JQ and DJ have CASA exemptions allowing them to operate on a 1/50 seat ratio. US, NZ and EU allow the same ratios. Tell me where the other full-service carrers domestically that operate with the same crewing complement as QF did? Bear in mind, the exemptions for all players are also only for domestic services. My foot is far from my mouth, thankyou very much.
Bear in mind that QF competes with one LCC (Tiger) and a 'new world carrier' (which has lower costs than it anyway) on domestic services. No matter how premium a product may be, if it cannot be delivered in a way to earn a yield premium you end up in a bad spot. I think in time, this will be less and less with a number of passengers currently downgrading either to economy or LCCs and living through the experience (some even enjoy it), so I wonder if long term there will be a shift in customer demand towards chasing the lowest fare. Only time will tell