Why Alan Joyce and the government are determined to keep flight prices sky high

I’ve just returned from a European cruise. For the first time, I flew Qatar Airways, keen to see what all the fuss surrounding this Middle Eastern carrier is about.

After spending 18 hours in the tender care of #Qatarairways staff, I can now see why CEO Alan Joyce and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are so determined to ban Qatar’s bid for additional flights into Australia.

They claim it’s about protecting the national carrier. But few were buying that last week, as everyone from #FlightCentre boss Graham ‘Scroo’ Turner to former treasurer and head of the Future Fund Peter Costello lashed the decision.

In a finale to a disastrous week, Alan Joyce was forced to backflip and allow thousands of passengers to access Covid refunds worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while the ACCC revealed it was investigating the airline for selling tickets for flights it had cancelled.

This was no administrative slip up. The ACCC  alleges the airline engaged in “false, misleading or deceptive conduct” by advertising tickets on 8000 flights it had already cancelled.

Small wonder the #Qantas share price tanked, down 9.5 per cent on Thursday, as investors donned their parachutes and headed for the exit.

This at a time when The Financial Review revealed demand for business-class flights to Europe is soaring – and so are prices. The paper quotes flights from Melbourne to Paris, departing on September 5 and returning on September 15, are now more than $18,100 on Singapore Airlines or Emirates, and more than $16,380 on Qantas or Qatar.

The Qatar Airways flight

But back to flight QR 909 Sydney to Doha two weeks ago – my first taste of an airline that has, this year, won awards as World’s Best Business Class for the 10th time, World’s Best Business Class Lounge, World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining and Best Airline in the Middle East.

I’m a habitual Singapore Airlines fan. It’s my benchmark airline: good service, yummy food and new planes.

I’ve tried many others – austere Lufthansa, mercurial British Airways, nice but slightly shabby Cathay Pacific, good but basic Latam, and, of course, Qantas…a work in progress since the pandemic.

Qatar proves a brilliant alternative

I’m a pretty tough judge. Imagine my surprise when Qatar Airways proved a brilliant alternative.

For a start, we flew the A380 to Doha. It’s been a while between drinks, but there, at the back of the plane was my idea of flying heaven: a stand up bar.

Yes, you can actually stretch out, have a drink (or a tea, if you prefer) and chat with your fellow passengers.

On our return flight, we spent a happy hour with a judge from Nigeria heading to Sydney for her son’s wedding. She showed us her fabulous colourful fashion for the ceremony.

Her stories of her children and family will live with us forever. We marvelled at the cultural exchange. It’s what makes travel so important.

We would never have had that experience sitting in business-class pods, talking to no-one and watching movies like Marcel the Shell with Shoes (I kid you not – it’s a real movie title!).

We were particularly impressed that, on each leg, the chief stewardess introduced herself at the start and came over after landing to ask how her team had performed. Try doing that on a Qantas or #Emiratesairways plane!

We love Qatar Airways’ A380

Our second jet to Istanbul was a newer, smaller A350-900. But the pods were the same, as was the service, food and wine.

We loved that Qatar is preserving its A380s. Ever since Airbus announced the demise of the world’s largest passenger jet, fans like us have been in mourning. This giant of the skies gives the smoothest ride, the most room and the best service of any flying machine.

The yappy, noisy Boeing 777s that often replace this marvellous machine are no comparison.

Sure, they save airlines like Qantas lots of money because they have two engines. But for passengers, the noise and cramped conditions make them a lot less fun to fly and almost impossible to sleep in. A bit like trying to get some rest with a horde of toddlers in the seats around you.

Qatar’s staff are a pleasant mix of Arab, Asian and South Americans. Unlike so many airlines that win awards and get iconic status, they were effortlessly friendly. Even when a little boy had what looked like a serious episode, they handed out drinks while administering oxygen and working with a doctor as if it were nothing special.

We loved the business class pods. Set diagonally to the window, they were a trifle skinny –but still offered full flatbed status and plenty of storage (the shoe locker is a brilliant idea).

On the food front, the Arabic fare was best. But the crayfish was delicious, especially with the Billecart-Salmon Brut.

A huge lounge

At Doha, we found a business class lounge that outmatched any on the planet. It was huge – with chefs preparing fresh dishes even at nine at night, including sushi prepared to order, laksa soup and plenty of fresh breads, dips, steaks and salads.

There were acres of seating, showers – everything the weary traveller could hope for.  And outside, there was big brand shopping that was fun as well as duty free.

So this is the airline Alan Joyce at Qantas and his partners at Emirates have managed to stop from offering more flights, cheaper fares and better services to Europe for Australians.

Small wonder passengers are up in arms.

The Federal Government blocked Qatar Airways adding 28 flights a week into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane at a time when prices have risen up to 50 per cent on pre-pandemic levels.

Qatar promised to increase competition and Qatar-aligned Virgin claimed prices would fall if the deal had gone through.

The lobby fighting Qatar claim it is about Qantas’ survival. Others say it’s about a cosy relationship between Qantas and Emirates which keeps prices high and competitors out of the market.

Personally, I think we just want the best flights at the best prices for our travel. And Qatar seems to be offering that.

For more, see qatarairways.com