Nathan's Insights

QANTAS
Date: 07-09 January 2025
Flight Number: QF22
Gate: 28 (Terminal D)
Seat: 51D (Economy)
Plane: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Boarded: 18:27 
Pushback: 19:24 (Scheduled 18:55)
Take off: 19:38
Arrived: 05:20 (Scheduled 05:40)
Schedule Duration: 17 hours 45 minutes
Actual Duration: 16 hours 56 minutes
Distance: 14,479 km

This flight was from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW – Dallas, USA) to Melbourne International Airport (MEL – Melbourne, Australia).

The Cost

I purchased this economy flight as a reward ticket that cost 51,200 Qantas points and USD 54.00. To purchase the same flight using cash in economy class would have cost $2,744.00 but normally with advance purchase, you could get this to under AUD 2,000. 

The Airport Experience

Check-In / Bag Drop / Security

Qantas allows for baggage check-in 4 hours before the flight. Today’s flight uses check-in counters 75-78 in Terminal D. These counters were difficult to find with limited signage indicating Qantas and squeezed next to the Oversized Baggage Counter. The Qantas Baggage counters opened at 14:55 I had my boarding pass at 15:15 which given there were very few people in the line was slow.

I joined the security line at 15:16 and cleared security by 15:53. Like most USA security lines it can be a slow process. You have to take your shoes and belts off, along with laptops and tablets. I was required to undertake an additional pat down.

Lounges

I had access to the American Airlines Flagship Lounge which is located in Terminal D between Gates 21 and 22. There were a lot of finger food options plus soft drinks, water and alcohol options.

The Flight Experience

Boarding

This flight boarded from Gate D28. Boarding commenced at 18:27 starting with people with disabilities and small children. Being a holiday period it seemed like half the plane had small children. Business class and passengers with Gold status or above started boarding at 18:33. 

There was ample overhead bin space for carry-on storage. 

The Seat

This Qantas Boeing 787-90 has 42 Business, 28 Premium Economy and 166 Economy seats. Economy seats are in a 3-3-3 layout. The seats are 17 inches wide (43.8 cm), with the seat pitch at 32 inches (81.3 cm). I selected an aisle seat in the middle 3 seats. I ended up with the seat next to me empty.

There we two toilets available at the midpoint of the economy section and two toilets at the back of the economy cabin. Both were larger than expected and easy to use.

Amenity Kit

An amenity kit was provided which included a mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. 

Meal and Drinks

Water was handed out at 19:58, roughly 30 minutes after take-off.

The dinner and drink service commenced at 20:12. The three main meal options:

• Green vegetable curry with jasmine rice and coriander
• Salad of chicken with Mexican rice, charred corn, black beans and chipotle lime dressing
• Irish beef stew with mashed potatoes, broccoli and green beans

I selected the salad of chicken which was also served with garlic bread and very nice. 

After dinner, I was provided with an ice cream. 

There was also a snack service provided at 07:08 Dallas time (11 hours into the flight) which was a very nice toasted ham and cheese sandwich. 

The last meal service was breakfast which started 2 hours before landing (14 hours 30 minutes into the flight. I selected the scrambled eggs with chicken sausage, hash browns and mushrooms, lovely. The other option was a fruit plate.

Entertainment System

There was an extensive entertainment system used via seatback screen. I watched the HBO service Kite Man which was hilarious. In between I listened to music and used the flight map. 

The Flight

The flight attendants did an outstanding job. The boarding was efficient and well-organised. The meal services were prompt and professional. The cabin was kept in good condition throughout. The toilets were always clean.

Arrival

We landed at 05:20 which was 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. We disembarked at 05:38. The arrivals hall was packed and it took a while to use the kiosk for arriving Australians to answer questions and get a pass to be used at the security gates.

My bag arrived almost at the same time as I did at the baggage claim area. Going through Customs I was pulled aside for a sniffer dog check of me and my bags. This only took 5 extra minutes. I was then outside the airport and back home.

Summary

This was an outstanding flight. I was concerned about the length of the flight and being in economy but the seat felt a little bigger than a normal economy seat. Additionally having a spare seat next to me was a very big bonus. The service and meals were top-notch. I had low expectations and some concerns before the flight but it turned out to go fast.