Quick update-
QF 7/8 done in March and April. Had a wonderful trip, much thanks to inputs in this thread.
I was told there are first hosts at DFW, but they dont really do anything- no reaching out, I think they are there to manage any issues that come up. I was given a phone number, but didnt need to speak to anyone. I just mention this in case anyone needs assistance at DFW, there SHOULD be someone ready to act. Should.
The plane and service was really wonderful. Food out of DFW was ho hum; out of SYD markedly better. It was the supper menu down, and the lunch/tasting menu back. FA did a very nice job with the wine pairings and the lunch menu.
(Odd note: on the old menus, they had an asterisk on certain of the menu items, with the footnote saying "can order at any time during the flight". It seems that on the new printing (both xDFW and xSYD, in March and April) someone dropped the asterisk: the footnote is there, but it seems to apply to the entire menu! Strange.)
In flight service was great- no issues with attention, nor pacing. Nice, comfortable interactions. (My wife and I flew, 2a and 3a both flights.) Way down from DFW we dined in one seat... funny after 30 days of travel, on the way back it was 'lets just watch movies and eat' so we didnt share a table.
We used the QF club in DFW for a few hours having connected from elsewhere- while we did a walk-through of the AMEX lounge, it was packed (as usual) and my wife was "get me out of here". I swung by the AA lounge, to see the new dining room. Uggh. Claustrophobic. The QF space was low key, super empty and very comfortable. We did not use showers there; bathrooms nice. A plate of snacks and that was it.
The A380 was remarkably quiet. I have probably taken 20-30 trips on the 777 in F and J, but the A380 was SO much quieter.
The QF bed with the pad was a winner. The QF mattress pads are an amazing difference. Truly. Best sleep ever on a plane. Slept 7 hrs down, 6 hrs on the return. (Minor medical issue with someone on the way back- sounded like someone fell down the stairs or something- so it upset my sleep on the return.)
Tail cam- great into and out of SYD.
On the return from SYD, we had a massage and facial before a light lunch at the QF First lounge. Set up by the first host the day before. Arrived at 10:40AM for a 1:05 departure. Probably should have arrived at 10. (Brand new Uber driver got lost, couldnt find us....annoying.) While we did have enough time, it was a bit rushed through lunch, and once noon came and you are wondering about boarding. A half hour more would have given us just enough time.
Good times!
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