supa's trip to Budapest - Qantas A380 in F & J

[suparockin]

So as a lowly noob Silver I managed to get a points upgrade from J to F (60K points burn) on SYD-LHR via DXB.

Here are some photos and comments for your enjoyment.

First up, Chauffeur Drive - very nice bloke turned up in a gigantic black Chrysler 300C - on time.

Was met at the kerb and whisked to the F checkin, got a lovely massage in the F lounge spa then settled in for some Rockpool food including a Pork Belly dish with noodles and a tasting plate of Gelato Messina.



The F lounge was very nice, I can see the attraction but I don't know if I'd break the bank to get to use it all the time.

 

[suparockin]

On board we were seated quickly and the Tattinger started flowing with olives and nuts.

Some pics of the famous PJ's and the F cabin.

The dish I chose was Wagyu Bresola with white beans - it was pretty much the most amazing meal I've had on a plane ever.

Then I had a steamed fish, which sounds boring and looks pretty boring but tasted incredibly fresh and flavourful.

 

[suparockin]

Once I arrived in Dubai I headed for the Cigar Bar in the First Lounge to have a quick drink, something to eat - I chose the prawn dish which wasn't bad but lacked flavour.

The Cigar bar is very luxuriously appointed - nice big leather lounges, plenty of space and attentive staff - that's the photo of my laptop and drink below.

Once back on the plane heading to LHR I got the Mezze plate which was nice, then the spaghetti bolognaise which was pretty awful. Arriving into LHR I got the pancakes which were decidedly average.

 

[suparockin]

Next, I went to the F lounge in LHR (BA's) - honestly it was pretty boring, cough food but some alright grog, but it really lacked atmosphere with the tiny windows and tired look.

I got a BA plane from LHR to BUD (Budapest) in J, although all I got was an empty Y style seat between me and the next person and some awful food. Honestly I don't like BA at all. Every time I fly with them I get a delayed flight and both BA flights on this trip were delayed significantly.

Some photos around Budapest, it's a beautiful city. The photo with the chandelleir is the La Meridian which is a nice (but not outstanding) hotel which is very well located with very nice staff/service.

 

[suparockin]

 

[suparockin]

Budapest Lounge - nothing much special, but it's a tiny airport really.

Mostly cold food ( great salami as you'd expect ), cheese, beers, cereal etc

 

[suparockin]

The way home... welcome respite in the Cathay Lounge at LHR T3 - for a J lounge it's really really nice, food was superb and the light airy feel was in stark contrast to the ****ty BA F lounge. The toilets/showers etc are really classy too, all modern and marble - the BA ones look like a 7eleven toilet in comparison.

On the way back I visited the J lounge in DXB, much the same as the F one? Same Cigar Bar, also went and used the outstanding shower rooms, they have everything you need in there - toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap etc all the amenities - well worth flying J for.

You can see the Ferragamo handbag I bought the missus - the bribes keep getting more expensive the longer I stay away



Anyway, there were way more photos etc but in summary -

1) I actually got better sleep in J on the A380 than in F - go figure.

2) The food is much better in F, but the J food was pretty good - service was much the same on QF1 & 2 regardless of class.

3) BA suck. Their flights are always late/delayed and their lounges are pretty cough.

4) The Qantas F lounge is bloody great, massage was brutal but enjoyable - the food is top notch.

5) Budapest airport is ok, nothing special for sure.

6) Cathay's lounge in LHR T3 is great.

7) Chauffeur Drive was great both ways, nice cars and very polite and accomodating drivers with classy cars.

Fire away with any questions!

 

[Dalescott]

Thanks, very interesting.

 

[serfty]

...
Fire away with any questions!

Ok, since you offered, what's with the line of shoes beside the river in Budapoest?

 

[suparockin]

Ok, since you offered, what's with the line of shoes beside the river in Budapoest?

It's a memorial to Jews who were killed and thrown in the Danube, I came upon it by accident actually, very poignant reminder of genocide.

 

[lovestotravel]

Great report!

 

[mono88]

Thanks for the report. It brought back memories as I visited Budapest several times in the early 1990's. I usually stayed at the then Forum Hotel, now Intercontinental, on the River; great location.
I remember saying hello to the "singing budgie", Kylie Minogue in the lobby there when she visited for a concert. I am short but she was a lot shorter than me.

I tried several different ways to get there, via LHR then BA as you did, but also via Rome and using Malev, and also via Frankfurt.
Looks like the city has not changed much.
What did you think of the people that you met there? Did you enjoy the food?

 

[suparockin]

Thanks for the report. It brought back memories as I visited Budapest several times in the early 1990's. I usually stayed at the then Forum Hotel, now Intercontinental, on the River; great location.
I remember saying hello to the "singing budgie", Kylie Minogue in the lobby there when she visited for a concert. I am short but she was a lot shorter than me.

I tried several different ways to get there, via LHR then BA as you did, but also via Rome and using Malev, and also via Frankfurt.
Looks like the city has not changed much.
What did you think of the people that you met there? Did you enjoy the food?

The food wasn't to my taste, too much paprika and goulash.

The people were lovely though, walking the city streets and exploring the wine bars was great.

It was too bad I was there primarily for work so only had a few free nights and 1 full day to explore.

 

[Sprucegoose]

You write well and target the issues. You Summarise succinctly.

I see you as a WP one day!

 

[mono88]

The food wasn't to my taste, too much paprika and goulash.

The people were lovely though, walking the city streets and exploring the wine bars was great.

It was too bad I was there primarily for work so only had a few free nights and 1 full day to explore.

Would agree with this. I found the food a bit heavy, but I did like spiced paprika in dishes as I like hot food.
I also enjoyed some of the cheeses.
I was also there for work...which limits some opportunities.
Of course, always found some time for a little Tokaji wine at the end of a meal.

 

[mono88]

You write well and target the issues. You Summarise succinctly.

I see you as a WP one day!

I wish it was so easy to become WP!!

 

[suparockin]

You write well and target the issues. You Summarise succinctly.

I see you as a WP one day!

Only 310 points to go! I was just looking at a trip to Maui, I might get there!

 

[RooFlyer]

Nice report. I did Budapest when Malev was still in existence. I arrived at the airport to leave, to find that the flight was cancelled. cough! No worries, they had already completely rebooked me, on star alliance flights, via MUC and I got to my destination (Zurich) only 90 mins late !

Planning a return trip next year, to see outside Budapest. Will have to be Star Alliance, again; RIP Malev!