Rather than write a new trip report (because A I and too lazy, and B I have no photos) I thought I would hijack haydensydney's excellent TR an add a few observations from my recent trip.
I booked a VA codeshare on EY in order to help maintain platinum status with VA/DJ following the status match. It was booked prior to Christmas 2011 for travel in March 2012. I really didn't know what to expect and haydnesydney's TR was my first point of reference.
Seat selection was done over the phone, with reference to seat guru, and proved excellent on the MEL-AUH leg, but not so good on the AUH-LHR leg. I really don't know what to make of the layout in the J cabin on EY's A340's. I liken the cabin to Michelle Butterly, currently starring in the very low comedy Benidorm in the UK, from some angles she is very attractive and then a change of camera angle and not so much.
The seats are relatively narrow and if I was a couple of inches taller would be a tight squeeze. (I'm 5ft 11 in in old money - get a calculator kids!!) The A and K seats suit me, there is a real sense of privacy that I find lacking in the other seats. I was in an old fit out on both legs and as haydensydney pointed out there is little in the way of storage around the seat. The seat itself has good movement, including delivering you right up to the tray table for meals. I also had no problems sleeping on either leg so comfort was OK. without being excellent.
The Koru Lounge at MEL was rammed with folk and whilst I don't believe the QF F Lounge makes or breaks a trip for me I have to say I did miss it. The lounge in AUH was rammed too and whilst not bad is nowhere near as good as the QF/BA First lounges I am used too. Maybe familiarity makes things a little better for me when I travel.
The food on the flights was not bad at all and I found the dine when you are ready approach really good. The old refit looked tired and if I am brutally honest it looked like the colour scheme had been put together by someone who is colour blind.
I think the big variance from haydensydney's experience was service. Maybe EY has taken note of previous concerns but I have to say that the service was very good. The FA's were very attentive throughout the flights. Drinks orders were taken whilst we were leaving the terminal and delivered promptly after the seat belt sign had been extinguished.
I usually travel to the UK with QF mainly, or BA , and I missed online seat selection, the F lounges, familiarity of SIN/BKK/HKG and the service normally received.
Will I fly EY again? Probably, well certainly actually as I already have a trip booked for later in the year, I'd certainly look to help maintain my DJ/VA status by flying to the UK once a year.
