PER-AKL Trip Report

[Flatforlonghaul]

PER-AKL SC Trip for my 40th Birthday

Sorry all! Even as an old/young 40yro I'm still coming to terms with things like X and how to use this forum to its's best. But to start with, I said "cough* it" just now and booked myself PER-AKL-PER for $3100.

I'm normally FIFO (ex PER) but not a bogan coughhole type.. I feed the hungry. I'm hoping to provide an old fashioned trip report on here... place marker

 

[Flyfrequently]

I'm on board @Flatforlonghaul for the birthday trip

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

Thanks, Flyfrequently!

As some background - I've been Silver forever and despite flying QF charters to work every week for ages now, we never received SCs or points for them. I wanted to get to Gold and eventually LTS then LTG soon.

I have PER-FCO LHR-PER J classic reward redemptions for next European summer. (Thanks to Vanessa's 'pain point' recover or whatever she called it)

So status will help on that trip too.

I was looking at SC runs and it seemed Perth-NZ was a viable and decent option. With my 'big' birthday being next month I pulled the trigger last night and here we are

Leave Thursday 30th November

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[Flatforlonghaul]

And so it began. Last night I took a sleeping pill with my glass of SB at about 7pm. Wanted to be well acquainted with bed before the red-eye wake-up call.

The 3am alarm woke me well. Quick shower and backpack a stow I ordered an Uber. The delivery time is often worse than the drive time - same as usual.

Rocked up at Perth airport T4 at about 4.30am.

Qantas Business lounge average (but with hindsight - writing this from the Qantas Intl J lounge in Sydney - it's a haven).

PER-SYD QF 642 STD: 0600 ATD: Ontime

Quick taxi and takeoff. Seat 1E. Crew were quickly into breakfast. Flight time of less than four hours suggested. I thought it used to take close to five? Early onset dementia, I'm sure. My doctor won't listen.

Breakfast options of Bircher Muesli (always spell that wrong), Fritatta or H&C Croissant. Went the Croissant. Average.... same that I'd pay $15 for at 5am on my usual FIFO swing out of Perth. They could definitely do better with breakfast.



WTF The protein bar is there for is beyond me. Sparkling offered and gladly received. Same with my neighbours.... is it a Perth thing (6am)???

Fruit salad was fresh and sweet - appreciated that.

Service was good. Anthony kept the 'LOIS's coming.

Seat was comfy, was asked to bring it up when I thought it was in the correct 'lazy' position for landing - will investigate that on the way back to Perth.

Now I'm sitting in the Sydney Intl J lounge awaiting my flight to Auckland. What a SHIZZOLE. Truly beneath what QF should be offerring in it's primary international gateway. And I'm a QF apologist.

More to come

 

[Flyfrequently]

Service was good. Anthony kept the 'LOIS's coming.

More to come

Good on Anthony @Flatforlonghaul !

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

SYD-AKL QF 149 30th Nov

As mentioned, very disappointed with the QF J SYD lounge, poor food offering, dated decor - seats that are so well warn I was weary to sit in them. Dirty walls:



Found a seat in a corner away from the crowds.

Flight delayed 30 minutes. Full in Business - economy seemed pretty open.

Great hostie (Debbie I think?). But it seems to be that there is too much for 1 person to do on a shortish flight like this with a full J cabin. I was row 1 and it took forever to for the meal service to start.

PDB of water or sparkling. Took the latter.

Meal offering of Soup, Sesame Chicken and something else (sorry can't remember). Took the chicken. Bland I'm afraid. Pumpkin salad with prosciutto



Maybe it's because I'm known by the few who love me for loving seasoning but the lavoche they serve with the cheese is so totally bland to me. First world problems I guess.

Bread was nice, but I miss the Lurpak butter. Shiraz was tasty.

Overall, a good flight. Great crew, but again slow service. Wine top ups had to be requested. Food really a let down. When paying thousands for an airfare I think they can do much better.

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

AKL-SYD QF146 1st Dec

AKL Lounge very basic. Food offering was very average. Salami look-alike meat, still not sure what it was. Tasted like polony.

Another slight delay. Lounge was packed. Announcement to please put your bags on the ground to allow others to sit in empty seats (I always do - what has happened to manners?) looking up the Auckland departure board I realised why - multiple QF & JQ departures within the hour. Nothing another G&T won't fix.

No boarding etiquette - the business line packed with people. I wondered if we secretly had an A380 waiting for us. Sadly not. Not enforced at all (all four flights were the same - how hard is it?)

Was just happy to be onboard and getting home.

The most excellent FA - forget her name- she had returned from surgery after a month. Used to fly with NZ on the 789 but opted for QF for the shorter flights. Kudos to her, just a lovely demeanour to everyone.

Again though, service took forever. Meal options had run out by the time she got to me (row 3). Thai beef salad or soup. Ravioli was popular, obviously. This lady apologised and was so gracious. Again, nice bread (bring back lurpak) and nice Shiraz.



Beef was tender but there was absolutely no flavour (except a hint of sesame - again). Greek salad was a nice change from the pumpkin. Hokey Pokey Crunch - never heard of them, but I will be checking in woollies for them now.

Again, great cabin staff, pity about the food.

 

[CMA222]

........Overall, a good flight. Great crew, but again slow service. Wine top ups had to be requested. Food really a let down. When paying thousands for an airfare I think they can do much better.

It's hit and miss, but then its QF. My recent SYD-AKL-SYD on QF was better then I expected (principally on the return journey) but for the ridiculous fares currently being offered and with no real competition (EK ?) they can charge what they like and provide a very average service and get away with it.

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

The final leg.

SYD-PER QF 655 1st Dec.

Again a delay. (What's with Qantas sending emails for a short delay? Maybe trying better comms?) That's 3 from 4. But only slightly late so I wasn't perturbed.

Again no priority boarding. I thought given the que maybe Global Airlines had it's big bird on the route.... Caught up with a mate in the lounge, nice to chat Chad.

Again a a great crew! What is going on? I thought QF had all the old birds? Virgin had the flair? Not on this flight.

Meal, again, cough. Beef (tender) with some random veg. Pumpkin salad.



And so it concludes for me. Gold on the horizon which is helpful for my EU trip next EU summer.

All around, great great great crew. Product is OK, just wish Qantas could get the food right.

Thanks for listening

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

It's hit and miss, but then its QF. My recent SYD-AKL-SYD on QF was better then I expected (principally on the return journey) but for the ridiculous fares currently being offered and with no real competition (EK ?) they can charge what they like and provide a very average service and get away with it.

It's hit and miss, but then its QF. My recent SYD-AKL-SYD on QF was better then I expected (principally on the return journey) but for the ridiculous fares currently being offered and with no real competition (EK ?) they can charge what they like and provide a very average service and get away with it.

It seems the amazing staff (who were allegedly high fiving on Alan's demise) are being let down by catering. I mean it's not hard to put an extra $5 into an inflight meal for J pax (and Y pax, I'm normally one of them)

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks for taking us along @Flatforlonghaul ✈
Guess one aims low with QF, and anything above that is a bonus.
Looking forward to your EU travels

 

[stm1sydney]

All four meals are Y standard on SQ or QR. Sad. And that SYDint J lounge, execrable.

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks for taking the time to post your TR @Flatforlonghaul. I may need to do a NZ status run next year, so was quite interested in your opinions.