TLV-BNE the longer way

[Pushka]

Flying parts of this route at the end of the year so following on with some trepidation.

 

[boomy]

Arriving to AMM started well with quick bus transfer to the terminal but from there it all went pear shaped.

We landed at 8:20am and my next flight was at scheduled at 2:20pm, exactly 6 hours which coincidentally is the minimum connection time where pax are allowed to leave the airport.

My original plan was to go out to town, have a leisurely walk in the city for couple of hours then head back to airport.

Entry to Jordan normally requires Visa which costs 40 JOD ($80 AUD) for single entry however there are mixed reports online about exemptions for connecting pax < 24hr which I was hoping to get. Enquiring at passport control I was told everyone must pay for visa unless taking one of the organised day tours which were all minimum 3-4 hours (not including transfers). Paying $80 for visa plus similar amount for taxi just to spend couple of hours in the city suddenly didn’t seem like such good idea so I decided to stay at airport.
That was a big mistake!

 

[Pushka]

Arriving to AMM started well with quick bus transfer to the terminal but from there it all went pear shaped.

We landed at 8:20am and my next flight was at scheduled at 2:20pm, exactly 6 hours which coincidentally is the minimum connection time where pax are allowed to leave the airport.

My original plan was to go out to town, have a leisurely walk in the city for couple of hours then head back to airport.

Entry to Jordan normally requires Visa which costs 40 JOD ($80 AUD) for single entry however there are mixed reports online about exemptions for connecting pax < 24hr which I was hoping to get. Enquiring at passport control I was told everyone must pay for visa unless taking one of the organised day tours which were all minimum 3-4 hours (not including transfers). Paying $80 for visa plus similar amount for taxi just to spend couple of hours in the city suddenly didn’t seem like such good idea so I decided to stay at airport.
That was a big mistake!

Oh. I need to hear more...... Maybe.

 

[boomy]

As I didn’t have BP for my next flight I went to the transit desk where they called for the rep from EY to come and meet me. I was told to wait 20 minutes, he came 45 minutes later after I’ve requested to call him again.

The guy who met me was a Menzies employee dealing with foreign airlines. He said it’s too early for me to check in as it can only be done 3 hours prior.

He then suggested I go to the lounge and come back to see him 2-3 hours before the flight. AMM lounges are all airside, to be able to enter he gave me a hand written note to show security at transit and even offered to escort me through security (there was big queue at that time and no priority line). As we were cutting the queue through security he got a call and told me he must go take care of something but if I have any problems to ask for him.

I found the foreign airlines Petra lunge and showed my itinerary but then was told no BP no entry. I’ve tried to use my PriorityPass card (this is a also PP lounge) but computer still said no. Then I’ve asked them to call the EY rep which they did, 4 times they tried with no answer. I gave up and went for a walk in the terminal where I found a nice area at the end of the terminal to sit and rest.

Can’t remember when was the last time I’ve experienced sitting in the terminal or walking through DF with no purpose. While it was quite boring this is the time to mention that Queen Alia airport is beautiful, well designed with lots of natural light, very clean and plenty comfortable seating areas.











Some unusual plane spotting.





When it was finally 3 hours before departure I was ready to check in and finally go to the lounge for some food and drinks but unfortunately it wasn’t going to be that simple..

 

[boomy]

Unlike in many big airports, AMM has only one dedicated airline desk after security and it’s for RJ pax. I went there to ask how can I check in for EY and was sent down and back up few times with misleading information. Finally I found someone who managed to contact the same Menzies guy who met me back at the transfer desk downstairs.

At that stage I’ve already went back and forth through security 6 times and they didn’t bother to scan me or my bag even once (all scanners were shut as there were no connecting flights in those hours). The security guys knew me by now and felt comfortable enough to let me go in and out freely which was convenient but extremely unprofessional in this day and age.

The Menzies guy finally showed up, took my passport and said he’ll be right back with my BP. I sat on a bench and waited there for 75 minutes(!!) together with other transiting pax (all in Y, they were in no rush) until he finally showed up, apologised and gave me the BP. My transit time was originally 6 hours yet only 1 hour before departure I finally managed to enter the lounge.

I heard about these kind of transit failures happening in other countries like Egypt and now can add Jordan to the list. Lesson learned - Never transit in AMM without holding BP for the next flight!

 

[RooFlyer]

Someone give Pushka a drink!

A double!

 

[Pushka]

Someone give Pushka a drink!

A double!

I suspect we will have a similar issue in Dubai. Amman should be ok as we fly RJ from DXB, Amman then Tel Aviv. Can’t see EK in Adelaide checking us through to Tel Aviv issuing RJ BPs.

 

[boomy]

PETRA lounge AMM



Honestly, I had low expectations from this lounge and once I saw the PriorityPass sign my expectations went even lower.

I have been to RJ flagship Crown lounge few times before, thought it was ok and never heard anything about other lounges in AMM.
Well, PETRA lounge is beautiful! I was very surprised to see such a quality lounge that is also part of PP.









I thought it was even nicer than RJ Crown lounge!









Didn’t have much time to spend there unfortunately. I had a quick bite, charged my phone a bit and it was already boarding time.

 

[boomy]

Before going to the lounge, while I was endlessly waiting for the EY rep to return with my passport and BP I saw my Etihad plane arriving.



Quick search online about A320 J revealed there’s one plane in the EY fleet with lie flat seats.

Very Interesting – Etihad A320 With Lie Flat Seats

Could be perfect to get that one and have good nap onboard after an early start this morning. I checked my plane’s serial number the way one checks their lottery ticket but unfortunately it didn’t match so no luck there.

 

[Daver6]

Petra Lounge looks MUCH better than the RJ lounge. I found being open and on the top level the RJ lounge a bit on the warm side too.

 

[boomy]

Flight #2

AMM-AUH A320
Business Class
Seat 2F

Flight time:
3 hours 25 minutes

EY reservations block the first row in J cabin until the day of travel. I planned to request it in AMM but after all the mess there it was the last thing on my mind.

The business cabin was 4 rows in 2-2 config.



The seat was wide and sufficient legroom even in row 2.



For perspective, on EY A320 J the pitch is 49 while on QF B737 J it’s 37.

When boarding was about to finish I clearly heard the CSM telling the FA in J there is only one seat vacant in J - 2D. I thought great, scored myself a shadow. After boarding completely finished and doors were closed the FA from J went to the Y cabin and came back with a passenger who came to sit next to me. Told him jokingly: Nice last minute op-up! To which he replied: I fly with Etihad very often, they take good care of me.

Pre-departure drink and menus were offered.







No amenity kits on this short flight.

The IFE screen was decent size and good resolution.



Mixed nuts to start the meal, served properly in a bowl.



For main course I chose the Arabic braised lamb shack which was good but I was still hungry so it may clouded my judgement. I do remember for sure it wasn’t dry which is usually the biggest issue with lamb served in the air.



Black coffee to finish the meal which was excellent. The Arabs know their coffee no doubt about that.



Had short nap and not before long we started descending towards the Abu Dhabi lights.



Could not wait to land, put this long day behind me and start the fun part of this trip with a visit to the fantastic EY F lounge.

 

[boomy]

Transit in AUH is super easy and smooth with dedicated premium lanes and no queues. No need to take out anything before scanning, it’s one of the best airports transfer through.

EY F lounge AUH



This is one of my favourite lounges and I was happy to be back after quite a long absence. I used to fly EY often from Australia to Europe using AA miles (100K in F) but I’ve stopped completely after the last 62.5% devaluation.



The lounge has dining area with open kitchen & two bars.





Media room.



Relaxation area.



My first priority was to book massage. I’m used to rushing to book massage in QF and CX lounges but the EY lounge is dedicated to F pax so there will always be a spot available.
There is a list of 15 minutes treatment options, similar to what EK offer to their F pax (I went for neck & shoulder).



In the spa there are few washrooms with large rain-shower heads.



There’s also a nice kids lounge for the little ones.

 

[boomy]

My favourite part of this lounge is the cigar room.



I’m not cigarette smoker but I do enjoy good cigar occasionally and always appreciate airlines which invest in the decor of proper cigar room as opposed to a smoking area which is usually dull and stinky.



Decent choice of cigars (cigarillos and half corona are free).



Other airlines like EK and LH also offer proper cigar rooms in their F lounges but only EY still offers complementary choice of cigars AFAIK.

Glass of good cognac is the perfect match.

 

[boomy]

After massage, shower and smoke it was time for dinner.



Wine list





coughtails



Desserts



My strategy was to eat lite and keep room for dinner onboard (EY catering is worth waiting for) so only had soup, salad and cheese.







My day, which started at 3:30am was not over yet.
It was soon time to board my 3rd flight of the day.

 

[Hux]

It was supposed to be another standard return flight back home, something that can be easily done in two flights but such a “short” journey is too boring so instead I’ve decided to start my 2019 travel year with 5 days trip, 7 sectors on 7 different aircrafts and a healthy mix of business and first class:


TLV-AMM RJ J E195 (6hr stopover)

AMM-AUH EY J A320 (3.5hr connection)

AUH-SIN EY F B773 (22hr overnight stopover)

SIN-NRT JL J B772 (18hr overnight stopover)

NRT-KUL MH F A380 (6.5hr connection)

KUL-SYD MH F A350 (2hr connection)

SYD-BNE QF J B737 (destination)

Now, I have to admit I read this and was half way through the first page of replies when I clicked - it was TLV - not TSV! I really thought you were going the long route from TSV to BNE!!!

 

[boomy]

Now, I have to admit I read this and was half way through the first page of replies when I clicked - it was TLV - not TSV! I really thought you were going the long route from TSV to BNE!!!

That would be extreme, even for my standards!

 

[boomy]

When it was time to board I started waking to the gate and soon realised the plane is parked in remote stand. People were queuing up for the bus and when my BP was scanned I was asked to wait. Two minutes later a black Mercedes showed up, the driver stepped out opened the passenger door inviting me to hop in.

“I will take you to your plane today sir”
“Only me?”
“Yes, you are the only passenger today in first class”



It was complete surprise. I’ve been in and out of AUH plenty times before and was never offered chauffeur to the plane. Adding to that the privilege of being the only passenger in F, I was blown away!

To think that only few hours ago I was sitting on a bench in AMM frustrated without my passport or BP and now to get this VIP service just shows how crazy and unpredictable travel can get and why we love it so much.

 

[boomy]

Flight #3

AUH-SIN EY B773
First Class
Seat 1A

Flight time:
7 hours 30 minutes

Boarding the plane I was shown to my seat by the FA in charge of the F cabin. She was in no hurry since I was her only pax so we had a little chat and soon discovered we were both born in the same city! She was very excited because she never had anyone onboard from her city and she could now speak her native language.

Next came the onboard chef who introduced himself. It’s a really cool thing EY have, not only any time dining but also a chef who can prepare things outside the standard many using the ingredients available.

Last one to greet was the CSM who offered complementary wifi voucher. He said there are more vouchers available so I can use wifi as I like. I spent all the time either eating, sleeping or talking to the FA so didn’t use wifi at all but nevertheless it was very generous to offer unlimited use.

The B773 F cabin has two rows 1-2-1 config.





Seats are wide and comfortable with touch screen control







There’s mini bar but not chilled.



EY Amenities include good quality slippers, thin and breathable PJs as well as Acqua Di Parma kit which I’m not familiar with.



Vintage rose champagne & dates served before departure

 

[boomy]

Soon after takeoff the dinner service started.
EY upgraded their menu recently offering caviar as starter but unfortunately only on A380 apartments ATM.

For starters I chose was pumpkin soup with Gorgonzola cheese and chilli oil, delicious!



For main I had steak with thick cut potato fries, tomato relish and garlic.



The steak was perfectly done medium rare, one of the best I had in the air.

After finishing the main I was quite tired and very full so decided to skip dessert and go to sleep.

Toilets are decent sized, not as large as in some A380 but for B777 they are alright and well stocked with amenities.



The bed was made in the double suite next to mine.



Would be nice is EY had double bed feature like MU and SQ have in their middle suites but nevertheless the bed was wide and very comfortable.



In fact it was more comfortable than the bed in their A380 apartments.

One of the benefits of being solo passenger in the cabin is more control on the temperature, lights, sleep and wake up time. My requests were chilled cabin and wake up the latest possible to have quick coffee and breakfast. The cabin temperature was adjusted accordingly and I was woken up 45 minutes before landing.

It was relatively short flight but still managed around 5 hours sleep. Woke up still full from dinner so had just coffee, fruits and muesli with yogurt.



During breakfast we’ve started descending towards the beautiful skyline of Singapore enjoying views of MBS hotel and gardens before landing in Changi airport.

 

[RooFlyer]

Are they air vents in the suite I can see? A major negative for the A380 Apartments is not having them.