BoyZeus
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2011
- Posts
- 136
Hi AFF'ers,
I'm on sabatical at the moment and am travelling for the next few months for research and some relaxation. I thought I would share my view of my travels.
22nd July 2013
MEL-SYD-NRT
Business Class
Having received a text message earlier on in the day from QF advising us that 460 (the timetabled scheduled feeder flight for QF21) had been cancelled, we were put on an earlier service in order to make our connection in Sydney. I was a little disappointed as it meant that we were now flying on one of the old 767s.
After checking in and receiving our express path cards for Sydney and boarding passes for our next leg, we headed ( straight through the QP) and to the QF Business Lounge. It was surprisingly quiet and we managed to snag some nice couches near the window overlooking the QF tarmac. Two glasses of sparkling later, our flight was called. Our flight departed from gate 12 - so by the time we reached it, the flight was ready to close.
Upon entering the aircraft, i was immediately disappointed with the old bird. The seats are those awful domestic recliners which force you to sit further back than is comfortable. Not nice at all. 2 FTBs later and a 15 minute delay whilst they found their bags, we were on our way. The creaks and moans it made were quite comical. I even pointed out to my fellow traveller how retro the actual design of the aircraft was. A speedy taxi to runway 34 and we took off into a dusk sky.
Once airborne the seatbelt sign was turned off and a light refreshment was served. The refreshment consisted of a chicken, bean, barley and feta salad and a cheesecake for desert. The salad was lacking in flavour so I left it aside, ate my cheesecake and enjoyed a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. The FAs on the flight were extra nice - as it was my birthday they kept topping up my glass. Aside from the ageing aircraft the crew were relaxed, professional and very friendly. It was nice to see a crew who actually looked like they were enjoying their job.
Upon arriving into SYD we were held short of the gate as the departing aircraft was delayed and no others were free. 5 minutes later we disembarked and made our way to transfer gate 15 in order to make our way to the international terminal.
I loved taking the transfer bus in Sydney as you get a free 'tour' of all the freighters and the busy goings on of the sheds. UPS, EK, QF, Atlas and FedEx all had their big cavernous birds lined up for packing overnight.
Within minutes we were in the international terminal and after clearing outward immigration and security we made our way to the QF business class lounge. The lounge was nice and quiet and only a few departures remained, QF21 being the second last of the evening. The lounge staff organised a nice cheese plate for me and even brought me over my own bottle of bubbles and some of those moorish nuts. The contract cleaner and food and beverage attendants were particularly freindly.
Boarding commenced on time and we quickly were ushered down the priority queue. Hanging a left after the galley we were seated in our 4 JK MK1 skybeds and soon offered our PJs , amenity kits and a nice glass of Billecart bubbles. Pushback was close to on time and in the process of taxing, we took the opportunity to fill out our breakfast order and immigration paperwork for Japan.
Soon after takeoff dinner was served. We both opted for the chicken schnitzel sandwich with coleslaw, cheese plate and ice cream. I must say that the schnitzel was quite delicious - succulent breast fillet, crunchy focaccia bread and a really creamy coleslaw. During dinner I had a chance to play around with the IFE. I must say after having experienced the ICE entertainment in Y on EK less than six weeks earlier, I was extremely disappointed with QFs antiquated and clunky system. To add to the disappointment, the catalogue offered was abysmal. Unheard of movies and outdated tv series. Even the air-show wasn't working which normally helps me while away the hours. Oh well.
Soon after dinner, we changed into our PJs had our beds made up and slept our way to Tokyo. The MK1 skybed was ok. Interestingly enough it wasn't the angle that bothered me as much as the inability to find a comfortable place for my arms. Having quite broad shoulders did not help. I found the bed the most comfortable in a semi reclined position as opposed to fully extended. I'll wait to see how the J seats on LX and UA compare in the following weeks. The most uncomfortable thing about the flight? The cabin temperature. Instead of handing out PJs, they should've handed out beach towels and bathers. Far too hot and I could see that most people had done away with their blankets during the night.
Breakfast was served and aside from the fruit, I left the toast and the ricotta pancakes which were cold and tasteless. Coffee was equally as dismal. Arrival into Narita was on time and a quick skip through immigration and we were on our way toTokyo station on the limousine bus.
Service on QF was exceptional from two out of the four cabin crew serving our part of the cabin. The other two who were clearly not enjoying their job anymore wouldn't even crack a smirk. Why involve yourself in a service orientated job when you don't enjoy given exceptional customer service?
I'm on sabatical at the moment and am travelling for the next few months for research and some relaxation. I thought I would share my view of my travels.
22nd July 2013
MEL-SYD-NRT
Business Class
Having received a text message earlier on in the day from QF advising us that 460 (the timetabled scheduled feeder flight for QF21) had been cancelled, we were put on an earlier service in order to make our connection in Sydney. I was a little disappointed as it meant that we were now flying on one of the old 767s.
After checking in and receiving our express path cards for Sydney and boarding passes for our next leg, we headed ( straight through the QP) and to the QF Business Lounge. It was surprisingly quiet and we managed to snag some nice couches near the window overlooking the QF tarmac. Two glasses of sparkling later, our flight was called. Our flight departed from gate 12 - so by the time we reached it, the flight was ready to close.
Upon entering the aircraft, i was immediately disappointed with the old bird. The seats are those awful domestic recliners which force you to sit further back than is comfortable. Not nice at all. 2 FTBs later and a 15 minute delay whilst they found their bags, we were on our way. The creaks and moans it made were quite comical. I even pointed out to my fellow traveller how retro the actual design of the aircraft was. A speedy taxi to runway 34 and we took off into a dusk sky.
Once airborne the seatbelt sign was turned off and a light refreshment was served. The refreshment consisted of a chicken, bean, barley and feta salad and a cheesecake for desert. The salad was lacking in flavour so I left it aside, ate my cheesecake and enjoyed a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. The FAs on the flight were extra nice - as it was my birthday they kept topping up my glass. Aside from the ageing aircraft the crew were relaxed, professional and very friendly. It was nice to see a crew who actually looked like they were enjoying their job.
Upon arriving into SYD we were held short of the gate as the departing aircraft was delayed and no others were free. 5 minutes later we disembarked and made our way to transfer gate 15 in order to make our way to the international terminal.
I loved taking the transfer bus in Sydney as you get a free 'tour' of all the freighters and the busy goings on of the sheds. UPS, EK, QF, Atlas and FedEx all had their big cavernous birds lined up for packing overnight.
Within minutes we were in the international terminal and after clearing outward immigration and security we made our way to the QF business class lounge. The lounge was nice and quiet and only a few departures remained, QF21 being the second last of the evening. The lounge staff organised a nice cheese plate for me and even brought me over my own bottle of bubbles and some of those moorish nuts. The contract cleaner and food and beverage attendants were particularly freindly.
Boarding commenced on time and we quickly were ushered down the priority queue. Hanging a left after the galley we were seated in our 4 JK MK1 skybeds and soon offered our PJs , amenity kits and a nice glass of Billecart bubbles. Pushback was close to on time and in the process of taxing, we took the opportunity to fill out our breakfast order and immigration paperwork for Japan.
Soon after takeoff dinner was served. We both opted for the chicken schnitzel sandwich with coleslaw, cheese plate and ice cream. I must say that the schnitzel was quite delicious - succulent breast fillet, crunchy focaccia bread and a really creamy coleslaw. During dinner I had a chance to play around with the IFE. I must say after having experienced the ICE entertainment in Y on EK less than six weeks earlier, I was extremely disappointed with QFs antiquated and clunky system. To add to the disappointment, the catalogue offered was abysmal. Unheard of movies and outdated tv series. Even the air-show wasn't working which normally helps me while away the hours. Oh well.
Soon after dinner, we changed into our PJs had our beds made up and slept our way to Tokyo. The MK1 skybed was ok. Interestingly enough it wasn't the angle that bothered me as much as the inability to find a comfortable place for my arms. Having quite broad shoulders did not help. I found the bed the most comfortable in a semi reclined position as opposed to fully extended. I'll wait to see how the J seats on LX and UA compare in the following weeks. The most uncomfortable thing about the flight? The cabin temperature. Instead of handing out PJs, they should've handed out beach towels and bathers. Far too hot and I could see that most people had done away with their blankets during the night.
Breakfast was served and aside from the fruit, I left the toast and the ricotta pancakes which were cold and tasteless. Coffee was equally as dismal. Arrival into Narita was on time and a quick skip through immigration and we were on our way toTokyo station on the limousine bus.
Service on QF was exceptional from two out of the four cabin crew serving our part of the cabin. The other two who were clearly not enjoying their job anymore wouldn't even crack a smirk. Why involve yourself in a service orientated job when you don't enjoy given exceptional customer service?
