Improvising Trip (Report) AUS-SIN-???-HKG-AUS

[Joshua]

Since I'm developing a bad habit of not actually finishing reports I start, I thought may as well make it up as I go this time.

So sitting in SYD Flounge atm, typing furiously!

Background...

11 months ago QF were giving 10 points / $ for gift vouchers so I bought a few.
10 months ago realised I probably bought a couple too many.

6 months ago QF had one way sales to Asia, was like ADL-SIN for $399 from memory. Thought I should use up one of those previously mentioned vouchers. I booked ADL-SYD-SIN of course, QF82 & QF5 for many reasons (I have yet to fly the A380 in anything but F is a start). Oct 31 is my QFF anniversary - so really should of booked it a few days later!

4 months ago they had one of those upgrade windows for cheapo tickets (E, N, O & Q buckets) so requested J & W upgrades. Would survive front row Y on a 747 however would be great to finally try premium economy, particularly on a day flight.

2 weeks ago... cough I should really thing about booking a return and whatever else

1 week ago found P availability for HKG-SYD hurray. No morning U class for SYD-ADL so booking engine wasn't playing nice. Best I could do was HKG-SYD-ASP-ADL -_- rang up to change it to an evening SYD-ADL and was told to wait for it to ticket!!
Rang up the following day, changed to the direct. 1 hour later double status email was sent

Ends up P1 appeared on the following day, so I booked a fresh ticket, cancelled the old one. Same seat and this time will get DSC on the domestic legs of SYD-MEL-ADL.

In the last few days: figuring out where to actually go. Arranged transit hotel in SIN because QF arrives so late. Starting looking at KUL, MNL, TPE and HAN. Figured out some crazy routing to get onto some TPE fares but then realised how much money I was burning for no good reason - sensibility has returned.

Yesterday finally booked CX SIN-BKK r/t in J. Good fare, will use the return leg early next year and can change if needed.

For BKK-HKG weighing up between RJ in J (have flown many times) or EK in F (better get used to it). Still thinking about it. Might book some regional flights from BKK, will see how I feel in the next week or two I'm there.

For the last week I've been checking EF for my QF5 flight, mostly watching the seating. I've noticed the loadings have been J1 and W0 for ages. Seat map looks busy so happy to be in the empty Y cabin.

Then this happened:

How the hell did that happen. Oh well, fun times. There had been one seat not allocated and blocked the whole time (exit row no less) otherwise it was going to be a middle seat. The former automatically allocated

Annoying thing is it's 40000 points to upgrade, where as ADL-SIN direct is 24000 - I forgot it was so much more but nevermind.

Ok, so with no accommodation booked but at least a country to head to, let's get started!

 

[flyingfan]

Love the name for the sender of the text message

 

[Joshua]

So good morning ADL, slowly coming together with the new works. At least they're getting stuff done unlike Perth it seems.

So straight into premium check-in and we got two desk, no one lined up but myself. One of those unfortunate situations, one couple decided to repack everything - you're OWE, get your cough together - and the other couple had their child - mum more happy to play with child, dad happy to eat pieces of fruit from tupperware!? No idea why but they weren't actually 'checking in' just standing around, it literally took 10-15 waiting at the front of the line.

Eventually, got bored, took photo.

Decided to just go straight through immigration and forgo the QP as I had a TRS claim to process then sat to wait 5-10 minutes for boarding.

Okay, here is where I think I will be emailing QF for once with a suggestion.

Usually in ADL they don't do priority boarding but QF82 being a international flight there is a limited attempt to do so. After special boarding, J and WP/SG are invited to use the priority line to the right, within 30 seconds announcement for general boarding. Of course a Y line has already formed long, long ago and spirals away from the gate. After the call, everyone swarms the two lines at the front (pointlessly). So a ridiculously simple solution to this is make the premium line/rope longer! Honestly people would jump across if they can see both people 2 metres in front of them will serve the Y line. Serve the premium line whenever somebody presents themselves. If they just extended the premium line a few metres further you wouldn't get this problem in ADL because the lines always form curving away from the gate anyway.

ADL-SYD QF82 A333-200

So exit row (free given domestic segment). All good, Y 50% I'm guessing, as usual for QF81/82 tags. Relatively quiet flight, I was comfortable but I am definitely no longer accustom to Y. Ah well.

Straight through transit and up the lift. First lounge as nice as ever. Not too busy, seen it busier. Well under 100 people in here. Was a young American couple flying Y at the front desk when I arrived, asking about the Spa. Didn't feel like racing her to it but they were on QF11 and unsurprisingly not exactly many free appointments. Beggars can't be choosers though, and the 15 minutes facials shouldn't be coughed at. Well my luck keeps going - plenty of times available for me. Massage today.

Hadn't eaten today yet so just got a toasted sandwich prior to midday. Hadn't seen the new Spring all-day menu yet, I saw a few changes. Could try to sneak a photo if anybody is interested - don't think Red Roo posted it this time.

 

[Joshua]

Luck continues. EF alert for U inventory for another JASA in a month. Booked, will be back soon.

QF11 boarding call, come on you lot clear out - should get quieter in here.

 

[Joshua]

Again, don't recall the menu posted, so I've tried my best using the iPhone:

 

[Joshua]

Some extra lounge photos, we seen these a million times but I know some still enjoy seeing them.

SYD-SIN QF B747-400

Flying up to SIN on QF5 involved much sleep! Upper deck is always nice and quiet. Plenty of people returning to Germany today, flying over Sydney Harbour a lot of cameras were whipped out.

Plenty of leg room in the exit row upstairs. Usually I would sit on the starboard side if I was full-fare paying but it is one in the same.

Having eaten an extra meal or two in the lounge, there was no way I could consume more food (how many Flounge visitors have said that before?). Crew were professional and friendly as ever. I said straight up I would prefer to eat later and they offered to hold me a meal. So I slept through the majority of the food service quite comfortably. As everyone else settled down and the lights went out, I had a relatively quick dinner. Had already had meals with chicken, turkey and beef so the Fish was fitting. Understandably a bit dry after being a few hours later than it was planned to be served, however it was still very tasty.

One thing I came aware of was the cabin controls were playing up, lights were coming on at random and the crew were pushing buttons repeatedly. When I was resting after departure I heard a few discussions going on with IFE problems. I believe it had to be reset a few times. I did notice the attendant call buttons were not functioning either which was annoying having finished my meal. It was a 22 year old 747 after all.

I slept for the rest of the flight and many others did the same. I certainly was sleep deprived and may as well make the most of the Skybed. I understand they don't hand out PJ's (I brought my own) on the SYD-SIN sector, yet clearly with the timing some people I would wish they would at least load some and provide on request. But generally on the QF soft product, I found the service more than up to standard, the food was good and overall the flight enjoyable.

 

[Kangol]

Great TR, looks like they substituted the tuna for kingfish and removed the duck salad from the menu.
Also the barramundi has been substituted for salmon and the lamb cutlets gone.

From:
http://www.ausbt.com.au/photos/view...st-Lounge-Spring-2012-menu-all-day-dining.jpg

Which is a link from:
Sampling the Spring menu at the Qantas First Lounge - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Joshua]

One thing I failed to mention was on the domestic segment there was still the post-olympic safety video however the QFi flight had the new charming cricket season one humming along. Not too entertaining.

Stayed overnight in the SIN transit hotel (this came about as I had no clue where I was going). Economy room is cheap and most of all provides a place to stash your cough leaving you free to roam the 3 terminals. This is all adjacent to the pool on the roof.

Pro tip: If you're desperate, the upstairs area in T1 is deadly quiet. There are many corridors and empty office spaces. Unlike the QF/BA lounge side, the hotel side is quite dead, the main occupant is the CX Skyview lounge with it's additional inside seating. As such it's quite possible to use one of the seats along the backside of the lounge to relax in complete quiet with free Internet access

So back to the hotel, the problem is it being airside, you can't pick up your bags. The instructions here are rather unclear but the suggestion is to just ignore it... however I certainly don't feel comfortable about having my bag go around the carousel for an hour.

I had booked my onward flight which was to BKK on CX in J, I have a flexi return segment handy for next year. Went to the transit desk on the pier CX uses. No customers in sight around 11pm. I was issued a boarding pass and was told my bag would be recovered and retagged, though I did ask again in the morning to make sure it was in the system.

So now, I thought I'd push the system a little. Decided to try to gain entry into the QF/BA F lounge as I wanted quick snack, drink and use the Internet. Initially was ok until he realised the flight was the following day. With more politeness than persuasion, I was allowed in but asked to be brief. I would like to imagine QF would let in a WP who had just flown up in J and had to wait overnight because of their cough timings to anywhere except their own LHR. International arrivals access isn't in the policy so didn't expect it and was happily surprised.

Walked around the terminal for a while and eventually made my way back to the transit hotel, as even Changi is a bit quiet in the middle morning. In the morning I headed down then back up into the Skyview lounge.

Not sure if there needs to be much said about this lounge again. It's a good alternative to QF/BA, I still think they're higher quality facilities but being on opposite piers I just keep to the one you're meant to be in. CX has a lounge host too, she would make sure we were all taken care of and made the flight. By the time we got to security most of the pax had been boarded so there was no queueing necessary.

 

[Joshua]

SIN-BKK CX 777-200

The 772's are all regional configs. Frankly for these flight durations, the regional configurations are more than adequate, I like the old large arm chairs... plenty of cushioning. Obviously the IFE is rubbish but I seldom touch it anyway. Had got myself the centre front row, but J was only 1/3rd full - mostly a few couples a row or two back so I was pretty much by myself. So while some may dislike the old hard product, CX obviously retains a solid soft product. It would be a tough route to compete on, as you have SQ at one end, TG on the other and MH in the middle meanwhile the two strongest Asian LCC's in the vicinity. CX, my preference, was great as usual.

The chain of command was rather obvious on this segment, all the cabin crew were young thin girls and one older member who seemed ever so experienced. On taxiing one of the crew found what looked like a passport, a very well used one with 100 visas in it (looked like a stuffed wallet that was falling apart). Can only assume it was from the prior flight.

Menu for the day:

The usual service. Pre flight drinks, papers offered, special (Emerald) welcome, refresher towel, order, pre-meal drinks, entree, main, clean up, dessert + coffee/tea. Phew, a lot to do there. For the meal, I probably chose the least visually appealing option after seeing all of them up close. Nevertheless chicken noodles went down well.

On arrival we also were given premium lane vouchers which appeared to save a lot of time, BKK airport is really at its limit currently. In fact I believe it is over its designed passenger limit, partly why the government has moved flights back to the old DMK. It partly appeared to be limited staffing which has been of complaints. Anyway, priority baggage works and I'm off to the train into town. Been a few months since I was here so grabbed one of the new rabbit cards to add to my public transport IC card collection.

 

[Joshua]

Won't say too much here but spent the week in the Aloft. It's a relatively cheap Starwood property, I just needed a place to work and needed the stays for SPG so all good there.

The first night turned on a great show though.

So after all this I decide to check on my friend, who I thought lived in Bangkok. Turns out not anymore, but up north instead. Bus or plane he says, no brainer for me. I mentioned DMK before, the old international airport, it mostly handles regional/domestic operators now to reduce the load off BKK. However Air Asia also is now based there, effectively with its own international terminal. Otherwise the biggest airline based at DMK is Nok Air, a sort of partly owned by Thai entity that competes against it. Sort of like a Jetstar turned savage i.e. decent for the consumer. They have some pretty recognisable paint jobs too which a quick google search will find.

I was heading to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second biggest city. Plenty of choices included the boutique Bangkok Airlines or Thai (technically now Thai smile) both out of BKK. Otherwise the before mentioned Air Asia and Nok Air. I wanted to fly out of DMK so Nok Air was the obvious choice.

Turns out Nok Air has mostly 737-800 aircraft however they have a small number of ex-Thai (leased or whatever) 737-400's. What makes these special is they still have a 3 row business cabin. These aircraft appear to operate at completely random and very infrequent times. Challenge accepted. Nok specifically state they do not have business class, however these 'comfort seats' are sold as Nok Plus with extra luggage (they offer everyone a small, free luggage allowance), apparently priority check-in, obviously actual proper (however old) regional J seats and a free drink and snack pack. So this semi-low cost, Air Berlin like carrier is pretty much selling a ex-DJ style premium economy product on the few 734 flights however in proper 2x2 J seats with a curtained cabin.

Had a lot of trouble getting their site/gateway to work with the Secure Mastercode with constant errors but eventually got through. So next up, what has actually happened to DMK, will Nok Air live up to my own hype and Kenya Airways !?!.

 

[Major]

I don't wish to be rude but I assume that dark brown thing between the spring onion and kailan is a mushroom :?:

 

[Joshua]

I don't wish to be rude but I assume that dark brown thing between the spring onion and kailan is a mushroom :?:

Yes, it was. Just the one. The plural was a lie.

Not sure if black mushroom or just overcooked.

Ok to be honest hardly the best food I've had on CX. Certainly not visually. I generally prefer their breakfast offerings. The fruit was very fresh and ice cream wasn't hard frozen so they recover on them.

 

[Major]

Yes, it was. Just the one. Ok to be honest hardly the best food I've had on CX but I do prefer their breakfast offerings.

Yes, I must agree. I also enjoy their breakfast. Mind you that same chicken dish served in an Asian restaurant would be fantastic

 

[Joshua]

Ok Nok Air, hey! Not sure I read much on AFF about them but here we go.

They are a regional in Thailand (previously did a few intl flights but have cut them). Since the BKK capacity issues they're based from DMK. They are partially owned by Thai but appear to compete quite intently against them too. Most of their equipment is 737-800's however they do have a small number of old, old ex-Thai 737-400's. Now what makes these special is they obviously never refit them so they still have a business class cabin...

Nok Air's website summarises as "we do not offer a business class service", they do offer Nok Plus. It is actually quite reminiscent of the old DJ model. Eco, Flexi and Plus fares. Plus is affectively plugged as an premium economy fare. Extra luggage and free snack and drink. Nok Air | Travel Classes .. now trust me it was hard to find a flight on a 737-400, they are very few and far between. For DMK-CNX they do multiple dailies and I could only one flight for the whole week with the Plus cabin, they appear completely randomly available, seldom on the same day so no idea how it works.

Taking a taxi to the old airport, I had to be adamant on taking the tollway for $2. Was moving at well over the speed limit on the elevated freeway while it was gridlock for kilometres down below.

Walking into the terminal you're straight into the check-in area.

Now supposedly I read somewhere they provide priority check-in for the Plus fares along with their primitive frequent flyer program, however this wasn't offered to me - not a problem, a few minutes waiting. I'm not sure why but everyone always takes so long to check-in where I take mere seconds. Maybe I just know what to do and have my stuff in order? I understand sometimes people have complications but here it was quite amazing how some others took forever.

Shopping receipt boarding passes however instead of them having to rip them, they staple a second small stub receipt which kept at boarding.

So yeah, the airport hasn't changed. Still boarded up a bit. They're only using the old international terminal 1 (?), one pier for domestic and the other for the international Air Asia flights.

Upstairs the restaurant is shut in the middle but you can go plane watch from either end (just not walk from one end to the other!).

My plane turns up...

An old Royal Orchid Lounge I presume..

Heading through security, it's pretty basic and bare. More like a market actually. There is however a Burger King (like cancer) and a convenience store which is pretty well stocked.

Move down to the end of the pier we have a closer look..

Boarding was quite smooth, only one staff member though. Old airport but more than big enough for such a small number of mere domestic flights.

 

[Joshua]

DMK-CNX DD 737-400

Welcomed onboard, crew actually say hello!

So it is indeed an untouched 2 decade old 737 classic from Thai, there are still the old Thai decals but otherwise 'proper' business seats, no blocked middle seat here. Plane is pretty much full except the seat next to me yet again. You could maybe liken it most to the old Jet Connect 734's that were pulled a year or so ago. The seat width and padding are decent. There is a curtain, they did shut it so it's more business class than premium economy so far. I was in (front) row 11, a legacy of Thai numbering. The bulkhead was quite restricted for room - but for a 1 hour flight it isn't an issue, something longer I'd be aiming for row 2, sorry 12.

Papers were handed out and later snack packs were handed out with soft drinks, water etc.

Inside is a crumbed crab roll or something, it's cold but marginally edible. For the sweet option there was white chocolate covered pretzel - this was more palatable to me.

Looking up other reports, appears catering is pretty much always the same. Oh yeah and coffee was horrendous, there's a surprise

So a short flight and we were soon on the ground.

For such a small airport with basically one flight at a time, Changi Mai baggage services needs to invest in a scooter or something, I swear they walked the bags to the carousel it felt so slow.

All good though. So would I take the flight again? Definitely. DMK is still a great airport if you're already in Bangkok, pretty quick to get out there and a less hassle. Nok Air seems decent for yet another LCC and if you can snag a 'Plus' seat/fare then you'll fly in decent comfort.