QF009 travels the world on a blast from the past: my first DONE4

[sr81]

I had CX888 across to JFK with the old seats on a 747. Found the seats comfortable and the service was OK. Was underwhlemed by CX but the Wing and Pier are the best. How great is the noddle bar!

What I hate is having no elbow room, you just end up cramped regardless of leg room. These new seats seem to be quite narrow.

Thanks QF009, always good to hear that well laid plans work out.

 

[littl_flier]

What time of year are you flying? Don't forget that there is little Arctic daylight during the Northern winter.

Cheers guys, it's CX830 late August which is showing as a 346 so hopefull I'll get to see the Polar Bears basking in the sun over the North Pole.

I believe CX were actually running daily with the 773's on both direct NYC flights for a while (guaranteed new config) but it's back to a 346. I considered changing flights but consensus seems to be (and I'll see what Simongr has to say before making my decision) that "old" business class is pretty good.

Like Evan says though, config's change all the time so it'll be interesting to see what happens. I read on FT somewhere that CX are getting rid of their 3 A346's this year anyway so maybe the timetable hasn't been updated.

We'll see what pans out!

And thanks for letting me hijack your thread QF009. As always, you sparked my interest!

 

[NYCguy]

It's CX830 late August...

You should have a very good chance of several hours of fantastic scenery. Make sure you get a window seat.

 

[Keith009]

THE 52 HOURish* MEGA JOURNEY - TOKYO TO DUBAI VIA SINGAPORE, LONDON, NOTTINGHAM AND LONDON

*Ok, never having been strong in math - the calculation might be somewhat off.

Sector - NRT-SIN
Flight number - JL719
Class - Business
Seat - 19A
Aircraft - B747-400

The JL agent who checked in me did a double take at my ticket, claiming that he's never seen handwritten paper tickets before and especially such a thick stack of them. He's lived in Melbourne for a bit so we chatted about MEL while he checked me in. He managed to produce a tag all the way to DXB but I didn't think my bag would survive a 19 hr connection at LHR and hence decided to tag my bag just to LHR. He couldn't issue my QF bp however and I had to pick it up in SIN.

I then went through security, where there was a long but fast moving queue, and immigration - the JL Sakura Lounge was just a short walk from immigration. There weren't that many things to eat in the lounge and the wine selection looked rather poor, so I whiled away the time drinking beer from the rather nifty beer pouring machine.

I then decided to leave the lounge early as my flight was departing from the satellite building - it didn't occur to me to visit the lounge over at the satellite building for some reason, maybe blame the lack of sleep the night before. The lounge in the main terminal looked bigger from the map anyway so i figured i might as well check out the flagship lounge.

Boarding commenced about 10 mins after I got to the gate, and priority boarding was strictly enforced with F and J pax invited to board first. Definitely a better boarding experience than my CX flight from HKG where people queued up without regard to where they were seated and the agents didn't do anything about it.

This flight had the JL long haul lie flat seating (unlike the other flight to SIN), and row 19 was the upper deck emex row which offered a ridiculous amount of leg room as per usual. I can't say that I find the JL seats particularly comfy. I tried an arvo siesta on them but in angled flat mode - the seat was extremely steep. Also the lack of padding meant it was rock hard and was like lying down on a playground slide.

 

[Keith009]

The FA that served my side of the cabin was Singaporean, which reminded me of my SQ flights. She could very well have been a Singapore Girl in JL uniform as the level of service rendered by this particular crew member was rather comparable. She rushed to help us with our bags and coats, and introduced herself to every pax in her section of the cabin. She also thanked each and every pax rather sincerely for flying JL at the end of the flight. Throughout the flight she was extremely affable, attentive and nothing was too much trouble for her. The service also had a Japanese flair (well, duh), like the FAs bowing to pax before sitting down on the jump seats.

Amenities were offered ala carte style from a basket, whilst everyone was provided with a pair of slippers.

Much to my surprise there wasn't a pre take off drink service, instead there was a drink service only after take off. The champagne served by JL in J was Piper Heidsieck NV (red) which I thought was a bit cheap. Not one of my favourites but it's drinkable and would do for the relatively short flight to SIN. The rest of the selection was either French or American; I tried a Rhone wine which was disgusting, whilst the Bordeaux wasn't much better. The shiraz cabernet from Cali had a nice palate but left a bitter after taste.The Bourgogne white was nice - I didn't get to check out the other whites. Overall, a rather poor wine list. I keep meaning to check out the Japanese wines but throughout my time in Tokyo and onboard JL I'd been putting it off and didn't end up drinking them alas.

The food on the other hand was fantastic. Being a big fan of Japanese cuisine I usually look forward to the Japanese options on flights to/from Japan. Some airlines do great Japanese food, whilst others are so so. JL's was fresh, authentic and very, very tasty! We also had amuse bouche which was a nice touch.

View full menu here.

There was also a refreshment service prior to landing. I had the Udon noodles, the presentation of which I thought could've been better.

 

[Keith009]

They seem pretty enthusiastic about being a oneworld member - the special liveries, the repeated proclamations of JL's oneworld membership over the PA etc. Overall an above average airline that adds some interesting routes to the oneworld network. Though I'm not sure if I'd necessarily pick JL over other carriers like BA or QF on competing routes, they add some interesting routing options to xONExs which were previously not possible. And some good value ex-Oz deals. Not to mention the great Japanese food. So I suppose I'd consider them a welcome addition to oneworld.

We got into Changi pretty much on time, and I decided to walk through terminal 3 to have a look before heading out for dinner. As per the pics, it's a very vast and airy terminal with very tasteful and soothing decor.

Taxi pickup area

Next: QF "Party Flight" 009 SIN-LHR J

 

[Keith009]

THE 52 HOURish* MEGA JOURNEY - TOKYO TO DUBAI VIA SINGAPORE, LONDON, NOTTINGHAM AND LONDON, PART 2 - QF "PARTY FLIGHT" 009

Sector - SIN-LHR
Flight number - QF9
Class - Business
Seat - 17K
Aircraft - B747-400

After some dinner with the SQTalkers, I headed back to the airport with Evan of AFF who happened to be on the same flight (well technically he's ticketed on the codeshare BA7309) but unfortunately in different classes. I'd already picked up my bp at the transfer desk whilst he's done early check-in and so all we had to do was clear immigration and head straight for the QF/BA lounge where we caught up with another AFFer, jasonja3 who was in an extremely long transit in SIN. And what did I find at the lounge? A distinct lack of booze as the bar had closed at 2230!

It was getting uncomfortably close to scheduled departure and the boarding call for our flight hasn't yet been made in the lounge, so Evan and I bade our farewells and headed for gate C13. There was only a short queue at the boarding gate, and we politely cut our way in front of the gate lice - most of whom were attempting to board out of turn (as a QFF SG Evan is also entitled to board at his own leisure). I then parted with Evan on the jetway as I wished him luck surviving whY, while promising to roll some champers to the back.

Seat 17K was the last 'JK' row in the cabin, in front of the coat cupboard. I'd switched to this flight at the last minute as I was booked on QF31 prior and been HL1ed on this one- and as the flight was just chokers there was no way I could switch to rows 16 or 11. Nonetheless I was happy with row 17 as the legroom was still decent in a regular row, and one advantage was that I did not have to wrestle with the PTV to get it in position.

Pre-take off drinks were then served, and one of the FAs complimented my seat mate and I on the 'great choice' we'd made in choosing the champers whilst she can't believe how many people went for the water and oj. My coat was also swiftly hung up, PJs and amenity kits were distributed and we filled up the breakfast order cards. Champers onboard today seemed to be Charles Heidsieck Mis En Cave 2001 and 2003, and Lanson NV was nowhere to be seen (the other FA commented that he personally hates Lanson anyway). The CSM then instructed ground staff who 'wish to remain in Singapore' to leave the aircraft, and we were set for take off. But not before I downed another glass of champers.

QF has PJs for J!

Unfortunately we were massively delayed in taking off due to crowded air space (particularly over Afghanistan) and hence the lack of ATC clearance. We didn't get our take off slot until 0037 - approx an hour and 10 mins after scheduled departure! I was lucky not to have been stuck on QF31 then (which is scheduled to depart 30 mins later and arrive at LHR more than an hour later), as I was hoping to use my time in LON to head up to Nottingham to meet up with SQTalker nickbot. Meanwhile the APU failed and we'd to be connected back to ground power to go easy on the APU whilst we were sitting on the tarmac. I used this opportunity to sip too much of the very delicious Charles Heidsieck, indeed one of my favourite NVs.

We then very finally got to leave SIN. Just in time - as I learnt later from the CSM whom I met on the HEX that the captain was actually considering diverting the flight to AMS or FRA due to coughpy weather at LHR, but we'd managed to land ahead of the storm. That must explain why a somewhat urgent-sounding message was transmitted over the PA early in the flight to summon the CSM to the coughpit. So my plans to visit Nottingham came within a whisker of being scrapped!

Supper was served very shortly after take off. I wasn't very impressed by the main course of snapper - it was too oily and bland, but the cous cous was yummy though. More champers was opened and drunk...

Plastic cutlery due to Australian regulations....*sigh*

 

[Keith009]

I'd tried to organise with one of the FAs to send champers back to Evan, but he had a better idea. After meal service had died down, he rescued Evan from whY and organised for us to drink together at the J bar, with free reign over a whole bottle of champers.

My bad attempts at self-portraits / L/R Evan and myself

Whilst standing at the bar we had somewhat of a cabin crew parade as they were busy repositioning carts around the aircraft. We noticed that they were all UK-based, and all extremely young - some were even new. It turns out that they were formerly short haul crew members based in Australia who want to try out long haul. QF had started a base in the UK to operate all UK-Asia flights to save money - and dumped all these people in London and left them to pay their own rent and a salary that's only a fraction of what is paid to the ex-Australia crew, thus saving the airline a fair chunk of money and creating faster turnarounds. Nonetheless the FAs on the upper deck both commented that it was a great opportunity for them, both living in London and operating the premier routes. As has been commented many times in forums, the ex-UK crew has to be one of the best in the network as this set of crew worked very hard to make the flight a very pleasant one. The fact that a lot of them were easy on the eye helped of course... *ducks from flames*

I then bravely walked Evan back to his seat at the very tail end of the a/c before heading back upstairs to snooze. I managed about 6 hours sleep, before waking up thirsty. I went to the galley for some more champers, only to discover that between Evan and I (ok mainly me but I'm dragging him into this anyway) we'd gone troppo and drunk the entire upper deck dry of champers! Not to worry as the FA went to fetch more from the main deck. "Champagne is meant to be drunk anyway." To avoid disturbing my seat mate and creating more work for the FA, I decided to polish off the fresh bottle in the galley and got to chat with the FA. It seemed a rather busy flight for him as throughout the flight he was busy preparing sandwiches for pax. Upon learning that I'd be going to Nottingham to meet a mate and my RTW trip, I was given some spare F amenity kits and PJs, as well as a bottle of champagne to take off the plane! My seatmate was rather amused at the amount of 'duty free purchases' I seemed to have made.

Breakfast was served 2 hrs prior to landing. I do not know if I can look at scrambled eggs onboard the same way again after learning how they're prepared - powdered stuff zapped in the oven, and apparently they turn green if left in the oven for too long. I enjoyed my hot brekkies nonetheless, including the scrambled eggs.

We then managed to make a rather swervy landing in hostile weather conditions at LHR 55 minutes behind schedule. Evan was making an onward connection to a flight to STR in T1. I raced through LHR as I was in need of a shower before making it to Nottingham. I proceeded through slow track, and headed to baggage reclaim expecting a longish wait. *LHR baggage experience shocker 1* - my suitcase popped out onto the belt FIRST!!

I then went to the BA Arrivals Lounge for a shower. More airports should have these things, it's truly a godsend after such a long journey. I thought the new Elemis amenities weren't as nice as the MB ones though - the shower gel felt like dishwashing liquid!

That was one of the best flights I've ever had period. And I know this is not entirely subjective when I saw pax after pax going up to the FAs and thanking them for the service rendered. On top of the excellent and very proactive service, I had some great company which made the experience even betterer (ok i made that up). Whilst I've yet to get the infamously indifferent FAs, my experience with QF has ranged from above average to absolutely top notch. IMHO QF is one of the most underrated carriers in the industry.

Right... enough of QF 'cheerleading' as certain forumers would call it.

EDITED TO ADD: Full menu of QF9 here.

Next: Nottingham and BA109 LHR-DXB J

 

[moa999]

Great report QF009.

The carpet in the new SIN T3 gives me headaches - atrocious.
Pity you missed out on the SIN QPs - the coughtail bartender in the J lounge is the favourite.

When you claim the FAs are 'easy on the eye' one does prefer proof

THank goodness eggs are one of the few things that come in powdered form

The JAL food looks great

 

[simongr]

Great report and great work securing Evan a taste of the good life

I must learn that secret handshake that gets you all the champers

 

[Tooner]

Loving this QF009 - brings back memories of last year *sigh*.

Absolutely endorse your view on arrivals Lounges - this is something QF should look hard at!

I reckon the best thing about the BA Lounge is the body jets in the shower, and the suit pressing service. Pure Gold.

Sad to think we won't be able to use it once T5 is operational

 

[opusman]

Funny, when I was on QF009 in early November, we got held up for a couple of hours in SIN due to air slots over Afghanistan or some such. Must be a common occurrence (or, a popular excuse )

 

[Commuter]

Absolutely endorse your view on arrivals Lounges - this is something QF should look hard at!

I fully agree. It really is valuable!

I reckon the best thing about the BA Lounge is the body jets in the shower, and the suit pressing service. Pure Gold.

Body jets and steam (I can't remember if steam was in the arrivals lounge but certainly in the Gate 10 Lounge).

Sad to think we won't be able to use it once T5 is operational

Are they not going to have it, or is it that we won't be able to use it if flying QF even if we made our way there?

I might start looking at flying BA from Australia then...

 

[littl_flier]

I might start looking at flying BA from Australia then...

Sadly, I don't think that'll work. It's my understanding that all Australian flights on both BA and QF will operate from the same terminal. (but which one I'm not sure with all the renos planned?)

 

[Commuter]

Oh damn. I guess the only hope is that Arrivals Lounge would be built where-ever they'll operate the Australia-LHR flights or that they'll let pax use the one at T5 (assuming they'll have one there).

I find Arrivals Lounge invaluable because I usually go straight through from Australia to the UK and also I get on with the day's program from the day of arrival. Having a shower and freshening up is almost essential - so I do hope that I can still access it one way or another.

 

[Evan]

Great report and great work securing Evan a taste of the good life

I must learn that secret handshake that gets you all the champers

Now you see this is the problem in Dec/Jan i had my DAS13 so i was well used to the good life Now i am on a whY trip and well its not all that bad so far, delays etc but that would be the same in J or Y.

I today discovered my company gets a fantastic price for some BA flights ! When the cheapest available i could find was $14k or 6k Euro i find out the company price was a little over 2k Euro ! if only i could book that myself.

E

 

[Commuter]

if only i could book that myself.

Would you be able to get them to book it and pay them back for them?

QF009

Great reports. Very much enjoying it. But I tell you what, you missed out on JAL abalone!

 

[Evan]

Would you be able to get them to book it and pay them back for them?

Probably not but may be able to work something out with the TA, we have a company policy with rental cars, hotels and IT equipment (eg notebooks) that our suppliers must provide to employees via resellers or direct at the same price, in practise not always possible but mostly it works.

ie, just use the company booking code for rental cars and the company web site for booking hotels.

Something i will look at later... but the downside is those deals with BA for example i suspect are only ex Germany so not all that super useful.

But with such a discount i could almost convince my boss to allow me J anyway. But then again not sure when i will ever do a FRA-LHR-PVG-LHR-FRA flight again.

E

 

[Keith009]

THE 52 HOURish* MEGA JOURNEY - TOKYO TO DUBAI VIA SINGAPORE, LONDON, NOTTINGHAM AND LONDON, PART 3 - THE GREAT JOURNEY WITHIN A JOURNEY, LONDON TO NOTTINGHAM AND BACK IN 11 HOURS

I'd somehow braved the HEX, Paddington and St Pancras chaos and made it onboard my East Midlands train service to Nottingham. In my jetlagged and champagne-fuelled state, this wasn't an easy feat. The East Midlands service was quite a pleasant way to spend 2 hours, as I got to see some English countryside. Unfortunately I had to pretty much pay full fare, not having organised the train tix in advance as I didn't know if this Nottingham trip was going to happen due to the threat of my QF flight being canned because of the potential engineers' industrial action.

Plugs for laptops but alas no onboard internet

I got into Nottingham pretty much on time and was greeted by SQTalker nickbot at the train station. After a visit to hotel nickbot (where another bottle of champers was demolished...), he gave me a grand tour of his rather quaint hometown.

We had good ol pub grub for lunch, at this really cute establishment with a rather gothic interior. The name escapes me now but I'm sure nickbot will fill y'all in when he reads this. Unfortunately BYO is a pretty alien concept in Nottingham and we weren't allowed to open the Charles Heidsieck, settling for some lagers instead.

Rump steak

After a fleeting visit to Nottingham, I headed down south again in time to catch my 2140 departure to DXB.

 

[Commuter]

QF009 a tip for you for the next time - you'd have had an easier time going up to Nottingham if you caught the National Express coach! Direct from LHR!