Short trip to NYC flying EK & SQ F

[boomy]

Time to board the 3rd flight:
EK205 DXB-MXP 6h 40m

This plane featured the "old" F suites with smaller TV screens and control panels than we had on EK405.





On each flight a new basket of goodies was waiting for us in the suite with different snacks to choose from.



There are two air vents in each suite, one can be seen on the photo above next to the control panel and another is located next to the reading light.



Unlike other airlines, EK's cabin is not usually too warm.

Basic seat controls on the left side of the seat allow automatic opening and closing of the doors.

 

[boomy]

Food menu







Champagne was the same as on previous flights - Dom 2006 but white and red wine lists were different.

Whites



Reds



Was glad to see they offer Yarra Yering, I'm huge fan

 

[boomy]

We asked to eat soon after takeoff, starting with canapés.



Later the table was set for the main meal.



As usual started with caviar service, this time followed by Beef Consommé which was delicious.



For main I've selected Sayadieh, one of those dishes unique to EK.



I don't usually drink red with fish but this time made an exception and had glass of... you know what



The fish was good but found the sauce too sweet for my liking, overpowering the dish. Was also reminded why red should not be had with fish, it just doesn't match! So, returned this dish, kept the red and ordered Braised Veal Cheeks instead

 

[boomy]

Finished the meal with cheese board and glass of cognac.



Quick trip to the F bar for refill on Paradis.



The stairs behind the bar.



More then once, while standing next to the bar I've seen curious pax looking up from downstairs. It felt so awkward, me standing there in my PJs drinking cognac that cost more than Y ticket while pax starring at me. What is the proper etiquette in this situation? Look the other way, invite them upstairs...

Later I went all the way to the back to check out the main bar. What I didn't notice was the purser following me holding the cognac bottle in his hand. "Thought I'll bring the bottle sir in case you'd like a refill". This is F service!



The main bar is spectacular. Great space to mingle with other pax and also the crew. The purser stayed for a while to chat and said one of his specialities is making coughtails. He challenged us to ask for anything not on the menu and indeed he delivered!

 

[TomVexille]

So what did you get mixed up then?

 

[boomy]

So what did you get mixed up then?

I had Pisco Sour, +1 had champagne & cognac based coughtail which I believe is called Prince of Wales.

 

[blackcat20]

Don't you just wave at the Y pax and give them a smile?

 

[boomy]

View of the full J cabin.



Much more comfortable here



Asked the crew to make our beds for a nap and got these stickers to put on the door.



I want to know who in their right mind ever asked to be woken up for duty free?!

Going to sleep off the alcohol and get ready for the fourth and final leg to NYC.



Slept well, no hangover (yay!). About to land soon in MXP but +1 doesn't want to wake up.



Omg if keep sleeping she risks missing the duty free!

 

[boomy]

Apparently the flight was delayed in the air and we landed about 35 min late in MXP. Normally layover is 90 min so I assumed we will have to wait longer but we were told the flight to JFK will depart on time. I guess they didn't want to miss their departure slot.

MXP duty free is small and boring, much to my +1 disappointment who was hoping to stock on some Italian fashion. I was happy to go to the lounge and make some Skype calls to the family, letting them know we are still alive and in the air

EK MXP lounge was very nice. Must say I didn't expect much and was positively surprised.

 

[boomy]

The alcohol selection.





The famous water feature is here as well.



Arrivederchi Milano!



Despite the delay in landing into MXP our next flight (on the same aircraft) started boarding on time. Quick VISA/ESTA check by the local officers and we were back onboard.

 

[JohnM]

Interesting - Cloudy Bay SB in the EK MXP lounge.

 

[boomy]

So far we spent over 24h in the air!

BNE-MEL 2h 25m
MEL-SIN 7h 55m
SIN-DXB 7h 15m
DXB-MXP 6h 40m

Now we are about to take off the 4th and final flight.
MXP-JFK 9h 5m



This is also the longest flight we had so far and will bring the total time spent in the air to over 33h!

Pre-departure FAs always offer Arabic coffee and dates (same done on EY).



Myself and +1 love dates so much that we had at least 40 between us on this trip

This flight was afternoon departure and since I had good sleep on pervious legs I wasn't tired and spent my time at the main bar chatting to fellow pax. Unfortunately I don't recall too much of what happened on this flight. Almost two days of non-stop drinking in lounges and in the air started to take a toll, also the lack of photos on this leg doesn't help my recollection.

I took photos of canapés and the caviar service but that's about it. Didn't even take photos of the menu.





We landed in JFK and somehow I dragged myself out of the plane hoping immigration queue will be short. Well, it wasn't meant to be. Another plane landed from China landed at the same time... By the time we reached our luggage belt the bags were already out and the driver was waiting to take us to the hotel.



Nothing like a Lincoln car to say Welcome to USA

 

[PLANT]

First class they could have given you a maybec

 

[boomy]

First class they could have given you a maybec

They keep them for EY residence

 

[boomy]

For our stay we booked 5 nights at Conrad - an all suite hotel located in Lower Manhattan, short walking distance from One World Tower.

I've written comprehensive review of this property on the Hilton forum. The link if anyone interested to read:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....honors/how-do-hilton-treat-you-18502-635.html

Some unique 10 story artwork in the atrium was litten in bright pink colours.

 

[boomy]

Our Suite







The bathtub



No, it's not the sink, it's the bathtub!

The view

 

[bismarck]

Apparently the flight was delayed in the air and we landed about 35 min late in MXP. Normally layover is 90 min so I assumed we will have to wait longer but we were told the flight to JFK will depart on time. I guess they didn't want to miss their departure slot.

MXP duty free is small and boring, much to my +1 disappointment who was hoping to stock on some Italian fashion. I was happy to go to the lounge and make some Skype calls to the family, letting them know we are still alive and in the air

EK MXP lounge was very nice. Must say I didn't expect much and was positively surprised.]

I find EK lounges to be remarkably consistent globally. Certainly more than any other airline.

 

[TomVexille]

I find EK lounges to be remarkably consistent globally. Certainly more than any other airline.

Certainly a hallmark of the EK brand and something that they have set out to do.

 

[boomy]

New York Day 1

We booked an Early Access 9/11 Museum Tour, starting 8:15am before the museum opens to the public. This is an exclusive 1h small group tour, highly recommended!

Last photo taken before all hell broke loose.



Behind this wall is the Hudson River. Luckily it didn't collapse otherwise the disaster would have been much greater.



The Blue Wall. 2,983 watercolour squares represent the victims of the 1993 and 2001 attacks.



Behind that wall sits the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) which is working to identify each and every one of the victims using advanced DNA tests.

What's left if the north tower antenna.



Crushed fire truck.



Our guide was awesome and the tour was very emotional, even for people like us who have no direct connection to the events and only saw what happened on TV from the other side of the world.

 

[boomy]

Looking at the reflecting pools on a glorious sunny morning with clear skies.





People say that day 15 years ago began just like that...

The magnificent One World Tower.



We booked the observation deck for later on the day.