Spot on review of Qantas in its current state - a “meh” onboard product of an airline that is very much “going through the motions”…

VH-OQA is the world's oldest A380 currently in passenger service. This is also the same aircraft that had the engine failure after taking off from Singapore heading to Sydney as QF32 back in 2010.

The first class food on Qantas looks business class standard on other airlines eg SQ.

As an avid F1 and have been following for many years, so uncanny to hear you are a fellow Perth boy. Thanks Kim for all your work !!

Thanks for sharing Kym. Had a flight like that a few months ago. Perth-Hong Kong-LA-Dallas-Baton Rouge and back again a week later! 60 hours there (O/N LA), 45 hours back!

Qantas use to be good. But Ek and SQ do it so much better. And you’re right Qantas is so outdated and too much cost cutting especially for what you pay these days

Found your channel recently and I love it, even tho F1 isn't really my thing love seeing the photos you take and that you're also from Australia

Love the travel vlogs 🥰

Really good video. Nice one! Cheers from Perth

Hi Kym, first time viewer and I just wanted to leave a comment to say I really enjoyed your review, especially your commentary and editing.

Blimey that was a trek… always enjoy your travel videos Kym.

The production on these videos just keeps getting better and better!

Fantastic video mate!! Food for thought for when I go travelling next!

Long trip Kym, thanks for bring us along.

Hi Kym I work for Qantas Engineering and very much appreciate your positive review, we are all trying hard to be great again

Your travel video's are still by far my favorite!

Wooowww Kym. Haven't seen you since back in the days when you were running Message OnHold business. Great to see you are doing well. Keep posting them review vlogs. Amazing to watch

Excellent trip report, Thank you

Always enjoy your detailed and courteous commentary Out of interest I flew to LA on QF11 and left in the morning from Sydney, has the time of departure now changed?

Fun fact Kym, the Nancy bird was flight 32, which nearly was a mid air disaster in 2010 where it left Singapore and an engine casing exploded , that flight was captained by captain de crespigny, I found this out recently as I work at the airport and got the full history or this aircraft, it went through a full refurbishment and only recency came back into service

Flew qantas from New Zealand to Japan yesterday. Being the plebs we are, we flew economy. By far the worst large airline long haul I have ever flown. So many budget cuts, rude staff, unorganised boarding and poor legroom have made sure we never fly them again. Air New Zealand for us from now on

First of all - Hi Nestor!! (Bob from Cathay) I haven't seen you for years! Second - I flew on Nancy Bird Walton only a few weeeks before the QF32 incident out of Singapore..

Running out of breath a lot mate lately in your videos, your look good, I hope your feeling good running around all the time.

Really enjoyed this video 😄

I often fly out of Melbourne and the first class lounge is just as wonderful. What is even smoother is that they have curbside drop-off, where you are whisked straight into a check-in lounge where they look after your luggage and do security. No walking through the airport or queuing at all!

I’m a platinum one FF but I also travel on other airlines too. Qantas has been totally outclassed by emirates and Singapore. I often fly the Sydney /mumbai route and the connections within India using indigo is really dodgy. It’s damaging the qantas brand big time, and signals a lack of respect for the customer. Then again, qantas doesn’t need to use a partner airline to be dodgy, it does a great job all on its own in Australia domestic. For example, I once booked a red eye from Perth to Sydney and really needed the sleep before a big engagement the next day. So I splashed out on a business class ticket for lie flat seat. After double checking that the aircraft for that leg definitely had the proper low flat seats I paid for the ticket. When I boarded o was really shocked to discover that they had swapped it for an aircraft with the business seats that don’t lie flat! I didn’t even get the opportunity to change the booking. That is clearly “bait and switch”….after that and a few other experiences I now only earn enough points to keep my FF status and then I fly all the other airlines. I make sure al my family members travel on non-qantas flights, and they travel a lot of international.

Uber Black picks up from the arrivals at LAX Kym for future reference.

Hi kym greetings from Thailand when I used to go to Thailand it was always on emerites air bus 380 finest aircraft in the world haven't done long, haul for nearly 5 years only internal flights around Thailand great vid as usual stay passionate 😊😊

Great video as always Kim . How far out are you booking your flights? Does it vary according to the carrier ?

terrific video as always

Qantas needs a whole refurb. Seats and food. Also the average business class lounge

Never have curly hair if you don't eat your crusts Kym. Keep up the quality work.

I saw three Qantas A380s at Abu Dhabi Airport last month in April on my way to/from Pakistan from the US. Always wondered what they were doing there. Also have to say that flying to the US via Etihad introduced me to the longest and slowest bus ride I've ever had at an airport.

……have flown QANTAS First Class numerous times’, over many decades’. Love it! Great way to arrive at destination refreshed………

Kym, great video. Next time provide more info on the menu and wine offerings in flight. I think Emirates and Singapore first are much better. Qantas needs bigger thunder boxes.

Kim, you can get an Uber kerbside but you pay a good $100+ premium for that facility and you can prebook as I do from the UK and I message my driver once I’ve got my bags and he’s there in seconds and it’s worth it rather than waiting for LAX-IT and NO dedicated space for cases once on board - keep up the good work. Ian

Your Qantas partner AA flies LAX-MIA with Flagship® service including the Flagship lounges at both LAX and MIA. AA uses 787 and 777 aircraft for that route and they have 4 Flagship flights daily, 2 during the day and 2 red-eye. JetBlue's Mint is arguably superior but you mentioned the lack of lounge so depending on the layover duration, AA's lounge might've made for a better experience. Since AA's lounge access rules keep changing, I'm not sure if you could've gotten arrivals lounge access with your itinerary. There was a day when you could've breezed right in as an F pax on arrival even though you were departing on JetBlue.

Good review. I agree that the middle eastern airlines are the gold standard for public airlines and the pointy end experience. Good to hear Qantas will be lifting their game and changing things in the future.

Nancy Bird was kept while a couple of younger QF A-380s were retired (mainly as a "parts store" I believe) as it essentially had fewer cycles and a "new" wing courtesy of the QF32 incident. I will always look for an A-380 option, but TBH couldn't care less what the F seat is like. The new business is good and basically matched what was already on the A330 and B787 for years, but It was a pity QF didn't touch the Y seats in their A-380 refurb. Last flight I had on a "refurb" A-380 in Y, the seat was very "tired".

Btw when I fly internationally via Perth, the lounge there is amazing. It has an outdoor bbq space and a yoga studio wine glasses welcome!

VH-OQA 'Nancy-Bird Walton' - Famous aircraft!!! Survived a catastrophic engine failure. A380 very well designed aircraft, lots of redundancy no issues landing. But very long road to being back in the air

the onboard lounge is a lot more inviting than last time I travelled on a QF A380, it was previously like sitting at a bus stop.

Was sitting in 3A for this flight with you SYD to LAX. First time I’d flown QF in ages, probably the last time after I fly LHR to SIN tomorrow. QF first product is lousy, I used to be a cheerleader for QF but not after dedicating my time and money to EK & SQ , the last few years, after a disastrous 2022 with them. Qantas just can’t justify those prices ( yes I pay for my airfares) when comparing First with these other two.

travel vlogs are top. Jetblue Mint is a great option for domestic routes, and even US to UK.

Me and my partner have been on a tour of Australia the last few weeks. We must have just missed you in the Perth domestic terminal!

great travel video

Thanks for sharing.

You sir! Are a machine!! Keep it up !!!

should try out the new jet blue mint seats when you get a chance

Are you flying back before Imola or straight to Italy?

I was flying from Brsibane to Rockhampton, and it was full of miners. I had to ask as I had never seen anything like it.

Uber Black will pick you up at your terminal at LAX if you are ever in a rush.

Little tip for you next time you want to sleep and there happens to be a baby or small child that is being loud and restless, use the earplugs from the amenity kit also wear the noise cancelling headphones.. you'd be amazed how effective it is. 😊

Solid journey

Love the Kym But this really had me triggered. I have a business in New York and I live in Melbourne and I have a business here as well so in my excessively privileged position I’m fairly familiar with Qantas first class and business class. So the first class lounge at Melbourne Airport is a disgrace. Total neglect by Qantas. It’s just about anywhere on the planet. Melbourne is just about Australia’s largest city 6,000,000+ people yet Sydney gets treated like it’s a Palace The business class lounge in Melbourne is utterly pathetic. Third World standard for international airlines. Rant over for that part The meal on Qantas in first class that you showed frankly you would return it if it was at a restaurant you were paying for I don’t know how you managed to be so polite I agree totally with you about jet blue. I fly them regularly out of LA and they have improved their game dramatically and I would encourage anybody to select Jet blue for your internal flights in the US flight attendants and great organisation. When I can I always exit out of Melbourne on emirates to Dubai stay over one night do some business and then head to New York City JFK that way I have never understood why Qantas configure their aircraft with toilets that you can’t swing a cat in On long haul flights it’s a bit of an oasis being able to refresh yourself tidy yourself with some space as you’re doing your business Qantas still has so far to go from where it once was But I understand why you support them Looking forward to the next GP F1 and your excellent

Thanks for sharing Kym. Oh geeze Kym that is a haul. Longest ive done out of Perth was 28hrs. Was totally delirous by time i arrived. Even in BC i struggle to sleep. Flying bores me to tears. But i must admit i always get a little excited climbing on board an Emirates A380 in BC. Just once i would love to try their FC. I just cant justify Qantas BC prices long haul.. More expensive and totally substandard product to the likes of Emirates who are normally alot cheaper. That amenties kit for FC was pretty poor. What happened to the Qantas PJ's? I really wish Qantas would give us a break and fly more A330 to the east coast. I fly to Brissy often and hate going on the 737. I miss the old 767 that use to fly that route.

Kym please tell me 🙏 Were the f1 drivers staying in the four seasons hotel in downtown Miami? If not what hotel did they stay? I really want to meet them next year

I quite like QF F on the A380, except that IME depending on what seat you're in, the floor creeks as pax an crew walk past, making sleep difficult. 3A is the worst for this, but it might just have been unique to that aircraft, I've avoided 3A ever since. Why is it so difficult for hotels to deal with late check ins when you'll have paid for it by way of a card guarantee and forewarned them of your late arrival? There's still this weird ten to fifteen minutes of anxiety at hotel check in at 6am off a red eye, when clearly your room's been flagged as a no show despite your efforts. Had exactly this a couple of weeks back at Haneda's T3 Royal Park hotel located inside the airport.

Brilliant.....agree about Qantas

Love your F1 content and inside insights but not fussed for this content, also first class is a luxury that should be enjoyed, try not to let familiarity breed contempt for beyond regular first world problems. For the clicks perhaps but stay humble imho. Keep going, you are a phenomenal youtuber and photographer

Oh dear☹️☹️☹️ im traveling to Italy this August, flying with Qantas business class. Ive been checking out a lot if these videos and intend to do another business class trip in March next year but im reasonably sure it will be with Emirates.

Kym Illman is either the hardest working man in show business or Australias next Dan Saunders ;-)

What sleeping tablets do you take? They seem to work well for you

GOSH! Long ass travel. How early do you usually get to each track? For this trip for example would be there like a day or two early to give yourself some rest time?

Great video. Your face was glowing after that facial

Would love to meet you once in perth!

By the looks of it business class on the Qatar A380, which I experienced in 2020 from Perth to Manchester, was better than 2024 1st class on Qantas.

Would it had been quicker to travel from perth via doha or dubai to miami?

I'm so jealous!! Hope the jetlag isn't hitting too hard.

I would have thought a one-stop trip via the Middle East would have been less hectic to get to Miami, though wouldn’t have allowed you to catch your mate in LA!

Hey Kym! You said that Jet Blue is one of your favorite U.S. airlines. I would like to ask If you have ever been in a Delta Airlines First class suite? I live in Atlanta which is the HQ of Delta and I only fly delta domestically, and every single time I LOVE Delta. What are your thoughts?

Kym have you ever gone to Thailand? 🇹🇭 Let’s go!!!!!!!!

I'm so disappointed what I seen on your video today !! YOU DIDN'T EAT YOUR CRUST 1:27 !! You naughty boy,that's the best part for me. 😋 who else likes the crust ??

insane. amazing

Uber Zone in LAX, is what Sydney needs.

I swear if you told me to jump I’d ask how high 😂 Great narration and happy to see the channel growing more and more!

The lounge designed by Australia's most famous designer, Marc Newson.

Qantas has always had old planes but the they are well maintained and operated by the best pilots…

Was business seats on the Qantas flight updated to 1,2,1 config ?

yes

Didn't Aarava go to that hotel in Miami? (He plays Formula One games)

Envy much - living the life

Surprised you didn't go Perth Dubai Miami - though not sure how much quicker it would be

Applied for an upgrade from Singapore to London next month. Platinum card holder so hopeful. Qantas first class is special to me. A feeling of home while away. Love your vid. 👏🇦🇺

Hello mate love the videos and I really do love them. Unfortunately the only thing that is disappointing is ….Please make sure you are disclosing advertising. As currently you are misleading your audience by not saying F42 travel as well as the odd watch brand you are comparing to Rolex and various other brands are things you love… Please ensure you are telling your impressionable audience you’re being paid to advertise these as currently you are not in your videos even though this is the law in most countries. Thank you

QF sadly enough it is NOT only the First Class which is outdated. The WHOLE airline (do not even talk about miserable Jetstar) is outdated. Their Customer Service is nonexistent. Ground services are horrible. Yes, the FC lounge is good but still far away from Sin or Emirates I wonder if this person is paid by QF because I flew them 4 days ago, and I regret spending 1 cent on this

Nancy BIRD is an AUSSIE Beauty 😊❤

How do you do it? Why not overnight at LAX?

We flew to London on a Qantas A380 to use up points. So not worth the money. We flew back Emirates which was superb.

The wines on offer in the lounge are cheap

Possibly need more than one facial 😂. I know I'd need about a dozen of them. Impressed with your wrap up vlog of Q', better than I thought. Neil Perry at Sydney Q' Lounge Sydney

LOL! Try economy coach!

Lucky it wasn’t a “Ghost Flight”.

I think the Quantas Lounge is Sydney is pretty pathetic. First class isn't any better than business on other airlines like United. Quantas needs to up its game. I think Quantas doesn't try very hard because it feels there isn't so much competition in Australia.

I live on the east coast and I would fly Emirates to Miami even if it means going the long way round. Better than the god tihs service on Qantas or any of those American carriers….

I always wanted to try first class travel and thought that maybe one day I would do so. Now, closer to the end of life, I realise that will never happen. So, if I had my life again, I now realise I should have just done it. I doubt my life would be worse for it if I had gone to that expense. I would not have starved to death, I wouldn't be homeless if just once I went first class. Too soon old, too late smart as they say.

I'm exhausted and need a nap.

Pretty plain looking calamari🦑🦑, perhaps a small salad would have cheered it up. Great video though. Drove through Lancelin last week on our lap of Australia!

How often do you fly first class?

Yes 😢