EK A380 Across the ditch to BNE in J

[markis10]

I have been looking forward to sampling the A380 now that it flys to Brisbane for a long time and finally got a chance to do so yesterday, thanks to a QF awards redemption. I was able to preselect 7A as my seat which apparently is one of the less roomy seats on the plane, although I found it fine.

Being a trans Tasman flight there are no limos etc, so I took the big yellow bus to the airport from my hotel. The night before I had checked in online using the EK PNR listed in my booking on checkmytrip.com and proceeded through smartgate (I have no idea why Australia needs to do a trial for departures when NZ already use it), then security and up to the lounges. When the EK lounge opened at 1430 I moved there, with the front desk lady noticing I needed to have my credentials checked from the OLCI and also remarking how early I was, I didn't want to explain AKL is a tad boring with only 30 minutes WiFi for free.

After a nice three hours or so I decided to drift to the gate, the lounge had gotten busy to the extent it resembled the SYD QP on a Friday night, with chairs becoming hard to find. My flight was leaving from gate 15, and it's a good ten minute walk from the lounge. on the way I noticed the FIDS downstairs indicating the gate still had 45 minutes before opening, this was in contrast to the lounge which said 15.



The newer gates are obviously designed for the big birds and were very impressive.





While waiting I noticed the China Southern Dreamliner being towed to a hardstand, have to say its a standout in its color scheme compared to most Chinese airline paint schemes.

 

[markis10]

Boarding commenced around ten minutes later than expected, interestingly J and F board first before any passengers requiring assistance etc. I was soon seated and offered a glass of Moët which was hard to refuse. No amenity packs are handed out on this flight.







7A is a bassinet position, it also has a storage cupboard for airline use on the aisle which makes a good table area should you have a baby with you I imagine (for sorting supplies and getting organised etc).

 

[markis10]

The middle seats are good for pairs and I had a couple next door, who didn't stay long! not sure what happened as I did not see them again!



First row middle, also a bassinet position.



The aircraft was three years old and had a bit of wear and tear (loose panel above 7K), an engineer was asked to fix a curtain off its rails at the right front of the cabin, he somewhat vocally expressed his displeasure at being asked if this possible ten minutes before departure, and the curtain was stowed for the flight.

 

[markis10]

Prior to taxing we were given menus and a drinks order taken.

 

[markis10]

The wine list.





We were soon off and not long after the seat belt signs were off, and I settled back for a movie.
I decided on the chicken for dinner and it was OK, along with the Sav Blanc which was more than OK.



Having grazed in the lounge I was not to hungry so passed on the sweets/deserts, but kept the wine, which was never empty.

 

[markis10]

With about ninety minutes to go I decided to venture down to the bar, as others have said its impressive, and well stocked with a dedicated attendent. There were three of us enjoying the company until well into the descent, with the attendant being a local lass from Brisbane very much across our various subjects of conversation.





On descent everything is packed away and the open bottles of Moët and wine emptied, it was somewhat heartbreaking to see such waste but as I had helped empty the Chivas 18yr old with my fellow passengers at least that was not wasted (some may disagree since I drink it with Ice).

Soon it was time to resume my seat for landing, as the sun set over Jacobs well.



On arrival we had the standard EK gate at the end of the BNE terminal, having taken EK ex Singapore a number of times in the last few months I was not shocked by the long walk, with HLO I was soon through smartgate and out into he public area, some 15 minutes after landing (including duty free purchase, as NZ is no longer cheap thanks to the currency changes).

I really enjoyed the flight and like all good ones the time went too quickly, the food and service were great but what made the difference was the friendliness of the staff and the bar. There was probably 15 passengers in J and two in F so I am not sure how sustainable it is! I would have thought a Friday night would have been busier. The A380 seat seemed roomier than the 777 version, I just wish they would get rid of the silly WiFi controller.

 

[craven morehead]

markis10, I have this same flight coming up early Oct and have seat 8J did you happen notice any draw backs for seat even though it was on the other side? Looking at the seating plan the "J" cabin seats look staggered and and I am thinking I may need to re-select seat to get window. Your thoughts please I have only flown A380 once with QF .. also is the bar at the front of J cabin. Cheers CM :mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

markis10, I have this same flight coming up early Oct and have seat 8J did you happen notice any draw backs for seat even though it was on the other side? Looking at the seating plan the "J" cabin seats look staggered and and I am thinking I may need to re-select seat to get window. Your thoughts please I have only flown A380 once with QF .. also is the bar at the front of J cabin. Cheers CM :mrgreen:

You can see 8b in my cabin shot, 8j is the same being more aisle than window, try for a k seat to be closer to the window. The bar is at the back of the j cabin.

 

[samh004]

Excellent TR, doubt I'll get into that cabin for a while, but hoping to try them mid-year in Y.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm one of the big QF fans on here but seeing that makes me wonder why I would fork out points or dollars for Jet Connect

 

[boomy]

Nice wine list, especially the Hennessy XO! The bar looks great, Qantas should learn from Emirates and improve their dull sitting area on the A380.

 

[craven morehead]

You can see 8b in my cabin shot, 8j is the same being more aisle than window, try for a k seat to be closer to the window. The bar is at the back of the j cabin.

Done 9k it is !! many thanks markis10 , I should have paid more attention to the photos than the seating chart. This far out I am the only person booked in "J" :mrgreen:

 

[amaroo]

Nice TR markis10

Have to agree with PF comments on Jetconnect. Had decided last year to cease flying J to NZ but after your TR I think I'll review that call.

 

[legroom]

On descent everything is packed away and the open bottles of Moët and wine emptied, it was somewhat heartbreaking to see such waste....

I wonder why airlines are not allowed to give away half empty bottles to those who ask for them.

I'm a non drinker BTW.

I did ask SQ(F) and EK(J) and the answer is the same: not allowed.

What a waste seeing them turned upside down into the sink (saw that with my own eyes on EK) !

 

[markis10]

I forgot to mention just before heading to the bar I mentioned to one of the crew that I had a 5 year old that was a fan and liked to watch the A380 landing each night where he could from our balcony, a short time later I was given some gifts to pass on!



It seems QF is not the only Aussie company partnering with EK, in this case the backpack had a great Rip Curl travel diary!

 

[eastwest101]

As others have mentioned, comparing the Jitcunnict B738 vs EK A380 product in J or even Y class, the phrases "chalk and cheese" and "playing in a different league" spring to mind....

 

[mushez]

I fly the BNE-AKL route frequently, more specifically once every 2-4 months and always with EK the past 4 years, so I know EK434/EK435 well, from the A345 days, moving to 77W, and now A380. I am 50/50 between J & Y.

J often on the 77W was 50% or more full, and thought with the A380 that it would get worse, but have found J to only be busier.

Today I flew EK434 and got excited yesterday when doing the online check in as soon as it opened to see only 26 seats in Y left, so off to check Expert Flyer to see what the odds are, only to see 4 out of 14 F, 0 out of 76 J, and 21 out of 399 Y seats left.... so any chance of an opt up was written off - but they CSM on the flight offered to move me to a whole row of 4 empty seats they had in the middle.

I have always thought they would have more demand on the DBX-BNE route for the premium product and wouldn't be concerned running it light on the Tasman as long as J was full.

I think you just got one of them random light flights.

 

[petercr]

Saw EK435 rumble almost directly over my house tonight for the first time since the EK A388 has flown into / out of BNE

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Done 9k it is !! many thanks markis10 , I should have paid more attention to the photos than the seating chart. This far out I am the only person booked in "J" :mrgreen:

It may not be a case of being "the only person booked in J" but the only one booked in J who has actually pre-allocated a seat number.

 

[FxTrader]

I'm one of the big QF fans on here but seeing that makes me wonder why I would fork out points or dollars for Jet Connect

This is not you?