Japan 2016 and New Zealand 2017 - First international J experiences

[LadyC]

Nice TR, thanks for posting

 

[theoracle30]

Happy New Year AFFer's! While chilling at the Ibis Budget Auckland Airport Hotel, waiting for my parents to fly MEL-AKL in EK F tomorrow morning, I decided to write up on my flight from Perth to Auckland.

<Click here to see all the photos in this post in high resolution>

QF111 – Perth to Auckland, 18:40-06:05 (+1), A330-200 (VH-EBE)

Pre-flight

• We arrived about 15 minutes before check-in opened. There was already a queue in the economy section, but we were the first in the business/priority line. The agent was extremely friendly and chatted about the New Year as our bags went in.
• Interesting to note: Two flights to Auckland 15 min apart, and three flights to Denpasar-Bali in the space of 2 hrs, two by the same airline
• The Qantas International Business Lounge in Perth is small and dated, as most of us are aware. Their all-day dining consisted of pork chorizo stew with rice, pumpkin soup, sandwiches/salads and carrot cake (most of them pictured).
• Two quiet hours later, we made our way down to one of the refurbished gates, 51, where once again we were the first in the priority line with a long economy line waiting next to us (it was slightly awkward, to be honest!).

Seat and Amenities

• Having flown the business suite three times previously in the front cabin, this time I opted for the rear cabin in seat 7K.
• This cabin felt very cozy and private once the curtains were drawn, and 7A/7K had the bonus of a very deep storage bin (pictured).
• We were offered an arrivals Express Pass, PJ’s in the old design with only L/XL left (pictured) and the Jack Spade amenity kit (pictured with contents).
• Also offered was the mattress pad and thick blanket, which would eventually transform the seat into a comfy bed (pictured).

Food
I was really looking forward to the dining experience, but it was let down by missing out on my preferred choice twice. The meal service started 90 min after take-off, and lasted for about 90 min too.
The full menu is pictured below:

• For the small plates, they ran out of the crab rilletes (the gentleman behind in 8F had his order taken first, and reserved the last one). The Moroccan cauliflower soup was identical to the one I tried a few weeks ago on QF568 PER-SYD, served with the flatbread on the side. Whilst not my first choice, it was still an adequate starter with the well-seasoned flatbread being the highlight of the dish.
• For mains, I had pre-ordered the online exclusive Peking duck pancakes. Unfortunately, due to a catering error, a smoked salmon was loaded instead. The FA was apologetic, and I decided to change to the lemon chicken. This was better than any Asian dish on CX that I’d tried. The rice was soft and fluffy, and the boneless chicken was tender and marinated with lemon and Asian spices.
• For dessert, I opted for the cinnamon bread and butter pudding. Simple, warm and soft, it paired perfectly with the vanilla custard.
• A quick breakfast was served 40 minutes prior to landing. The spinach and feta baked egg was tangy and delicious, though it was hard to finish when it was still midnight, Perth time.

Summary
As my first ever Qantas international J flight, I enjoyed the more premium experience, including the amenities and dining. The Perth-based crew were warm and friendly, and the captain led a midnight countdown to New Year’s Day somewhere above Melbourne (using AEDT). I felt a bit let down by missing out on my preferred small and big plates, but I supposed these things happen.

After a picturesque descent into Auckland with a hint of dawn in the distance, we promptly cleared immigration and customs, and made the 15 min walk to our airport hotel, where we were given early access to our room to rest up from losing 5 hours of sleep – a true red-eye flight!



Recording of the NYE countdown:
[video=dailymotion;x5709fs]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5709fs[/video]

 

[serfty]

...
I was really looking forward to the dining experience, but it was let down by missing out on my preferred choice twice. ...

Are not "Select On Q-Eat" pre-orders available for this flight?

Important Information about Select on Q-Eat | Qantas

 

[theoracle30]

Are not "Select On Q-Eat" pre-orders available for this flight?

Important Information about Select on Q-Eat | Qantas

They were - I chose the online exclusive (Peking duck) but they loaded a smoked salmon for me instead. Unfortunately I am not a fan of smoked salmon

 

[futaris]

I enjoyed the Japan part of the trip report. Thanks for posting it.

Incidentally, did you just buy a Shinkansen ticket for Kyoto to Tokyo at the station, or use your ICOCA smartcard?

 

[theoracle30]

Incidentally, did you just buy a Shinkansen ticket for Kyoto to Tokyo at the station, or use your ICOCA smartcard?

Hi futaris, thanks for your comments. You need to buy proper Shinkansen tickets for those journeys - ICOCA won't work.

 

[love_the_life]

I enjoyed the Japan part of the trip report. Thanks for posting it.

Incidentally, did you just buy a Shinkansen ticket for Kyoto to Tokyo at the station, or use your ICOCA smartcard?

Shinkansen tickets are priced as to the inclusions - so there is a standard fare then a surcharge for a reserved seat and a surcharge again for Green Car (which is like first class on the train though really just bigger seats). If it is a quiet travel time you can get away without reserving a seat as they usually have several unreserved cars on most of the trains. If it is a high travel season though (like New Year) if you don't have a reservation you may well find yourself standing. I read of someone recently who stood for 4 hours between Tokyo and Hakone. We bought our tickets the day before for Shinkansen and had Green Car which was very comfortable. We had checked out prices etc and it wasn't worth us having a JR pass, which also does not cover travel on the Nozomi shinkansen which is one of the faster ones between Tokyo and Kyoto. This site was invaluable HyperDia | Timetable and Route Search in Japan.

 

[clazman]

Enjoyed this trip report not to much guff

 

[leseven]

What an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing.

If you don't mind, can you please share you experience on booking process? Did you search and book each segment separately or did you book the whole thing over the phone?

 

[theoracle30]

What an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing.

If you don't mind, can you please share you experience on booking process? Did you search and book each segment separately or did you book the whole thing over the phone?

Hi leseven!

We booked the inbound CX flights first. After checking availability over a few days and forming a plan, I did an online multi-city search on the QF website for the individual segments NRT-TPE, TPE-HKG and HKG-PER (+1). I then booked it as a single award for 78,000 points.

For the outbound JQ flights, we simply searched for PER-KIX direct and found the PER-CNS-KIX award in Y and J, which we booked. However both flights were later re-timed, creating a long stopover. I phoned Qantas and changed the PER-CNS JQ Y flight to PER-SYD-CNS on QF J. Naturally, that cost extra so they deducted the extra points and taxes over the phone.

Just as an interesting point, the SYD-CNS sector initially had only one J seat for my booking of 2 people. I had to call QF again to put in a request to release another J seat, but I didn't have much hope as a lowly NB. Much to my surprise, the next day they released the extra seat and confirmed it on my booking.

Hope that helps!

 

[Justinf]

They were - I chose the online exclusive (Peking duck) but they loaded a smoked salmon for me instead. Unfortunately I am not a fan of smoked salmon

Loved the TR, especially the pics. Q Eats is hit and miss. I got both my meals on my recent return flights, but others in my family missed out altogether and had to choose from the trolley cart with everyone else.

 

[theoracle30]

Hey everyone!

My flight reviews for the NZ legs (as well as the previous Japan trip) are out on Point Hacks

Qantas A330 Business Class Review - Perth to Auckland
Virgin Australia A330 Business Class Review - Brisbane to Perth