One more RTW hurrah... oh whY not!

[Keith009]

Boarding call was made promptly at the scheduled boarding time. Priority boarding was strictly enforced. To my surprise this was a 3 class flight, a rare sighting on regional routes indeed.

The KA whY cabin featured bright colours and was almost garish. Seat was quite comfy, but the bulkhead seat cuts off your legroom somewhat.

looking wistfully at the J cabin...

After take off, I got the Emerald greeting. The Head FA (don't know what she's called on KA) came around to introduce herself and asked if there was anything I would like. I didn't know whether this was like on QF, ie a cue to ask for special things like bubbly from J, so to avoid embarassing myself and making things awkward for her I simply said that all was well and had a glass of chardonnay. I am liking these unpublished courtesies which CX/KA extend to other oneworld elites.

A full lunch was served, which was v impressive for such a short flight. We had printed menus, and 2 choices of mains. The pork was v nice, and washed down nicely by the chardy. Unlike Cathay on short flights where the booze seems to be on request and needs to be retrieved from the galley, KA does it from the trolley like most other airlines. Dessert was coffee flavoured Haagen Dazs. Pretty service intensive for such a short flight - the joy of flying intra Asia I s'pose.

No immigration forms for Hong Kong were given out, and I had to specifically request for it.

On the whole, i felt the service was nicer than Cathay in whY. The KA girls seem much friendlier, whereas some of the Cathay FAs (in both J and whY) can be rather terse. And drink requests were fulfilled v promptly on KA and always with a smile.

We landed on schedule in HKG. I made it landside v quickly due to zero queueing at immigration, as well as my bag coming off first. I thought about exploring the arrivals lounge, but I couldn't wait to get to my hotel as the brand new W Hong Kong beckoned... sorry folks!

Next: A WoWtastic Whatever/Whenever Experience in Hong Kong!!

 

[Shano]

The new CX/KA lounge is a big improvement over the previous lounge in the other terminal!!

I also agree with your comments about the KA FA's - a lot more friendly than CX. Despite the slightly inferior hard product, I would rather fly KA than CX on these shorter regional routes.

 

[Will]

Loving the TR, Keith! Keep it up

 

[Tortuga]

Massive trip dude, saw a picture of you at Melbourne Uni? I'm graduating from there this year.. No idea how you manage to fit this massive trip into your uni schedule and budget All the airline lingo is classic, I'm sure I will understand it after a few more years. What laptop do you take with you? I am looking to get one for my travels, don't want it too big though.

 

[Keith009]

Massive trip dude, saw a picture of you at Melbourne Uni? .. What laptop do you take with you? I am looking to get one for my travels, don't want it too big though.

What have i done this time? :shock::-|

I'm using a Sony Vaio VGN-CR353. I highly recommend it. The graphics are so vivid, the keyboard rocks, and dare I say it looks so good in lectures and in public.

 

[Keith009]

Review of my W Hong Kong experience has been posted in posts 9-18 of the following thread:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...rwood-properties-hong-kong-reviews-13797.html

Next: QF30 HKG-MEL J

 

[drron]

Hey Keith,its official,you are now famous.Our very own trendsetter-
FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Photos can now be posted within threads in the Starwood forum
Congrats!

 

[serfty]

Or here:

Photos can now be posted within threads in the Starwood forum - FlyerTalk Forums

Cheers Keith ...

 

[Keith009]

Sector - HKG-MEL
Flight number - QF30
Class - Business
Equipment - B747-400
Seat - 11B, then 12A

I'd decided to book a HKG-MEL-HKG award to break up the ticket so that I'd have an extra holiday here, perfect starting point for some cheap miles and cash redemptions too. Almost ended up in Cathay J, but award availability on this flight opened up and I'd grabbed it even though it meant I'd get back a day late. The original flight on Cathay was an overnight anyway. And what better way to fly than on my favourite carrier.

Alas, I'd slept in as I'd gone back to snooze after the wake up call (damn the Ws for having such comfy Wonderful Beds!) and was hence unable to enjoy the excellent Wing/Pier Flounges. I'd missed the cut off for ITCI and had got to the airport a mere 10 mins before check in closed. It was pretty much straight through immigration and security (no hassle with epi pen this time), and the flight was already boarding when I got to the gate.

If there is something nicer than starting any adventure with the Flying Kangaroo, almost telling me to 'go forth and have fun mate, don't forget to paint the town red', it is ending with the same - it's like being carried home by a pair of strong, warm familiar hands. I know what I'm getting on Qantas - out of this world cabin crew and the v best IMO, excellent food, fine Australian (sometimes NZ) wines, a comfy seat. Where I'm treated as a valued guest by charming hosts like I'm at my best friend's champagne breakfast or BBQ, rather than stifling formality and deference or plain indifference. Oh we'd ignore the fact that my plane might decide to dive out of the air or land with a bit or 2 missing of course. But since when has any airline been 100% incident free anyway.

the feeling of elation and sense of home begins when i spot the red tail

As with all London flights (QF30 originates from LHR), the flight was totally packed so the boarding gate was a bit of a dog's breakfast. Priority boarding was enforced but the line was a bit long, especially when you consider that whY+ pax also enjoy priority boarding. But in no time at all I was onboard and welcomed 'back' by a cheerful Simon. I'd ascended the giddy heights of the UD, always special no matter how many times I fly, and got to my seat 11B, bulkhead aisle.

Almost immediately I was offered a choice of pre departure bevvies, and of course picked the bubbly. Charles Heidsieck MEC today, 2007 disgorgement - quite nice and not as acidic as the 2005. 11J and K soon arrived - 2 knock-about blokes who'd vowed to outdrink each other on the flight; this was going to be a fun flight!

Glen the FA was surprised that I'd finished my drink so quickly, I'd explained the mad run to catch the flight. He then promised that there're ample supplies of champagne on the flight, with a wink. I was immediately offered a brand new glass of bubbles as he removed my depleted one. Boiling hot towels were also handed out.

My seat mate in 11A soon arrived, with the missus in 12A. The cabin crew asked the woman behind me in 12B as to whether she was willing to swap, but she'd refused. They then tried me. Now normally I wouldn't have given up bulkhead aisle, something which I'd pre-allocated in advanced. But Glen the FA made the request so politely, with an almost pleading look in his eyes. Quite unlike the rude person on that AA transatlantic flight earlier in the trip. So I'd agreed. After all the alternative seat 12A wasn't too shabby - same amount of legroom. I'm a bit bothered being in the window seat of course as I'm an aisle seat person, but the UD window seats had the side storage bins which I find v convenient.

legroom in 12A

 

[Keith009]

The crew seemed most grateful, and made it a point to fuss over me, for instance I got priority during the meal service and was served first during both meals.

Departure was delayed as one of the airconditioning packs on the plane was found to be defective and the coughpit was working on it with some engineers. Which must explain why the cabin felt rather warm. The crew did a few drink runs in the mean time, so even more bubbles for me.

We finally were on our way 40 mins after scheduled departure. Amenity kits were given out after take off. Got the new Marc Newson kit. In terms of practicality it was more useful than the previous one as it was a fair bit bigger. But I still prefer the rather industrial look and smooth, hard plastic feel of the previous kit. The amenities are now by Korner rather than Ultraceuticals; I'd really liked the Ultraceuticals lip balm but the new Korner kit had a v good moisturiser.

Bar service was performed after take off, no prizes for guessing what I'd picked. Hint: my choice was rather bubbly.

Lunch was served shortly after. Menu hasn't changed from when I'd last flown this segment in late July
. Though winter melon duck soup is quite a bit better this time, less bland. Main course of fish was delicious. The wine offerings were different - I had a lovely West Australian pinot noir, by Picardy which accompanied the meal beautifully. I had the cheese plate for dessert, with some Muscat to go along with it per another FA's recommendation (sadly i'd forgotten his name).

 

[Keith009]

I'd resumed to sipping on the pinot for a while. This broke my own rule of not having red wines in the day due to wine stains, but the Picardy pinot noir is one of my faves.

Watched a bit of the IFE - they had Little Britain Abroad! Quite a favourite episode of mine. As well as the hilarious Osama Bin Laden APEC stunt episode of The Chaser's War on Everything. Then moved on to some Kath and Kim.

I'd listened to my seat mate's ordeal of trying to get home from Berlin, she'd been traveling for 2.5 days now! Her BA flight into HKG was diverted to SZX due to the previous day's typhoon and she'd spent 11 hours onboard as there was an impasse between the airport authorities and the planes which have landed to accomodate the pax. BA had ended up sending up crew from HKG to bring the flight into HKG. Rather than waiting 24hrs to fly Cathay directly to ADL, she'd opted to fly Qantas into MEL, overnighting at the Hilton and a domestic connection the next day - as she just wanted to be home(ish).

Decided to switch back to bubbles when I was done with the IFE. I wasn't tired, but my seatmate was in deep sleep. So instead of disturbing her by dinging the galley for top ups, I'd simply walked to the galley for drinks. Had a nice chat with Glen, as well as the other FA. This flight had crews from all over the place it seems; apart from MEL, there were also crew members hailing from bases in AKL and BKK. The flying pattern of QF crew seem pretty long, and they also get less breaks compared to other airlines. I was told that some crew doing AKL-LAX only get a night's rest before resuming duty!

About 2 hours before landing, Glen handed out hot towels and the refreshment service had commenced. I tried the pot pie this time (as I'd had the pork last time and I can't eat the prawns) - simple but v yummy! Washed down by more bubbles. I finished up with the v nice passionfruit tart for dessert which came with some delightful blueberry toppings, and accompanied by some fragrant Grinders coffee.

oops i'd made a mess of the compote before taking the pic

Glen then came around with a bottle of bubbly for me to take off the plane, as the crew were v grateful for my swapping seats. That was a v nice gesture.

Despite the delayed departure, we only ended up landing 5 mins late due to favourable headwinds I'd assume. We had to be towed into the gate at MEL as the plane couldn't use engine power for the gate it was assigned to.

The flight consolidated my v high opinion of Qantas; it was another one of those that made me almost refuse to leave the plane when we arrived at Tullamarine. Indeed, if there is anything nice at all about ending a holiday other than seeing the familiar sights of home upon landing, it is being brought home by Qantas. The Spirit of Adventure. The ever faithful and reliable Flying Kangaroo.

Next: Epilogue

 

[Keith009]

Epilogue

Some people, my dear old mum for instance, would wonder why I can't do anything simply. Why I'm not just content with a 'there and back' trip. And how I can turn a 'ooh I feel like going to Hawaii for my mid semester break' notion into a full RTW.

Yet to many others (I'm looking at you FFers), trips of this nature are almost de rigueur. I might even come down for harsh criticism as to why I didn't spend that bit extra for an xONE4 and go on some wholly unnecessary but no doubt enjoyable mileage run and attempt to get some form of status on a 2nd oneworld FFP.

Somehow I have found this report more interesting to write than my previous ones. Instead of writing about what I already know and what most people might already know, I find myself exploring a couple of first time experiences, namely longhaul whY on a Qantas B767-300, Finnair long haul, and DragonAir. Not to mention the opportunity to almost go behind the scenes at W Hong Kong. And with the very many F and J reports out there, it seems almost more trendy and fashionable to fly down the back.

As always thanks for the feedback thus far, and I hope you've enjoyed reading as much as I've enjoyed writing. Despite all that travels my 'Where I've Been' map on facebook tells me that I've only seen 11% of Planet Earth. One way or the other, there's a beautiful world to see out there. Preferably from the bottom of a champagne flute or wine glass (or martini glass as the case may be). I'm just glad to let my innate Wanderlust take me Wherever/Whenever.

whY not indeed...

THE END​

Coming up in December: QF009 goes exploring on Singapore Airlines A380 Suites!

 

[serfty]

Epilogue

Well Done Keith; great TR.

As a guy who flies WHY internationally more often than not, 'tis good to relive some of it.

PS. I try not to comment mid TR, so have held off but was fascinating to see your "Jake the Peg" - three legged "feet shot" .. well done!

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for writing the TR very interesting, thanks for your report on Finnair who I am flying with next month.

 

[Evan]

Yet another great report ! The level of detail really makes them an interesting read.
And woud have to say your expereinces mirror mostly mine with the airlines. CX/KA for sure is my pick into most cities in China.

E

 

[Hvr]

QF009 you have set the bar high with this TR. I've loved reading it and look forward to the next one. It is an inspiration to write my next trip (commencing 28 Oct) up in a timely fashion.

 

[Alanslegal]

A super report QF009!!

As always it is a great read - and one that always makes me envious and wanting to travel more!!

 

[drron]

Aabsolutely aawsome.Wonderfully wicked.Aas aalways.

 

[thegurio]

Sensational as usual...

If I could find the big thumbs up button I'd be using it!

 

[serfty]

Sensational as usual...

If I could find the big thumbs up button I'd be using it!