Australia to Germany the long way

[boomy]

Getting ready to depart from OTP.

The follow-me car.

A couple of planes ahead of us in the queue.


OTP airport from the air.

 

[boomy]

Approaching MUC airport.

Landing in Lufthansa land.

Photo of my plane from the shuttle bus.

 

[boomy]

The Senator Lounge MUC

Not as impressive the the one in FRA.

The champagne was nice.

Served in a proper glass.

 

[boomy]

When booking my return flight from Europe to BKK with TG I could go via MUC, FCO, MXP, LHR or CDG. I end up choosing CDG because I wanted to secure the A380 F. The other cities are serviced by either A340 (old F cabin) or B747 and I didn't want to play the B747 old F new F lottery (about 50-50 chance). I think there is a big enough difference between A340 and B747 old F compared to A380 F to justify the extra flight to CDG.

 

[QF WP]

Loved seeing MUC boomy, thank you - my favourite European airport. See you in BNE soon

 

[boomy]

MUC-CDG LH J
The plane this time was A319. The J seat felt worse then the one I had on my previous flight. Three rows with 3-3 configuration (middle seat empty). I couldn't see any difference between Y and J in legroom.

On the way to the plane (with shuttle bus again) it started snowing. By the time we were ready for takeoff the pilot announced the place needs de-icing and it will take 20-25 minutes. While we were waiting the snowfall became intense and the runway had to be cleaned. Eventually, after more then 1 hour delay, it was finally our turn to be de-iced and takeoff.
The short flight to Paris was uneventful. The meal was quite good.

After landing in CDG and collecting my bag I took the shuttle train to the Hilton. I must say CDG is one of the most ugly and unfriendly airports I've seen. Terminal 1 was so crowded and due to the way it was built, felt small and claustrophobic. The signing in the terminal is also very bad, although there are many airport hotels in the area, there are no proper signs to direct people how to get to them. Lucky I've been here just a few months ago so I knew exactly where to go.

 

[seanpodge]

Great trip report so far!

MUC-CDG LH J
The plane this time was A319. The J seat felt worse then the one I had on my previous flight. Three rows with 3-3 configuration (middle seat empty). I couldn't see any difference between Y and J in legroom.

Seems to be standard practice across Europe. J prices would have to be very cheap for me to bother paying for it, particularly if on *A since I already have *G and therefore pretty much all the off board benefits (lounge, luggage, priority check in et al).

After landing in CDG and collecting my bag I took the shuttle train to the Hilton. I must say CDG is one of the most ugly and unfriendly airports I've seen. Terminal 1 was so crowded and due to the way it was built, felt small and claustrophobic. The signing in the terminal is also very bad, although there are many airport hotels in the area, there are no proper signs to direct people how to get to them. Lucky I've been here just a few months ago so I knew exactly where to go.

I and my family transited there about 15 years ago on our way to DUB. I remember Dad saying that it "looks like it'd never been cleaned since it opened". Doesn't seem to have improved since.

 

[PointyEnd]

KA watch and learn, warm nuts served in a bowl.
View attachment 39909

Lucky you did n't have to pull a DYKWIA & return the plane to the gate!!
(So sorry, could n't help myself ;-)

 

[boomy]

Great trip report so far!

Thanks!

Seems to be standard practice across Europe. J prices would have to be very cheap for me to bother paying for it, particularly if on *A since I already have *G and therefore pretty much all the off board benefits (lounge, luggage, priority check in et al).

I've been on a few flights with TK intra-Europe on planes that had proper J cabins but the rest are a joke.

I and my family transited there about 15 years ago on our way to DUB. I remember Dad saying that it "looks like it'd never been cleaned since it opened". Doesn't seem to have improved since.

It probably looks even worse now!

 

[boomy]

Lucky you did n't have to pull a DYKWIA & return the plane to the gate!!
(So sorry, could n't help myself ;-)

Indeed a major international crisis was avoided

 

[boomy]

Hilton Paris CDG
The hotel is located between terminals 1 and 2 and is easy to reach either by shuttle train from airport or by the Paris train from city.
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Executive Plus
First I got a room on level 5 but the wifi didn't work so went down to the lobby and asked to change the room. The receptionist played a bit with my iPhone and said it should work now. Went back to the room, it didn't work. Went back downstairs and this time I was told (by a different receptionist) the wifi indeed doesn't work in some of the rooms and I got a new room on level 7.

View of the lobby bar.

The Executive Lounge is located in the lobby.

It was small with limited f&b.

 

[boomy]

I soon got bored with the lounge and went to ask the concierge for directions to the city. He gave me a map of Paris train and showed me where to go but he failed to inform me the airport line only operates until 12.45am (from Etoile station). When I asked for directions the time was already 9pm and by the time I reached the city it was almost 10pm. I missed the last train by 15 minutes and had to catch a taxi back to the hotel. This mistake end up costing me €50 for the taxi plus €10 for the unused train ticket

 

[RooFlyer]

MUC-CDG LH J
The plane this time was A319. The J seat felt worse then the one I had on my previous flight. Three rows with 3-3 configuration (middle seat empty). I couldn't see any difference between Y and J in legroom.
<snip>

On the way to the plane (with shuttle bus again) it started snowing. By the time we were ready for takeoff the pilot announced the place needs de-icing and it will take 20-25 minutes. While we were waiting the snowfall became intense and the runway had to be cleaned. Eventually, after more then 1 hour delay, it was finally our turn to be de-iced and takeoff.
The short flight to Paris was uneventful. The meal was quite good.
<snip>

After landing in CDG and collecting my bag I took the shuttle train to the Hilton. I must say CDG is one of the most ugly and unfriendly airports I've seen. Terminal 1 was so crowded and due to the way it was built, felt small and claustrophobic. The signing in the terminal is also very bad, although there are many airport hotels in the area, there are no proper signs to direct people how to get to them. Lucky I've been here just a few months ago so I knew exactly where to go.

Still greatly enjoying this TR

I can relate to each of the above paras.

'Eurobusiness'; a real con. Identical legroom, slightly more elbow room compared to Y. Hmmmph!

Icing - welcome to my world for half the year (Canada in winter)

CDG - I try to avoid at all costs (but I was working for a French investment bank for 3 years ... :shock: ). Are the baggage handlers still calling snap strikes?


... and I love Senator lounges. I reckon the one by gate Z50 at FRA ranks as one of the best of those that don't have a la carte dining. the one a MUC has always been crowded when I've been there (morning rush hour).

 

[boomy]

Still greatly enjoying this TR

Thank you

CDG - I try to avoid at all costs (but I was working for a French investment bank for 3 years ... :shock: ). Are the baggage handlers still calling snap strikes?

While I don't like this airport at all I'm prepared to suffer a bit as long as I know I'll end up in the TG A380 F cabin
Lucky there were no strikes while I was there.

I love Senator lounges. I reckon the one by gate Z50 at FRA ranks as one of the best of those that don't have a la carte dining. the one a MUC has always been crowded when I've been there (morning rush hour).

The Senator lounge in FRA is great! It's no.2 on my list of best *A J lounges after the TK lounge in IST.

 

[boomy]

Paris
A few moths ago I had daytime layover in Paris and this time I got to visit all the sites again at night. There is something special about this city, it feels so alive and full of energy even at midnight.
Unfortunately the iPhone 5 camera is not the best for night shots so I apologise in advance for the poor quality of some photos.
The Louvre

 

[boomy]

Flame of Liberty memorial

Winston Churchill statute

Alexander Bridge

The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour on the hour for 5 minutes and I got there just on time to take some photos.

 

[boomy]

Some more photos of this iconic tower.

 

[boomy]

There was an annoying light rain that didn't bother me at first but after a couple of hours walking outside I was soaking wet. Lucky for the late-night markets along the Champs-Élysées that gave me some cover while sampling some french food and wine.


The Obelisk at the start of the avenue.

The famous Arc de Triumph at the other end.

 

[boomy]

I went to sleep late and got up late, exactly as planned. My flight to BKK was at 1.30pm so I had no reason to get up early.
I had good views of the airport from my room so I did some plane spotting, looking for all kinds of different airlines that are not seen in Australia. Every year I notice more budget airlines popping up in Europe, looks like this is the trend now. The zoom on iPhone wasn't enough to take reasonable quality photos of planes so took one of the Concorde close to my room window instead

I still had some time until check in opens so I went down for breakfast.
Daytime view of the lobby.

Breakfast at the restaurant.

Food selection was limited and couldn't see anyone who prepares eggs to order. Very poor breakfast by Hilton standards. I decided to just have coffee and eat something in the F lounge later. I asked the waitress for strong latte but my request was obviously lost in translation because she gave me hot chocolate! When I tried to tell her this is not what I ordered I noticed she doesn't speak English at all. How can an international chain like Hilton hire someone who doesn't speak English to work in an airport hotel?!
Too many bad experiences in one short stay (wifi, concierge, breakfast). It's safe to say I won't return to this Hilton next time I'm having layover in Paris.

 

[PLANT]

Can you update the first page with out of pocket cost for taxes after using your points please and total $$$ cost?