Ryan N
31st July 2008, 08:50 AM
Qantas kicks economy passengers off flights
By Hannah Davies
July 31, 2008 12:01am
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,24102796-5014090,00.html
A NEW computer check-in system is causing chaos for Qantas passengers, with economy class customers being kicked off flights to make way for business class frequent flyers.
Dozens of travellers are being turned away at check-in desks across the country, following the launch of the new system on Saturday, The Courier-Mail reports.
The system limits seating for economy passengers to the rear of the plane - even if spare seats are available towards the front of the plane - giving priority to business class flyers.
While it has been labelled "a nightmare" by Qantas employees, bosses said it was a "supreme" way to manage bookings.
One staff member, who asked not to be named, said it had taken the check-in process back 10 years.
"Basically, if you're not important enough for Qantas then you're either down the back of the plane or you're not on the plane," he said.
"The system looks after the top-end flyers and everyone else has to take their chances."
The system - trialled in Perth for three months before going live Australia-wide - has caused flight delays across the country this week as employees struggle to get to grips with it.
Qantas said the new system integrated two previously separate computer systems that were used to manage flights, reservations, and customers.
Staff say it is more complicated to use than the old system, and prevents them from allocating seats quickly, which slows down the boarding process.
One passenger was furious after being turned away at the Qantas check-in at Brisbane airport on Tuesday and told to wait for a later flight.
"It's ridiculous," he said.
"When I complained, I was told I should have read my terms and conditions which state that Qantas promises only to get passengers to their destination on the same day. What a joke."
But Qantas bosses denied the system was affecting customers.
"Customers won't notice a difference at all," a spokesman said.
The Australian Services Union said it was aware of problems.
The system is the latest problem for Qantas in what has been a dire month.
Last week a Melbourne-bound Qantas flight had to make an emergency landing after an explosion ripped a 3m hole near the plane's fuselage.
The pilot brought the plane into Manila airport without instrument landing systems after the aircraft was damaged when a regulator blew off an oxygen bottle.
The airline recently slashed 1500 jobs due to rising fuel prices, and said further job cuts could follow.
By Hannah Davies
July 31, 2008 12:01am
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,24102796-5014090,00.html
A NEW computer check-in system is causing chaos for Qantas passengers, with economy class customers being kicked off flights to make way for business class frequent flyers.
Dozens of travellers are being turned away at check-in desks across the country, following the launch of the new system on Saturday, The Courier-Mail reports.
The system limits seating for economy passengers to the rear of the plane - even if spare seats are available towards the front of the plane - giving priority to business class flyers.
While it has been labelled "a nightmare" by Qantas employees, bosses said it was a "supreme" way to manage bookings.
One staff member, who asked not to be named, said it had taken the check-in process back 10 years.
"Basically, if you're not important enough for Qantas then you're either down the back of the plane or you're not on the plane," he said.
"The system looks after the top-end flyers and everyone else has to take their chances."
The system - trialled in Perth for three months before going live Australia-wide - has caused flight delays across the country this week as employees struggle to get to grips with it.
Qantas said the new system integrated two previously separate computer systems that were used to manage flights, reservations, and customers.
Staff say it is more complicated to use than the old system, and prevents them from allocating seats quickly, which slows down the boarding process.
One passenger was furious after being turned away at the Qantas check-in at Brisbane airport on Tuesday and told to wait for a later flight.
"It's ridiculous," he said.
"When I complained, I was told I should have read my terms and conditions which state that Qantas promises only to get passengers to their destination on the same day. What a joke."
But Qantas bosses denied the system was affecting customers.
"Customers won't notice a difference at all," a spokesman said.
The Australian Services Union said it was aware of problems.
The system is the latest problem for Qantas in what has been a dire month.
Last week a Melbourne-bound Qantas flight had to make an emergency landing after an explosion ripped a 3m hole near the plane's fuselage.
The pilot brought the plane into Manila airport without instrument landing systems after the aircraft was damaged when a regulator blew off an oxygen bottle.
The airline recently slashed 1500 jobs due to rising fuel prices, and said further job cuts could follow.