Athens and Iran (OZ, TK and QR business)

[RooFlyer]

Gearing up for a relatively simple trip, but a bit tricky in booking and execution.

The core is a 15 day small group tour of Iran; JohnM told me over a year ago that he was doing it and I thought that would be a good excuse to go. I hesitated initially as it means foregoing my ESTA to the USA, but I decided that a 'manual' B1/B2 visa to the USA would be OK. I have obtained that visa (not difficult, just time consuming) but obviously have yet to have the pleasure of entering the USA with an Iranian visa in my passport! Hmmm ... I wonder if the Iranians will hassle me for having a USA visa in my passport

Before Iran I decided to have a few days in Athens as I haven't been there before.

This is what the flights will look like (sort of):



SYD-ATH was supposed to be on SQ J, using Aeroplan miles, but a bit under a year ago when I was stalking the SQ site day by day counting down to the day when my flights should have been released ... nothing! Nor the next day. &!!@$#!? ! Nothing for it than to go to plan B - that is, the flights that were available on the Aeroplan site for the day I wanted (which, by the way is bloody good for redemptions - it gives lots of Star Alliance options etc).

So, it ended up being :

SYD-ICN on Asiana J (my first flight on Asiana and through ICN)
ICN-xIST-ATH on Turkish J (first time on TK J, and IST J lounge)

3 nights in Athens in the Royal George Hotel on Starwood points redemption (I couldn't muster boomy's and amaroo's favourite digs, its sister the Grande Bretagne next door , but it looks like it has the same views from the rooftop restaurant)

ATH-DOH-IKA on QR J using QFF points. Thanks to QR having to fly around Saudi airspace, this now has a tight connection in DOH. If I don't make it, there is another flight a few hours later.

15 days in Iran:



Yes, you have seen that map before - JohnM posted it in his current TR We were supposed to be on the same flights in and out of IKA (Tehran), but due to QRs little problem with the Gulf States, he had to change his flights, so now arrives earlier than me.

We are both getting visas on arrival, facilitated by the tour organiser. You now get a sort of VoA 'pre-authorisation' PDF and fees are paid in advance, so hopefully the process will be quicker - insha allah.

Then its IKA-DOH-MEL on QR J again using QFF points.

I can't wait. (off next Monday)

 

[LadyC]

Looking forward to reading your trip report. Iran is on my must do list but is unfortunately a long term plus goal. I'm sure you'll even include a little history lesson for us here and there, so I will feel very learned after reading it

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm sure you'll even include a little history lesson for us here and there,

Oh, I dare say there's a chance of that , especially as I'll be with JohnM but not a glass of booze to be seen.

 

[amaroo]

Looks like a stunner ... love Athens! Hahaha, I have the same view of Iran that you have of Mexico

 

[craven morehead]

Oh, I dare say there's a chance of that , especially as I'll be with JohnM but not a glass of booze to be seen.

Ha ha must be 2 other fellows I was thinking of lol ..... no booze!

 

[boomy]

Looking forward for an interesting TR.

I think you did well on the outbound. OZ and TK (with their outrageous lounge) are good airlines and since you've never tried them before it was better choice than SQ J IMO.

Athens is very interesting I'm sure you'd love it. When I stayed at GB it was 12k points now up to 20k so KG was definitely wiser choice for your redemption as it's literally next door and should have similar views of the Acropolis. I do suggest a visit to the historic bar at BG if you have time and also the rooftop.

Never been there myself but according to an Iranian friend they have some nice anise based booze which is not that hard to get if you're a local so hopefully with some assistance from your tour guide.

 

[Major]

I'm sure you will make up for the reduced alcohol intake, before and after.

 

[blackcat20]

Looks interesting!

 

[RooFlyer]

Flew HBA-SYD yesterday on VA, EconomyX - row 3 legroom:



Nice views of the Snowys:



free TBus to Rydges. They had sent me a text that morning saying early check-in was not available - 2pm would be the time. I had to drop bags off anyway, so I went and yes, room was ready. I checked if it was away from elevators, per my booking request. As usual, no it wasn't, so she moved me, no probs. Cleaning obviously in full swing and a bit of a chicane here:


Dinner at the Blackwattle Grill was very good; started with scallops, then salmon, both very nice.







Check-in at Asiana counters next morning - found to in 'J' aisles - Siberia! Never been out here beforeThey open 3 hours before departure.

Very odd - the last leg of my outbound trip, IST-ATH wasn't in the agent's system, notwithstanding it is all the same ticket. She asked for my ticket, which I naturally had hard copy of, and entered that leg manually. Told I could use the Air New Zealand lounge, so naturally I went to the Silver Kris lounge, as I hadn't been in the business lounge since it was refurbished:





The lounge was nearly empty, which was the plan, although the quietness was pierced by an asshole speaking loudly into his iPad. Western brekky options were a bit stodgy to be honest - scrambled eggs which needed replacing, small snags, baked tomatoes, cereals, muesli, juices, wines and Champagne (Albert et fils).

Wi-fi very slow - 1mbps download and about 0.8 download.

Went over the Air NZ lounge which I hadn't been in since its referb. Much busier, so the assholes on their loud calls not as jarring. Food also pretty average, but there was barista coffee (although the guy was obviously pretty new).

Wi fi was out when I arrived, but it soon was up again and a hefty 30 Mbps download and the same upload

Flight boards in about 15 mins so I'll leave it there and maybe take it up again in Seoul

 

[I love to travel]

Looking forward to the asiana and turkish reviews

 

[robbo135]

Thanks for the report, looking forward to the rest of it. I'm also flying SYD-ICN-IST on OZ and TK in December (although through to LHR), so keen to see your experience. You're flying a bit too early to try OZ's A380 which they're bringing onto SYD-ICN in December. I think they currently use 772's?

 

[RooFlyer]

Boarding for OZ602, a B777-200 started bang on time and the doors were closing 15 minutes later! Business cabin about 2/3 full.

I had selected and inside aisle seat, but was offered a window at check-in (1-2-1 config); since it was a day flight I took it.

So, 1A:




Lots of storage space under the ottoman and on the bench next to the seat. Row 1 seat is adjacent to the aisle, rows 2, 4 etc have the seat next to the window and the bench next to the aisle, so would be more private.

The leading edge of the ottoman would turn into a problem later. With the seat deployed to bed mode, you find that the leading edge is hard, right at calf level and is quite uncomfortable. I ended up putting the folded blanket over it, but it still wasn't great. I would hate to have this for an overnight flight.



The business cabin. In the centre, the 2 seats alternate rows angling into each other, and angling away from each other. Angle out rows, such as 2, have the aisle seat as 'D'; angle in rows, such as 3, have the aisle seat as 'E'. My original 3E would have been OK ...





Then it was away, again, right on time.

 

[RooFlyer]

The service throughout the flight was OK, without being brilliant. A drink offer was only given once - after take, off, for lunch. I chose the Sth African Sav Blanc, and it was only just cold. Throughout the flight, if I wanted a top-up, I had to ask, but it was then done promptly. I once rang the bell, and it was answered immediately. Twice, rather than topping up my glass, they moved to take it away!

The pre-take off drinks were water, OJ or Champagne; I peered at the glasses of Champers on the tray at eye level and did not see a single bubble ... OJ for me, thanks.

Menus; there was a choice of Western or Korean:

 

[RooFlyer]

Meal services were done efficiently, off trolleys. Lunch was served shortly after take off, abt 11:30 Sydney time.

Although I don't as a rule like Korean cuisine, I thought it would be silly not to give it a go. it was a good choice.

Herbed bocconcini to start:



Pickled turnip roll with crabmeat:



Korean pumpkin porridge 'Hobakjuk' - very thick, and surprisingly plain for Korean..



Main course of 'bibimbap'. Fortunately the menu suggested how to eat it - combine the steamed rice (in the covered dish) with the red pepper paste (a little bit spicy hot) and sesame oil, then mix the lot. Soup also there. it was nice, but again, not really my thing. Glad I had it.



Then, deep fried sweet rice cake and a square of bean jelly with chestnut (and port).



Fruit to finish.



Overall, very nice, well served (except for the wine )

The IFE was a bit clunky (old fashioned controls); film selection was OK - about 20 Hollywood and another 20 western ones.

 

[RooFlyer]

My first time at Seoul ICN. Arrived at the satellite terminal; follow the crowds to the underground shuttle to the main terminal. Waiting for the shuttle (everyone got on board)




Had no idea where I was going; I have about 4 hours transit, so I was happy to wander. Eventually got funnelled into 'Transfer'; re-cleared security, then in the main terminal, looking for the Asiana Lounge. Lounges not on maps, and no signs.



Eventually found the First lounge, and they pointed me in the right direction. there's also a Biz lounge in the Satellite terminal, where I have to return to for my next flight.

The Asiana Business lounge is nice; darkish and clubby atmosphere; quiet and uncrowded the entire time I have been here. Wi-fi download 43 MBps, upload 15 MBps.





Food and bev are pretty basic; wines are very ordinary.








Showers good:

 

[RooFlyer]

Currently in my Athens hotel room after two excellent Turkish flights in J. The ICN-IST long haul in B777-300 was everything I think a business class flight should be (except no PJs ). The seats were spacious, service good, meals excellent, and free wi-fi.

My flight was leaving from the satellite terminal at ICN, so I got the subway out and was looking for the Asiana lounge, when I came across this:



I knew it wouldn't be as good as an Asiana Lounge but as I hadn't found that, and as there was a TK one here, I might not get into Asiana, so I thought I'd give it a go. Hassled by the lounge dragon on entry (am a Miles & Smiles Member? - yes; give her m'ship card; did I have a voucher? no, but look, I have a TK business boarding pass ...

I got in eventually and it was ghastly - one of those echo-y, empty, sterile places with cough food & bev.


I got out ASAP and circulated until I found the departure gate and waited there.

Boarding started a bit earlier than advertised and was done in 30 mins. The cabin looked great - spacious, bright and you could tell that the 2-3-2 layout wasn't going to be bad.










You have that entire footlocker of space to put things, plus a deep moulded pocket beside the seat. A few flaws - the hard side arm rest was irritating in bed mode, but that foam back-cushion was excellent, including when the seat was deployed as a bed.

Leg room shot:



IFE controller was good - an entire screen with full functionality in itself. Big range of films, TV etc ..

 

[RooFlyer]

We took off at about 11:45pm and although I loath post-midnight meal services, I looked forward to this one.

Some brightly coloured drinks were handed out pre departure, plus the first of many hot towels. After seat belt sign went off (20 mins or so) , two guys - the in-flight chefs, supposedly, distributed menus and a bit later took orders.



Some quality Denon NC headphones handed out, in rigid cases, and an OK amenity kit



The menus:











The meals did take a long time to come; I think mine was brought to my seat about 90 mins after take-off and I was getting really tired by then. But the wait was worth it:

Caramelised goats cheese and sautéed veges (and note the little 'candlelight' thing in the bag .. a little electric flickering 'candle-light' - nice touch)



Mains: lamb in rosemary jus. Tender as anything and a decent sized portion.



I couldn't last till dessert - I had the bed made up (a rather thin seat cover, with a large pillow, a normal airline type blanket and also a thinner one - really good, as I often find cabins get too warm and with this I could be decently covered!)

Lastly, the toilet was bigger than average - maybe 1.5x the 'traditional' bathroom, and had special fittings, rather than Boeing standard:



Wi-fi was free in business, although only abt 0.2 MBps it was Ok to download and send some e-mails and to browse some web pages. It was a night flight, so not many people would have been using it.

IFE selection good, and nice big screen and modern controller unit.

I'd rate this flight as one of the better business long hauls I've had in a long time. If only they gave out PJs it would almost get a '10' out of me.

And then there's the TK lounge in Istanbul to look forward to

 

[boomy]

Turkish use DO&CO catering, same as Lufthansa group hense the beautiful presentation and high quality meals. While the soft product is almost 10/10 for J their seating config is archaic so I'm surprised you were so impressed. No direct aisle access for long haul is a major flaw. JL for example also have 2-3-2 config in J but each seat gets direct aisle access.

 

[TomVexille]

OZ Smartium, not bad.

 

[RooFlyer]

for J their seating config is archaic so I'm surprised you were so impressed

Fair comment; I made damn sure I was on an aisle. I think the length and height of the bed in extension mode makes it pretty easy to hop over but yes, all aisle access better.