This Qantas business class ticks all the boxes - except for one 'big fumble'

I've travelled from Melbourne to Perth for my business class flight to Johannesburg: Qantas's inaugural A330 flight to South Africa's largest city, non stop.

CHECKING IN: Check-in was seamless in Melbourne. Once I arrive in Perth it's just a short transit to the T3 international terminal, which is a five-minute walk from the Qantas domestic gate. I proceed through security in a breeze. I've landed in Perth with enough time to visit the Qantas international business lounge and enjoy a beer in an open-air sunroom. The lounge is a one-minute walk from my gate.

THE FLIGHT: I am among the first passengers to board the aircraft and receive a South African gift bag filled with sweets and biscuits. Everyone is in a jovial mood and the cabin crew offer wine and champagne in business class. The flight takes off at 1.30pm and lands in Johannesburg just over 11 hours later at 18.50pm. It's an entirely daytime flight. After we're underway I plug in my almost-flat phone, but my charger keeps slipping out of the socket. It's an issue that plagues me throughout the flight.

THE CLASS: I'm seated at 5A on the Qantas A330 business class cabin, which has 27 seats in 1-2-1 configuration (each with direct aisle access and converting into a lie-flat bed). The business class suites are quite roomy and inch up a level with the plushness of the bedding provided by Qantas, and given we have a smooth flight, it is not an issue for this six-foot-tall human to find a cosy nook. The amenity kit is rather basic and the eye shade is on the small side. Check-in allowance for Qantas business is 32kgs for checked bags and another 8kgs for onboard. There are also 224 Economy seats on this flight.

FOOD AND DRINKS: Lunch options range from pasta with mushrooms braised in red wine to roast chicken with grilled broccolini and salsa verde. I order the ginger and shallot barramundi with stir-fried gai lan and mushrooms. It's moist and flavoursome and hits the spot, with champagne to match. There is a light dinner service, too, before we descend into Johannesburg. I opt for the lamb shoulder with polenta. The green beans are a little bland but the chives add plenty of flavour to offset the general listlessness I am feeling as I approach the end of my long journey.

ENTERTAINMENT: Qantas Airbus A330-200s on this route don't have Wi-Fi and it's a big fumble at this price point. The inflight entertainment system is quite basic and The Paramount+ tie-in provides a lot of Tom Cruise movies but I find the selection short on classics and Africa-inspired movies.

THE SERVICE: The crew, who provide a personalised touch by addressing you by name most times, is excellent. There's no Qantas lounge at Johannesburg airport, but business class passengers are free to use the British Airways lounge, which has showers.

The writer was a guest of Qantas and TripAdeal