoops over Roebuck Bay and then the captain has the plane undertake a long, lovely circular turn above the impossibly turquoise-coloured Indian Ocean. He points out landmarks as we turn: Cable Beach's famous white sands stretching to the north, the red-rust rock of Gantheaume Point immediately below us. It's a fabulous way to see a slice of the west coast and Broome. Qantas recently opened a new lounge at Broome Airport to help meet the growing demand for premium air travel in the region. The lounge includes complimentary refreshments, magazines and newspapers, high-speed Wi-Fi and Foxtel; plus a bird's eye view of the tarmac.

THE VERDICT

A fast, comfortable flight from the east coast straight to the Kimberley's Broome doorstop.

Tested by Lynne Whiley, who flew courtesy of Qantas.

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