Qantas compete, give me a break
Shlonghaul,
Check your schedules mate, internationally QF flies to about about a dozen destinations in its own right, domestically, the capital cities except Hobart, in fact it does not fly to Tasmania at all. Regional services are done by subsidiary airlines, all one class, no choice. No first class to Japan, Honolulu, Mumbai, Johannesburg, Manila or Djarkarta. Most of the mentioned destinations will be "served" by Jetstar in the near future, again no choice. First class round trip from SYD to JFK $20000+, business class $16000+, who do Qantas compete with, no-one. Thai Airways can operate two flights a day to Sydney from Bangkok, Qantas one, Brisbane three times a week, Qantas none, Perth three times a week, Qantas none, Cathay, Cairns to HKG three times a week, soon to be six, Qantas none. Anywhere in the South Pacific, Qantas none, same in South America, same in Europe except FRA and LHR.
Qantas has become a ferry service for Australian passengers from SYD to those places where QF management feel safe and to bring them home again. It does not compete with anyone. Thai Airways International and Singapore Airlines, in their First Class cabins are still doing what QF used to do ten years ago, caviar, lobster, foie gras, oysters, silver service, experienced cabin crew, sublime luxury. The accommodations in QF P/C set a new "park bench" mark in comfort and the cuisine is nothing more than sidewalk cafe food. GD's cost cutting has set a new high in mediocrity. Economy class is not worth the mention and J/C is not much better.
Sorry for the rant, but it irks me that a formerly great airline has been reduced to a rump for the personal financial gratification of its management.