Hello all and welcome to a trip report of our trip to Europe...your hosts will be Adam (myself) and Emma (the prettier one)
This trip report was only a dream just over 12 months ago when I stumbled across the US Airways thread on FT and more importantly here on AFF. I always promised to do a trip report as a 'thank-you' to all the members that helped with all the question's I asked, you were all so welcoming and I now find I visit this forum on a very regular basis
Anyway...Emma and I talked about going to Europe when we first started seeing each other, I said I'd only go it wasn't in Economy... now she won't go anywhere long-haul in Economy!
Approximately 11 month's out and after reading various forums for many hours over many weeks I finally called the US Airways booking line (via Skype of course) and spoked to a lovely lady in their call centre. I had already researched our flights with flight numbers, times etc I gave these out to her, had a freindly chat and a great experience overall... much better than others have written about! My girlfriend and I had now booked our trip of a lifetime! Our route was to be the following:
Outbound: MEL-SYD-BKK-CDG
Inbound: FRA-ICN-TPE-BKK-SYD-MEL
And then we waited.. and waited.. and waited.
After counting down the months, weeks and finally days it was time to leave. I left work around lunchtime on Thursday 5th July, went home... finished the last little bits of packing, loaded the car up and put the cat in his carry box! Dropped him off at the boarding cattery! (Nearly didn't pick him up after seeing the bill on the way home!! Could have bought more miles
) Next stop was back to work to leave the car and get a lift to Melbourne Airport, dropped off kerbside with our luggage.. 3hrs earlier than planned!
I had booked a QF J Award MEL-SYD. Being 3 hours earlier than our ETD and being aboard a 737-400, I went to have a chat at the QF service desk and with a very friendly lady she moved us onto the 19:00 service... A 767 to boot! A quick bite to eat in the Business Lounge and then a run to the gate with approx 10 other passengers and we were seated, ready for takeoff.
Arrived in Sydney, then waited in the cold and wet night for the Sydney Super Shuttle... there was nothing super about it! Super slow, super uncomfortable and super organised! Checked in at the Holiday Inn and was upgraded thanks to PC Platinum status, nothing to write home about... 7hrs sleep. In a cab to the airport!
Arrived at the international terminal... nervous as all hell! Did I have everything? Did I need Visas? What if they can't find the booking? Bugger it, we roll up to the Thai First Class check in counter, hand over our passports and receive our boarding passes straight back. I look at Emma, she smiles back... I have a huge sigh of relief!
Off to the AirNZ Koru Club, we grab a bite to eat and I get more excited as the minutes pass by. Emma and I talked about going to Europe when we first started seeing each other, I said I'd only go it wasn't in Economy... now she won't go anywhere long-haul in Economy!
Soon to be sitting in the nose of this old girl!
I must admit we did get a couple of strange looks being a younger couple but took it in our stride.. and turned left! Once settled, the amazing onboard service commenced, way too much food and plenty of alchol (FWIW, we are not big drinkers). Life was pretty good at this stage.
We arrived in Bangkok, and were greeted with the infamous 'Thai Buggy Grand Prix'. Jumped on board and watched BKK airport whiz by.
Soon enough we had a ride through the Business class lounge into the First class lounge, grabbed a private room and some food and relaxed. But there was more relaxing to do... a 1hr Massage of course! Off it was to the the Royal Spa, a very nice massage was had and only a short time now before our flight to CDG. I was pleased to see it was the 777 and we hadn't been TG'd!
Your's truly! It was a spur of the moment shot.. can you tell
Once again, service was amazing 4/8 of suites occupied and off it was to Paris!
A good 6.5 hours sleep had on this leg.. not a hard thing to do!
This trip report was only a dream just over 12 months ago when I stumbled across the US Airways thread on FT and more importantly here on AFF. I always promised to do a trip report as a 'thank-you' to all the members that helped with all the question's I asked, you were all so welcoming and I now find I visit this forum on a very regular basis
Anyway...Emma and I talked about going to Europe when we first started seeing each other, I said I'd only go it wasn't in Economy... now she won't go anywhere long-haul in Economy!
Approximately 11 month's out and after reading various forums for many hours over many weeks I finally called the US Airways booking line (via Skype of course) and spoked to a lovely lady in their call centre. I had already researched our flights with flight numbers, times etc I gave these out to her, had a freindly chat and a great experience overall... much better than others have written about! My girlfriend and I had now booked our trip of a lifetime! Our route was to be the following:
Outbound: MEL-SYD-BKK-CDG
Inbound: FRA-ICN-TPE-BKK-SYD-MEL
And then we waited.. and waited.. and waited.
After counting down the months, weeks and finally days it was time to leave. I left work around lunchtime on Thursday 5th July, went home... finished the last little bits of packing, loaded the car up and put the cat in his carry box! Dropped him off at the boarding cattery! (Nearly didn't pick him up after seeing the bill on the way home!! Could have bought more miles
) Next stop was back to work to leave the car and get a lift to Melbourne Airport, dropped off kerbside with our luggage.. 3hrs earlier than planned!I had booked a QF J Award MEL-SYD. Being 3 hours earlier than our ETD and being aboard a 737-400, I went to have a chat at the QF service desk and with a very friendly lady she moved us onto the 19:00 service... A 767 to boot! A quick bite to eat in the Business Lounge and then a run to the gate with approx 10 other passengers and we were seated, ready for takeoff.
Arrived in Sydney, then waited in the cold and wet night for the Sydney Super Shuttle... there was nothing super about it! Super slow, super uncomfortable and super organised! Checked in at the Holiday Inn and was upgraded thanks to PC Platinum status, nothing to write home about... 7hrs sleep. In a cab to the airport!
Arrived at the international terminal... nervous as all hell! Did I have everything? Did I need Visas? What if they can't find the booking? Bugger it, we roll up to the Thai First Class check in counter, hand over our passports and receive our boarding passes straight back. I look at Emma, she smiles back... I have a huge sigh of relief!
Off to the AirNZ Koru Club, we grab a bite to eat and I get more excited as the minutes pass by. Emma and I talked about going to Europe when we first started seeing each other, I said I'd only go it wasn't in Economy... now she won't go anywhere long-haul in Economy!
Soon to be sitting in the nose of this old girl!
I must admit we did get a couple of strange looks being a younger couple but took it in our stride.. and turned left! Once settled, the amazing onboard service commenced, way too much food and plenty of alchol (FWIW, we are not big drinkers). Life was pretty good at this stage.
We arrived in Bangkok, and were greeted with the infamous 'Thai Buggy Grand Prix'. Jumped on board and watched BKK airport whiz by.
Soon enough we had a ride through the Business class lounge into the First class lounge, grabbed a private room and some food and relaxed. But there was more relaxing to do... a 1hr Massage of course! Off it was to the the Royal Spa, a very nice massage was had and only a short time now before our flight to CDG. I was pleased to see it was the 777 and we hadn't been TG'd!
Your's truly! It was a spur of the moment shot.. can you tell
Once again, service was amazing 4/8 of suites occupied and off it was to Paris!
A good 6.5 hours sleep had on this leg.. not a hard thing to do!
