RTW in F/J - Hand Carry Only - Iceland, Finland, Washington and a few other places

[PrezRegan]

Today I embark on a First Class Oneworld Award that has been in planning for a few months. The purpose of this trip was to fly as much as possible in F and J, and to go to Iceland (because why not) and to Washington (to visit a mate). I have managed to get the following itinerary:

View attachment 408386

Not included in there is a train transfer from Paris to London, and also a final flight from Singapore to Darwin on Singapore airlines in J booked using 38,000 VA points + taxes.

Graphically this looks like



It's a bit all over the place, but again this was somewhat necessary to secure the elusive F flights on JL and CX. The total cost was 455,000 QF points and approx. $2,000 in taxes. This flight would easily cost in the 10s of thousands had I tried to book in cash so this was an amazing use of my QF points.

As an added challenge, I've also decided to do this trip as hand carry only. Whilst I have not prohibited myself from checking in baggage as required, I have intentionally limited my amount of baggage to a July carry-on suitcase, a garment bag, and a backpack:



I’ve already checked both these items in for my first flight because I know overhead space on the Embraer is limited. For those interested, the July suitcase is 10.7kg and contains all my clothes for the trip, hiking boots and gym gear. The garment bag only contains a giant jacket which I will wear in Iceland.

I’ve managed to fit a fairly significant amount of clothes in thanks to vacuum bags from Amazon. It is a bit of a pain to pack and unpack to get to one item of clothing, but it definitely does compress the clothes down.

In terms of what I’m doing on this trip, I have a few things planned, but rather than spoil the fun I’ll post about it as I experience it. I approached this as a ‘once in a lifetime trip’ so there are a few fancy restaurants, hotels, and experiences on the cards for those who are interested in coming along for the ride!

 

[RooFlyer]

Extra points for beginning in Darwin and then flying all the way south to begin the Int’l

 

[PrezRegan]

Extra points for beginning in Darwin and then flying all the way south to begin the Int’l

Gotta maximise that F lounge experience!

 

[DC3]

Today I embark on a First Class Oneworld Award that has been in planning for a few months. The purpose of this trip was to fly as much as possible in F and J, and to go to Iceland (because why not) and to Washington (to visit a mate)

Enjoy. Certainly a good reason to leave Darwin for a few weeks

 

[Disco]

Today I embark on a First Class Oneworld Award that has been in planning for a few months. The purpose of this trip was to fly as much as possible in F and J, and to go to Iceland (because why not) and to Washington (to visit a mate). I have managed to get the following itinerary:

View attachment 408386

Not included in there is a train transfer from Paris to London, and also a final flight from Singapore to Darwin on Singapore airlines in J booked using 38,000 VA points + taxes.

Graphically this looks like

View attachment 408387

It's a bit all over the place, but again this was somewhat necessary to secure the elusive F flights on JL and CX. The total cost was 455,000 QF points and approx. $2,000 in taxes. This flight would easily cost in the 10s of thousands had I tried to book in cash so this was an amazing use of my QF points.

As an added challenge, I've also decided to do this trip as hand carry only. Whilst I have not prohibited myself from checking in baggage as required, I have intentionally limited my amount of baggage to a July carry-on suitcase, a garment bag, and a backpack:

View attachment 408388

I’ve already checked both these items in for my first flight because I know overhead space on the Embraer is limited. For those interested, the July suitcase is 10.7kg and contains all my clothes for the trip, hiking boots and gym gear. The garment bag only contains a giant jacket which I will wear in Iceland.

I’ve managed to fit a fairly significant amount of clothes in thanks to vacuum bags from Amazon. It is a bit of a pain to pack and unpack to get to one item of clothing, but it definitely does compress the clothes down.

In terms of what I’m doing on this trip, I have a few things planned, but rather than spoil the fun I’ll post about it as I experience it. I approached this as a ‘once in a lifetime trip’ so there are a few fancy restaurants, hotels, and experiences on the cards for those who are interested in coming along for the ride!

Sounds like a great trip and good use of points. Interested in the July (I take it this wasn't because bought in July) carry-on and considering the temp differences the allocation of clothing i.e. warm, cool, tops, pants.

 

[dairyfloss]

Today I embark on a First Class Oneworld Award that has been in planning for a few months. The purpose of this trip was to fly as much as possible in F and J, and to go to Iceland (because why not) and to Washington (to visit a mate). I have managed to get the following itinerary:

View attachment 408386

Not included in there is a train transfer from Paris to London, and also a final flight from Singapore to Darwin on Singapore airlines in J booked using 38,000 VA points + taxes.

Graphically this looks like

View attachment 408387

It's a bit all over the place, but again this was somewhat necessary to secure the elusive F flights on JL and CX. The total cost was 455,000 QF points and approx. $2,000 in taxes. This flight would easily cost in the 10s of thousands had I tried to book in cash so this was an amazing use of my QF points.

As an added challenge, I've also decided to do this trip as hand carry only. Whilst I have not prohibited myself from checking in baggage as required, I have intentionally limited my amount of baggage to a July carry-on suitcase, a garment bag, and a backpack:

View attachment 408388

I’ve already checked both these items in for my first flight because I know overhead space on the Embraer is limited. For those interested, the July suitcase is 10.7kg and contains all my clothes for the trip, hiking boots and gym gear. The garment bag only contains a giant jacket which I will wear in Iceland.

I’ve managed to fit a fairly significant amount of clothes in thanks to vacuum bags from Amazon. It is a bit of a pain to pack and unpack to get to one item of clothing, but it definitely does compress the clothes down.

In terms of what I’m doing on this trip, I have a few things planned, but rather than spoil the fun I’ll post about it as I experience it. I approached this as a ‘once in a lifetime trip’ so there are a few fancy restaurants, hotels, and experiences on the cards for those who are interested in coming along for the ride!

Looks and sounds like fun! Now, what's with this weird entry on the ticket?
A BA flight, operated by AY for QF from IAD To LHR on an A380?

 

[WilsonM]

Love that the itinerary goes up in quality of product - QF E190-737-A330-CX359 and then into the promised land of CX F. Enjoy!

 

[PrezRegan]

Sounds like a great trip and good use of points. Interested in the July (I take it this wasn't because bought in July) carry-on and considering the temp differences the allocation of clothing i.e. warm, cool, tops, pants.

Ahaha, yes July is just the brand. I've heard that some people aren't a fan but I rate them.
You hit the nail on the head for the clothing, essentially I'm going for layering plus one massive jacket for the super cold. Washington and France/London have similar climates, as does Iceland and Finland so I'm hoping I have prepared adequately! Stay tuned to find out if I become an iceblock

 

[PrezRegan]

Looks and sounds like fun! Now, what's with this weird entry on the ticket?
A BA flight, operated by AY for QF from IAD To LHR on an A380?

View attachment 408398

Most observant of you and I also have NFI... I just assume it's some weird ticketing thing on the part of QF - I think AY is involved because its connected to the previous flight from HEL to make it a transit rather than a stopover to avoid the APD out of LHR

 

[PrezRegan]

First flight down – 12 more to go!

DRW-ADL
QF1951
12:32-15:58, dur 3h 26m
Seat: 2A

This flight was on the classic E190 which a lot of flights from DRW tend to be. I quite like this plane, as the 1-2 configuration in J means that if you manage to snag one of the “A” seats you get a fair degree of privacy. I used to be a Row 1 diehard but @Sprucegoose has converted me and now for QF domestic I generally go for row 2 because it means you can shove a bag under the seat in front which is excellent when doing hand carry only.

The flight itself wasn’t super remarkable. I’ve found that the Alliance crew can be more personable than the mainline QF ones and this one seemed to continue that trend. The CSM was very friendly, and I appreciated that she discreetly asked myself and another presumably high status holder what we wanted for lunch before the main service, to ensure we got what we wanted. Sometimes it’s the little things!

The only downside with the E190 is of course the lack of wifi. Sometimes it can be nice to disconnect but I would hate to take this on the 5hr flight from DRW-SIN that QF is introducing shortly! SQ’s 737 Max with its lie-flat seats, wifi and BTC definitely make it the preferred option to QF, even without a lounge in DRW – although QF fliers have to use the domestic Club anyway for any international flights.

In terms of meal options, the choices were an Asian five-spice beef on rice, Asian pork and noodles, or a Caesar salad. I opted for the salad and it was pretty good. It went really well with the Shaw + Smith Sav Blanc from the Adelaide Hills.

I’m now chilling in the Chairmans lounge in Adelaide before my next flight to Melbourne. No, I don’t hold CL status, Qantas is just renovating its lounges at ADL and is inviting all WP and higher status holders to use the CL lounge whilst the club is being renovated. Unfortunately besides the space, you don’t get any of the other CL perks such as a la carte dining – the food and beverage options are pretty much identical to the club but it is free pour spirits so I guess you can go ham if you want. I don’t know where they’re sending the CL members…

The lounge itself is quite nice, a bit quieter than the club with more of a wood and brown theme (very demure). The toilets and showers are quite unremarkable and just like any of the other J lounges in the domestic network. Interesting view of the Dash 8s and the carpark and not much else.


Next flight is on the true QF workhorse, the 737. Ah well, as @WilsonM pointed out, it can only go up from here!