One more RTW hurrah... oh whY not!
- Thread starter Keith009
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Sector - HEL-PVG
Flight number - AY57
Class - Economy
Equipment - A340-300
Seat - 28C
Contrary to the popular pun on its unfortunate IATA code, HEL is hardly hell. Far from it. I made it from gate, through the totally empty immigration checkpoint, to the international lounge in under 8 mins. The entire airport was v compact and tidy. Along the way I'd passed several Finnair lounges but knowing my at times rather poor time management skills, I thought I'd use the lounge closest to my gate in the non-Schengen zone.
The international lounge has a curious set up. As J is the highest class of service that Finnair operates, they do not have a Flounge. Yet they've nonetheless divided the lounge into 2: a long haul side on the right which is also the side for oneworld Emeralds, and a short haul side where oneworld Sapphires are eligible for entry. The long haul side of the lounge continues the minimalist IKEA feel of the lounge in VIE. Good choice of drinks, though a bit austere on the food. Free computer terminals provided, as well as free wifi.
Flight number - AY57
Class - Economy
Equipment - A340-300
Seat - 28C
Contrary to the popular pun on its unfortunate IATA code, HEL is hardly hell. Far from it. I made it from gate, through the totally empty immigration checkpoint, to the international lounge in under 8 mins. The entire airport was v compact and tidy. Along the way I'd passed several Finnair lounges but knowing my at times rather poor time management skills, I thought I'd use the lounge closest to my gate in the non-Schengen zone.
The international lounge has a curious set up. As J is the highest class of service that Finnair operates, they do not have a Flounge. Yet they've nonetheless divided the lounge into 2: a long haul side on the right which is also the side for oneworld Emeralds, and a short haul side where oneworld Sapphires are eligible for entry. The long haul side of the lounge continues the minimalist IKEA feel of the lounge in VIE. Good choice of drinks, though a bit austere on the food. Free computer terminals provided, as well as free wifi.
Seems like Finnair has quite a sizeable operation in North East Asia for a relatively small European airline; throughout my time in the lounge I'd heard boarding calls for flights to HKG and CAN. I couldn't help but be amused by the boarding announcements. They'd all start with 'final call', then 'absolute final call' and finally 'absolutely absolutely last final call.' Not wanting to chance it I left for my gate when I heard the initial 'final call.' I appeared to be one of the last people to board when I got there as the gate area was totally empty and I'd almost had the jetway to myself. Though alas for not boarding quickly enough, I didn't have enough space in the overlead lockers for one of my carry ons and had to stuff it into the seat in front of me.
The long haul A343 cabin was similarly blueish, but the seat was more comfortable than those on the A321. Seat had the usual pillow and blanket, along with a bottle of water and ear pieces for the IFE when I got there. There was also AVOD, though most of the content was rather dated.
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Had a v nice seatmate, a student from Shanghai who was on her way home after some research for her thesis in Finland. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the rest of the clientele of the flight, some of whom would appear to belong to a tour group and acted like it's their first time on a plane. I mean, nothing wrong with being excited in and of itself. After all my constant snapping away at every 2nd thing throughout the flight can be misinterpreted as the same sort of excitement to the public at large. But it does get annoying when departure is delayed due to people not complying with crew members' instructions; standing up or running to toilets during taxiing, chatting on mobile phones even after being told to switch off etc.
People began to walk around the aircraft cabin immediately after the seat belt sign was switched off. I noticed a lot of them were going back and forth the galley for hot water in cup noodles they'd BYOed. Maybe they knew something about Finnair long haul catering that I don't.
Dinner was served shortly after along with the first bar service. There were no printed menus and only 1 choice of mains, chicken teriyaki; luckily for me not a shellfish dish. Not the best but edible. The choice of wines was identical to the short haul flight. I had the South African chardonnay this time which was quite nice and hence stuck to it the entire flight. Hot beverages were served rather dangerously, with the cup still sitting on the meal tray rather than placed on a service tray FAs on other airlines like QF and SQ carry around with them for this purpose, and slightly recklessly at that. I could just about see the fundamentals for a negligence action satisfied should a pax get accidentally scalded due to turbulence, carelessness etc.
I tried v hard to sleep after meal service, as this wasn't a v lengthy flight as far as long hauls go. Unfortunately there was just a lot of noise in the cabin. I don't know which was worse: the screaming kids, or the parents who screamed back in a futile attempt to quieten their kids down. One kid had even ran into the JCL cabin with mum in tow, but instead of dragging him back quickly she decided to crack it at the kid right there in the JCL cabin. They were eventually threw out of that cabin by a v stern looking FA.
Also, although the lights were dimmed when the meal service had completed, one of the lights near the toilets were kept on. It litted up the entire cabin anyway, or at least where I was sitting. So eye shades came in handy, though because of the noise I failed to sleep a wink, and spent the rest of the flight sipping on chardonnay and watching the IFE.
FAs were rather mixed on this flight. Some rather nice and efficient, whilst the rest seemed to be in a hurry to get the job over and done with asap. A few drink runs were made and I was offered top ups of chardonnay once without my having to do so, other times I had to actively flag them down, and when they didn't come around there was no response to the service button at all. This was annoying when the galley was all the way at the back of the plane which had meant a long walk each time.
Approximately 90 mins before landing, breakfast was served. Again only 1 choice - this time a spinach and ricotta crepe with eggs, one of my faves! It was delicious indeed, as far as plane food down the back goes.
We landed in PVG more or less on schedule, and in less than 30mins from deplaning I was landside on the curb getting into a cab.
Overall, the Finnair long haul product was in general inferior to the likes of SQ, QF and BA but it was still acceptable, albeit with a less consistent standard of service. The behaviour of the passengers on my flight was the major contributing factor to the unpleasant flight, but that is something the airline has no control over. Verdict: Would fly if the price is right (or as the case may be: 100% accrual to AAdvantage for L class rather than 50% on QF and 25% on BA, and I'd not enough mileage to backtrack to LHR anyway).
Next: The Westin Bund Centre Shanghai; Shanghai Mk2
People began to walk around the aircraft cabin immediately after the seat belt sign was switched off. I noticed a lot of them were going back and forth the galley for hot water in cup noodles they'd BYOed. Maybe they knew something about Finnair long haul catering that I don't.
Dinner was served shortly after along with the first bar service. There were no printed menus and only 1 choice of mains, chicken teriyaki; luckily for me not a shellfish dish. Not the best but edible. The choice of wines was identical to the short haul flight. I had the South African chardonnay this time which was quite nice and hence stuck to it the entire flight. Hot beverages were served rather dangerously, with the cup still sitting on the meal tray rather than placed on a service tray FAs on other airlines like QF and SQ carry around with them for this purpose, and slightly recklessly at that. I could just about see the fundamentals for a negligence action satisfied should a pax get accidentally scalded due to turbulence, carelessness etc.
I tried v hard to sleep after meal service, as this wasn't a v lengthy flight as far as long hauls go. Unfortunately there was just a lot of noise in the cabin. I don't know which was worse: the screaming kids, or the parents who screamed back in a futile attempt to quieten their kids down. One kid had even ran into the JCL cabin with mum in tow, but instead of dragging him back quickly she decided to crack it at the kid right there in the JCL cabin. They were eventually threw out of that cabin by a v stern looking FA.
Also, although the lights were dimmed when the meal service had completed, one of the lights near the toilets were kept on. It litted up the entire cabin anyway, or at least where I was sitting. So eye shades came in handy, though because of the noise I failed to sleep a wink, and spent the rest of the flight sipping on chardonnay and watching the IFE.
FAs were rather mixed on this flight. Some rather nice and efficient, whilst the rest seemed to be in a hurry to get the job over and done with asap. A few drink runs were made and I was offered top ups of chardonnay once without my having to do so, other times I had to actively flag them down, and when they didn't come around there was no response to the service button at all. This was annoying when the galley was all the way at the back of the plane which had meant a long walk each time.
Approximately 90 mins before landing, breakfast was served. Again only 1 choice - this time a spinach and ricotta crepe with eggs, one of my faves! It was delicious indeed, as far as plane food down the back goes.
We landed in PVG more or less on schedule, and in less than 30mins from deplaning I was landside on the curb getting into a cab.
Overall, the Finnair long haul product was in general inferior to the likes of SQ, QF and BA but it was still acceptable, albeit with a less consistent standard of service. The behaviour of the passengers on my flight was the major contributing factor to the unpleasant flight, but that is something the airline has no control over. Verdict: Would fly if the price is right (or as the case may be: 100% accrual to AAdvantage for L class rather than 50% on QF and 25% on BA, and I'd not enough mileage to backtrack to LHR anyway).
Next: The Westin Bund Centre Shanghai; Shanghai Mk2
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Great trip report.
The lounge on the right in HEL international is nice although food/beverage seems the same as one on the left of entry desk.
QFFs earn 1 point per mile on all (dangerous word, there is probably an exception: eg award flight!) Finnair economy flights.
The lounge on the right in HEL international is nice although food/beverage seems the same as one on the left of entry desk.
QFFs earn 1 point per mile on all (dangerous word, there is probably an exception: eg award flight!) Finnair economy flights.
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Yeah I forgot to mention how quiet the 343. However yes you're spot on - the din inside the cabin canceled out the benefits of the lack of external noise.
tuapekastar
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Enjoying the TR Keith. You write them well. Wish I had the time to visit the TR fora both here and at FT a little more than I do.
Shanghai mk 2
Whereas on my last visit I was busy running around getting excited by all the new sights and sounds in a strange environment, my return visit was far more relaxed as I already knew where to hang out and how to spend my days (and nights). I had the added bonus of having a friend who's teaching English here this time around, as well as friends I'd made on the last visit. They had a week of national holidays so the roads around the Westin were chaotic as roadblocks had been instituted.
One of my favourite bars on the Bund happens to be the Glamour Bar. V nice crowd and competent bartenders, also great views of the Bund. Best to arrive at about 10.30pm. The crowds build up around 11 so 10.30pm would be ideal to secure prime real estate either by the windows facing the Bund or at the v nice circular bar which provides a vantage point for people watching.
But there was still something new to enthrall me on this visit. I had Din Tai Fung at Xintiandi which had v good Shanghai dumplings, as well as noodle soup.
As well, I got to check out Laris at 3 on the Bund by the Newtown native David Laris which was excellent, though some of the things that were supposedly cutting edge were pretty commonplace back home. And as with other top restaurants around, the list of champagne was rather limited as only the popular houses were featured and in any case rather overpriced. Again no pics this time as I'd forgot to charge my camera battery YET AGAIN. I think I need spares...
Whereas on my last visit I was busy running around getting excited by all the new sights and sounds in a strange environment, my return visit was far more relaxed as I already knew where to hang out and how to spend my days (and nights). I had the added bonus of having a friend who's teaching English here this time around, as well as friends I'd made on the last visit. They had a week of national holidays so the roads around the Westin were chaotic as roadblocks had been instituted.
One of my favourite bars on the Bund happens to be the Glamour Bar. V nice crowd and competent bartenders, also great views of the Bund. Best to arrive at about 10.30pm. The crowds build up around 11 so 10.30pm would be ideal to secure prime real estate either by the windows facing the Bund or at the v nice circular bar which provides a vantage point for people watching.
But there was still something new to enthrall me on this visit. I had Din Tai Fung at Xintiandi which had v good Shanghai dumplings, as well as noodle soup.
As well, I got to check out Laris at 3 on the Bund by the Newtown native David Laris which was excellent, though some of the things that were supposedly cutting edge were pretty commonplace back home. And as with other top restaurants around, the list of champagne was rather limited as only the popular houses were featured and in any case rather overpriced. Again no pics this time as I'd forgot to charge my camera battery YET AGAIN. I think I need spares...
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Another gem I discovered this visit was the Ruijin Hotel complex in the French Concession. It is a collection of restaurants, cafes and bars in a nice garden setting. I had a pretty tantalising afternoon tea at Face which is also a trendy bar come nightfall.
arvo tea with a twist - green tea!
arvo tea with a twist - green tea!
For my birthday (actually the day before) we had dinner at a rather contemporary noodle place that serves uber traditional cuisine - I'm liking the contrast. One of our party had heard of it through word of mouth and thought we'd check it out. I can't actually remember the name now or the road it's on, but I'm advised that it's on a v trendy shopping strip in the French Concession.
Tsingtao Beer
Beef noodles
Curry beef noodles
We also had these cute tiny little marinated eggs as sides.
The night wore on at a bar called Abbey Rd as recommended by another person in our party who does walking tours in the city, on one of the many nightlife strips of the French Concession. They had a rather vast menu here of wine, beer, spirits and coughtails. I didn't get to see much of the French Concession last time other than Xintiandi which is all fake, so it's great to be in the thick of it this time.
Tsingtao Beer
Beef noodles
Curry beef noodles
We also had these cute tiny little marinated eggs as sides.
The night wore on at a bar called Abbey Rd as recommended by another person in our party who does walking tours in the city, on one of the many nightlife strips of the French Concession. They had a rather vast menu here of wine, beer, spirits and coughtails. I didn't get to see much of the French Concession last time other than Xintiandi which is all fake, so it's great to be in the thick of it this time.
The festivities carried on the following evening at this pretty cool underground (literally) Friends of Dorothy bar called Shanghai Studio, which had All You Can Drink between 9pm and 2am on Thursdays for just RMB90. Terrific value!
Next: KA877 PVG-HKG whY; A WoWtastic experience in Hong Kong; QF30 HKG-MEL J
Next: KA877 PVG-HKG whY; A WoWtastic experience in Hong Kong; QF30 HKG-MEL J
drron
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Hey!I finally beat a trendy.I was at the Face bar back in May.Well briefly-we ate upstairs.
I will have to convince mrsdrron she can trust me with the camera.
I did try and post one of her photos of the Face bar but it was too large and this technophobe had already gone beyond his limits!
I will have to convince mrsdrron she can trust me with the camera.
I did try and post one of her photos of the Face bar but it was too large and this technophobe had already gone beyond his limits!
lisa31jane
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QF009, have absolutely loved reading your marathon trip report. Most entertaining.
Funny thing, I'm sure I recognize some of the people from your photo from QF3 as I was a few rows back from you on the same flight!! ( and I think I recognise your shoes!!) LOL.
Some enjoyable and light reading to distract me from all the other stuff! ( and if you recall, prior to QF3 I was bemoaning travelling on an "old" 767 and wishing I had been on an A330 to HNL!!) Ironic. Funny how one of my next jaunts is on one to HKG and now I'm anxious about that!!! Discovered that a few scotches before boarding makes it all a lot easier! LOL.
Funny thing, I'm sure I recognize some of the people from your photo from QF3 as I was a few rows back from you on the same flight!! ( and I think I recognise your shoes!!) LOL.
Some enjoyable and light reading to distract me from all the other stuff! ( and if you recall, prior to QF3 I was bemoaning travelling on an "old" 767 and wishing I had been on an A330 to HNL!!) Ironic. Funny how one of my next jaunts is on one to HKG and now I'm anxious about that!!! Discovered that a few scotches before boarding makes it all a lot easier! LOL.
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Discovered that a few scotches before boarding makes it all a lot easier! LOL.
You will fit in well around here
.Funny how one of my next jaunts is on one to HKG and now I'm anxious about that!!! Discovered that a few scotches before boarding makes it all a lot easier! LOL.
Alcohol, the solution to all the world's evils.
Sector - PVG-HKG
Flight number - KA877
Class - Economy
Equipment - A330 (of some sort)
Seat - 22G
I took a cab all the way to the airport this time, as I felt this was a more convenient option than transferring to the Maglev. The ride took about 45mins. KA F counter was deserted and I was checked in v quickly. I was automatically allocated 22G which is a bulkhead aisle seat. My bag was tagged with an F priority tag. I'd forgotten to do seat request for the KA sector and so it was a relief that someone, somewhere in a back office made sure that I didn't get stuck in a middle seat down the back. I was also handed the usual lounge invitation, as well as an invitation and map to the CX/KA arrivals lounge in HKG.
KA shares the same lounge with its big sister Cathay at PVG. It's a combined lounge for premium pax and shiny cards of all shades. Quite a pleasant place with decent food options but limited drink options. It was somewhat open to the rest of the terminal.
Flight number - KA877
Class - Economy
Equipment - A330 (of some sort)
Seat - 22G
I took a cab all the way to the airport this time, as I felt this was a more convenient option than transferring to the Maglev. The ride took about 45mins. KA F counter was deserted and I was checked in v quickly. I was automatically allocated 22G which is a bulkhead aisle seat. My bag was tagged with an F priority tag. I'd forgotten to do seat request for the KA sector and so it was a relief that someone, somewhere in a back office made sure that I didn't get stuck in a middle seat down the back. I was also handed the usual lounge invitation, as well as an invitation and map to the CX/KA arrivals lounge in HKG.
KA shares the same lounge with its big sister Cathay at PVG. It's a combined lounge for premium pax and shiny cards of all shades. Quite a pleasant place with decent food options but limited drink options. It was somewhat open to the rest of the terminal.
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