QF SYD-SIN Day Trip incl F Lounge/In Flight/Singapore Lounge pics

[jukebox333]

Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for an excellent report.

 

[hj.au]

I didn't leave Changi either. You don't even need to go through any international transfer desk or security, you get off the plane straight into the main terminal airside with all the departing pax. So can tear up your arrivals card and head straight to the lounge! Are you doing flights 81 in and 82 out or 5 in 6 out?

Thanks for your information. will fly QF5 & QF6.

 

[smit0847]

Really enjoying this trip report. There are a huge number of AFFers that took advantage of the South American deal to SIN (I very nearly pulled the trigger myself too). Those IFE screens do look awfully small.

I would love someone to do a J trip report like this!!

 

[markis10]

Thanks for your information. will fly QF5 & QF6.

Those IFE screens do look awfully small.

Same system is often seen on QF5/6 but less reliable, I did not enjoy my last QF5 experience as it was OJC, with QF5 a real lottery the best option is QF51!

03/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEJ	B747-400ER	58J/36W/270Y
04/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPD	A330-300	30J/267Y
05/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJM	B747-400	14F/52J/32W/255Y
06/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPF	A330-300	30J/267Y
07/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
08/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
09/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJC	B747-400	56J/40W/275Y
10/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJC	B747-400	56J/40W/275Y
11/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPA	A330-300	30J/267Y
12/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJM	B747-400	14F/52J/32W/255Y
13/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPE	A330-300	30J/267Y
14/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
15/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
16/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJT	B747-400	58J/36W/270Y
17/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEG	B747-400ER	58J/36W/270Y
18/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPH	A330-300	30J/267Y
19/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEE	B747-400ER	58J/36W/270Y

 

[hj.au]

Same system is often seen on QF5/6 but less reliable, I did not enjoy my last QF5 experience as it was OJC, with QF5 a real lottery the best option is QF51!

03/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEJ	B747-400ER	58J/36W/270Y
04/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPD	A330-300	30J/267Y
05/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJM	B747-400	14F/52J/32W/255Y
06/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPF	A330-300	30J/267Y
07/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
08/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
09/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJC	B747-400	56J/40W/275Y
10/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJC	B747-400	56J/40W/275Y
11/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPA	A330-300	30J/267Y
12/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJM	B747-400	14F/52J/32W/255Y
13/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPE	A330-300	30J/267Y
14/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
15/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEB	B747-400	14F/66J/40W/187Y
16/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OJT	B747-400	58J/36W/270Y
17/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEG	B747-400ER	58J/36W/270Y
18/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-QPH	A330-300	30J/267Y
19/06/2013	QF5	Sydney		Singapore	VH-OEE	B747-400ER	58J/36W/270Y

Wondering where do you get all these information from? I will fly QF5/QF6 on 23/8 and pre-selected seat 40A. Could you find out which B747 will be used?

 

[markis10]

Wondering where do you get all these information from? I will fly QF5/QF6 on 23/8 and pre-selected seat 40A. Could you find out which B747 will be used?

Its still a long way away but at this stage its a four class bird, either OJL or M with old AVOD and seats.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744-14P52J32PY255Y.pdf

 

[lovestotravel]

Great report and thanks for sharing

A great way to spend the better part of a day

 

[wazza888]

Thanks for the TR.

 

[amaroo]

Very nice TR - like the photos.

The QF SIN lounge looks better than the EK SIN lounge.....interesting to see what the new BA lounge will look like when it opens.

 

[Inver]

Very nice TR - like the photos.

The QF SIN lounge looks better than the EK SIN lounge.....interesting to see what the new BA lounge will look like when it opens.

Yes the photos are great, I now can see how all the areas look and don't need a tour when I finally get to see it first hand in August/September.

 

[hj.au]

Its still a long way away but at this stage its a four class bird, either OJL or M with old AVOD and seats.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744-14P52J32PY255Y.pdf

Thanks Markis10. Appreciate your info!

 

[MH_fan]

Fantastic trip report and thanks for all the pics. I'm really looking forward to checking out the SIN lounge later this year!

 

[sydks]

Part 4 - QF6 Singapore to Sydney

At about 10pm it was time to leave the almost empty Singapore lounge and head to the gate for the flight back to Sydney where Qantas 747-400 ER VH-OEG 'Parkes' was waiting. I was lucky to be on one of the 9 refreshed 747's featuring A380 standard seats & entertainment, as they don't seem to feature often on this route.

I had been expecting it due to the seat-plan that I had during seat selection online, but it was nice when I checked flightaware during QF5's flight up and saw it was one of the newer 'ER' 747's! I had earlier faced a major 'seat selection conundrum' as I had selected 71A upon booking, as I like those sets of twin seats at the rear due to the extra space between seat and wall and at worst only having to climb over 1 other person to get out (because I like the window). However when we got to within T-80, row 43 opened up to me, which is the only other seat I had subconsciously considered - and I could have had 43A!! It was a major dilemma... I knew the legroom in 43A would be good as I had read it had a cutout at the feet, and I almost took it. But then I thought about having 2 people next to me and having to stow the IFE screen (which means I can't watch the map on descent), plus having the view blocked by the wing so I stuck with my 71A!

I boarded the plane just after 10pm having been through the gate security screen and picked up my duty free booze which is delivered to the gate. I walked through the lower deck Business cabin which was deserted, then through the PE cabin which had about 4 people in it, and then into the main Economy cabin which was also pretty empty -and started to think it might be a pretty light load! I was right, I would say only a 30-40% load in Economy - everyone pretty much had a row of seats to themselves. So no partner in 71B - Don scored again!

I took my seat and settled in. The Captain came on and said that 'the Singapore Air Traffic control is a bit of a mess tonight as they are doing some training - so we will be delayed'. Our 2225 departure time came and went! While we were waiting a Jetstar Asia A320 pulled in at the gate next to us and I was interested to watch when they opened up the baggage hold that they did not use the containerised system like Jetstar do domestically - instead they setup a conveyor belt and had a baggage handler crawl into the hold and throw out the bags 1 by 1 like Qantas do on a domestic 737. I thought the baggage containers were one of the 'efficiency' advantages of the A320 family and would have sped up turnaround times for an LCC!

Anyway - finally at about 2240 we pushed back and had a pretty quick taxi to the runway, turning onto it and powering up immediately with wheels up just before 2250. With a relatively 'light' load, the takeoff performance was impressive!

Cabin shot from 71A


I love the A380 Economy seats, I find them the most comfortable Economy seat of any I have experienced, particularly the sliding cushion when you recline, and the foot net, which lets you rest your feet off the ground. Unfortunately due to where the 'legs' of the seat meet the floor on the sets of 2 (row 69-73) they do not have the foot net, which was disappointing. On this flight it was not to matter, as I was able to move when I wanted to sleep - however on a full long haul flight I would have been annoyed!

After take off again water bottles and Menu's were handed out - I didn't take as many photos on this leg, but the menu was:

Pickled Cucumber Salad / Beef and Mushrooms in Red Wine Sauce, Mash Potato & Vegetables OR Thai Style Sweet Chilli Fish with Egg Noodles & Asian Greens / Lemongrass Pudding

I went with the Beef - which was only OK. I hate Cucumber so didn't touch the Salad, and unfortunately on this flight it the bread roll was cold & hard and worse - so was the butter!! Drink was a Bundy & Coke.


During dinner I started watching the Australian movie 'Goddess' mainly because I love Magda Szubanski - it was pretty bland but past some time! Another thing to note in regards to the A380 seats installed on the 747's is they do not feature any detachable remotes / satellite phones in the armrests! While this obviously means you don't have any phone access, it also means no seat-to-seat chat or gaming features in the IFE, and probably most annoying is everyone HAS to control the IFE by touching the screen - which means your seat will be tap-tap-tapped! Again wasn't an issue on this lightly loaded flight, but on a packed long haul trip, it's probably not great! I am not sure why they have installed modified versions of the seats... Anyone know?

Anyway after the movie finished and a few nightcaps were had by Don - I went for a walk around the dark cabin. Most people were sprawled out across each row of 3 or 4 seats and I was thinking 'lucky them' when I came across row 47 and found seats A-C empty - but for 3 pillows & blankets! Bingo - this would be my bed for the night! So I retrieved my valuables from 71A and made up a very comfy (almost flat for Economy) bed for the night lying across 47ABC.

At this point it was eye shade down and lights out for a few hours. Speaking of eye shades - I have to say that the standard of 'amenity kit' handed out in Economy was abysmal - not even worthy of being called a 'kit'. It has been a while since I have flown an overnight sector in Economy - but gone is the re-usable pouch with a lanyard and in with a disposable plastic back with only an eye shade and toothbrush/paste. That's it - no other 'amenity', not even socks. It almost felt so 'cheap' that they would have been better handing out nothing at all!


I awoke just minutes before the sun was to break the horizon, somewhere over southern Australia - the changing sky and glowing colours were amazing. I moved back to my original seat so I could enjoy a better view from behind the wing.


Sunrise was a spectacular show and with it the cabin began to stir as the crew prepared a very 'light' breakfast


and here it is - the much maligned 'Cafe Breakfast'. Those who prefer a bit of protein like me will be very disappointed! Oh and Toblerone is left over from dinner!


After breakfast watched the first episode of 'Pan Am' the US ABC drama series made last year that I had downloaded to my tablet - quite good for aviation nuts, will probably watch the rest of the season!

Our descent brought us over the Blue Mountains, which was again so spectacular as all the valleys were full of clouds & mist that looked so fluffy like white cotton!


I just love watching the world go by out a plane window - particularly when it's so beautiful!


At this point unfortunately my phone battery got to the point where I couldn't use the camera - so I missed some even more spectacular shots of Sydney. Our track brought us over Campbelltown area, then we turned north and flew over the M5/M7 junction, continued up over Prospect reservoir then banked hard right and almost followed the M2 east before turning right again to head south with a view to Chatswood and the north shore. At this point we were flying beside a VA 737 which was flying down the coast east of us obviously lining up with 16L, while we flew west of the Bridge & City lining up with 16R. So I had a great view of the harbour & CBD.

The approach felt very smooth and 'normal' and we came in over the mass of shipping containers north of the runway, then crossed the airport boundary and over the runway threshold and I got ready for the thump of wheels down...... and waited.... and thought ok 'NOW'...... ok must be 'NOW'... but nope - no thump - it felt like we were gliding just off the ground. I watched the QF domestic terminal come & go and I started to think in my mind 'will you just get this plane down already'!! Obviously all of this was happening in a few seconds, but it really felt like we should be down and I was getting a little worried - though I did have time to reassure myself that 16R was a very long runway and just as I had that thought - BAMM - we dropped and hit the deck hard. Of-course being right in the aft end where you feel all the lateral movement it then felt like there was an almighty struggle to keep the thing straight as we were lashed from side to side, and suddenly I am wishing we were back in the air!!! But soon the familiar roar of the reverse thrust kicked in and we pulled up rather abruptly ready to exit the runway just prior to the bridge over the motorway.

It was 730 - just over 24 hours since I had arrived at the airport the day before. As the heart rate returned to normal it was nice to hear the familiar QF 'welcome to Sydney where the local time is...'. I must say the CSM & his crew had been very good on this flight, getting the dinner service done quickly so people could sleep and all having cheery smiles and time for a bit of a chat over breakfast, I'm sure they also delighted in the light load!

The arrival time was great as we had missed that 6am rush hour and were able to walk straight through customs with no queues - and with no bags to collect I was landside before 8. As I walked down through the doors and saw the crowd waiting to greet loved ones who had been away for long periods - I couldn't help but have a giggle at myself thinking what they would think if they knew I had just flown up to Singapore and back in 24 hours for no particular reason!! Not that I cared - it had been fun! And so the real adventure was over and I headed to the station to retrace my trip back home by train & bus (watching some more Pan Am on the way). Walked in my door just after 9am.

To sum it all up - 2 Amazing lounges with some great food, wine & coughtails and 2 very good flights, I was really impressed Qantas!! And when I consider it all cost less than a no food, no bag, no fun scoot flight, and my QFF account was 11724 points and 120 status credits up within 48 hours of being home, I wondered why I ever even hesitated in doing it in the first place

In fact Don's already asking when we are off again!

 

[boomy]

Thanks for a great report. Loved to read all the small details. You make Y flying look like fun

 

[Inver]

A great read, please consider writing another TR for your next flight this one was very enjoyable

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

I really enjoyed your TR - thanks for posting.

 

[markis10]

You did well to score a refurn empty QF6, about the best you could hope for, I have had QF6 old and full twice now, very much a different experience.

 

[jukebox333]

Great TR! I'm like you - love relating what is below, to a map, and seeing the vastness of the world passing by underneath.

Hope you become a TR regular.

 

[Buzzard]

What a great TR sydks. It seems to me that had you eaten and drank all that you consumed on this trip at a restaurant, it would have cost more than the air fare you paid! Talk about good value.

 

[hj.au]

Love your TR!!! Looking forward my "adventure" in August!

......I couldn't help but have a giggle at myself thinking what they would think if they knew I had just flown up to Singapore and back in 24 hours for no particular reason!! Not that I cared - it had been fun! ......