Greg Norman Slams Qantas for Flight Delays and Lack of Wi-Fi
The Australian golf legend, a former Qantas ambassador, voiced his frustrations on social media about the airline's service.
Australian golf icon Greg Norman has sharply criticized Qantas, the national airline he once represented as a high-profile ambassador. Norman took to social media on Sunday to express his dissatisfaction, labeling the airline as "outdated" and citing significant flight delays and a lack of Wi-Fi.
Norman, who was a VIP guest at the NRL grand final in Sydney, described his recent flight from Sydney to Dallas on a Qantas A380 as a "nightmare." He claimed the flight was delayed by three hours and that he waited an additional hour upon arrival in Dallas to retrieve his luggage. Norman also noted the absence of Wi-Fi on the long-haul journey.
"I have always tried to support my national airline," Norman wrote on social media. "Sadly their reputation of the 'never on-time' airline (or the ones I am on - this time Syd - Dallas circa 3 hrs late departing), plus an hour to get one bag in Dallas now has me looking elsewhere."
He suggested considering Emirates as an alternative, noting that while the flights might be longer, they offer reliability, Wi-Fi, and comfort. Norman lamented the decline in Qantas's service, stating, "Too bad, as Qantas was once one of the top three in the world for a great travel experience. Alas no more."
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While acknowledging the excellence of Qantas ground crew, Norman accused the airline's management of prioritizing profits over passenger care. "Profits before customer caring, reputation and service! And not to have Wi-Fi in this day and age with the cost/ticket, #insane #outdated," he fumed, urging Qantas administration to "bring back the pride in 'The Spirit of Australia' and be a world leader in your industry again."
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Norman's post garnered hundreds of supportive comments from others who shared similar negative experiences with Qantas. Qantas confirmed the Sydney to Dallas flight was delayed due to engineers addressing a fueling issue. The airline also stated that Wi-Fi is available on its 787 and A330 aircraft and is currently being implemented across its A380 fleet.
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Norman's connection with Qantas dates back to the 1970s, having previously served as a celebrity ambassador and partner for initiatives like the Qantas Golf Club. He primarily resides in Florida but travels to Australia regularly.