First time J - tips needed :)

[newformula]

I'm flying on my first Long Haul flight in J next week - QF5 SYD-FRA (-LCY on BA in J also).

So... open question. What are the must (and must not!) do's for a first time long haul J traveller? Any tips for SYD, the SIN layover or FRA (I have a 6 hour layover in FRA too)? What's the worst thing a first-time J flyer could do to look really out of place!?

 

[joeymelb]

I'm flying on my first Long Haul flight in J next week - QF5 SYD-FRA (-LCY on BA in J also).

So... open question. What are the must (and must not!) do's for a first time long haul J traveller? Any tips for SYD, the SIN layover or FRA (I have a 6 hour layover in FRA too)? What's the worst thing a first-time J flyer could do to look really out of place!?

The worst thing would be drink too much in J Lounge and get yourself offloaded due to intoxication.

If you have couple of hours to spare in Singapore, do go and check out Terminal 3 (short Skytrain ride). Singapore Airport really makes Sydney Airport looks a regional flea market.

As for FRA... may I suggest you take the 6 hour layover to write up the Trip Report?

Enjoy your trip.

 

[djfuzz]

Love it.

Worst thing you could do? Act / feel like you're not supposed to be there - you are so you should enjoy it, and not worry at all about 'fitting in'!

As for some tips... hmm...

Look at the timing of the flight and consider your activities on your first day after you land - then decide which leg you want to stay up, and which leg you want to sleep on. Often makes things easier getting more rest on one of the legs rather than splitting it. Also consider when is best to sleep based on the change in time zones, to avoid jetlag.

Dress comfortably, don't worry about going to lengths to look 'smart' on long haul (unless you have to) - if you wear a jacket onto the aircraft, keep your boarding pass in your inside pocket and hang it on the little Skybed metal peg in front of your seat so that a flight attendant can take it away immediately. Take a pen so you can fill out the breakfast form and hang it on the peg before departure as well.

Make use of the ample storage you have available - use the compartments in the Skybed to store reading / pens / phones or other personal items, and leave everything you don't need in the overhead storage bins. Also store your pillow and blankets there until you need them. Put your shoes in the compartments in front of your seat at the bottom, and use the socks they provide in the amenity kit. If available, ask for PJ's and change into them after takeoff (and out about an hour before landing, just after breakfast or before if possible).

Check out the guides on this site and at seatguru for the better seats on your aircraft and try to preallocate one of those if you can.

Pre-charge your iPod/phone/laptop/entertainment devices, but don't forget that you have power at your seat too. Load them with content too, but also bear in mind the wealth of content available on the IFE so check that out as soon as you take off too.

Prepare yourself for landing about an hour-ish before - you have plenty of space, so make sure you've loaded everything except what you need at hand when you until you deplane (and also anything you might need after you deplane - passports, landing cards etc). You can get off the plane pretty quickly, so try to have everything packed, accessible and ready to go once you reach the gate and the seatbelt sign is extinguished.

That's all I got, but I'm sure far more seasoned travellers can chip in.

[Edit] joeymelb's right about not overindulging at the lounge, but do enjoy it. Also, as I'm sure QF009 will concur, if you're up for it do partake of the pre-flight drinks, and the drinks services throughout the meal service (and of course, the nibblies and drinks at the J bar) but if you do, remember to compensate with lots of water / coffee / bathroom breaks. Keep it limited to the meal service (and maybe one or two others) though, and definitely don't get too drunk.

 

[newformula]

keep your boarding pass in your inside pocket and hang it on the little Skybed metal peg in front of your seat so that a flight attendant can take it away immediately. Take a pen so you can fill out the breakfast form and hang it on the peg before departure as well.

That's the kind of thing I was after - thanks for the heads up

Any tips for the 2 hour SIN or 6 hour FRA layovers? I was thinking of heading to the lounge and taking a shower before the 13 or so hours to FRA (and then doing the same in the long FRA layover too). Any good spots in the FRA lounge for a nap?!

I've flown a lot... just never in J. It's going to be a treat.

 

[joeymelb]

That's the kind of thing I was after - thanks for the heads up

Any tips for the 2 hour SIN or 6 hour FRA layovers? I was thinking of heading to the lounge and taking a shower before the 13 or so hours to FRA (and then doing the same in the long FRA layover too). Any good spots in the FRA lounge for a nap?!

I've flown a lot... just never in J. It's going to be a treat.

Suggestion: 2 hour in SIN - Go to lounge, grab a quick bite. Walk from T1 to T2 then catch train from the OTHER side of T2 to T3. Walk entire length of T3 shopping area then catch train back to T1. Go back to lounge for a shower before FRA flight. I guarantee that you will sleep like a baby on SIN-FRA flight. (Note: Take photos along the way)

FRA - Go to lounge, write up Trip Report, upload the photos and publish on AFT then go for more nap.

 

[dajop]

I've flown a lot... just never in J. It's going to be a treat.

The seat and space will be an absolute treat after Y. As for the service and food, go in with low expectations and if you do get the rare sour-pussed type crew (which I might add are becoming a lot lot rarer on QF these days), you won't feel let down. And if you get a "normal" crew, it will be fantastic.

+1 on the other comments, dress comfortably, work out your meal, movie, rest and sleep times based on the time zone you are travelling (basically I'd most seem to sleep on the SIN-FRA sector, which makes sense) and above all ...

Enjoy!

 

[Keith009]

Don't bother with the Domaine Chandon in the J lounge - set yourself up for a great demolition of the Charles Heidsieck mis en cave onboard. Or any of the yummy reds and whites from the All Australian wine list. Board early for the pre take off drinks - you should be able to squeeze in about 3 glasses of the Charlie H then prior to final prep for takeoff. I guess that might make you look a little like a premium class novice - but champagne is too important to waste.

Bring a couple of good books to read, just in case you don't like anything on the IFE. Or a laptop with your fave movies - inseat power is good.

The FAs are more than willing to have a chat, especially on the long overnight SIN-FRA sector. However avoid the galley at approx 2-3 hours prior to landing as they'd be busy prepping for brekky, so interact with them only sparingly from that point on (eg bubbly top ups) unless you want to be run over by trolleys.

Make sure there's enough space in your carry-on to keep your jammies and amenity kit. And the rather large menus if you're so inclined. And have a small plastic ziplock bag to re-pack the LAGs in your amenity kit for security screening at FRA (unless this is one of the airports that don't care like SIN).

Finally - champagne brekky. W0rd. And the FAs are happy to serve until you hear "cabin crew please prepare for landing" over the PA.

 

[cosi]

have a shower in the SIN lounge before boarding - you will feel some much better - Guaranteed

 

[medhead]

If your delayed from SIN to FRA you might be flying during the day and can get some good pictures of afghanistan and also the Caspian Sea.

Not sure about J tips :mrgreen:
But QF009 is "the man" on fine french bubbles.

 

[munitalP]

6 hours in FRA....

I would run the gauntlet and get a couple of new EU stamps in my passport...

Clear immigration, store my luggage at the airport storage - prices V reasonable, race downstairs and get the train into Frankfurt Main, out of the station and get a cab across the river to the Old Town, indulge in a great meal at one of the great restaurants available in the Old Town, get a cab back across the mine to the rail station, take your photo in the same spot as both Flashware and I have now done, out to the airport, get luggage, check onto flight, shower at the lounge and smile at the last 5 or so hours you have just had

thats what I would do....

Mr!
.

 

[newformula]

Make sure there's enough space in your carry-on to keep your jammies and amenity kit. And the rather large menus if you're so inclined. And have a small plastic ziplock bag to re-pack the LAGs in your amenity kit for security screening at FRA (unless this is one of the airports that don't care like SIN).

The ziploc bag is another good tip, thanks.

I'd forgotten about the whole Pyjama thing. I find the concept of changing into Pyjamas on a plane all very foreign and kind of odd. But... when in Rome. Or J...

All good stuff, keep them coming! What about Sydney? Any other must-do's before departure? How much time is it worth leaving to enjoy the international QP?

 

[newformula]

6 hours in FRA....

I would run the gauntlet and get a couple of new EU stamps in my passport...

Clear immigration, store my luggage at the airport storage - prices V reasonable, race downstairs and get the train into Frankfurt Main, out of the station and get a cab across the river to the Old Town, indulge in a great meal at one of the great restaurants available in the Old Town, get a cab back across the mine to the rail station, take your photo in the same spot as both Flashware and I have now done, out to the airport, get luggage, check onto flight, shower at the lounge and smile at the last 5 or so hours you have just had

thats what I would do....

Mr!
.

As QF5 lands at 05.15 and it will be Xmas Eve (morning)... and I've briefly visited FRA before... and I have another 7 hours travel ahead of me to get to the depths of South Wales... well, let's say I'll see how I feel. Might be tempted to just enjoy the FRA lounge.

Where's the photo spot?

 

[Keith009]

I'd forgotten about the whole Pyjama thing. I find the concept of changing into Pyjamas on a plane all very foreign and kind of odd. But... when in Rome. Or J...

You'll feel infinitely more comfy in jammies. And your street clothes will thank you for this. I usually change right after take off and this also protects my regular clothes from spillage and the like. Just make a dash for the loo after you finish your pre-landing meal or 90 mins prior to landing if you'd skipped the meal to have enough time to change back into your street clothes.

 

[Maca44]

If you fly Y a fair bit, you might recall always trying to look into the J cabin to see what those pax are getting. However, when you are seated in J class, don't look back to Y or the rear of the plane as you might get depressed.

 

[kamchatsky]

Some years ago, my sister didn't to go to the CX lounges in HKG when she had J ticket from HKG-SYD. She didn't realise that she can use the lounges with her J ticket.

Earlier this year, when she was on QF J from ASP-SYD. After checking in, and waited at the boarding area. Somehow she spoke with a QF staff, who noticed her J boarding pass. Then when my sister went back to sit down after conversation, the QF staff told her that she can actually use Qantas Club. She was actually suprised about this.

She told me about this, and I confirmed with her just about all J flights for most full service airlines would have lounge access.

Then her next trip to south pacific in NZ J (on my recommedation of using her almost expiring UA points), she visited all the NZ lounges and had a great time there.

So yes, a thread like this is actually useful for first time J/Fers.

 

[Hvr]

Do you have enough points to apply for an upgrade to F? (If applicable on your flight.) Even if you're way down the pecking order it never hurts to have an application in, miracles do happen occasionally and 'you've gotta be in it to win it!'.

Are you allowed to guest others into the lounge? If so make a note of when you're flying on the appropriate thread here on AFF, you might even meet a fellow AFFer, there's some good sorts.

Enjoy the short queue to check in and don't laugh at the people in the Y line.
Board early and enjoy sitting down watching envious people pass you by as they head off down the back. Sit down with an air of nonchalance.

The staff will treat you very nicely, always reciprocate with courtesy. It is appreciated and shows that you are a classy person who really does belong.

As others have written put on the jammies and enjoy the party.

And then at the end of the flight enjoy getting off well before the others. A quick dash to immigration at your destination will pay dividends.

Finally, do enjoy the experience, I remember my first international J and have never flown a long (>3 hours) international Y again. You get the bug and it can only be satiated by even more J flying.

Hopefully you wont be bitten by the F bug.

Again as others have mentioned, a trip report is nearly mandatory. When we can't fly we like to live vicariously.

 

[dajop]

Do you have enough points to apply for an upgrade to F? (If applicable on your flight.) Even if you're way down the pecking order it never hurts to have an application in, miracles do happen occasionally and 'you've gotta be in it to win it!'.

newformula is on QF5 SYD-FRA, a 2 class service. So cannot go any further up the pecking order (which is fine take it 1 cabin at a time, if you haven't flown J at all it will seem like F anyway!). Which begs the question is newformula better off turning left when boarding the plane to the nose - which is usually where you find the F seats on a 747, or heading upstairs?

 

[ejb]

newformula is on QF5 SYD-FRA, a 2 class service. So cannot go any further up the pecking order (which is fine take it 1 cabin at a time, if you haven't flown J at all it will seem like F anyway!0. Which begs the question is newformula better off turning left when boarding the plane to the nose - which is usually where you find the F seats on a 747, or upstairs?

One should always turn left if possible when entering a plane.

ejb

 

[chrisb]

Earlier this year, when she was on QF J from ASP-SYD. After checking in, and waited at the boarding area. Somehow she spoke with a QF staff, who noticed her J boarding pass. Then when my sister went back to sit down after conversation, the QF staff told her that she can actually use Qantas Club. She was actually suprised about this.

Last Sunday when the announcement was made about free beer & wine in the "main cabin" the guy next to me who was in J for the first time asked "do we get free beer too?". He left that flight very happy after emptying the supply of Crown Lager and getting through many scotch & dry.

 

[newformula]

Do you have enough points to apply for an upgrade to F? (If applicable on your flight.) Even if you're way down the pecking order it never hurts to have an application in, miracles do happen occasionally and 'you've gotta be in it to win it!'.

Are you allowed to guest others into the lounge? If so make a note of when you're flying on the appropriate thread here on AFF, you might even meet a fellow AFFer, there's some good sorts.

This is a reward flight. The reward seat gods were smiling on me to give me that on the 23rd December, having booked just a couple of months ago. From what I hear reward sears during the Xmas period are pretty hard to come by. I was originally booked on the 24th, arriving on the 25th but then one on the 23rd came up so I grabbed it.

And I have no status (yet) so no guesting either. But, I *will* hit Gold by July. A fun few months ahead!

As for the two class service and where to sit... I'm guessing I'm not going to have any options. I'm currently assigned 24K which is the back corner of the cabin from what I can tell. Unless someone else wants to give up their seat during OLCI then I'm kind of stuck here... right?