First time in F - How to make the most of QF9 in First Class

[largestgasman]

Hi all.
1st time poster, long time lurker.

I have scored an award flight to London in F next October to see 2 Rugby World Cup QFs and 1 SF at Twickenham. Never having travelled this far forward on Qantas I was hoping to get some advice as to how to get as much of the "First Class Experience" as possible whilst still arriving in reasonable shape to take my sister out for dinner in London on arrival and then make it through a whole weekend of Rugby without collapsing. I need to balance sleep with enjoyment.

Reading this forum leads me to believe that the 1st Class Lounge Spa will be open late now that QF9 has been shifted back to its new, late departure so in theory I should get a call from Qantas the day before and could book in up to 10pm.

With regards to check in I am hearing I can arrive no earlier than 4 hours for the A380's. Is that correct? That is a shame.

Next I wonder how to fit in all of the lovely food and drink - should I enjoy the lounge food and beverages and aim to sleep most of the first leg to DBX? I don't want to miss out on any of the fabled First Class wonders.

Do F patrons disembark at Dubai. Is there usually time for a lounge visit?

Does anyone have a good sleeping/waking strategy to get a good balance of enjoying the flight vs arriving intact to hit the street?

I guess a 11 months in advance is a little early to start obsessing about this but I fear things are only going to get worse!

Thanks for any help/advice.

J

 

[Ansett]

Welcome to AFF

It is never too early to Obsess over your first F flight especially on the QF A380 which IMHO is a good product.

If you are traveling with hand Luggage Only you can check in on Line and head straight to the lounge Via Customs and if you want you could spend the whole day relaxing . Now that may be obsessive LOL.

I would suggest not going mad in the F lounge with food and drinks just relax take it easy and leave room for on board.

Yes everyone disembarks in Dubai and yes you will have time for the lounge, check out the Spa Treatment in Dubai F lounge too, as you may not be too hungry.

Relax enjoy and make the very most of it.

 

[Steady]

Welcome to AFF largestgasman, I don't know any answers to your questions but I would love to read a trip report afterwards

 

[phily]

My first tip is to get a good seat, and you should be able to select that now. IMHO the seats in A are the best - better privacy, dedicated overhead bins for A seats only, and less foot traffic in the aisle. The other two "rows" of seats share both an aisle and overhead bins.

You can then consider all the arguments about which seats in A are the best. Personally I like 5A the best because it has an extra shelf. Others prefer 2A to 4A. There is at least one other thread here that debates the best seats in QFs F at much length.

You'll also get the QF car service to MEL and from LHR. However, if you arrive at LHR during peak hour it'd probably be much faster to take the HEX, unless you've got loads of luggage.

And board early, for you'll be treated to some tremendous champagnes.

 

[JohnPhelan]

You will have a wonderful trip.

All QF First seats are fine. The A and K seats are probably preferred, but it really makes very little difference.

Given the late night departure from MEL, my strategy would be to have a nice dinner in the F Lounge (before a spa treatment), perhaps something light on board at the start of that first leg, and then sleep most of the way to DXB - that will most closely replicate your normal sleeping pattern.

Wake up not long before DXB. Then you will disembark and proceed to the F Lounge, which is massive. You can have something to eat there, either a la carte or buffet (but very flash buffet, at which the waiter will actually accompany you and place the food on your plate!)

You might like to have a shower there, too - though there can be queues.

You will reboard from the F Lounge itself. For the approx. 7 hour flight to LHR, I would stay awake and enjoy the service and the entertainment.

When you arrive at LHR, I'd catch the Heathrow Express if going into town. During the day, the train is MUCH faster than the limo transfer. But, if time is not an issue, enjoy the limo experience. (If you are staying with your sister, perhaps the limo would be easier anyway).

On the way back, I find the timing not as good - the shorter leg to DXB is when your body wants to sleep. But perhaps try to split it so you have a few hours sleep on that sector, and then another few hours on the longer sector home. You will also disembark in DXB on the way home and can do another F Lounge visit.

 

[largestgasman]

My first tip is to get a good seat, and you should be able to select that now. IMHO the seats in A are the best - better privacy, dedicated overhead bins for A seats only, and less foot traffic in the aisle. The other two "rows" of seats share both an aisle and overhead bins.

You can then consider all the arguments about which seats in A are the best. Personally I like 5A the best because it has an extra shelf. Others prefer 2A to 4A. There is at least one other thread here that debates the best seats in QFs F at much length.

You'll also get the QF car service to MEL and from LHR. However, if you arrive at LHR during peak hour it'd probably be much faster to take the HEX, unless you've got loads of luggage.

And board early, for you'll be treated to some tremendous champagnes.

Thanks. I have requested 3A.
I will certainly be taking your advice to get on board nice and early for bubbles!

 

[largestgasman]

Thanks John.

Your strategy sounds a good one.
I like the sound of the waiter assisted buffet!

I suppose now would be a good time to own up to the fact that I only had enough points for one way in first in qantas. So...

I made the selfless decision to forgo qantas' premium cabins for the journey home. Instead I am slumming it in Etihad First Apartments going via Sydney to grab an A380 all the way (assuming they are actually on the route by then). I figured it would be too depressing to travel Y back to Oz after doing F outwards. Haven't told the wife yet. Will need to hide the next CC statement.

I can only hope this doesn't ruin me for all other air travel as it will likely be a long time before I can do this kind of thing again.
Not that I will be allowed out of the house once my secret is out.