Hey all, was encouraged to do a trip report after my first ever status run in J. Have always been NB but just tipped PS this year after moving to CBR and then with DSC offer I was just one JASA trip away from SG! Decided to do it as I will travel to Melbourne often and am planning a oneworld ATW for early 2013 so getting SG would be great.
I set my alarm for 5am but didn't get up until 5.30, after getting ready I realised I may just be late to the airport, tried to check in with my mobile but it wasn't working! Was able to check in at the counter 35 minutes before departure at 0645.
Before I go ahead, all my sectors were on old 737-400 and 747-800s.
CBR-SYD QF560
When checking in I was given all 4 boarding passes, the staff knew I was on a status run but didn't say anything unusual apart from the usual "4 boarding passes, heading to Hobart via Sydney and then back again this afternoon"
Went into the dom J lounge in CBR for a quick couple of glasses of juice. Pretty sure I saw Barnaby Joyce, if not a massive lookalike. Literally stayed here for 5 minutes as it was time to board, the lounge was quite nice, liked the ambience more than QP but QP does win with great views of the tarmac.
Sat in 1D, as I expected, slightly more leg room than 1A/C due to a hole in the bulkhead. I am of average height so it wasn't necessary, but nice. Orange juice offered upon boarding, was greeted as Mr. hdfb.
Breakfast was served and it was... okay. The omelette was a bit dry and stale. Didn't like the look of the greens but the tomato and eggplant sauce/relish was nice. Very short flight at 32 minutes, barely finish food and had to pack it away very quickly!
Landed on time, and disembarked first after a long taxi to the gate (not a fan of SYD!)
SYD J Lounge
Did not waste any time and went to J lounge and headed for the toilet. Not in the best shape for a dom J lounge... the bathroom was nice but the actual toilet stalls were a bit grotty.
As it was around 7.45am there was just usual breakfast food, toast, pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs etc. I didn't have to board for another 1hr 15mins so I just had another light breakfast and more juice. There was a Neil Perry signature dish on offer but I didn't take it up.
J lounge was quite nice here, get to see the QF hangars and very spacious, quite a few coffee stations.
SYD-HBA QF 1019
I was hoping this just might be a new 737-800 but alas, no, twas an old one. My boarding pass had 3C on it, but when I boarded, it wouldn't let me in. Turns out they pushed me to 1C for an unexplained reason, the staff I talked to and I only assumed someone else of higher status requested that seat or a couple wanted to sit together. I wasn't too fussed, was greeted with Mr. hdfb yet again.
Juice again on boarding, when the service started I was given a hot towel. Was quite surprised QF gave out hot towels..... surely my hands can't be that dirty!
"Brunch" disguised as breakfast was served, chipolatas, boiled spinach and scrambled eggs, a danish pastry. The other option was a fruit salad brunch - No thanks! The breakfast this time round was a bit better than the last, but not by much. My fork was not clean either, it had a big blob of dried food stuck to it - alerted the CSM and they gave me another fork, but did not take the dirty one away. :-|
Sitting behind my was a crying baby, I had my earphones on for most of the flight, but isn't this why people fly J, to get away from the noise?
Flight was fine, a bit of turbulence 30 minutes out from touching down but I actually enjoy it! Disembarked via stairs onto tarmac, I enjoy going onto the tarmac, although I can see why HBA won't be winning Best Airport for a while!
HBA QP
Stopped by here for 10 minutes before having to board, was quite full, but it isn't very big. Had some crackers and cheese, booze fridge was locked as it was before noon
HBA-SYD QF1020
Boarded the same plane I just left 20 minutes ago! The CSM noticed and gave me a second look, but didn't ask me any questions haha. Was greeted as Mr. hdfb yet again and went to my seat in 2F
The return flight would be 10 minutes quicker at 1hr 20mins according to the Captain, and I was looking forward to what would be served as it was lunchtime!
Most in J went for the chilli chicken with asian greens on steamed rice. QF just wasn't doing it today! The greens had been boiled too long, and the chicken, very very dry....... Was served with sourdough and a chocolate cake which looked like there was mint inside but didn't taste minty at all. Had a glass of the white wine too which was quite good. The other meal option was lamb with pasta.
I don't think I've remarked on the seats yet, but while they look very old, which they are, they are comfortable enough for a short flight in J. That said it is my first time in J
On this flight there was a young family in J, with 3 kids..... luckily they didn't make any noise though, but they did ask people in J to move around and swap seats so they could all sit together. I was a bit surprised QF cabin crew didn't try to intervene and coordinate it.
SYD J Lounge and QP
Headed for J lounge again, but no Neil Perry dish. Went over to QP on the other end to compare, and they had a hot dish, Shanghai chicken noodles. Being of Asian descent, I approached it with caution, but it actually turned out to be the best food QF had served all day! QP is actually great if you need some PC time, they have 20 or so iMacs, something J lounge doesn't. Caught up on some Reddit and emails in the meantime while waiting for my last sector back to CBR!
SYD-CBR QF771
Boarded and greeted as Mr hdfb again! That's 4/4 from QF, well done hehe.
Was pretty awesome on the tarmac this time, managed to see a SQ A380 take off as our plane was in queue to takeoff. A VA E90 took off at the same time as us on the other runway and that was pretty cool to see.
Sat in 1A and struck up a nice conversation with the person next to me who happened to be a military judge, at Secretary level of the APS! Talked a bit about her career and asked her for some tips for a young public servant aspiring to join the SES one day.
Refreshment was served and this was the best of all flights but it was still hit and miss. Liked the pork pie and the potato salad, but the pickle salad and olives was a bit much.... Same chocolate cake as the SYD-HBA cake as well haha. Highlight of this meal was the Yering station 2008 Shiraz. Will definitely be looking for some bottles for my own collection.
Had a short nap before touchdown. Had a small chat to CSM before disembarking waiting for aerobridge to show. She asked me if I had a holiday in SYD and I told her I was actually on a status run and she just replied Oh! and gave me a look. So that ends my trip report.... The J experience onboard wasn't all that flash, but I acknowledge I was on older planes and on very short sectors, but wished the onboard food was more appetising. THe best part was the lounges though, as well as boarding first and disembarking first.
Have just ticked over to PS and soon SG once DSC offer is honoured!
Hope you guys enjoyed the report and I wasn't too repetitive!
I set my alarm for 5am but didn't get up until 5.30, after getting ready I realised I may just be late to the airport, tried to check in with my mobile but it wasn't working! Was able to check in at the counter 35 minutes before departure at 0645.
Before I go ahead, all my sectors were on old 737-400 and 747-800s.
CBR-SYD QF560
When checking in I was given all 4 boarding passes, the staff knew I was on a status run but didn't say anything unusual apart from the usual "4 boarding passes, heading to Hobart via Sydney and then back again this afternoon"
Went into the dom J lounge in CBR for a quick couple of glasses of juice. Pretty sure I saw Barnaby Joyce, if not a massive lookalike. Literally stayed here for 5 minutes as it was time to board, the lounge was quite nice, liked the ambience more than QP but QP does win with great views of the tarmac.
Sat in 1D, as I expected, slightly more leg room than 1A/C due to a hole in the bulkhead. I am of average height so it wasn't necessary, but nice. Orange juice offered upon boarding, was greeted as Mr. hdfb.
Breakfast was served and it was... okay. The omelette was a bit dry and stale. Didn't like the look of the greens but the tomato and eggplant sauce/relish was nice. Very short flight at 32 minutes, barely finish food and had to pack it away very quickly!
Landed on time, and disembarked first after a long taxi to the gate (not a fan of SYD!)
SYD J Lounge
Did not waste any time and went to J lounge and headed for the toilet. Not in the best shape for a dom J lounge... the bathroom was nice but the actual toilet stalls were a bit grotty.
As it was around 7.45am there was just usual breakfast food, toast, pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs etc. I didn't have to board for another 1hr 15mins so I just had another light breakfast and more juice. There was a Neil Perry signature dish on offer but I didn't take it up.
J lounge was quite nice here, get to see the QF hangars and very spacious, quite a few coffee stations.
SYD-HBA QF 1019
I was hoping this just might be a new 737-800 but alas, no, twas an old one. My boarding pass had 3C on it, but when I boarded, it wouldn't let me in. Turns out they pushed me to 1C for an unexplained reason, the staff I talked to and I only assumed someone else of higher status requested that seat or a couple wanted to sit together. I wasn't too fussed, was greeted with Mr. hdfb yet again.
Juice again on boarding, when the service started I was given a hot towel. Was quite surprised QF gave out hot towels..... surely my hands can't be that dirty!
"Brunch" disguised as breakfast was served, chipolatas, boiled spinach and scrambled eggs, a danish pastry. The other option was a fruit salad brunch - No thanks! The breakfast this time round was a bit better than the last, but not by much. My fork was not clean either, it had a big blob of dried food stuck to it - alerted the CSM and they gave me another fork, but did not take the dirty one away. :-|
Sitting behind my was a crying baby, I had my earphones on for most of the flight, but isn't this why people fly J, to get away from the noise?
Flight was fine, a bit of turbulence 30 minutes out from touching down but I actually enjoy it! Disembarked via stairs onto tarmac, I enjoy going onto the tarmac, although I can see why HBA won't be winning Best Airport for a while!
HBA QP
Stopped by here for 10 minutes before having to board, was quite full, but it isn't very big. Had some crackers and cheese, booze fridge was locked as it was before noon
HBA-SYD QF1020
Boarded the same plane I just left 20 minutes ago! The CSM noticed and gave me a second look, but didn't ask me any questions haha. Was greeted as Mr. hdfb yet again and went to my seat in 2F
The return flight would be 10 minutes quicker at 1hr 20mins according to the Captain, and I was looking forward to what would be served as it was lunchtime!
Most in J went for the chilli chicken with asian greens on steamed rice. QF just wasn't doing it today! The greens had been boiled too long, and the chicken, very very dry....... Was served with sourdough and a chocolate cake which looked like there was mint inside but didn't taste minty at all. Had a glass of the white wine too which was quite good. The other meal option was lamb with pasta.
I don't think I've remarked on the seats yet, but while they look very old, which they are, they are comfortable enough for a short flight in J. That said it is my first time in J
On this flight there was a young family in J, with 3 kids..... luckily they didn't make any noise though, but they did ask people in J to move around and swap seats so they could all sit together. I was a bit surprised QF cabin crew didn't try to intervene and coordinate it.
SYD J Lounge and QP
Headed for J lounge again, but no Neil Perry dish. Went over to QP on the other end to compare, and they had a hot dish, Shanghai chicken noodles. Being of Asian descent, I approached it with caution, but it actually turned out to be the best food QF had served all day! QP is actually great if you need some PC time, they have 20 or so iMacs, something J lounge doesn't. Caught up on some Reddit and emails in the meantime while waiting for my last sector back to CBR!
SYD-CBR QF771
Boarded and greeted as Mr hdfb again! That's 4/4 from QF, well done hehe.
Was pretty awesome on the tarmac this time, managed to see a SQ A380 take off as our plane was in queue to takeoff. A VA E90 took off at the same time as us on the other runway and that was pretty cool to see.Sat in 1A and struck up a nice conversation with the person next to me who happened to be a military judge, at Secretary level of the APS! Talked a bit about her career and asked her for some tips for a young public servant aspiring to join the SES one day.
Refreshment was served and this was the best of all flights but it was still hit and miss. Liked the pork pie and the potato salad, but the pickle salad and olives was a bit much.... Same chocolate cake as the SYD-HBA cake as well haha. Highlight of this meal was the Yering station 2008 Shiraz. Will definitely be looking for some bottles for my own collection.
Had a short nap before touchdown. Had a small chat to CSM before disembarking waiting for aerobridge to show. She asked me if I had a holiday in SYD and I told her I was actually on a status run and she just replied Oh! and gave me a look. So that ends my trip report.... The J experience onboard wasn't all that flash, but I acknowledge I was on older planes and on very short sectors, but wished the onboard food was more appetising. THe best part was the lounges though, as well as boarding first and disembarking first.
Have just ticked over to PS and soon SG once DSC offer is honoured!
Hope you guys enjoyed the report and I wasn't too repetitive!
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