munitalP
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- Oct 10, 2006
- Posts
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This report is about the same plane that had an engine failure the following flight leaving SYD
I may have mentioned briefly once that I don't like scarebus A380s purely from an engineers point of view, but as things change in the world, so do choices, or in this case lack of for flights that are long haul 744 on QF. My favourite destinations have fallen under the running cost scalpel and have had 2 engines removed – i.e. SYD/BKK that has morphed into an A330 route or SYD/HKG that has grown an extra deck and become an A380 route. Bugger! This means that I have got to put my dislike aside if I wish to travel these routes on Qantas, or throw away my last 10 years of flying and status attached, and start fresh another airline – which I can’t be ragged doing.
So, this is the story of my first Airbus A380 flight.
11 November 2012. EK 413 AKL/SYD 1840 SEATS 16F/E J
We arrived at AKL at around 1550 and returned the hire car to Europcar. The HH points for a 4 day hire – an easy 4000, thank you very much, that will do just nicely! After parking the car, the photographic survey was completed – I will never be caught out again by these buggers, we walked the length of AKL terminal where we found the dedicated J/F check in area. We originally had 2 hand luggage bags only, but were given a very expensive ornament while in NZ, so rather than risk damage, we purchased another cabin bag – a Samsonite spinner and checked on a case full of clothes and carried on two small cases.
The check in process was adequate and I had no complaints. Another first for me was being pre-cleared by a grumpy customs agent at the check in area, that was a little ho hum and I’m happy using smart gate, so I am unsure if this really was a benefit or not.
With express cards in hand, we went straight through customs where my ¼ tube of toothpaste caused a problem and was confiscated – the LAG rules are frustrating, a quick shop for some DF Booze then up to the EK lounge.
THE EMIRATES LOUNGE
On entry, the door lady noticed I didn't have a frequent flyer number on my BP and asked if I would like to add mine. I told her that my OWE probably wouldn't work just yet but she could give it at try. We had a chuckle and a brief chat about the upcoming flight being a first A380 and a first Emirates flight for me. She was a very lovely person who just oozed friendliness – first impressions were shaping up quite well. Additionally, she then escorted us into the lounge, showed Kim & I around the amenities then invited us to relax and enjoy ourselves – who were we to argue?
The lounge itself is large and spacious with real thought put into seating catering for singles, couples and groups of 4 in the layouts in both the lounge and dining area. Three bars – 2 in the dining area and one out have a good selection of beer, wines, spirits and mixers as well as a few other odds and sods such as chocolates and premium dates (which were very nice).
The food selection was out of this world for quality. There were 14 different hot selections plus soups, entrées salads, cheeses and deserts. I had a smoked salmon starter with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding (swimming in gravy!), chicken tenderloin, beans, roast spud and roast tomatoes.
The food was exceptional and I could not fault it and nor could Kim. Whilst dining, I noticed the chef attend the food selection two times removing dishes of food which had been sitting and these were replenished with fresh dishes straight away – fresh being important for this Middle Eastern chef.
The restrooms were spotless and have showers in the same area. Amenities available are combs, shaving kits & toothbrush kits in the men’s.
We found a couple of seats where we could sit looking out into the duty free area downstairs, and relaxed there for a while and enjoyed a couple of G&T’s pre-flight.
On first boarding call, we wandered off toward gate 15 – a 5 to 10 minute slow meander to where two A388 were parked adjacent to each other.
The priority boarding line was empty and we were quickly at our allocated seats.
Dates
one of 3 bars
I may have mentioned briefly once that I don't like scarebus A380s purely from an engineers point of view, but as things change in the world, so do choices, or in this case lack of for flights that are long haul 744 on QF. My favourite destinations have fallen under the running cost scalpel and have had 2 engines removed – i.e. SYD/BKK that has morphed into an A330 route or SYD/HKG that has grown an extra deck and become an A380 route. Bugger! This means that I have got to put my dislike aside if I wish to travel these routes on Qantas, or throw away my last 10 years of flying and status attached, and start fresh another airline – which I can’t be ragged doing.
So, this is the story of my first Airbus A380 flight.
11 November 2012. EK 413 AKL/SYD 1840 SEATS 16F/E J
We arrived at AKL at around 1550 and returned the hire car to Europcar. The HH points for a 4 day hire – an easy 4000, thank you very much, that will do just nicely! After parking the car, the photographic survey was completed – I will never be caught out again by these buggers, we walked the length of AKL terminal where we found the dedicated J/F check in area. We originally had 2 hand luggage bags only, but were given a very expensive ornament while in NZ, so rather than risk damage, we purchased another cabin bag – a Samsonite spinner and checked on a case full of clothes and carried on two small cases.
The check in process was adequate and I had no complaints. Another first for me was being pre-cleared by a grumpy customs agent at the check in area, that was a little ho hum and I’m happy using smart gate, so I am unsure if this really was a benefit or not.
With express cards in hand, we went straight through customs where my ¼ tube of toothpaste caused a problem and was confiscated – the LAG rules are frustrating, a quick shop for some DF Booze then up to the EK lounge.
THE EMIRATES LOUNGE
On entry, the door lady noticed I didn't have a frequent flyer number on my BP and asked if I would like to add mine. I told her that my OWE probably wouldn't work just yet but she could give it at try. We had a chuckle and a brief chat about the upcoming flight being a first A380 and a first Emirates flight for me. She was a very lovely person who just oozed friendliness – first impressions were shaping up quite well. Additionally, she then escorted us into the lounge, showed Kim & I around the amenities then invited us to relax and enjoy ourselves – who were we to argue?
The lounge itself is large and spacious with real thought put into seating catering for singles, couples and groups of 4 in the layouts in both the lounge and dining area. Three bars – 2 in the dining area and one out have a good selection of beer, wines, spirits and mixers as well as a few other odds and sods such as chocolates and premium dates (which were very nice).
The food selection was out of this world for quality. There were 14 different hot selections plus soups, entrées salads, cheeses and deserts. I had a smoked salmon starter with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding (swimming in gravy!), chicken tenderloin, beans, roast spud and roast tomatoes.
The food was exceptional and I could not fault it and nor could Kim. Whilst dining, I noticed the chef attend the food selection two times removing dishes of food which had been sitting and these were replenished with fresh dishes straight away – fresh being important for this Middle Eastern chef.
The restrooms were spotless and have showers in the same area. Amenities available are combs, shaving kits & toothbrush kits in the men’s.
We found a couple of seats where we could sit looking out into the duty free area downstairs, and relaxed there for a while and enjoyed a couple of G&T’s pre-flight.
On first boarding call, we wandered off toward gate 15 – a 5 to 10 minute slow meander to where two A388 were parked adjacent to each other.
The priority boarding line was empty and we were quickly at our allocated seats.
Dates
one of 3 bars
