Trip Report: Round the World in 139 days (24 flights)

[coyote25]

Tomorrow I commence extended leave and travel round the world. Over 139 days I’ll be visiting 18 countries and Antarctica.

The AFF has helped me many times over the past 8 years especially in constructing Oneworld RTW Y Awards and more recently with ideal seat selections.

This trip will feature 24 flights utilising a combination of a Oneworld Round the World J (280K) Award and a series of short haul paid and award flights across nine airlines.

Countries Visited:
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Iceland, England, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Chile, USA, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Plus Antarctica

Flight Plan
1. Business: Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD) QANTAS QF420 (Transit)
2. Business: Sydney (SYD) to Singapore (SIN) British Airways BA016
3. Business: Bangkok (BKK) to Singapore (SIN) Cathay Pacific - CX 713 (Transit)
4. Business: Singapore (SIN) to Frankfurt (FRA) Qantas Airways - QF 005 (Transit)
5. Business: Frankfurt (FRA) to London (LHR) British Airways - BA 905 (Transit)
6. Economy: London (LHR) to Keflavik Icelandair - FI 455
7. Economy: Keflavik to London (LHR) Icelandair - FI 450
8. Business: London (LHR) to Frankfurt (FRA) British Airways - BA 904
9. Business: Frankfurt (FRA) to Madrid (MAD) Iberia - IB 3507
10. Business: Madrid (MAD) to Buenos Aires (EZE) Iberia - IB 6845
11. Economy: Buenos Aires (AEP) to Ushuaia (USH) Aerolineas Argentinas - AR 1890
12. Economy: Ushuaia (USH) to Buenos Aires (AEP) Aerolineas Argentinas - AR 1879
13. Business: Buenos Aires (EZE) to Miami (MIA) American Airlines - AA 934
14. Economy: Miami (MIA) to Dallas (DFW) American Airlines - AA 395
15. First: Dallas (DFW) to Washington (IAD) American Airlines - AA 1962
16. Economy: New York (JFK) to Orlando (MCO) American Airlines AA1777
17. First: Orlando (MCO) to Miami (MAI) American Airlines AA1593
18. Business: Miami (MIA) to Mexico City (MEX) American Airlines AA2169
19. Economy: Mexico City (MEX) to Havana (HAV) Cubana de Aviación - CU 131
20. Economy: Havana (HAV) to Cancun (CUN) Cubana de Aviación - CU 152
21. Economy: Cancun (CUN) to Mexico City (MEX) Aeromexico - AM 588
22. First: Panama (PTY) to Dallas (DFW) American Airlines - AA 2102
23. Business: Dallas (DFW) to Brisbane (BNE) Qantas Airways - QF 008
24. Economy: Brisbane (BNE) to Melbourne (MEL) Qantas Airways - QF 617

The RTW Business Award flights are MEL-SYD-SIN-(land segment)-BKK-SIN-FRA-MAD-EZE-MIA-DFW-BNE. The only Y flight is from MIA to DFW since there is only F or Y seats on most American Airlines internal flights. This award cost $854.12 and 280k points and I was very happy with the availability.

I’ll provide updates on the service provided on each of these flights and quality of the lounge (if I have access) pre-flight. I'm not sure I can do as well as other trip reports seen on AFF but I’ll try.

Separately I’ll also provide a report on the Hilton Group Hotels I’m staying at as a result of the Virgin hotel status arrangement.

Hopefully this report will be useful to other AFF members

 

[opusman]

Looking forward to reading it!

 

[casanovawa]

Sounds great, those OW awards work so well as the backbone of these big RTW trips...

 

[moa999]

Impressive trip and 4 months away...
Look forward to the updates...
Surprised you haven't included any US YUP/KUP runs, just a couple of single flights.
FYI Brisbane is BNE not BRI

 

[RB]

Can you give us an idea of who you used for the travel insurance for such a long trip?

 

[brett-au]

How did you go on price with the Havana (HAV) to Cancun (CUN) Cubana de Aviación - CU 152 flight(s)? I'm looking at heading to cuba, but can't find a cheap way out of the place, ie to Mexico city or Cancun.

Also enjoy Iceland.

 

[coyote25]

Can you give us an idea of who you used for the travel insurance for such a long trip?

Ended up using QBE Insurance, expensive but these this trip includes Cuba, USA and Antarctica that was to be expected.

Impressive trip and 4 months away...
Look forward to the updates...
Surprised you haven't included any US YUP/KUP runs, just a couple of single flights.
FYI Brisbane is BNE not BRI

Yeah I really should have undertaken some YUP/KUP flights, next time for sure. Thanks for the pick up on BRI (doh!) after being so careful on the others outside of Australia

 

[Andyzx]

Sounds a good 4 months away and a variety of stops. Will be interested in the BA16 J as we are on that flight in Dec.

 

[ncm]

How did you go on price with the Havana (HAV) to Cancun (CUN) Cubana de Aviación - CU 152 flight(s)? I'm looking at heading to cuba, but can't find a cheap way out of the place, ie to Mexico city or Cancun.

I took both CU131 and CU152 in December/January 2010/11. CU131 was a decent A320 from memory and was fine. CU152 was a ~30yo Yakovlev YAK-42. Never been so worried in all my life when I boarded that ageing beast. The only time I wanted to de-plane in ~200 flights and I never relaxed, even though the views out of the windows are awesome. All the signs were in Russian and it was very box-like inside and shook like nothing else I've been on. When the decompression mist from the ventilation system started to appear under my feet on final descent (there is a great video on You Tube - search for 'Cubana Yak-42 smoke') I pretty much packed it. It obviously did the job though, although it was a Pope John Paul II 'kiss the tarmac' job at CUN. The in-flight meal was a very sweet bread roll and plenty of Havana Club. Rum and cigars were the only offering for the in-flight shopping/duty free. If you've been in HAV for any length of time though then they are the last thing you'll be looking for ;-)

The ticket was GBP615.20 for two in Y which is very expensive as you say jso. I wasn't too happy as I had both flights booked on Mexicana in J too before they went belly up in late 2010 and I had to hastily re-arrange. Some loss of decent SC's on that one not to mention the extra money and Y travel instead.

Going to CUN make sure you check out Isla Mujeres. We stayed there instead of on the strip and it was breathtaking. Golf cart is the local mode of transport and the beaches are spectacular.

 

[Major]

An interesting trip ahead...looking forward to the TR

 

[Paddy55]

(Photos... lots of photos, please )

 

[docjames]

In 2008 we paid ~ $250 each way on mx. I suspect prices are up since they collapsed.

(edit: cun-hav-cun. At the time cu was about $220 e/w.

 

[coyote25]

I took both CU131 and CU152 in December/January 2010/11. CU131 was a decent A320 from memory and was fine. CU152 was a ~30yo Yakovlev YAK-42. Never been so worried in all my life when I boarded that ageing beast. The only time I wanted to de-plane in ~200 flights and I never relaxed, even though the views out of the windows are awesome. All the signs were in Russian and it was very box-like inside and shook like nothing else I've been on. When the decompression mist from the ventilation system started to appear under my feet on final descent (there is a great video on You Tube - search for 'Cubana Yak-42 smoke') I pretty much packed it. It obviously did the job though, although it was a Pope John Paul II 'kiss the tarmac' job at CUN.

Thanks ncraigm for your insights and the laugh (Pope style!). I hope I can still laugh later in the year .

 

[coyote25]

Melbourne Airport
27 September 2012

Baggage checkin was very easy for my 9.30 am domestic flight to Sydney. Walked right pass everyone trying to figure out the self serve options and the counters were basically empty of customers, QANTAS must be very happy, less staff not less customers!

Bag was checked through to final destination in Singapore and I was told how to find the Domestic QANTAS lounge, believe me I knew it's location after 100s of local flights.

This time however I was eligible for the business lounge having a business award ticket. No problems getting pass the first lounge guards. You walk down to the end of the lounge to find the Platinium / Business Lounge. Now this time after being waved in I was called back, probably noticed the Gold card still out plus they were probably thinking 'he doesn't belong here' (probably right). But no problems and I get to see how the other half (well 4%) live.


Lots of food options, very comfortable seats (with lots available), go working PCs, papers, showers and only a few children who were very well behaved. Settled down for the scambled eggs and toast options. The barista was doing a big trade but that's not my thing. While eating a staff member comes around and offers to make a french omelette, very nice. Great service in the business class lounge and good views of the planes.


Decided to head to my flight a little early to walk of breakfast. Walked though the normal lounge trying to not make eye contact, it now a thing of my past! Unfortunately I'll be back down to the normal lounge when travelling for work next year

Arriving at the gate I found that the incoming flight was delayed by 25 minutes and it was expected we would have at least a 30 minute delay. No problems since I have 4+ transit time in Sydney (I try not to take any risks).

 

[coyote25]

Flight 1: Melbourne to Sydney
Date: 27 September 2012
Flight Number: Qantas Airways - QF 420
Fare type: Business (RTW Award)
Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A330-300
Requested Seat: 4A
Allocated Seat: 4A
In-flight Entertainment: Audio / Cabin TV on Demand
Scheduled Departure: 09.30
Actual Departure: 10.15

Scheduled Arrival: 10.55
Actual Arrival: 11.52

Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes

Meal:
Pre-flight juice or water (I went for water). French toast with orange juice.

Summary:
The flight boarded late and we then sat on the ground for an extended period of time as we had lost our 'slot' and gate in Sydney. I wasn't really concerned. Seat was in front of a bulk head not that it mattered at all since business seats give you so much room, also an empty seat next to me despite business class being close to 100% full.

Service was fine. The flight got a little bumpy for some reason on landing approach. Lots of urgent calls for pax to run to various gates, sounded like a few people have missed flights which will have to be changed. The main reason I leave a lot of time between flights, that and the lounge access when in transit

 

[mella2007]

Looks like a fantastic itinerary! Lucky you, I'm so jealous!

 

[coyote25]

Looks like a fantastic itinerary! Lucky you, I'm so jealous!

Thanks Mella.

The ITN was partly made possible by people on AFF sharing knowledge on how best to use QFF points in particular the OW RTW Awards.

Cutting the flying cost makes it easier to stay away longer and go to more places. And this time it allows all 4 hour plus flights in business as well.

 

[coyote25]

Sydney airport
27 September 2012

Tranfer between the domestic terminal to international worked fine. i was selected for security screening which this time included a pat down but no problems obviously (other than waiting 3 minutes for a male officer).

QANTAS Business Lounge is located up an escalator passed the First lounge. Very much enjoyed the J lounge especially the strawberry gelato. Food offerings were fine, easy to make this a lunch meal. Wifi was fast and lots of computers for use.

I can only imagine what the First Lounge is like. I have been in Melbourne INT J lounge and this was better. Hard to believe SYD F lounge could be better than MEL F lounge with I had previously found to be great.

 

[coyote25]

Flight 2: Sydney to Singapore

Date: 27 September 2012
Flight Number: British Airways - BA 016
Fare type: Business (RTW Award)
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Requested Seat: 64A
Allocated Seat: 64A
In-flight Entertainment: AVOD

Scheduled Departure: 15.45
Actual Departure: 15.45

Scheduled Arrival: 21.45
Actual Arrival: 21.52
Duration: 8 Hours

Meal:
Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Seared scallops with rocket and celeriac aioli
Penne pasta with spinach, Auvergne, olives and tomato sauce
A selection of cheese served with crackers
Heineken (during flight)

Summary:
Flight boarding commence a little earlier than advertised. The priority queuing system works well as I enter the Club World lane. On boarding I went straight up the stairs for only the second time (last time was an on board upgrade Melbourne to Auckland on QF).

Seat 64A was recommended by this forum and seatguru and it offers a lot of privacy. Last passenger joining the cabin got the seat next to me which was showing empty on seat maps an hour before the flight. The forward and then back facing J seating arrangement is great to talk to your neighbour and look at them. In my case follow pax put the privacy screen up as soon as possible, hopefully it wasn't anything personal

Dinner was served within 30 minutes of departure and there was good range of options. Once I had ordered beer the cabin crew kept bringing more without me asking, so you need to watch out for that!

The seat can be adjusted to fully flat with I did for about 50 minutes. Givn the time of day I didn't need to sleep but I easily could have. These seats must be a godsend for pax continuing on to London.

AVOD system is fine once started up. I picked movies I haven't seen thinking they probably weren't worth it and I was mostly right (Dark Shadow and American Reunion). I switched to TV comedy which was much more enjoyable.

I visited Club Kitchen near the end of the flight (located bottom of stairs) not much there but I picked up some chips and 150 ml Coke (yes cans are that small). A snack size sandwich was served about an hour before landing.

Landing was a little bumpy with lighning and thunder, made weirder by flying backs from my prespective. Somehow I missed getting an arrivals card maybe 64A is so private they couldn't see me.

Service: BA staff were very attentive and keen to please. Book 64A if available.

Now I was amazed at efficiency of Changing airport. 18 minutes after landing I had cleared Customs, Immigration and had my bag and was outside. Great airport experience.

 

[coyote25]

Images from the BA16 flight.