Australia to Germany the long way

[ETA_2022]

... so looking forward to the blockbuster ending.

But the ending's on Qantas, so will it be blockbuster?

 

[robd]

A very enjoyable read. Thanks for posting.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Still entertaining.....looking forward to the finale.....

 

[boomy]

I had about 8 hours to spend in HKG before my next QF flight. I didn't feel like going out of the terminal and decided to check out some of the OW lounges instead. I've been flying more *A lately and didn't get the chance to visit the QF and CX lounges for some time.
When I checked in my luggage in CDG all the way to SYD they gave me luggage receipt but couldn't print the BP for QF. Then in HKG I tried to transfer using that luggage receipt but it wasn't enough and I was told I need to obtain a proper BP. I asked where the QF counter is and one of the officers took me there. Very nice service, not something common at airports.
At the QF counter I got BP with seat 5A although I clearly remembered selecting 3A online. I decided to go to the QF lounge and call P1 SST to ask why I was moved. Talked to Kylie who checked and said seat 3A was faulty and I was lucky that 5A was still vacant because all the other seats in the F cabin have been allocated by now. Normally I wouldn't fall for this kind of excuse (especially after reading the bad experience amaroo had in a similar situation) but since I dealt with Kylie before, I couldn't believe she would lie to me so I accepted the change.
QF lounge HKG



It was still early and no QF flights are scheduled to depart for hours so I was surprised to see quite a few people in the lounge (most were sitting in the dining area so I was embarrassed to take any photos there). When asked, I was told most of them are waiting for the KL flight to AMS. Had no idea QF and KL have any kind of relationship, learned something new today.
I must say that I was amazed by the personal service I got from the moment I walked in. First, two lovely ladies who work there came to greet me by name(!) and asked if I they can get me anything. Then the manager came to shake my hand and offered to store my luggage and reserve a table, shower and shoe shine spot because the lounge will get very busy later (so he said).
I planned on having one glass of champagne and move on to the check out the CX lounges but the girls kept refilling my glass and the Veuve Clicquot was good
When I finally got up to leave they came to ask where I'm going. When I said I'm going to check out the Wing they looked disappointed and asked if anything is missing here (yes, cabanas) but I just said I need to stretch my legs a bit, which was also true.

 

[boomy]

After all the flying, eating, drinking and the lounging I felt like taking a long walk to do some minimal exercise. Luckily HKG airport is perfect for that as its huge with plenty of distance to cover. After looking at different shops I got quickly bored and decided to walk to the other side of the terminal and check out the Pier. I've been there a while ago and remembered it has an F section but wasn't sure if it was properly renovated since.
The Pier J lounge


Well, apparently the new F area is not ready yet and now it's just a sad looking F section with no much difference from the J area.

At least it had a proper menu, as opposed to the self-service options in the J area.

I stayed there for a few minutes just to have a glass of water and left for the Wing.

 

[boomy]

The Wing F lounge
Didn't bother with the J section and went strait to F hoping to secure a cabana. I felt like having a shower and a couple of hours sleep so I was very happy to hear one was available

It's basically like a small hotel room, with all the facilities required for a good rest between flights or after a long day in the city.
After having bath and shower I slept for three hours on the sofa. Woke up refreshed and went to check out the rest of the lounge.
Relaxation area

The champagne lounge

Had one glass, then another one, and another one... until I remembered it's not recommended to drink too much on an empty stomach so I went to check out the food options.
The restaurant

The menu

I chose the braised beef with matching glass of French red, it was a good dish.
By the time I finished the meal it was almost 6pm, time to head back to the QF lounge.

 

[boomy]

Back in the QF lounge I was escorted to a table with 'reserved' sign on it and someone came with a pair of slippers for me to wear while my shoes were taken to be cleaned.
The manager came to return a bag I left there earlier and recommended the Neil Perry signature bbq pork matched with a glass of Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz. I felt it was an average dish but maybe because I wasn't very hungry. While I was sitting there someone was always around to refill my glass when it gone half-empty and another guy kept offering all kinds of tasty Asian style nibbles from the kitchen.
When it was time to board the manager came again to say goodbye and wished me safe flight.
I've been to many airline lounges all over the world but was never treated with so much respect as in the QF HKG lounge. I had the privilege to experience an absolute phenomenal service and felt like a true VIP, well done QF!!

 

[PLANT]

Think that QF ad man started early and got on the blower to HK lounge after reading your TR here?

 

[boomy]

Think that QF ad man started early and got on the blower to HK lounge after reading your TR here?

I'm no stranger to SYD F lounge and never got any special attention. Sometimes I even had to get up and look for someone to order at the restaurant because the staff there didn't even look at my direction. That's why I was so surprised by the attention I got in HKG. I reckon QF hit the mark with the people chosen to work there.

 

[JMFK]

I'm no stranger to SYD F lounge and never got any special attention. Sometimes I even had to get up and look for someone to order at the restaurant because the staff there didn't even look at my direction. That's why I was so surprised by the attention I got in HKG. I reckon QF hit the mark with the people chosen to work there.

Agree. I'm only a lowly WP and was very impressed with the service. I too, was approached and greeted by name on entry and was quite shocked. I was unsure of what I wanted to drink on my last visit and the lounge manager offered to make me his 'special' coughtail. Refused to tell me what was in it but it was delicious. There was no Veuve on my last visit, just a Coldstream sparkling

I really like the HKG lounge, the modern look and feel is right up my alley.

Those cabana's over at The Wing are tempting though...

Great TR boomy, one of the best!

 

[medhead]

Think that QF ad man started early and got on the blower to HK lounge after reading your TR here?

Ok, I'll bite. that's not the ad man's job as a member of the board. Please let it go, it's getting old already.

 

[boomy]

HKG-SYD QF J+
I was curious to find out if my original seat 3A is indeed faulty as I've been told. When boarding the plane the seat was empty but still I had to ask the CSM just to make sure. He told me that seat is indeed unserviceable. That was enough to convince me and I made myself comfortable in 5A.

The guy who sat in front of me was a bit shocked when he saw his seat. He asked the CSM: "my ticket is for J class and this looks like F, did I get an upgrade? No one told me!". The cabin soon became full (except 3A) and I could hear other pax also being positively surprised by their unexpected "upgrade".
When the FA handed the immigration cards I asked for an express pass but was told the express lane in SYD was recently cancelled. Great, like SYD airport is not bad enough in the morning... The FA did say it's not too bad because extra lanes were added and queues are not too bad. I surely hoped so, our flight was already delayed for 30 min and my connection to BNE becomes a bit tight.

 

[boomy]

While waiting for the plane to start moving I changed to the QF pyjama, had a glass of champagne and had a look at the supper menu.

I didn't feel very hungry after eating in both CX and QF lounges so I decided to go for the chicken.

Hard to be impressed by a chicken dish but this one was very tasty.
Today the choice was between two very different reds and I decided to try the UMAMU Estate Shiraz 2008.

The Shiraz was good as well as the conversation I had with the CSM who knew a thing or two about wines.
For dessert I chose the Yogurt Panna Cotta.

Excellent dessert, light and creamy. I would gladly order it at a restaurant.
The dessert was accompanied by Lillypilly sweet harvest which actually wasn't too sweet and good match to the panna cotta.

 

[boomy]

The one benefit of seating close to the galley was getting served first and finish supper relatively early. I planned to go straight to work the next day and was keen to get a few hours of decent sleep.
When the FA made the bed she said they use the F mattress for extra comfort and indeed it felt very comfortable.

After a good night sleep I woke up just on time for breakfast. Pancakes, fresh fruits, mango smoothie and coffee, all pre-ordered before takeoff.

We landed in SYD late after the delay in HKG and I was a bit worried about my flight to BNE which was scheduled to depart in 65 minutes.
I'm glad to report that my bag was among the first to come out (always a surprise when it happens in SYD) and there were indeed some extra lanes put in place, exactly as the FA told me earlier. A quick sniff by the cute customs dog and I was out of the international terminal and rushing to domestic. There was a queue of people waiting to connect and then another long queue for the shuttle bus. I missed the first bus and got a bit worried but luckily another bus came shortly after and I made it to the domestic terminal with 5 minutes to spare before the boarding to BNE started.
That's it, the end of my TR. Hope you all enjoyed it. For me it was an interesting journey from East to West and back. From +30 degrees to -20 and back to +39 the day after when I flew to MEL.
It's good fun to visit different countries while flying in style via the most indirect routes possible, all thanks to the knowledge acquired here on AFF

 

[stoneman]

Very enjoyable, thanks

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Thank you Boomy! Very informative. Welcome home

 

[OATEK]

Yes, a great report. Thoroughly enjoyed following your journey.

 

[Fifa]

Thanks boomy - I have really enjoyed your TR and excellent pics.
I actually felt like I was on your holiday too!

 

[Jimmy124]

Thanks boomy - I have really enjoyed your TR and excellent pics.
I actually felt like I was on your holiday too!

Thanks so much boomy, echoing Fifa's post - subscribed early in the journey, and was eagerly awaiting your comprehensive and informative TR updates. Quite sad it came to an end, looking very forward to the next TR.

 

[Demon_fan]

One of the most enjoyable TR's I've ever read!!!

Well done.