Recent SYD-LHR expereince

[andrewh3]

Just returned from UK, flying out EK and returning QF J class

EK

Was the 06:00 flight out from SYD. Was not looking forward to the departure given timing but ultimately the 'never-ending' day time flight seemed to work in terms of minimising jet lag.

Overall OK, nothing special.

Positives
1. Check in SYD easy and very quick
2. Flight into LHR arrived on time
3. IFE superior to QF with better selection
4. Chilled champagne

Negatives
1. After priority check-in you just join the queue with everyone else for security at SYD at that time - and it was surprisingly long and slow
2. Lounge in SYD a little gloomy, nothing special
3. Flight out of SYD departed 40 minutes late with no explanation
4. Landing DXB was really rough - almost a controlled crash - with a further 20 minutes spent motionless on the tarmac followed by a taxi tour of the airport
5. Had the file through all of J class, the F class, than down stairs to exit aircraft via FL door - really weird
6. With delayed DXB departure, had to literally run to catch LHR flight, so no time for lounge/shower/refresh in DXB
7. On arrival at LHR, again long taxi/wait for gate, then again weird exit routine through F class and stairs out to FL door
8. Food just OK, really nothing special

QF

Familiar, comfortable.

Positives
1. Great F class lounge in SIN, really attentive staff, great food, good showers
2. Revamped A380 J class a definite step up from old seating with all seats having aisle access
3. Departed and arrived on time! Even had to do a lap around Blue Mountains to avoid arriving too early!
4. QF cabin crew great

Negatives
1. F class lounge LHR really disappointing - absolutely full with queues for showers and even the toilets. Limited menu and food only OK, although champagne was cold.
2. Food on flights just OK with surprisingly limited selection of fairly cheap wines. Champagne, as always, warm.
3. Food service quite quick out of LHR but really slow out of SIN. Thankfully I had eaten in lounge, otherwise you might find yourself pretty hungry whilst waiting

 

[flyingfan]

Nice to read, always like living vicariously through others' experiences. What would you do next time, fly all with QF? Or ultimately pros and cons with both?

 

[Seat0B]

4. Landing DXB was really rough - almost a controlled crash

Mr Seat 0A and I did 4 legs on EK Nov 22/Dec 22/Jan 23 MEL-DXB-MUC-BUD-BXB-MEL and every single landing we had was exactly as you describe - very solidly whacked it onto the runway. it was quite disconcerting. Given it happened to us every time, and in 3 different aircraft types, I wondered if it is something in EK's SOPs that make the pilots do such hard landings?

 

[AIRwin]

3 different aircraft types

A380, B777 and B737 MAX?

 

[Seat0B]

A380, B777 and B737 MAX?

A380, A350 and B777 from memory.

 

[half-hour]

1. F class lounge LHR really disappointing - absolutely full with queues for showers and even the toilets. Limited menu and food only OK, although champagne was cold

Is there an F Class lounge at Heathrow?

I'd thought there was only one lounge (The London Lounge), which I was blown away by compared to the Business lounge at Sydney.

 

[mrsterryn]

Negatives
1. F class lounge LHR really disappointing - absolutely full with queues for showers and even the toilets. Limited menu and food only OK, although champagne was cold.
2. Food on flights just OK with surprisingly limited selection of fairly cheap wines. Champagne, as always, warm.
3. Food service quite quick out of LHR but really slow out of SIN. Thankfully I had eaten in lounge, otherwise you might find yourself pretty hungry whilst waiting

In the Cathay first class lounge? I love that lounge

 

[kpro]

There's only a combined J and F lounge in LHR right now, though QF is supposedly opening a dedicated F lounge by 2025.

Still I'd probably prefer it over the BA F lounge over in T5. Used that a couple of times lately and it's always chock-a-block.

 

[RooFlyer]

I wondered if it is something in EK's SOPs that make the pilots do such hard landings?

I think @jb747 might approve

 

[downtheback]

A380, A350 and B777 from memory.

EK only fly A380 and B777, they used to fly the 330/340 but they were retired a few years before your flights.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Mr Seat 0A and I did 4 legs on EK Nov 22/Dec 22/Jan 23 MEL-DXB-MUC-BUD-BXB-MEL and every single landing we had was exactly as you describe - very solidly whacked it onto the runway. it was quite disconcerting. Given it happened to us every time, and in 3 different aircraft types, I wondered if it is something in EK's SOPs that make the pilots do such hard landings?

As they say, any landing that you survive is a good landing!

 

[Seat0B]

EK only fly A380 and B777, they used to fly the 330/340 but they were retired a few years before your flights.

Thanks. I’ve forgotten the actual aircraft we had. Much to Mr Seat 0A’s disgust

 

[Melburnian1]

I think @jb747 might approve

Yes, I vaguely recall he's posted exactly in that vein.

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks. I’ve forgotten the actual aircraft we had. Much to Mr Seat 0A’s disgust

I just had a brainwave and checked my e-ticket for our trip mentioned up thread and I was surprised to find that the DXB-MUC leg was in an A380. So we had four flights, 2 different aircraft types (A380 and B777) and 4 very heavy landings.

 

[andye]

In the Cathay first class lounge? I love that lounge

Maybe on an EK ticket so couldn't access. Entirely agree the CX F is fabulous and blows the other T3 OW lounges away (last couple of trips I've tried them all but only stayed <10 mins in the non-CX ones)