I was a loyal Qantas customer for 30 years. Not any more

Qantas’ lack of basic compassion, combined with very expensive international fares and my frequent-flier points being effectively useless in terms of booking international flight rewards, has had a positive result. I now realise that other international airlines run better operations at lower cost and I look forward to using them.

Jonathan Trollip, Vaucluse NSW

Aston a one-man opposition

It is worth recalling that the unholy mess enveloping Qantas really started many weeks ago with Joe Aston’s columns. The Coalition have now belatedly joined the pile-on on but none of their flotilla of researchers and advisers managed to uncover any of the issues revealed by Mr Aston and now by the ACCC.

It’s terrific that Mr Aston has managed to shine a searchlight where it was desperately required, but it’s somewhat troubling that he is effectively a one-man opposition (as he was when exposing the previous Government’s shameful incompetence and maladministration of JobKeeper).

Greg Howe, Adelaide, SA

Still the best CEO in Australia?

Joe Aston and The Australian Financial Review are to be congratulated for holding Qantas and Alan Joyce to account for their many failings on behalf of the Australian public.

This has been done in the face of no doubt intense lobbying and the childish response of removing your publication from Qantas lounges.

In September 2022, I wrote to you saying that Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder appeared far too busy with his other roles, and that “shareholders of public companies in Australia expect and deserve Board members who view the stewardship of those companies as a task worthy of their full attention.

“It is difficult to believe that Australia is so bereft of talent that Mr Goyder’s spare time is preferable to the concentrated full-time effort of any alternative candidate”.

I still hold that view. I am wondering if you could ask Mr Goyder whether he still holds his view, expressed at the time, that Joyce is “the best CEO in Australia by a length of a straight”. After recent disasters at Qantas, many of us might consider Mr Joyce to be closer to the worst CEO in Australia by the length of the entire racecourse, a point Mr Goyder might have realised were he not so busy elsewhere.

David Ford, South Perth WA

What about the Qantas effect on the Voice?

Has anyone thought how the embarrassing shenanigans over the Albanese government’s handling of (subservience to) Qantas, may affect the outcome of the Voice vote? I am a Voice supporter and this makes me cry.

Hugh Polkinghorne, Eastwood SA

Virgin isn’t perfect either

I was just reading your article on cancelled Qantas flights. I am a long-standing Virgin flyer (platinum).

I thought it worth noting that I too recently have had Virgin flights cancelled without any re-booking. I understand the critique of Qantas in the current climate - but Virgin is hardly perfect either!

Mark Stefanac, Melbourne, Vic

Still waiting for Jetstar refund

We had last-minute cancellation of Melbourne to Sydney flight during the Australian open 2023. We lodged all expenses and claims with Jetstar as per their promises. After six months we are still waiting for our refund of out-of-pocket expenses.

Jay Kumar, Bella Vista NSW

The last time I flew Qantas

I wasn’t cancelled, but I tried to upgrade to business class using points on a flight to South Africa but was told the plane was full. When I got on the plane I noticed business class was only half full.

The crew told me that the empty seats belonged to South African Airways and that Qantas could not seat me there. Customer service – better to upset the customer and fly with empty seats than allow points redemption. That’s the last time I flew Qantas as a paying customer.

Peter Snow, Melbourne, Vic

A quick fix for Qantas

The quickest and best way for Qantas to break the cycle of bad news would be for Alan Joyce to bring forward his departure to today.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton Qld

Spare a thought for Qantas staff

Love you guys giving Qantas management a grilling. It’s overdue. But do spare a thought in your outpourings for the staff, who are just like you and me.

Trying to do their job the best they can, and mostly doing an excellent job. And having no control over the things the rest of us find annoying.

I fear the intense negativity is spilling over onto hapless team members that can do nothing about it all. I have no friends or relatives that work there but I do still fly with them and see a lot of good people doing their best.

Athol Quinsey, Unanderra NSW

Qantas is sticking it up everyone

As a Qantas frequent flyer, I have amassed two million frequent flyer points. I cannot book a business-class flight anywhere in Australia using those points.

Well, actually I can, if I use as many points to get from Perth to Melbourne business as I would with Emirates to get from Perth to London business. Qantas is sticking it up everyone.

Wayne E Phipps, Gooseberry Hill WA