SYD to YVR in J with MU - flight report

[boomy]

First time I've come across a shoulder belt.

View attachment 173805

Seats looks like Vantage XL, same as QF J A333/B789.

 

[Dr Ralph]

First time I've seen a flight to Clarke air base.

 

[jase05]

First time I've seen a flight to ClarkeView attachment 173813 air base.

Have flown there a couple of times with Air Asia and PR, very handy if visiting the North. Friends in Quezon City always use Clark in preference to MNL

 

[Dr Ralph]

Arrived Canada.

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

It seems like there has been an aircraft change for my November flight from SYD to PVG.
It is now showing as a B787-9 from the usual A330.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'll update when I have time. But the aircraft used from PVR to YVR was a disgrace. I swear 1975 called and they want their plane back! This was not the aircraft or configuration advertised at point of booking or even last week when I checked.

 

[jase05]

It seems like there has been an aircraft change for my November flight from SYD to PVG.
It is now showing as a B787-9 from the usual A330.

The daily MU735 PVG-SYD and MU736 SYD-PVG will be changing from the A330 to the B789 from 27/10/19

 

[jase05]

I'll update when I have time. But the aircraft used from PVR to YVR was a disgrace. I swear 1975 called and they want their plane back! This was not the aircraft or configuration advertised at point of booking or even last week when I checked.

I feel for you, the old product is a disgrace and a real let down.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I feel for you, the old product is a disgrace and a real let down.

The staff did try hard and were attentive, but that aircraft does not represent a modern business class.

When everyone gets fairly wet boarding the plane in the rain via the steps on the tarmac we were bused to, I called that an inauspicious start.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... but that aircraft dies not represent a modern business class.

But what does? Unless you're under 5'10, finding a 'perfect' business class seat is not easy. You either get bed length, or you have smidge of privacy and have to tuck your feet into all sorts of coffins, tubes or cut-outs. The type of seats on your MU flight are one of my favourite because they are wide and long with no restrictions. Same as the QF 747/380 fleet except they don't suffer from droop. But of course you trade privacy - if that's something you need.

For me the staggered seating of Solstys (TG, UA) or Vantage (new QF) aren't comfortable. Same with SQ except for at the bulkheads.

 

[ontheaisle]

She noticed more than I did that as some of the few Westerners on the flight we were treated differently. I'd put it down to miscommunication but she has indicated it was more than that.

I've heard the same report from others. I'm interested to see how that plays out for me on my flight, being half and half.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I've heard the same report from others. I'm interested to see how that plays out for me on my flight, being half and half.

I will definitely get to the rest of the review, but at this time I'm going to enjoy the 3 weeks I have in Washington and Oregon. Currently in Port Angeles after a long drive from Vancouver which started a lot earlier than I'd have liked after waking up jet lagged at 2.30am this morning (got about 3 hrs sleep). Journey also not helped at the US/Canadian border by a very difficult immigration official who for some unknown reason was determined to make it as difficult as possible to gain entry to the US. At one stage it looked like I would be refused entry. But I did want to respond to your comment.

Mrs Dr Ralph noticed this more than I did on the first leg. But after she told me I thought back and there were definitely instances where being treated differently did occur. I really didn't think too much of it at the time and genuinely thought it may have been miscommunication, but there were multiple instances the more I reflect on it. Just one example occurred with the serving of cognac and chocolates at the end of the meal. Other passengers were offered both, but I was only offered the chocolate. When it was obvious that the cognac wouldn't be offered to me I asked about it and the response was rather sheepish. But I got the cognac.

Mrs Dr Ralph agreeded that being treated differently was less frequent on the YVR leg.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I feel for you, the old product is a disgrace and a real let down.

They really do need to be up front about the aircraft and configuration they are using. These things matter and impact upon people's choice of airlines.

 

[ontheaisle]

I really didn't think too much of it at the time and genuinely thought it may have been miscommunication, but there were multiple instances the more I reflect on it.

For my own curiosity, I might make notes of the composition of the cabin and see if I observe any difference in the way passengers are treated... Especially if the IFE is as dire as you report

I had my own run-in with a CBP agent in Atlanta in January after returning from HAV. Like everyone who enters the US is just sooo desperate to stay and work there, lol.

But now, you go and enjoy your holiday! My dad is currently in Portland and it looks like they're having cracking weather.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

They really do need to be up front about the aircraft and configuration they are using. These things matter and impact upon people's choice of airlines.

Welcome to China - 'The Land of Complication and Contradiction' - always expect the unexpected with China and you won't be disappointed - nothing is ever as it seems or should be.

 

[ontheaisle]

Welcome to China - 'The Land of Complication and Contradiction' - always expect the unexpected with China and you won't be disappointed - nothing is ever as it seems or should be.

Like Alice down the rabbit hole

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Full flat to full flat. With Qantas they advertise an A330 with full flat and on the day of travel you get angled 2-2-2. QF A330/747 have drooping beds. Chinese carriers full flat regardless of equipment (unless scheduled as angled in the first place, and they have a couple of those left on some carriers).

I'd say the Chinese carriers have far more consistency here.

 

[moa999]

Full flat to full flat. With Qantas they advertise an A330 with full flat and on the day of travel you get angled 2-2-2.

Not as of two weeks ago. No more angled beds in any 330 or 747, just the droop.

But almost every airline has a variety of products some worse than others.
(Eg. Emirates and JAL 777s with 2-3-2)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not as of two weeks ago. No more angled beds in any 330 or 747, just the droop.

But almost every airline has a variety of products some worse than others.
(Eg. Emirates and JAL 777s with 2-3-2)

...and it only took them seven (7) years

Sure, lots of airlines have different products, and these are advertised in advance. It hurts when an advertised flat bed is replaced by angled. But it's a tough call to say replacing a flat bed with a flat bed is unacceptable?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For anyone interested, here's a trip report of the same flight by Dennis Bunnick from June 2019: