RTW 2.5x - a DONE4 with stops in NYC, London and Italy (HCO only)

[RB001]

...breakfast (normally ¥30,000, but closer to ¥23,000...

Wow! That's some flash breakfast.

 

[markis10]

Mercure Haneda is a very new hotel. Only opened up about a year and a bit ago

Nov 23 actually

 

[patrickw]

Big fan of the digital suica cards. Instant top-up means you can almost always leave with a satisfying balance of ¥0.

Curious, for such long HLO trips, what's your plan with laundry?

 

[PrezRegan]

Wow! That's some flash breakfast.

Forgive me it was late!

 

[PrezRegan]

Big fan of the digital suica cards. Instant top-up means you can almost always leave with a satisfying balance of ¥0.

Curious, for such long HLO trips, what's your plan with laundry?

So I will have access to laundry in Italy and I think I’ve got enough clothes till then. Because I’m not going far out of civilisation I can always use a coin/hotel laundry if I have to

 

[PrezRegan]

JL35
HND–SIN
00:07–06:00, dur 6h53m
B767-300, Seat 4K

After a pleasant few hours in the lounge I had to hightail it to the gate. Despite leaving when they piped boarding I think I was the last to board… how’s that for efficiency! Or maybe no one else there had access to the Flounge, because it was quite quiet and the staff were able to identify me by name as I approached.

The B767 was pleasant enough if a bit tight. Thankfully the cabin wasn’t too warm. In usual JL fashion, they don’t give you PJs despite it being a night flight, and the amenity kit is pretty light on with a face mask, toothpaste and slippers. They also don’t provide a mattress topper.

As soon as we reached cruising altitude I went straight to sleep and managed a pretty decent few hours. I was trying out these new Loop earbuds to cut down on cabin noise. Despite playing around with the fit, I ended up taking them out and sleeping without. They’re pretty much identical to the buds used in my in-ear QCII and give me minor discomfort after extended use. A moderately expensive experiment at $40 AUD — I think I’ll just stick with the yellow foam ones and look slightly silly.

I woke up for the meal service. There wasn’t much choice, and with the lights blasted on it wasn’t really possible to sleep through. The meal was solid (I opted for the Japanese one as always) and surprisingly I was able to finish it despite how much I’d eaten the night before. Service was solid, the crew were friendly and we landed on time.


On arrival I went to find a transit lounge with a nap room and gym at the Ambassador Transit Lounge in T2. After a quick train trip over I found it without too much difficulty. The normal price for 6hrs of nap room + gym access is SGD145 + SGD30 nett, but thanks to Priority Pass I got a discount, bringing it down to SGD120 all up (approx AUD150). Even better, I scored a free upgrade to the transit hotel instead of the lounge nap room, meaning I had a dedicated room instead of a shared one (similar to the transit rooms in the Doha lounge). The transit hotel room would have cost SGD152 nett. The showers and toilets were still shared, but perfectly fine and similar to what you’d find in any airline lounge. The rooms have a bed, table and a tv.

After a solid 6hr sleep, I went back to the lounge area and hit the gym. It was tiny but the weights went up to 20kg which was great.


Rather than showering there I decided to head over to the QF lounge for a very late lunch and shower. Having spent a lot of time sitting around, I walked — about 25 mins from T2 to T1 thanks to the layout. When I arrived, I discovered I was too early by about 30 mins! Unperturbed, I took this as a sign to do a mini lounge crawl. Unfortunatly, the QR lounge I was aiming for was also closed and not opening for another 45 mins, and the EK lounge next door was about to close. Out of desperation (maybe too strong a word, as I could always have used a PP lounge for free), I found the BA lounge, which was thankfully open. It's definitely a nice looking lounge with a heavy oriental influence from the decor to the fixtures and paintings on the wall. Particularly nice is this display as you walk in.


I was the only one there and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was — perhaps recently renovated? Ample space, with very nice chairs, charging and power points.


Whilst food was limited - possibly due to the time of flights, there was Satay. Less impressive was the $28 champagne :/ But I guess it is a combined J/F lounge

I didn’t bother with the shower, but after finishing a snack I shall decamp to the QF Flounge, to continue my review from there. Funnily enough I’ve also never visited it before, despite flying through SIN at least half a dozen times now.

Also, the QF gods smiled on me and granted my upgrade to F for my flight to SYD! I’ve heard of freebies floating around, but at 33k points it was a steal. I’d have been happy with J (I quite like QF A380 J — it was my first ever long-haul J flight), and I'd consider QF F to be more like J+ (similar to BA) but hey ho, what a way to go.

 

[PrezRegan]

I lied about the showers - I ended up checking them out on the way out and they’re quite nice! Towels are already there and there’s some decent pop piped through. Clean and nice smelling.

More food has also appeared in the buffet area. A curry, rice and some spaghetti.

 

[patrickw]

A moderately expensive experiment at $40 AUD — I think I’ll just stick with the yellow foam ones and look slightly silly.

If you're up for another moderately expensive experiment, try using wired ANC buds?

ANC is nearly as good as Airpod Pros, but you won't have to worry about losing them underneath the seat mechanism if they fall off mid sleep.

From my research of looking for wired ANC earphones everywhere, I think most brands just smack their logo on the same white label pair. $40 rrp, often goes on sale/stack with vouchers.

Buy Laser In-Ear ANC Earphones | Qantas Marketplace

Use Qantas Points or points plus pay to shop for Laser In-Ear ANC Earphones online on the Qantas Marketplace. Shop here.

marketplace.qantas.com

Good to get another take on loop earbuds. Won't be getting them anytime soon (had considered for concerts but will stick to etymotic)

 

[elanshin]

If you're up for another moderately expensive experiment, try using wired ANC buds?

ANC is nearly as good as Airpod Pros, but you won't have to worry about losing them underneath the seat mechanism if they fall off mid sleep.

From my research of looking for wired ANC earphones everywhere, I think most brands just smack their logo on the same white label pair. $40 rrp, often goes on sale/stack with vouchers.

Buy Laser In-Ear ANC Earphones | Qantas Marketplace

Use Qantas Points or points plus pay to shop for Laser In-Ear ANC Earphones online on the Qantas Marketplace. Shop here.

marketplace.qantas.com

Good to get another take on loop earbuds. Won't be getting them anytime soon (had considered for concerts but will stick to etymotic)

Wired custom molded IEMs are probably the the best solution. But thats another level of expense. No ANC can really match up to custom mold.

Whilst food was limited - possibly due to the time of flights, there was Satay. Less impressive was the $28 champagne :/ But I guess it is a combined J/F lounge

I believe the BA lounge went over some renovations. They have a separate F section inside for BA F pax (not sure about QF F).

 

[RB001]

perhaps recently renovated?

Is January still recent?
Was closed for reno in mid- November, I believe.

BRITISH AIRWAYS UNVEILS REFRESHED SINGAPORE LOUNGE FEATURING BRAND NEW CONCORDE DINING AREA

The British Airways lounge at Changi Airport has been refreshed to include an exclusive Concorde Dining area featuring locally inspired and British Original dishes, bespoke British-made furniture, locally influenced fabrics and furnishings and dedicated rest areas The refresh is part of British...

mediacentre.britishairways.com

 

[RB001]

They have a separate F section inside for BA F pax (not sure about QF F).

Concorde Dining is for BA F pax, GGL, Concorde Room card holders and Concierge Key travelling oneworld any class.

 

[PrezRegan]

Yeah I’m thinking either cheapy industrial ones or custom mold ones. I think I find the buds just painful long term if they’re the generic hard type. I don’t really need them to sleep but I thought I’d test them out - ANC might be overkill for me!

 

[PrezRegan]

Wired custom molded IEMs are probably the the best solution. But thats another level of expense. No ANC can really match up to custom mold.



I believe the BA lounge went over some renovations. They have a separate F section inside for BA F pax (not sure about QF F).

Yeah as RB001 pointed out it’s only for their VIPs (and AA Concierge?) AA’s first class dining is similar.

 

[PrezRegan]

This update comes from the SIN Flounge where I’ve just had a very decent meal and a lovely shower.


My preliminary take is that this is probably the best Flounge in the network. The service is top notch, the space is excellent, and the showers are great. If only they had a massage area.


On arrival I was escorted to the dining area and asked if I wanted a shower. I suspect this was more to do with me flying F than status (would be interested to hear what treatment P1s have received here), but my request was granted immediately and I was ushered into a shower room. As I mentioned at the top, it was very nice — I particularly liked the fake skylight effect in the ceiling.


Post-shower I headed back to the dining area and looked over the menu. Service was very attentive, and I was told there was a new menu out. I tried the hollandaise poached egg with asparagus and, of course, the signature laksa. The laksa was… interesting. The broth had plenty of flavour, but the crayfish seemed watery and the noodles were a wide, slippery rice variety rather than the egg/vermicelli mix I’m used to. It was tasty, but not quite the knockout I’d expected.


During the meal, the first host also came by to let me know QF2 was delayed and suggested I head over at 1900. How’s that for service! Now that QF2 has landed it is definitely starting to get a bit busier but not packed yet.