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

[PrezRegan]

QF146
AKL-SYD
16:14-18:05 (estimated)
B737, Seat 2A

Boarding was efficient with only a minimal delay, and the flight is completely full. I’m writing this report in the air using the new international Wi-Fi, which so far seems just as good as it is in Australia.

As a frequent flyer of ahem a certain status, I always find crew interactions with other pax interesting. For the life of me, though, I can’t figure out what the distribution of high status individuals is based on observed behaviours. About six individual passengers were escorted onto the flight first, one of whom is sitting next to me. Yet when it came to ordering food, I think I was the first to be offered a choice. I’d assumed they were P1, but maybe not.

Even more puzzling: all of those escorted pax were given the paper declaration forms, while none were distributed to the rest of the J cabin. The woman next to me was one of the escorted group, but she mentioned she’s on holiday from Japan — which makes it pretty unlikely she’s a QF frequent flyer. Even if she were top-tier JL, I can’t really see QF bending over backwards for that, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, digressions aside, I skipped the meal again since I’ll have dinner after landing (and I’d already had lunch in the Emirates lounge). I did get a platter of snacks which I might nibble at but I’m trying not to overeat.

The online declaration via the app seems to have worked, so hopefully that shaves a few minutes off my arrival formalities. The future is now, Australia!

 

[elanshin]

As a frequent flyer of ahem a certain status, I always find crew interactions with other pax interesting. For the life of me, though, I can’t figure out what the distribution of high status individuals is based on observed behaviours. About six individual passengers were escorted onto the flight first, one of whom is sitting next to me. Yet when it came to ordering food, I think I was the first to be offered a choice. I’d assumed they were P1, but maybe not.

Even more puzzling: all of those escorted pax were given the paper declaration forms, while none were distributed to the rest of the J cabin. The woman next to me was one of the escorted group, but she mentioned she’s on holiday from Japan — which makes it pretty unlikely she’s a QF frequent flyer. Even if she were top-tier JL, I can’t really see QF bending over backwards for that, but I could be wrong.

Maybe they have some sort of VIP service for the airport but aren't actually high FF status holders so the cabin crew isn't aware.

 

[Aeryn]

Maybe there were playing "i need assistance card" or were being deported and they wanted to make sure they all boarded?

 

[PrezRegan]

Maybe there were playing "i need assistance card" or were being deported and they wanted to make sure they all boarded?

It was a variety of people of all ages so I’m not sure the assistance card would’ve worked. And if it was deportation I think immigration officials would be there to make sure they got on the plane but love the creativity!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Fair - but it’s also a 10 min walk each way to the station according to google maps and it was absolutely bucketing this morning. And as you can tell from my travel preferences I am someone who will melt in the rain

Sydney international to Novotel… probably the same distance walking from either the terminal or Wolli Creek station. The airport is a 10 minute walk, at best!

 

[RB001]

It was a variety of people of all ages so I’m not sure the assistance card would’ve worked. And if it was deportation I think immigration officials would be there to make sure they got on the plane but love the creativity!

Some of the group could be referred to on this page:

www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/specific-needs/hidden-disability.html

 

[PrezRegan]

An update from the lounge.

Check in at the Novotel was quick - it was absolutely bucketing with rain so i ended up getting a DiDi in. Uber has apparently changed their pickup point but by the time I discovered this at the rideshare zone I couldn’t be bothered navigating back to find it so I cancelled and booked a DiDi for the same price.

The room is spacious but not very flash. I don’t know if I got upgraded but got a good rate for the 2 nights, including using my Accor free night. There was a knock at my door shortly after and I was given a welcome gift which was nice. Not overjoyed at the shub (@Fifa ) but oh well.


Had a great night out in the city catching up with a mate. It continued to pour and I think as a result a lot of the bars on the waterfront closed early due to lack of customers.

I’m now in the lounge waiting for my slightly delayed flight to CHC. The airport shuttle ($12 each way) got the job done and immigration and security was quick. Also bumped into a familiar face at the lounge!

 

[PrezRegan]

QF137
SYD-CHC
10:59-~15:54
B737, seat 1A

Another update from the air. The flight was delayed pretty significantly by the weather in Sydney.

There’s nothing particular to highlight on this flight. Service is good, good to see the CSM enforce the forward toilet rule, and the food was decent. There were 3 options and I went for the salad.



The only other point to highlight is that either I got a platinum shadow or no one bothered to try and upgrade on the flight over because I have an empty seat next to me. A rare sight in J nowadays. Surely there was some WP in the back who could’ve gotten a free upgrade?

A quick view from the window

 

[PrezRegan]

Back onboard. Almost ran into a SNAFU - whilst I was super quick going through immigration and customs, by the time I got through there were no QF check in counters open - possibly because we had been so delayed that were meant to have been boarding by the time the inbound flight had landed.

I was able to get through because I had my BP on the app, but I wonder what I would’ve done if I couldn’t get it for whatever reason… by the time I walked back to the gate, we were boarding in 5 mins so in some ways I guess I timed it perfectly! Wasn’t super keen on the contract lounge qf sends its pax to.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I was able to get through because I had my BP on the app, but I wonder what I would’ve done if I couldn’t get it for whatever reason… by the time I walked back to the gate, we were boarding in 5 mins so in some ways I guess I timed it perfectly! Wasn’t super keen on the contract lounge qf sends its pax to.

The CHC Manaia lounge used to a QF lounge about a decade ago., Has not changed much. A few months ago they put in some new tables, with unmatched chairs. Even UA use the Manaia lounge instead of the Air NZ lounge next door. Can get busy mid afternoon in summer.

 

[PrezRegan]

The CHC Manaia lounge used to a QF lounge about a decade ago., Has not changed much. A few months ago they put in some new tables, with unmatched chairs. Even UA use the Manaia lounge instead of the Air NZ lounge next door. Can get busy mid afternoon in summer.

Yeah I was there last year when I did a hop across the ditch and back on EK F with my parents for my mum’s birthday. Whilst better than the gate lounge, it left a lot to be desired.

 

[PrezRegan]

QF136
CHC-SYD
16:44-18:14 dur 3h 30m
B737 seat 2F

Thankfully, dear reader(s?) this is the last of my status runs across the ditch and you shall be spared similarly dry and trite observations for about a week before I do a similar thing in America.

As mentioned I was lucky to get through customs and immigration in Christchurch in time. Boarding was quick, the crew were excellent and the wifi solid. I didn’t have anything to eat but did enjoy a gin and soda. I got a shadow again on the flight which was nice. I slept for most of it and am now starving.

Immigration and customs in Sydney was quick but the e gate didn’t like my passport and I had to get assistance. Thankfully wasn’t selected for secondary screening - I did stand out a bit with 0 carryon or baggage - and found the shuttle that will take me to the hotel.

Now for a quick gym session in whatever passes for the Novotel’s gym, a shower, then dinner at the hotel restaurant where I can make the most of my Accor plus discount and drinks vouchers. I think it’ll be an early night unlike yesterday as tomorrow I have QF3 to look forward to - but this time to its final destination. I’ve booked a small surprise at the other end so stay tuned for that

 

[patrickw]

Would love to hear any quote snippets of conversations you have with agents / crew when they find out about your status run! Especially if the same crew have seen you on the to/return flights to NZ over the past few days.