Super Moon Flight

[NSun]

The aircraft was VH-ZNE (Skippy) but couldn't get good photos as we were leaving from Gate 10 which offers little in the way of views when you're boarding a widebody there.

We boarded on time and we were given gift bags on board as well as pillows which we were allowed to keep.





The contents included a Centenary pen, a commemorative mug, a couple of bag tags, some chocolates and an amenity kit. The amenity kits had similar contents but were a different provider to those pre-COVID. I forgot the provider but it was a commemorative centenary edition - my guess is we would've seen them last year had it not been for COVID.





There was a limited onboard menu as we'd been fed in the lounge but we still got a bit of a feed.

 

[NSun]

I was in 22D initially but ended up moving to 22B as the person I was with ended up just wanting to watch movies.


So we took off and initially set course for Parkes due to its astronomy facility there. Certificates and caps were given and supper was served - a cupcake and this snack box.









Curiously I also found a left-over snack box from one of the repatriation flights - I think VH-ZNE did Turkey a few days ago. Consisted of a large bottle of watter, popcorn, mints and a few chocolate bars.

I hope when long haul travel recommences the menu options are not that limited.

 

[henrus]

I was in 22D initially but ended up moving to 22B as the person I was with ended up just wanting to watch movies.

Lol... go on a flight to see out the window and decide the movies are better.

Great mini review though!

 

[NSun]

We gradually went out to sea and did a few loops. As I said I saw the moon with my eyes but sadly these were the best phone pics I got - 2 of which were on our final descent. Air traffic control allowed us to do a flyover of the harbour on the way back.







My seat mate who I won't name was a Qantas ground staff member who just went as a regular passenger and quite enjoyed the journey. I ended up having a chat with a few other AV geeks including Rory Ding who was sitting in Economy.

Overall it was a good experience - we landed about 10.30pm. Little fanfare after landing except some other news outlet waiting near the escalators after the security gate exit.

 

[Lynda2475]

Curiously I also found a left-over snack box from one of the repatriation flights - I think VH-ZNE did Turkey a few days ago. Consisted of a large bottle of watter, popcorn, mints and a few chocolate bars.

Doesnt instill a lot of confidence in how thoroughly the plane was cleaned in between - LOL.

Glad you had a good time.

 

[2infinity]

Great review/photos of the supermoon flight Nsun. Maybe the lounge experience was better than the flight or comparable at least? Sounds like the First Lounge menu. Glad you enjoyed yourself.

I'm based up in Cairns, and I had some worries about cloud cover, which did at times block the view, but at the height of the eclipse, 9:18pm, the clouds departed giving a beautiful visage of the red moon and starry sky.

Although I managed to take photos without the issue of small windows and a moving plane, I too was unable to get good photos. I put it down to the technology I was using, an iPhone. Its good for most photo needs I have, but photos of the night sky are just terrible and I'd guess that would be the same for most smart phones.

I also got to watch movies before and after the event, sitting in my recliner eating lamb kofta. But no live music

 

[Rangalad]

Doesnt instill a lot of confidence in how thoroughly the plane was cleaned in between - LOL.

Glad you had a good time.

Agreed.

 

[milehighclub]

Curiously I also found a left-over snack box from one of the repatriation flights - I think VH-ZNE did Turkey a few days ago. Consisted of a large bottle of watter, popcorn, mints and a few chocolate bars.

I see a picture of a snack bag like that in a photo from the business cabin on that flight in a review. It would seem you were all meant to get a snack bag and that it isn't a leftover.

 

[Spongbob]

I suspect this is going to be a complete PR disaster...

Was this a brave prediction?

 

[henrus]

Was this a brave prediction?

I was probably a bit extreme calling it a disaster.

But I think a complete flop would be more accurate. A few news sites picked it up if they were offered a seat but otherwise there wasn't that much coverage of the flight.

Many people missed out on a seat and were disappointed as well plus this is the first flight of all the random flights that Qantas has operated that received a bit of negative press for environmental reasons. I guess people understand with the Southen Lights, Antarctica or Southen Land flights that you have to travel to see those things however the moon can be seen quite easily from the ground.

 

[AFF Editor]

Curiously I also found a left-over snack box from one of the repatriation flights - I think VH-ZNE did Turkey a few days ago. Consisted of a large bottle of watter, popcorn, mints and a few chocolate bars.

I hope when long haul travel recommences the menu options are not that limited.

View attachment 248944

Doesnt instill a lot of confidence in how thoroughly the plane was cleaned in between - LOL.

Glad you had a good time.

Just to set the record straight, Qantas has contacted me and informed me that the snack bags were specifically provided for this scenic flight and were not left over from the previous flight. Qantas says that snack bags are provided to all passengers in addition to the inflight service on all scenic flights.

 

[henrus]

Just to set the record straight, Qantas has contacted me and informed me that the snack bags were specifically provided for this scenic flight and were not left over from the previous flight.

Curious, did they reach out after seeing this thread or did you reach out to them?

 

[AFF Editor]

Curious, did they reach out after seeing this thread or did you reach out to them?

Qantas contacted me after reading this thread.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Qantas contacted me after reading this thread.

Duly noted. There’s a lesson in this for all of us.

 

[JohnM]

So there is still a Red Roo... (of sorts).

 

[Lynda2475]

Just to set the record straight, Qantas has contacted me and informed me that the snack bags were specifically provided for this scenic flight and were not left over from the previous flight. Qantas says that snack bags are provided to all passengers in addition to the inflight service on all scenic flights.

Well that is good to hear!

 

[Captain Halliday]

So there is still a Red Roo... (of sorts).

Despite saying hooroo, it seems they were enhanced to lurk-a-roo.

 

[747800intercon]

I didn't get one of the gift bags - was in business and there was no gift back on the seat. They came around later in flight with a cap and the certificate. That's it.

 

[Katie]

Snack bags were definitely for everyone - we were in row 41 (and Mr Katie in 49), and had the snack bags there. Our food offering in Y was a bit different to Y+/J - we had some crackers, cheese, baby tomatoes, a "quke" (small cucumber) and zucchini fritters with a dip. The same cupcake, though.

The Teen had a great time, thought the views of the Milky Way were awesome. The Teen also appeared in the Qantas footage (with our permission) and in a few of the QF pics with the press release!

It wasn't a great view for taking photos, or even of the moon (compared to a telescope or telephoto lens), but it was a great experience. The Teen got to meet Dr Marshall (CSIRO CEO) and Dr Moss (Astronomer), which was awesome. Now considering a trip to The Dish in a future school holidays, to take up Dr Marshall's offer of some special perks if the Teen comes to visit.

 

[Katie]

Great review/photos of the supermoon flight Nsun. Maybe the lounge experience was better than the flight or comparable at least? Sounds like the First Lounge menu. Glad you enjoyed yourself.

Yes, the head chef who was working the function usually works in the FLounge. Mr Katie had a bit of a chat to me, as well as making a bit of a confession that the FLounge is one of his holy places.