Mini TR: SYD-xMEL-xHKG-xHEL-MXP in J with QF & AY

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nonpop

nonpop

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Decided to head to Italy for Christmas / New Year break with SWMBO.
Here are a few pics on the way up. Time permitting will post the return later.
I tried to take the pics for this very forum and hopefully they tell a story along the way for everyone.
My way of trying to produce useful content when possible as I know I've had PMs along the way re AY.

Anyways, it was QF SYD to Mel first ... needed to take care of something first ... an extra 40 SCs for the same price as direct :lol:
Then MEL to HKG with QF and a change to AY to MXP.

We have becomes fans of AY as bang for buck they suit us.
Plus we get all our OW benefits and grow our SC & points buckets.

Here we go: I'm not big on words, so hopefully the pics tell the tale (even at the ribbing of SWMBO who at times got embarrassed from me taking pics of airline lounges, seats, meals etc. But I knew it was for a good cause)

Light breakfast in the Syd J domestic lounge saving up for MEL Flounge
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Then QF B737 Seat pic 1
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Seat pic 2
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Seat pic 3 power options
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Runway view from out the window
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TBC
 
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SWMBO main meal
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Self serve area
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Time to land in HKG & collect luggage (we didn't check all the way through as I wanted access to luggage in HKG)
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Flight thoughts.
It was an excellent flight. Departed late, but time was made up in the air.

Service was polite. The onboard greeting was interesting. I noticed the CSM go to each PAX and greet them with a printed manifest in hand. He then greeted the PAX and highlighted their QF status. The PAX in front was welcomed as a QF Bronze. Then when he got to myself, he did the QF WP welcome and then turned to my SWMBO and welcomed her as a SG and commented (very politely) that she needs to fly a bit more to get to WP. We had a laugh when I said she would be WP very soon etc.

During the flight I spoke with several crew and noted we were heading to Italy (including Venice) and the crew came back later with suggestions on places to eat, see and do all written on napkins, scrap paper etc. It was wonderful.

Anyway ... now on-wards ...

Thought I'd slip this one in ... not a flight shot, but the HK airport train into Hing Kong.
1. I wanted a meal and 2. I wanted to recheck my luggage at Central for onward flight as we were too early for check-in at airport

Airport train
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Hong Kong MTR airline check-in ... as we had the 'midnight' flight then Check-in was permitted early (I use this process for early check-in when airport counters not open yet)
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TBC
 
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Clever idea, train into town, check luggage and then dumplings!
 
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Some airlines remove the bins so the plane looks better/ more spacious, although surprised to do it in a 2x2x2 config.

Virgin Atlantic also does it in J, albeit in the 1x1x1 herringbone config
 
Meal service.
Ok the food was excellent IMHO. We've always enjoyed AY food and this was no different. We pre-selected out meals safe process as QF.

Pic 1
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Pic 2 -- Apart from pre-flight Champagne they also had a warm spiced drink which was very nice. We had seconds.
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Beef Tenderloin. Pre-ordered. Was tasty and to my liking. Went well with Red.
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Dessert --- They tried to pile on various cakes but I only wanted a small taste. Was very nice.
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I like the glasses
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TBC
 
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Breakfast time. A full hot breakfast, not cafe style. And constant request if we needed more bread, drinks etc. Food was very nice.
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Flight details
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Ok we've now landed and pics of Helsinki airport. From landing to lounge ... 7 mins. Yes 7 mins. We timed it. I'm always amazed how quick we get through. Take that LHR.
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HEL looks busy. But all just seems to work. A nice small airport.
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Pic 5
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TBC
 
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Even more lounge shots
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Pic 2
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Pic 3 --- power kiss rings for wireless charging. You pick up the plug in rings from reception as you enter the lounge. So no need for chargers. Worked on 2 x phones and 2 x tablets. Very nice. We always get them (loaned). All the side tables are enabled. Just drop your device on them.
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Airport music ... just outside the lounge ... ok now off to the flight HEL to MXP on an A319
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Boarding time
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TBC
 
BVT said:
Clever idea, train into town, check luggage and then dumplings!
Click to expand...

yep that was the plan. Down at the harbour ... all way too easy. That's why I like Hong Kong.
 
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