Over the last two weeks I have taken a few J flights on BA, RJ and QF, so just have a brief report.
7 March 2010
BA10 B747-400
SYD-BKK
Upper Deck Business
This was my first time flying on BA NNCW so I was looking forward to the experience. All the pre-flight strike worries were a waste of my emotion, all went off without any delay.
Checkin is seperate to QF so no closed off premium areas, but generally it was efficient. About 2 mins in line then a fairly pleasant checkin experiece. Pre-assigned seats were retained on the upper deck.
Lounge is obviously QF J so nothing new to report. Interestingly, the "Hungarian Beef Goulash" offered in the lounge was also one of the J meal choices!
First impressions of the cabin are good. Upper deck is airy and well spaced out. The seat was great, no issued at all with width and everything was simple to use (with the exclusion of the foot rest which I seemed to keep knocking down). Later on in "bed mode" it was fantastic and miles ahead of SkyBed I.
Crew were efficient and professional without being overly personal, which seemed to go over well with the mainly single English businessman types. Drinks were served with nuts after takeoff. Request for beer instead of wine with dinner was met without concern and additional cans handed out without request (big points from me on that).
Food was average at best, however its been pointed out to me that the English have different tastes to us. Entree was a simple plate of smoked salmon which was very nice. Interestingly, the second option was a plate of asparagus (and yes, nothing else) however it had run out! Main choices were the beef goulash, a chicken pasta (which I had) and a cold salad. The chicken was dry and tasted a lot like KFC. There was nowhere near enough sauce (like it had dried up in the microwave) and the pasta was tough. Didn't get onto desert, however Baileys was offered (again, points from me). Pre-landing refreshments were very boring sandwhiches and a rock hard apple tart, neither of which I touched, plus tea and coffee.
Only dramas - IFE was not working. The crew seemed perplexed by this when I pointed it out and, eventually, announced "it won't be working until we get back to London". A few channels of looped movies were as good as it got. No amenity kits were offered either, and it took two requests to get one (without IFE I decided sleep was the next best option so eye shades were required), but they were very poor upon receiving.
All in all BA was ok, however didn't meet the standard of my previous QF J flights (that is, until my return home...)
16 March
RJ182 A310
BKK-HKG
Business
There are a few options out of BKK onto HKG as "tag-on" legs. There is EK, as well as Ethiopian and this RJ service. I've flown RJ previously in economy, however given the business fare was only ~$100 more I thought I'd give them another go. Worth it for the QF status credits alone.
Checkin took longer than I'd hoped. Interestingly, they open 2 1/2 not 3 hours before departure so I had to wait for quite a while (arrived early on advise from the airlines due to potential unrest in Bangkok) and when checkin openned I got stuck behind an AA Platnium who spent 20 mins, yes 20 mins arguing about how his AA number was not written in full on the boarding pass. The economy staff didn't offer to checkin the waiting J pax (well, ok that was just myself and my partner who as it turned out were the only two J pax to join the flight in BKK).
RJ use the Thai lounge in BKK for some reason so we decided to sample both that and QF. QF opens at 1pm so the doors had just openned up as we walked in. It's a very nice lounge, however food offerings are slim at that time. Good bar selection though. TG on the other hand was crowded, felt very small, had dirty bathrooms and an inferior food and drink selection, so I'll stay in the QP next time.
The flight itself was the best of the three. Seat is a close to flat bed, on a slant, however is fairly new and full leather. On boarding, juices were offered as well as Bangkok and Jordanian newspapers from the very friendly middle eastern lady FA. There were also two male Jordanian flight attendants who spent the entire flight in the galley eating nuts and chatting with a man in casual clothes who spent the whole flight in the FA fold up seat. coughpit door was also left open throughout the flight which was a nice blast from the past.
The one FA in the J cabin did a fantastic job. Menus were handed out and the service was a full dinner. I can't remember the options, but I had a nice Thai Beef Salad and a roasted Duck which were nice. Champagne was Moet and my glass was never empty, even after the meal service when refils were offered without asking every 15 mins. After my 5th glass of Moet I switched to Baileys, and three refils were offered without requet before I finally declined (you can only imagine how many points from me that gets!).
Amenity kits weren't offered, however handed out happily on request. They are the best of the three again, quality Bvlgari products in a good sized wet pack that I'll actually use again.
Another positive, the cabin lights were left off and passengers allowed to sleep until literally 5 mins prior to landing when a pre-landing prep was performed. This was appreciated by those continuing from Amman (I was the only person awake during the flight).
All in all, big thumbs up for RJ who seem to have come a long way in the last few years. Points to QF also posted in less than 48 hours.
19 March
QF128 B747-400
HKG-SYD
Main Deck Business
Before I start, this was the worst flight I have ever taken on Qantas and I have contacted customer care already.
It's often said that a good crew can turn a good flight to a great one. By that same token, a terrible crew can turn a good to an awful. The crew member who served my row of business on this flight was not only the rudest most unpleasant FA I've ever crossed, but also one of the most rude people I can ever remember meeting.
Checkin was pleasant, if a little late (openned closer to 2 1/2 hours before departure with many people waiting in line). I used the Wing lounge for the first time which was nice, but the decor a little dark and depressing. Noodles good though and had a nice glass of champagne overlooking the ramp from the long bar. After venturing to the QF Basement, I would agree that CX still leads the lounge game in HKG.
Boarding efficient with the usual stupid secondary check at the gate. Champagne offered on boarding followed by a slightly late departure (about 30 minutes due to engineering issues). No additional drinks offered during the delay.
Issue number one occured on the ground when the FA in question was collecting breakfast orders. She approached with a bunch of pens in hand and announced "fill in your orders ASAP". I requested a pen and was abruptly asked "how did you get through customs?" after an excuse me I got a filthy look followed by an aggressive "What's wrong with you people who travel without a pen?!" before a pen was thrust into my hand and said FA stormed off. I was absolutley disgusted and totally shocked at the rude and aggressive behaviour of this woman. There has always been the occasional less than friendly FA, but I can't ever recall a situation where a crew member so blatantly attacked me, especially over something so trivial as a pen, which she was handing out anyway!
Anyway, that aside we got airbourne and I settled in. Amenity kits were handed out without discussion (interesting to see new style wetpacks for the ladys, but the same old ones for men). PJ's carried out on a second trolley a few minutes later. As the infamous FA approached, I wasn't offered a size, nor was a word muttered, I simply had an XL pair thrown, yes thrown at me from the trolley. I take a medium, however as by now I'd figured out there was something seriously wrong with this woman, I decided to let it go.
So we waited for a drink. An hour passed, and we continued to wait for a drink... nothing happened. Dinner preperations were going on so then it seemed the drink service was being forgotten today. Fortunatley I managed to flag down one of the economy FA's who was happy to assist, she had been shuttling drinks back and forth to the Y+ section.
Over 2 hours out of HKG (on an overnight flight...), dinner commenced. Standard QF J fare, soup + steak and it was all fairly nice. Still plastic forks I see.
Unfortunatley, FA from hell struck again during the meal service. It took roughly 45 mins from entree to main service, so the drinks were well and truely dry by this stage. However, the mains were dropped onto the tray and the FA walked off without saying a word. By this stage I'd had enough so I hit the call bell, was shot a filthy look from the other aisle along with a head shake and given a very abrupt "yes".
"Could we have some drinks please?"
"I'm busy, just wait"
And she walks off again.
So the main course went ahead, without a drink. What a dry ship this was. Drinks were finally offered, after the mains were finished.
By the time the dinner service was finished, we were almost 3 1/2 hours into this barely 8 hour sector. I managed maybe 2 hours sleep before being woken for breakfast 1h 40min out of Sydney.
Breakfast was standard J stuff.
Customs was easy, not one person using the self-service computers however bags took ages. Oddly, we had three bags checked and one appeared after about 10 mins waiting. Then the belt stopped for 15 mins, then another appeared and then 10 mins later the third did. Didn't use the express line as I had stuff to declare, however the non-express was short enough anyway.
All in all I'm very upset with QF and have sent a detailed email so can only hope I receive a decent response. That woman needs to be sacked, no doubt about it.
Who'd have thought a 2 1/2 hour flight on RJ would trump the BA & QF heavyweights! I may have to look at passing through Amman a little more in the future.
7 March 2010
BA10 B747-400
SYD-BKK
Upper Deck Business
This was my first time flying on BA NNCW so I was looking forward to the experience. All the pre-flight strike worries were a waste of my emotion, all went off without any delay.
Checkin is seperate to QF so no closed off premium areas, but generally it was efficient. About 2 mins in line then a fairly pleasant checkin experiece. Pre-assigned seats were retained on the upper deck.
Lounge is obviously QF J so nothing new to report. Interestingly, the "Hungarian Beef Goulash" offered in the lounge was also one of the J meal choices!
First impressions of the cabin are good. Upper deck is airy and well spaced out. The seat was great, no issued at all with width and everything was simple to use (with the exclusion of the foot rest which I seemed to keep knocking down). Later on in "bed mode" it was fantastic and miles ahead of SkyBed I.
Crew were efficient and professional without being overly personal, which seemed to go over well with the mainly single English businessman types. Drinks were served with nuts after takeoff. Request for beer instead of wine with dinner was met without concern and additional cans handed out without request (big points from me on that).
Food was average at best, however its been pointed out to me that the English have different tastes to us. Entree was a simple plate of smoked salmon which was very nice. Interestingly, the second option was a plate of asparagus (and yes, nothing else) however it had run out! Main choices were the beef goulash, a chicken pasta (which I had) and a cold salad. The chicken was dry and tasted a lot like KFC. There was nowhere near enough sauce (like it had dried up in the microwave) and the pasta was tough. Didn't get onto desert, however Baileys was offered (again, points from me). Pre-landing refreshments were very boring sandwhiches and a rock hard apple tart, neither of which I touched, plus tea and coffee.
Only dramas - IFE was not working. The crew seemed perplexed by this when I pointed it out and, eventually, announced "it won't be working until we get back to London". A few channels of looped movies were as good as it got. No amenity kits were offered either, and it took two requests to get one (without IFE I decided sleep was the next best option so eye shades were required), but they were very poor upon receiving.
All in all BA was ok, however didn't meet the standard of my previous QF J flights (that is, until my return home...)
16 March
RJ182 A310
BKK-HKG
Business
There are a few options out of BKK onto HKG as "tag-on" legs. There is EK, as well as Ethiopian and this RJ service. I've flown RJ previously in economy, however given the business fare was only ~$100 more I thought I'd give them another go. Worth it for the QF status credits alone.
Checkin took longer than I'd hoped. Interestingly, they open 2 1/2 not 3 hours before departure so I had to wait for quite a while (arrived early on advise from the airlines due to potential unrest in Bangkok) and when checkin openned I got stuck behind an AA Platnium who spent 20 mins, yes 20 mins arguing about how his AA number was not written in full on the boarding pass. The economy staff didn't offer to checkin the waiting J pax (well, ok that was just myself and my partner who as it turned out were the only two J pax to join the flight in BKK).
RJ use the Thai lounge in BKK for some reason so we decided to sample both that and QF. QF opens at 1pm so the doors had just openned up as we walked in. It's a very nice lounge, however food offerings are slim at that time. Good bar selection though. TG on the other hand was crowded, felt very small, had dirty bathrooms and an inferior food and drink selection, so I'll stay in the QP next time.
The flight itself was the best of the three. Seat is a close to flat bed, on a slant, however is fairly new and full leather. On boarding, juices were offered as well as Bangkok and Jordanian newspapers from the very friendly middle eastern lady FA. There were also two male Jordanian flight attendants who spent the entire flight in the galley eating nuts and chatting with a man in casual clothes who spent the whole flight in the FA fold up seat. coughpit door was also left open throughout the flight which was a nice blast from the past.
The one FA in the J cabin did a fantastic job. Menus were handed out and the service was a full dinner. I can't remember the options, but I had a nice Thai Beef Salad and a roasted Duck which were nice. Champagne was Moet and my glass was never empty, even after the meal service when refils were offered without asking every 15 mins. After my 5th glass of Moet I switched to Baileys, and three refils were offered without requet before I finally declined (you can only imagine how many points from me that gets!).
Amenity kits weren't offered, however handed out happily on request. They are the best of the three again, quality Bvlgari products in a good sized wet pack that I'll actually use again.
Another positive, the cabin lights were left off and passengers allowed to sleep until literally 5 mins prior to landing when a pre-landing prep was performed. This was appreciated by those continuing from Amman (I was the only person awake during the flight).
All in all, big thumbs up for RJ who seem to have come a long way in the last few years. Points to QF also posted in less than 48 hours.
19 March
QF128 B747-400
HKG-SYD
Main Deck Business
Before I start, this was the worst flight I have ever taken on Qantas and I have contacted customer care already.
It's often said that a good crew can turn a good flight to a great one. By that same token, a terrible crew can turn a good to an awful. The crew member who served my row of business on this flight was not only the rudest most unpleasant FA I've ever crossed, but also one of the most rude people I can ever remember meeting.
Checkin was pleasant, if a little late (openned closer to 2 1/2 hours before departure with many people waiting in line). I used the Wing lounge for the first time which was nice, but the decor a little dark and depressing. Noodles good though and had a nice glass of champagne overlooking the ramp from the long bar. After venturing to the QF Basement, I would agree that CX still leads the lounge game in HKG.
Boarding efficient with the usual stupid secondary check at the gate. Champagne offered on boarding followed by a slightly late departure (about 30 minutes due to engineering issues). No additional drinks offered during the delay.
Issue number one occured on the ground when the FA in question was collecting breakfast orders. She approached with a bunch of pens in hand and announced "fill in your orders ASAP". I requested a pen and was abruptly asked "how did you get through customs?" after an excuse me I got a filthy look followed by an aggressive "What's wrong with you people who travel without a pen?!" before a pen was thrust into my hand and said FA stormed off. I was absolutley disgusted and totally shocked at the rude and aggressive behaviour of this woman. There has always been the occasional less than friendly FA, but I can't ever recall a situation where a crew member so blatantly attacked me, especially over something so trivial as a pen, which she was handing out anyway!
Anyway, that aside we got airbourne and I settled in. Amenity kits were handed out without discussion (interesting to see new style wetpacks for the ladys, but the same old ones for men). PJ's carried out on a second trolley a few minutes later. As the infamous FA approached, I wasn't offered a size, nor was a word muttered, I simply had an XL pair thrown, yes thrown at me from the trolley. I take a medium, however as by now I'd figured out there was something seriously wrong with this woman, I decided to let it go.
So we waited for a drink. An hour passed, and we continued to wait for a drink... nothing happened. Dinner preperations were going on so then it seemed the drink service was being forgotten today. Fortunatley I managed to flag down one of the economy FA's who was happy to assist, she had been shuttling drinks back and forth to the Y+ section.
Over 2 hours out of HKG (on an overnight flight...), dinner commenced. Standard QF J fare, soup + steak and it was all fairly nice. Still plastic forks I see.
Unfortunatley, FA from hell struck again during the meal service. It took roughly 45 mins from entree to main service, so the drinks were well and truely dry by this stage. However, the mains were dropped onto the tray and the FA walked off without saying a word. By this stage I'd had enough so I hit the call bell, was shot a filthy look from the other aisle along with a head shake and given a very abrupt "yes".
"Could we have some drinks please?"
"I'm busy, just wait"
And she walks off again.
So the main course went ahead, without a drink. What a dry ship this was. Drinks were finally offered, after the mains were finished.
By the time the dinner service was finished, we were almost 3 1/2 hours into this barely 8 hour sector. I managed maybe 2 hours sleep before being woken for breakfast 1h 40min out of Sydney.
Breakfast was standard J stuff.
Customs was easy, not one person using the self-service computers however bags took ages. Oddly, we had three bags checked and one appeared after about 10 mins waiting. Then the belt stopped for 15 mins, then another appeared and then 10 mins later the third did. Didn't use the express line as I had stuff to declare, however the non-express was short enough anyway.
All in all I'm very upset with QF and have sent a detailed email so can only hope I receive a decent response. That woman needs to be sacked, no doubt about it.
Who'd have thought a 2 1/2 hour flight on RJ would trump the BA & QF heavyweights! I may have to look at passing through Amman a little more in the future.
