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Greg Norman tees off at Qantas over delayed flight, calls it 'never on-time airline'

Former longtime ambassador and golf legend says he will look to other carriers after Sydney-Dallas delay

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources5 outlets
Golf legend Greg Norman, a former high-profile Qantas ambassador for decades, launched a public attack on the national carrier on Sunday after his Sydney-to-Dallas flight was delayed by about three hours, calling it the 'never on-time' airline and suggesting he would switch to Emirates.

Norman posted a series of criticisms on his Instagram account, which has around 244,000 followers, labelling Qantas outdated and unreliable. He said his flight from Sydney to Dallas on a Qantas A380 departed around three hours late and that it took an hour to collect one bag in Dallas. The lack of Wi-Fi on the long-haul flight also appears to have angered him.

"I have always tried to support my national airline," Norman wrote. "Sadly, their reputation of the 'never on-time' airline (or the ones I am on) ... now has me looking elsewhere." He suggested Emirates as a possible alternative, adding that Qantas "was once one of the top 3 in the world for a great travel experience. Alas no more #whathappened. Profit before customer caring, reputation and service!?"

Norman, who is US-based but recently attended the NRL grand final in Sydney, used the hashtag #alottodo to challenge Qantas management to improve. The remarks were reported by Fiona Byrne, CBD columnist for The Age, and subsequently republished across Nine mastheads. Qantas has not publicly responded to Norman's comments.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • A former celebrity ambassador turning on the national carrier publicly amplifies customer dissatisfaction and could influence broader consumer sentiment.
  • Norman's complaint highlights ongoing issues with punctuality and service that affect many travellers.
  • His shift to a competing airline, publicly stated, may encourage other frequent flyers to reconsider their loyalty.

Background

Greg Norman is one of Australia's most famous golfers, known globally as the 'Great White Shark'. He served as a celebrity ambassador for Qantas for many years, a role that implied endorsement of the airline's service. Qantas, Australia's flag carrier, has faced periodic criticism in recent years over delays, ageing aircraft, and service standards. Norman now lives in the United States but maintains ties to Australia, as shown by his attendance at the NRL grand final before the delayed flight.

Key Perspectives

Greg Norman: A long-time supporter who feels let down by declining standards, citing punctuality, baggage handling, and lack of inflight Wi-Fi. He frames the issue as profit being prioritised over service. Qantas passengers: Many customers have voiced similar frustrations about delays and service, suggesting Norman's criticism reflects a common experience among travellers. Aviation industry observers: The episode underscores the reputational risk for airlines when high-profile customers publicly defect, potentially amplifying existing negative brand perceptions.

What to Watch

  • Whether Qantas issues a formal response or reaches out to Norman privately to address his complaints.
  • Any impact on Qantas's on-time performance data or customer satisfaction scores in the coming months.
  • If other frequent flyers or celebrities echo Norman's criticism, signalling a broader shift in public opinion.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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