Mini TR: FCO-xHEL-xHKG-xMEL-SYD in J with QF & AY + a bus & 2 trains

[nonpop]

This was the return leg of our Christmas & New Year in Italy. We were sad to have to return.
Milan, Venice & Rome. A sensational way to spend a few weeks. But work commits dictated we had a limited travel window.

(The inbound journey posted here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/mini-tr-syd-xmel-xhkg-56880.html#post967079)

We originally came into MXP and now departing from FCO. AY have no issue with completely different in & out ports.

Again, strap yourselves in for a barrage of photos.

This TR actually starts with a train from Milan to Venice.
We purchased the tickets online about 6 weeks prior. All too easy except for needing to contact GE Money (28 Deg M/C) as we tried to purchase several train tickets at once. After the first purchase, the card was blocked even though we entered the SMS code into the website. And yes, as we were doing it at 10pm at night, the GE call centre was closed. Oh well we just had to wait another 24 hrs but GE did unblock the card.

Train from Milan to Venice: We decided upon 2nd class seats as they were 9 euro each and we could pre-select seats

Milan Central station and our train
View attachment 22535

Cabin shot. 2nd class is 2 aisle 2 vs 1st class which is 2 aisle 1
View attachment 22536

Leg room shot - plenty of space. The seats don't recline but rather the base of the seat comes forward to provide increased thigh support. There was a power point at the seat and the cabin also had a toilet
View attachment 22537

With tray table down
View attachment 22538

Well Venice was a lot of fun and stayed at the Hilton. A great hotel.
Now to catch the train from Venice to Rome. Another fast train. This one we selected 1st Class seats as the prices were very favourable.
I would suggest not buying tickets on the day, but rather pre-booking / printing your tickets as the station was very busy

View attachment 22539


TBC

 

[RooFlyer]

Great, thanks.

Am planning to do a bunch of Italian trains mid year so all info on that aspect appreciated.

 

[nonpop]

Train from Venice Rome pics:

This was our train. Fast and comfortable. 1st class seating also came with newspaper and a drink / snack (we had sparkling wine & mixed nibbles)
View attachment 22540

My seat. Very comfortable. We chose the individual seating facing each other with a fold up table between us. The 1st class cabin also appeared to have 2 toilets (which are fun to use at 248 km/hr)
View attachment 22541

The 2 x 2 seating with table folded out
View attachment 22542

Speed shot
View attachment 22543

Cabin shot
View attachment 22544

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Well Rome was a blast. Lasagna coming out of my ears. We made it a mission to sample it for lunch and compare different eateries.
But it was time to leave so now off to FCO and onto our AY A320 to HEL.

FCO was madness, crazy busy. Fast track was not available to AY pax and there was no premium line we could make out for status / premium cabin.
Nonetheless, we got through security within about 30 mins and then off to the lounge.

Lounge is run by 3rd party. Even though we had lounge passes from AY check-in (which was handled by BA staff), the lounge agent took out QF numbers. I would describe her as 'cold' with no welcome. It was evident she enjoyed her job --- not.

The lounge was comfortable, clean and we were able to grab a glass of generic bubbles. Plenty of power outlets and wifi worked well (good enough for Skype video call).

View attachment 22545

Lounge drinks
View attachment 22546

More drinks --- there was food but is was just all sweet cakes and some nuts
View attachment 22547

Seating
View attachment 22548

Seating
View attachment 22549

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Time to board our AY A320 to HEl.
Flight was on time. We were shuffled to a bus to board out on the tarmac. As such, no premium boarding.

Boarding
View attachment 22550

Our bus ... no J cabin, no PB, no pre-taxi drinks ... shock was starting to set in
View attachment 22551

Cabin ... again intra-Europe no true J cabin but rather mid seat blocked off
View attachment 22552

J cabin
View attachment 22553

Leg room shot from row 1
View attachment 22554

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Forward shot showing coughpit. There was also 2 toilets for J pax (one just behind curtain you can see in pic and other up near coughpit left hand side like QF B737). The J cabin was 100% full. The J toilets were policed and if people came through from Y cabin they were questioned and then sent to rear of plane.
View attachment 22555

Our journey
View attachment 22556

Lunch meal - hot and tasty. Plenty of top ups of booze. In fact they almost kept asking you to drink more. Service was excellent and very attentive.
View attachment 22557

A close up of another plane passing us. We saw plenty of air traffic along the way.
View attachment 22558

Landing into HEL. Flight was pleasant and landed on time.
View attachment 22559

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Now at HEl, we had to make our way into downtown to catch-up with some friends.
From landing to finding luggage storage, was less than 10 mins.

Our bags were checked through from FCO to HKG but we had backpacks, so I used the locker rental. Was 5 euro self serve machine. Space was huge and took both our backpacks with heaps of room to spare. We just swiped our 28 Deg M/C and we were in and out within 5 mins.

Locker rental
View attachment 22560

We took the public bus from airport into downtown. It was waiting for us as we stepped outside of HEL airport. So we either take it or the Finnair bus. The Finnair bus is 6.30 euro ea vs 5 euro for the bus (which is almost as fast). It drops you at central station, so very convenient and takes about 30 mins subject to traffic. You just pay driver as you jump on.

View attachment 22561

Cabin shot --- yep had to take one. It was clean and warm with cloth seats plus space for luggage
View attachment 22562

Leg room shot in keep with theme
View attachment 22563

Ice skating at central station. We made sure we did this prior to our meal. Was a lot of fun. Temp was about 2 deg c with no wind.
View attachment 22564

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Back to HEL airport and off to the lounge.
This time we were using the long haul lounge as we had to leave the Schengen area.

We were welcomed into the lounge which has a very Nordic feel in cool blue. Seating is comfortable and wifi worked very well indeed.
Here are some lounge pics

Pic 1
View attachment 22565

Pic 2
View attachment 22566

Pic 3
View attachment 22567

Pic 4
View attachment 22568

Pic 5
View attachment 22569

TBC

 

[nonpop]

More lounge pics

Very comfortable recliners on podium with a view over airport
View attachment 22570

General seating
View attachment 22571

Tables
View attachment 22572

Food area
View attachment 22573

Help yourself to a beer
View attachment 22574

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Time to jump in the shower. The shower rooms are nice and clean

In keeping with the Nordic theme
View attachment 22575

Shampoo, conditioner, body gel, body lotion, after shave, makeup remover cream etc
View attachment 22576

Shower
View attachment 22577

Instructions hanging from wall on how to use the toilet ... using the functions of it thatis.
View attachment 22578

Then we had a bit more food and drinks in prep for boarding
View attachment 22579

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Time to board our AY A340 from HEL to HKG.
This bird was in their Marimekko colours on the outside. On the inside it felt like a 'young' bird with plenty of padding in the seat.

Boarding
View attachment 22590

Priority sign
View attachment 22591

J cabin with angled bed seating
View attachment 22592

J seats
View attachment 22593

J seats
View attachment 22594

TBC

 

[nonpop]

More cabin shots & meal time

Entertainment. It work well. QF have more movies, but the selection was still adequate.
View attachment 22585

Seat power options. The USB sockets worked well and charged devices
View attachment 22586

Meal time. We were able to pre-order meals.
This is SWMBO main meal of pork. It was tasty .
View attachment 22587

I selected the Reindeer fillet. Mmmm
View attachment 22588

Breakfast --- again hot and tasty and no hint of cafe style. There were continual bread and drink offers.
View attachment 22589

TBC

 

[burmans]

Enjoying it so far, must say I particularly enjoyed the train pics, train is my preferred mode of transport inter Europe and am not sure why its not more widely used.

 

[nonpop]

Time to land into HKG.
The flight, again was excellent. Departed and landed on time and service was prompt.

Baggage collection HKG. Again we wanted access to our bags to throw all our cold weather clothing into them and change into summer clothing
View attachment 22595

Early check-in was open for our QF flight to MEL. Check-in was done by staff dressed in QF uniforms. We were invited to use a lounge. I said I'd be using the CX Wing lounge. The agent just smiled and nodded.
View attachment 22596

The Wing. Always so welcoming.
View attachment 22597

Seating
View attachment 22598

A view from one end of the lounge. We usually just migrate down the end near passport control entrance as it is quieter and close to Champagne.
View attachment 22599

TBC

 

[nonpop]

After a shower in the lounge it was time for a quick nibble then some Champagne (yes again). We seemed to have drunk a lot of red & bubbles during this tour. We made a rule that if we were ever offered it we had to drink it. Only once did we both turn it down as the world started to spin slightly.

Light meal in the lounge restaurant
View attachment 22600

Mmm Champagne choices --- and we never had to pour our own drink. The moment we looked over at the bar, an attendant appeared.
View attachment 22601

We settled on Moet Rose and then got a selection of cheeses to nibble with. I think we consumed close to a bottle each. We were very relaxed especially after a hot shower, meal and Champagne. Thank you CX for being part of OW and allowing these usurpers in (not flying CX).
View attachment 22602

Time to board our QF A330 from HKG to MEL. This flight was delayed departing HKG and QF provided a lot of advance notice. We had a connecting MEL to SYD coming up and QF advised we'd have no issues meeting it.
View attachment 22603

Yep we're in the right line. After showing BPs at the gate there was also the additional liquids check before boarding.
View attachment 22604

TBC

 

[nonpop]

On our A330 with the usual Mk1 Skybeds.

Cabin shot
View attachment 22605

Cabin shot 2
View attachment 22606

Cabin shot 3
View attachment 22607

Seat pic
View attachment 22608

Meal time. We were not able to pre-select our meals. The system just kept coughping itself. But nonetheless, we got our first choice. The food was nice and tasty.
This was fillet steak with a butter.
View attachment 22609

TBC

 

[nonpop]

More food shots. We elected to drink Red (Vasse Felix was our choice)

This was the vegetarian option. Was nice enough.
View attachment 22610

At time of taking orders we ordered a 3rd plate to share as we knew the QF meals were 'smaller' that we were used to. So we ordered the crispy duck Wonton dish which we found average. It was probably the only average meal along the journey on any a/c.
View attachment 22611

Breakfast cafe style. I'm not a fan at all. Personally, after a sleep I want a bigger hot breakfast. The little warm tart was nice thought.
View attachment 22613

Ok time to land into MEL. Immigration took a long time. The smart gates seemed to be having a bad day with taking a long time to read peoples faces then rejecting a lot. Staff were not surprised it seemed.

We then popped up to the Domestic QF Club (as J lounge closed) and had another light meal then down to our flight MEL to SYD.
It departed on time.
View attachment 22615

QF B767 cabin shot.
The iPad streaming entertainment service was not functioning on this flight. Oh well.
View attachment 22616

TBC

 

[nonpop]

Meal time. This flight departed around 11am so not a lunch service

We both chose the salmon potato salad which was very nice. It has some egg mixed in it.
View attachment 22619

Ok well there ends the flight pics / journey.

The long haul amenity packs for reference.

AY
View attachment 22620

QF
View attachment 22622

The return summary.
Very much like the outbound journey ... surprise, surprise. Both QF & AY did a great job and looked after us in J. I would have hated doing the trip in Y. The extra seat space is almost a must for such distance plus having lounge access with food, drinks and showers really makes it enjoyable and takes the pain away. But again each to their own.

I hope some of you found these pics either useful or interesting. I tried to document the experience as best as possible to give you a feel for what the hard and soft products were like.

To you all, Happy & Safe travels through 2014.

 

[Dino84]

Really nice report, hoping to be able to try AY next January, will probably be only in Y though The Wing in HKG looks great, will have to try it out while I'm still a WP.

Scott.

 

[nonpop]

Really nice report, hoping to be able to try AY next January, will probably be only in Y though The Wing in HKG looks great, will have to try it out while I'm still a WP.Scott.

Thanks for your kind words. I am surprised at the amount of planning required to get all the photos (especially when loaded with Champagne) and then trying to write the report.

Anyways, I hope your trip goes well. Nothing wrong with Y. I've flown it plenty of times, but J is always a nice treat. So just make sure along the way you use the lounges as your "J" experience i.e drink and eat in the lounge. Then when in your Y seat, you'll be more mellow and comfortable.

The HKG CX Wing is very nice. Especially if you want a shower (just have one for the heck of it). And a shower always makes you feel better and a bit more special. Then hit the restaurant (it has a quick buffet or an al la cart menu) for a fill up and go and relax with some bubbles.

Lounge tip ... as you exit passport control on the way in, make an instant hard left and follow the path. It will take you to the back entrance to the Wing lounge. If you go down to near gate 2 to the official entrance it is a long walk. This will save you 15 mins and more time for bubbles. And again, we use the back entrance for our exit.

Enjoy the travels. It is what you make of it.