Making the most out of the whole glorious Qantas First Class Experience

[Kangol]

It seems like you're asking for your mother to be seated in F for the last 30 minutes of the trip and then to deplane with you. Basically it won't happen. You'll get off the plane at LHR and then wait for her to deplane and then walk together to immigration.

Is the seatbelt sign turned on 30 mins prior to landing? Maybe "right before descent" is not the most appropriate term. How about, wheels down, seatbelt sign off, then we deplane together after the 13 other F pax?
I'd be interested if anyone has any similar experience..

 

[boomy]

I'm also travelling in F with my Mum in Y on QF9 (I know people will disapprove, but she doesn't mind and prefers to spend the money elsewhere). This may be a faux pas, but what is the view on asking the FAs to bring her into F right before descent so that we can disembark together? Reason why I ask is that a few years ago, in PE on QF10, I had a friend in Y who I asked for PE champagne to be brought to - then right before descent, the FA proactively asked if I wanted to bring my same friend up to PE so we could deplane together. Mind you, this was the old A380 PE and it was a very light cabin - 25% occupancy or thereabouts.

You can always ask, if there will be a spare seat in F (which is highly unlikely), the CSM may allow it. Worst case they will apologise and say it can't be done, no big deal.

 

[Kangol]

You can always ask, if there will be a spare seat in F (which is highly unlikely), the CSM may allow it. Worst case they will apologise and say it can't be done, no big deal.

Oh I was referring to the buddy seat (with seatbelt)..

 

[Princess Fiona]

Oh I was referring to the buddy seat (with seatbelt)..

No-one can sit there for take off or landing.

 

[Kangol]

That solves the issue then. Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is the seatbelt sign turned on 30 mins prior to landing? Maybe "right before descent" is not the most appropriate term. How about, wheels down, seatbelt sign off, then we deplane together after the 13 other F pax?
I'd be interested if anyone has any similar experience..

You are free to wait in the comfort of your seat for your mother, she can swing by the F cabin and you can deplane together. If she's sitting right behind the F cabin that will be fairly easy. If she's sitting elsewhere, other passengers will stand up as soon as the aircraft stops... it'd be a tough ask to have the crew clear the aisles to bring your mother forward.

 

[Rugby]

Tend to agree with MEL_Traveller on this one Kangol. I've tended to find that F fills with upgrades so probably no spot for Mum. Get her seated close to F in Y cabin, sneak her an F champagne, and then wait for her upon landing and depart together.

 

[TheRealTMA]

For QF9 MEL-xDXB-LHR... I'm also travelling in F with my Mum in Y on QF9 (I know people will disapprove, but she doesn't mind and prefers to spend the money elsewhere)...

Heavens. Surely with points or cash you could at least upgrade her to J? You can't condem your mum to whY for such a long flight if you're in F. I wouldn't, but that's just me. YMMV.

 

[Rugby]

Tend to agree with MEL_Traveller on this one Kangol. I've tended to find that F fills with upgrades so probably no spot for Mum. Get her seated close to F in Y cabin, sneak her an F champagne, and then wait for her upon landing and depart together.

...and hope she doesn't beat you too hard with her handbag

 

[Quickstatus]

For QF9 MEL-xDXB-LHR, last time I did this, the transit in DXB required you to go through security screening again (with the LAGs restrictions as usual). Is that the same for QF10 LHR-xDXB-MEL? I can't remember, but do they check again for LAGs from the DXB F lounge?

I'm also travelling in F with my Mum in Y on QF9 (I know people will disapprove, but she doesn't mind and prefers to spend the money elsewhere). This may be a faux pas, but what is the view on asking the FAs to bring her into F right before descent so that we can disembark together? Reason why I ask is that a few years ago, in PE on QF10, I had a friend in Y who I asked for PE champagne to be brought to - then right before descent, the FA proactively asked if I wanted to bring my same friend up to PE so we could deplane together. Mind you, this was the old A380 PE and it was a very light cabin - 25% occupancy or thereabouts.

Put your mum in F!.
The brownie points will be worth much more than any other type of points you will ever accumulate.
You may also get more freebies and enhancements in Y than your mum would have including a comp to F upon approach to destination. Just get your mum to be blushingly appreciative in front of CSM

 

[The Flying Brick]

For QF9 MEL-xDXB-LHR, last time I did this, the transit in DXB required you to go through security screening again (with the LAGs restrictions as usual). Is that the same for QF10 LHR-xDXB-MEL? I can't remember, but do they check again for LAGs from the DXB F lounge?

I'm also travelling in F with my Mum in Y on QF9 (I know people will disapprove, but she doesn't mind and prefers to spend the money elsewhere). This may be a faux pas, but what is the view on asking the FAs to bring her into F right before descent so that we can disembark together? Reason why I ask is that a few years ago, in PE on QF10, I had a friend in Y who I asked for PE champagne to be brought to - then right before descent, the FA proactively asked if I wanted to bring my same friend up to PE so we could deplane together. Mind you, this was the old A380 PE and it was a very light cabin - 25% occupancy or thereabouts.

Transit screening applies to all QF pax arriving at DXB - then up the escalators - cross to the lift and then up to the EK F Lounge.

Also, QF 10 at Dubai often has a manual bag search when departing from the EK F lounge just before the entrance to the lift lobby (for reasons that I can't understand this is more likely when leaving from the lower numbered gates rather than the higher numbered gates).

I have had this happen twice this year on QF 10 but have departed through higher gate numbers on QF 9 and not had the manual pre departure bag search.

 

[blackcat20]

Transit screening applies to all QF pax arriving at DXB - then up the escalators - cross to the lift and then up to the EK F Lounge.

Also, QF 10 at Dubai often has a manual bag search when departing from the EK F lounge just before the entrance to the lift lobby (for reasons that I can't understand this is more likely when leaving from the lower numbered gates rather than the higher numbered gates).

I have had this happen twice this year on QF 10 but have departed through higher gate numbers on QF 9 and not had the manual pre departure bag search.

I've also had the manual search for QF10 but not QF9...bought a bottle of water to take on board and it was promptly confiscated.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've also had the manual search for QF10 but not QF9...bought a bottle of water to take on board and it was promptly confiscated.

I thought gate screening for LAGs was required before departures into Australia? So that would cover the QF10, but not the 9.

 

[Kangol]

Thanks, good to know. I sometimes have an empty water bottle for this reason.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks, good to know. I sometimes have an empty water bottle for this reason.

It's amusing. MrsTMA had a cold and sore throat so picked up a bottle of water from F lounge to help her stop coughing. 50 mtrs away at entrance to lift down to boarding the hand bag search confiscated it.

Amusingly, on DXB - USA flights, we've boarded twice now with no bag search let alone having to turn on devices to prove they are real....

But then again rules is rules.

 

[legroom]

It's amusing. MrsTMA had a cold and sore throat so picked up a bottle of water from F lounge to help her stop coughing. 50 mtrs away at entrance to lift down to boarding the hand bag search confiscated it.

Amusingly, on DXB - USA flights, we've boarded twice now with no bag search let alone having to turn on devices to prove they are real....

But then again rules is rules.

It seems when Australia is the destination, the LAG bag search applies - wherever the origin may be.

IIRC, I just walked onto QF12 F with no LAG the last time around. Not sure what happened there ?

 

[blackcat20]

It's amusing. MrsTMA had a cold and sore throat so picked up a bottle of water from F lounge to help her stop coughing. 50 mtrs away at entrance to lift down to boarding the hand bag search confiscated it.

Amusingly, on DXB - USA flights, we've boarded twice now with no bag search let alone having to turn on devices to prove they are real....

But then again rules is rules.

Exactly why I had purchased a bottle....

 

[Kangol]

An update to this from last month:
I flew SYD-xMEL-LHR. By the time I got to the MEL F check-in, it was about 7.15-7.20pm. The main lights were off when I walked to the front entrance but one of the staff saw me and came to the door. I told them where I was going and she asked "are you Dr Kangol?", kinda expecting me, ha. She brought me inside and I asked about further forward aisle seats for Mum (I got her in row 54 or 55) - there was nothing available. The lady then asked if I could have my spa treatment earlier (originally booked for 9.30 or so) because one of the spa attendants was unwell and they were one staff member down, meaning some people would miss out (surely not F pax?!). That was fine and I made my way to the F lounge, told the staff member there about my Mum arriving at about 8pm and went and had my treatment. They also booked a private room for me which was great. Check-in opens at 7.30pm for QF9, FWIW.

Went back to one of the private rooms after my treatment and was reading emails, when the lounge attendant brought my Mum in! She was going to ring me when she was close to the entrance, but apparently the attendant saw her, came out and asked "are you Dr Kangol's Mum?" and whisked her inside. What service!
The F&B service inside the private room was very attentive, despite being at the opposite end of the lounge.

Onboard, everything was great as expected. Had VC LGD on all 4 legs and I must say, that is now my favourite vintage champagne. Wanted to try the Pol Roger but I cannot complain. Had some of the best steaks I've ever had in my life on both legs to LHR! I was very happy and that's all I can say.

I asked the FAs prior to descent if Mum and I could disembark together, making it clear that I did not want to push in front of anyone and if I had to wait, then I was more than happy to do so. This was on both MEL-DXB and DXB-LHR legs. Both times, when the seatbelt sign was off and before I got my bags from the overhead, the FA had brought Mum into F very promptly so we could disembark together! Well done QF.

Getting into DXB was fine, for those who may not have known about this (I certainly didn't because I didn't do my homework and wasn't so observant), the spa is located outside of the F lounge. So if you want a treatment, book before going into the F lounge. The massage was excellent. They had the "frog chairs" - I don't know what the proper name is but it was definitely one of the best airport massages I've had, possibly even better than TG F in BKK!

On the way home, at LHR F check-in I asked about a spa treatment and the F host rang the No. 1 Traveller spa to book a treatment for me. It wasn't bad, but wasn't amazing either. Still a good service. It is one level up from the T3 BA Galleries F lounge and the lift/stairs is just next to the entrance for the BA lounge. Keep in mind that it is also a paid and PP lounge, so there was a bit of a wait at the entrance (infrequent travellers enquiring about the offering and price, etc). The attendant at the counter asked for the payment and I showed her my F BP, so maybe their system can't tell if you are entitled to a complimentary treatment or not.

LHR-DXB had at least 5 seats empty (1A and the 4x F seats, didn't bother to go over to the K side)! But all others were full. No beef offered as a main on both QF10 legs. The shoe shine service at DXB was awesome, too. I was disappointed with the wine list however they did have St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2006 on QF10 - both legs! It was great on LHR-DXB but for some reason tasted off on the DXB-MEL leg. Might have been the storage, I dunno.
The LAGs check at DXB prior to QF10 wasn't that thorough, they asked if I had any liquids, I showed them my clear bag and some of the previous amenity kits and they didn't look any further.

All in all, the experience was great! Cannot fault QF and I will definitely do it again. I have two QF12 F bookings next year to look forward to
Well done QF!!

Btw on the way home, I booked Mum on BA F, A380 and she said that QF F (she did it SYD-HKG last year) is a whole lot better than BA! Also commented that the CCR wasn't as good as the SYD/MEL F lounges (no surprise there, given all reports).

 

[boomy]

Glad you had good trip Kangol and good to see QF escorted your mum to the front so you can disembark together.

Interesting comment about the EK lounge massage. I thought it was good but not as good as QF and can't even compare to TG which is 1 hour!

 

[Kangol]

Glad you had good trip Kangol and good to see QF escorted your mum to the front so you can disembark together.

Interesting comment about the EK lounge massage. I thought it was good but not as good as QF and can't even compare to TG which is 1 hour!

I guess I like it firm, which helps when travelling. So that's maybe it. EK in DXB was quite firm.
QF and No. 1 traveller in LHR are more relaxation than remedial, which is probably for "safety" reasons. TG can be both, but maybe when I went, it didn't really re-energise me as much. The time of day might have something to do with it. Having said that, TG is still great - complimentary 1 hour massage can't be beaten!
I do miss the leg and back massage from QF in the days of Payot.