YesTAM said:
To which the obvious reply is "Thats how Australians view Qantas"
Wrong. Plain wrong.
Shortsighted Australians, as the result of a negative experience on board QF would regard them this way, but all Australians?
The less shortsighted appreciate that it is impossible for any airline, at all times, to give positive impressions. Some would also appreciate that, as Qantas is striving to reduce costs, they cannot man the cabins to the extent that passengers would like.
Whilst speaking with friends recently about the failed takeover bid, the view was expressed that Qantas is "a great Australian icon". I would expect that many more Australians have a similar view.
You don't seem to grasp what the survey in question is saying. It is not saying that the airline is bad. It is not even saying that some Australians have a "negative" perception of Qantas. It is purely ranking passenger preferences for different airlines.
Your statement is a gross generalisation and suggests that you are, quite possibly, one of the shortsighted.