Flight Review: Qantas A330-200 BNE to SIN Business Class Review with Brisbane Qantas lounge

Qantas A330-200 Business Class offering

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NOTEWORTHY DETAILS

• Qantas Airways QF51

• Brisbane to Singapore

• Airbus A330-200 Business Class

• Original Marc Newson designed and styled seat

• Notable improvement to food quality and menu selections

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I recently had the opportunity to experience QF51 from Brisbane to Singapore on the Qantas A330-200, on the original lighter coloured styling of the Marc Newson design. Though I have experienced and enjoyed this same flight many times over the years, its my first time since the pandemic started that I’ve flown Qantas to Singapore, and I was excited to see how this offering held up. With a flight time of just under eight hours, its enough time to settle in and enjoy two meal services, watch a movie or two, and get some rest or work time should you need it.

The journey of course starts before boarding, in the wonderful Qantas business class premium lounge which is still just as good as I remembered. This lounge occupies two main floors, one accessed prior to ascending the escalator, and another original floor after ascending the escalator, however there is a third small level up a set of internal stairs on the mid-level which is typically where I head, as fewer people tend to occupy this space.

Qantas Brisbane lounge entrance

Downstairs features an additional floor of lounge space, with this entrance being the original floor before Qantas occupied the former Air New Zealand lounge downstairs.

The offering at this lounge is still fantastic, and definitely one of the best Qantas lounges in Australia, and even holds its own compared to the airlines global lounge products. Upon entering at this level, you will be greeted with some wonderful modern styling:

Entrance to the lounge

Straight ahead is a full bar with barista-made coffee, draught beers, wines, spirits and cocktails available which are made to order. A nice touch was seeing a tray of freshly made mimosas on the bar to take on the way through!.

The one negative critique I have, for all Qantas lounges worldwide with the exception of first class, is that Qantas do not serve champagne, only sparkling wine. This is quite a step down from other one world airline lounges. Even if wanting to showcase Australian sparkling, a premium Tasmanian sparkling wine would be a suitable choice in my opinion.

From this area you take a right, which leads to the main dining and seating area of the lounge where a buffet is situated, along with ample seating, which even during the busy period of midday still allows plenty of seating options.

Seated dining area, with bar in background after entrance.

Seated dining flows through into an open seating area with views of the runway.

View from main seating area back towards dining zone.

Though this mid-level floor is extremely popular, and with good reason as you can see from the images above, I take the stairway (elevator is available), up to my favourite little top floor. Now, one of the best things about this space was always the little “hatch" which made fresh plated food to order from a small menu. Everywhere I could see online said this remained closed since the pandemic, but, to my absolute delight it had re-opened!. You can order from the menu placed at the counter and once ready, staff will bring your food to wherever you are seated around this additional floor.

These internal stairs are easy to walk-by and are located in the main seating area, towards the back.

Main seating area of the top floor

There is a small selection up here of fresh pastries, wines, fruit, tea and a coffee machine.

View from top floor down the mid-level floor in the foreground, and wonderful view of the runway in the background.

An absolutely delicious made-to-order potato rosti with perfect poached egg, smoked salmon and chive creme fraiche. Plated on Marc Newson designed Noritake dinnerware and cutlery.

When it was time to leave this great lounge, I headed to our gate to get ready to board the Qantas A330 to Singapore, which was a 5 minute walk.

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THE FLIGHT

Boarding QF51 was a breeze as two skybridges were being used, and I found the seat looking in very good shape despite its age. No major signs of wear were present, and it felt like the same seat I’d been in years ago, in a good way. The A330-200 features a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access for everyone in the business class cabin. The seats are fully flat, 80 inches long and are up to 23 inches wide, depending on location in the cabin.

I certainly always find the best seats in the A330-200 are rows 2 A/K and 4A/K as these seats are oriented hard up against the window, meaning the storage area of the seat provides considerably more buffer from people walking past, and additional privacy. As this is a daytime flight, the window does provide some lovely views throughout the flight.

Upon finding my seat, I was greeted with a lovely Koskela amenities kit, menu, blanket, pillow and mattress.

You can see the large structure of the seat provides a nice buffer from the aisle, and the extra large divider does make a significant privacy improvement.

Qantas business class seat is quite spacious, with soft lighting under the contorls and in foot well, which can be dimmed and turned off.

From a lower angle, you can see the amount of leg room and space easily.

Jacquart champagne was served promptly prior to take-off, along with water or juice should you prefer. I should mention the seat controls are very easy to use, and the seat does have a massage function.

Ample leg room is provided, I am 6'0 for reference and did not feel my feet pushed up against the back of the foot well. I do however wish the seats were just an inch or two wider. Its not a major complaint but I do sometimes feel a tad squished.

The HD screen is 16 inch in size, and though not quite up there with more modern screen resolutions and size on Cathay Pacific for example, is still a pleasure viewing experience.

A large variety of movies, new release and classic, along with a huge range of TV shows ensure you wont be struggling to find something to watch.

Oddly enough, about 45 minutes into the flight my IFE system abruptly died. The flight assistant performed a hard reset, taking around 30 minutes in total, which did fix the issue.

The Koskela amenities are made in Australia and sustainably produced. The kit includes lip balm, face and hand cream, eye mask and socks along with a dental kit and ear plugs.

I do love the fact that Qantas still provide these wonderful 100% cotton pyjamas on international flights, a perk not overly common these days. I do wish they would switch the socks over to slippers however.

Have to have the runway shot on such a beautiful day!.

The food quality was absolutely outstanding on this flight, this was starter the salad of artichoke, buffalo mozzerella, bean and grapefruit and was absolutely a joy to eat.

Another starter option was the Korean glazed pork belly skewers. Again, sensational with minimal fat and lovely overall flavour.

The beef fillet with roast pumpkin and sugar snap peas was very very tasty, and despite being well done which I'd never order, the quality of the meat meant it stayed tender. The wasabi butter thinly spread on top was lovely.

The roast chicken served on polenta with beans, tomato and caper salsa was also a pleasure to eat.

You get the idea by now, all food served was of absolute top quality.

This baked rigatoni along with the egg-fried rice with prawns were served about 90 minutes from landing, and were a perfect end to the dining experience on board.

Our flight attendant was extremely generous with the pours!, and was perfectly attentive all flight. Nothing was too much trouble, and he was happy to oblige, but did not interrupt either.

Though we did depart slightly behind schedule, we arrived on time to Singapore.

Some final notes, simply reiterating the quality of food and beverage on board was truly outstanding, easily as good as any airline ive experienced lately. Service was excellent, and despite the A330-200 seat getting a bit long in the tooth, you wouldn’t really know it as the seat is still comfortable, with some lovely features.

It was smooth sailing all the way, and with Qantas having some of the absolute best pilots in the world, I feel you’re always in safe hands.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy this yourself when next travelling this route.

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