A swing through South America

[VPS]

Boy that's a lot of planning - looking forward to it going live

 

[Scarlett]

Getting closer to departure and there have been the inevitable changes from some airlines:

QF have scheduled a B737 in place of the A321XLR I was supposed to be on for MEL-SYD. I guess it could always swap back again. As a mostly VA flyer I was looking forward to trying out the new-ish jet.

Annoyingly, I’ve had AV swap out their B787 for SCL-BOG on the leg heading back to the US. They’ve swapped to a Wamos A330 charter aircraft. At least it still seems to have lie-flat J from what they’ve sent me but disappointed not to get to try out the best AV product.

 

[Scarlett]

One change to my plan has been the booking of Aerolíneas Argentinas to fly from MVD to SCL. Two relatively short flights with a quick transit at AEP in Buenos Aires.

I booked whY as they’re short hops but had hoped to have Skyteam status via DL status match. That is proving problematic and I expect will not be approved.

I have tried to match against VA WP which would give Diamond Medallion if approved. DL have come back asking for more info to confirm VFF status (sent screen capture of VFF WP digital card initially). Have now also sent screen shot of my confirmed WP requal.

Also confirmed I have not taken a DL flight in the past three years (but have taken about 100 VA flights), which might be the main roadblock.

 

[Scarlett]

Packing day tomorrow!

Normally it’s an exciting part but for this trip a little more apprehensive. Bolivia still hasn’t calmed down fully and although I have some Diamox the ‘anyone could be susceptible’ to altitude sickness gives me pause.

I reckon both the suitcase and golf travel bag will be chockers.

 

[kpc]

Packing day tomorrow!

Normally it’s an exciting part but for this trip a little more apprehensive. Bolivia still hasn’t calmed down fully and although I have some Diamox the ‘anyone could be susceptible’ to altitude sickness gives me pause.

I reckon both the suitcase and golf travel bag will be chockers.

Just read about the issues in Bolivia....sad as we were there in February and there were no issues at all. We took Diamox as well but also spent a week acclimatising in Colombia prior. La Paz airport is at El Alto at 4050m.....lots of dizzy looking people getting off the plane! Get a taxi or Uber to La Paz asap as it is lower at 3600m....I was a bit dizzy and had a hedache the first night but was fine after a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, La Paz is quite hilly so that didn't help!

 

[Scarlett]

After much fretting about this:



and QF41 being cancelled for the past three days, the ash cloud has moved west and at 0300 AEDT this morning, CGK reopened.

So, it’s time.

 

[Scarlett]

CBR J lounge (now with tarmac view windows) is very quiet on a Tuesday morning, but both this and QP open. I wonder how the crowding situation has gone in both lounges since the swap of locations? Certainly this J lounge feels too large.

Normally I’m a VA flyer out of here so this is an exactly the same view of the airport but from a slightly different angle. Very nice lounge.

 

[Scarlett]

At check in this morning there was a slight hold up with the agent needing to disappear and speak to a supervisor. Apparently they needed to ring Sydney, maybe to confirm that the flight is indeed operating.

What is concerning is that for an airport that is open and with a significant backlog, there still doesn’t appear to be RPT movement.



FR24 shows a solitary freighter taxiing for departure to Malaysia. I did see a bizjet landed just before this (from DPS), so not sure what CGK is doing.

One hour later - now we’re talking!

 

[Scarlett]

No snow sighted on the Snowy Mountains.

And wow, how green is the country surrounding Melbourne right now!

 

[Scarlett]

CBR-MEL QF1521
A220-300 J
VH-X4F
On time

First flight for me in J on this newish aircraft, for the short 45 minute flight.

I have taken this QF type in the past in whY and as a lowly SG QFF could only select the generic Y seats. Found the experience in the back to be quite poor with the 76cm pitch feeling uncomfortable.

J is of course better, and the cabin still felt clean and fresh. Crew pleasant. Quiet once airborne.



Having had some breakfast in the lounge I just had some sparkling water during the flight but a hot breakfast was offered. Most others seemed to skip the meal and just have tea or coffee.


See you in a month and a half Kenbehrens.

 

[Scarlett]

Hmm, curious.
FR24 is now showing QF41 SYD-CGK as cancelled (it was showing regular ‘Estimated’ info early this morning), but the QF app still shows it on time.

In fact the app has just put up this notice:

 

[Scarlett]

Crew member loitering inside the door waiting for a few minutes whilst my recently arrived flight waited to alight.


Quick stop in the MEL QF J lounge between flights for a top up of coffee. I carry a travel mug with me everywhere and everyday, so that is now full of a better quality latte than they’ll serve on board.

After the short A220 flight in J, I had booked the MEL-SYD milk run in the A321XLR, but alas QF have swapped it out for a generic B738. Ho hum.

MEL-SYD QF434
B737-800 J
VH-VXH
On time

Boarded about 15 minutes before scheduled departure, only a little faff and then doors closed and a very quick taxi from the QF bays for rwy27 departure.

Aircraft is mostly full; J cabin 12/12. Seat is definitely more spacious than on the A220. Looking forward to my ration of three leaves for a mid-morning snack!

Fields of canola in early spring bloom.

 

[Scarlett]

There was a lot of canola visible after departure from MEL.



A snack was served on this late morning sector. A caramelised onion and something tart: tasty. As was the pastel de nata.


Also, my apologies to QF; there were six leaves.

Why fly direct…


Smooth flight and quick approach into SYD. All worked as it should. Always nice to see one of these at the domestic terminal:


Straight onto the transfer bus at gate 15 but a 15 minute wait for the bus to fill up, then around to the international terminal. Fast track through security with a J boarding pass didn’t really save any time as there were barely any queues. Same for the smart gates.

I’d forgotten that QF had a temp J lounge in SYD so walked across there near gate 24. Mediocre and quite busy. I have about 100 minutes here before scheduled boarding.

 

[Scarlett]

SYD-CGK QF41
A330-200 J
VH-EBJ
On time

Much ado about nothing really: the wind came from a good direction; the volcanic emissions settled down; and flight proceeded as normal.

Much better than for this GA jet which looks like it has been sitting there since Sunday morning.


Long haul in J on a QF A330 has been discussed many times here so just a couple of thoughts:
- one toilet for the J cabin is insufficient and is a real weakness of this version of the A332.
- the backing music on the QF safety video is too loud and detracts from the safety message.
- no pjs at seat or offered (but I had my own)
- Crew were good, cabin felt fresh and modern

Menu


The flight landed ahead of time, taxied to T3 and then the longish walk to immigration. Zero wait at the smart gates and through the (one step!) process in about ten seconds. I’d sorted out my eVOA a week ago so very painless at the airport.



After about a ten minute wait for the belt to start moving, my bag was first off! Then walked down to oversize and only a five minute wait to collect the golf bag. Very smooth for CGK.

I’m staying at the FM7 hotel near the airport which is fine and comfortable for the transit. Free transit shuttle pick-up on arrival was coordinated with the hotel a few days ago. Find guy with sign at pre-arranged meeting point; waiting for other pax also on same shuttle; then ten minutes on the dodgy backroad to the hotel.

Been to the gym just now to try and work off the lounge and in flight food and I’m feeling really tired. Will be sleeping soundly shortly.

 

[Scarlett]

The DL status match/challenge.
If you want the match you have to have taken a flight with DL in the past three years, which I haven’t, so that is not possible now. Last flew DL when they were a VA partner pre covid.

Seems they’re missing a trick though. I’d be happy to consider DL if they gave me a status match. Without it I’ll just continue to book UA and other *A airlines for travel in and around Nth Am. So are they really asking me to put the cart before the horse?

The issue for this trip was to use VA WP match to DL Plat Medallion to get the extra bag benefit on LA. As it is, I see from other threads on here that QF SG status will give me two extra bags with LA. So that should work!

Off to put my QFF number on my four LA bookings. (all are in Y+ so the first bag is free anyway)
This also grants priority check-in so that is another nice benefit.

https://www.qantas.com/en-au/where-we-fly/partner-airlines/latam-airlines#at-airport

 

[Scarlett]

I had thought about playing golf on my day in Jakarta (safety day between positioning flights and my J long haul ticket) and was keen to try out a course named Sedayu.

Many may have seen it on approach into CGK, because it sits perfectly under the approach/departure path.


Seems a bizarre and very expensive place to build a golf course; on reclaimed land, but it does appear to be one of those golf courses with minimal architectural merit built to sell the housing developed around it.



As it was I didn’t set an alarm, slept in too long and then when I did get up, realised it was another of those Jakarta days where the air probably more smog than N2/O2 mix. Next time. Or maybe when I’m living here in the ‘big durian’ in the nearish future.



After a late breakfast of mie goreng and tempe I finalised some things for the trip, tried to organise photos (what a never ending job) and hit the gym to get some credits ahead of a day on NH and UA.

I added my name to the morning shuttle at 0400 ahead of 0610 departure to NRT. Staff at the hotel recommended three hours before, but at the early time, being only 10-15 minutes from the terminal and having access to the priority check in line meant I was happy with my choice.

The access to the generally much swifter check in that comes with status or flying in a premium cabin is greatly valued by me but doesn’t seem to attract much comment on here.