Trans-Tasman J

[kermatu]

Boy, I cannot wait for the new QF lounge finally coming to AKL! And on the food, gosh that chicken looks disgusting

I'm a little disappointed at the loss of a separate F (or more accurately, WP+) space. I was there about 10:30am a fortnight ago and it was pretty relaxed. Food was actually quite decent too.

 

[kermatu]

Does Neil Perry actually live in the world QF business class passengers reside?
Some of his offerings are so un appetising!

He's too savvy for that.

 

[Berlin]

I'm a little disappointed at the loss of a separate F (or more accurately, WP+) space. I was there about 10:30am a fortnight ago and it was pretty relaxed. Food was actually quite decent too.

Yea, true. Then again, the new QF lounges I usually find quite nice. And you can still dig over to EK (if it's open at the time) if you're after proper champagne

 

[kermatu]

Yea, true. Then again, the new QF lounges I usually find quite nice. And you can still dig over to EK (if it's open at the time) if you're after proper champagne

Lounge does need a refurb but I've not been impressed with any of QF's combined lounges, so not holding my breath on AKL. That said, I'm now so familiar with AKL (combined with the new tunnel from the city) that I'm often spending no more than 20 minutes in a lounge so not a big deal.

Very restricted hours for the EK lounge. Also check out some recent problems with access: Auckland Emirates Lounge [Now open approx. 11am-2pm,5pm-9pm]

 

[Berlin]

Which reminds me that I haven't posted my meal on a recent trans-Tasman, SYD-CHC on a 737 (on the return I treated myself to EK in F so no pictures of it here and the food was actually disappointing for First class), dinner flight. My QF flight however, was really really good which I found quite unusual on this route. Menu was as follows:



Received proper PBD, a nice glass of champagne. Even offered me seconds which was nice. To my huge surprise, I was also handed an amenity kit with a very nice colourful artsy design I hadn't seen before. And the eye shades even had a matching design to the bag, I was totally overwhelmed by it!



For the food, I can't stand pumpkin (and by the looks of it, most others in my cabin didn't either as I couldn't see anyone having it) so it was an easy choice for the duck. I was more tossing back and forth for the mains but decided on the Mexican-style pork and am glad I did- it was amazing!



I usually love duck dishes on airplanes but after the absolutely delightful Aian-style duck in the Flounge just before, this one was actually a bit disappointing. I would have thought that the chilly and grapefruit would create a nice mix of opposing tastes but alas, the chillies were totally bland and the chicken itself was also a weird cut of meat. Like admittedly often in Thai dishes, the sauce also seemed to have some fish sauce in and as I have a seafood intolerance, I would have loved to have it mentioned in the menu. I could still eat it as it was quite subtle only but still, not really a favourite for me.



Now please bear with me now as the image doesn't do the meal justice AT ALL. This was one of the most delicious mains I've been served in Qantas J for quite some time: Super nice tender shavings of pork in a very authentic tasting Mexican-style marinade and served with soft Tacos (that, typical for an airplane, turned out to be soft on only one side and hard as a rock on the other but hey...) some sour cram and a tomato salsa. Especially the pork itself- delicious! I felt beamed back to that hip Mexican restaurant I had been to in Bondi beach just a few days earlier, it was such good food. I finished off with the cheese plate which was the usual QF fare and a glass of Aussie Port-not port (whatever they call it here since they can't call it port anymore- is it Muscat?) which was actually really nice
:



The weirdest thing then happened afterwards: The captain came into the cabin and started re-pouring drinks for everyone in J. He had a chit chat with the passengers and even cleaned up the used food plates from the tables! I was totally gobsmacked when he poured me yet a third glass of red and praised him for the great service (while the naughty part of me was wondering in my head: I wonder if he has done his RSA course? ). I asked the purser about it later and he told me he had been as astonished by this as the passengers have and that he has never experienced this before either. Quite strange, but a lovely gesture I found!

 

[Berlin]

Very restricted hours for the EK lounge. Also check out some recent problems with access: Auckland Emirates Lounge [Now open approx. 11am-2pm,5pm-9pm]

Yes, I saw this which is shocking. Never had an issue personally though and the hours work for me- I almost always fly out of AKL after work and that's usually the last flight to Sydney at around 6:30pm.

 

[kermatu]

The captain came into the cabin and started re-pouring drinks for everyone in J.

I hope another member of the crew went into the coughpit??

I've seen the captain or FO wander around and chat a bit after using the bathroom. But never had one come and pour me a drink!

 

[Berlin]

I hope another member of the crew went into the coughpit??
I've seen the captain or FO wander around and chat a bit after using the bathroom. But never had one come and pour me a drink!

Nope, I assume the FO stayed in the coughpit by himself rather. I've never seen this before either but he acted if he'd be doing this all the time!

 

[TheInsider]

I hope another member of the crew went into the coughpit??

Pretty sure this is no longer a CASA requirement.

 

[kermatu]

Pretty sure this is no longer a CASA requirement.

I didn't realise that (though it's been a while since I've been on a longish 737 flight). Used to be quite noticeable on the trans-Tasman flights -- block the galley with the trolley, pilot comes out, CSM goes in etc.

 

[Berlin]

I didn't realise that (though it's been a while since I've been on a longish 737 flight). Used to be quite noticeable on the trans-Tasman flights -- block the galley with the trolley, pilot comes out, CSM goes in etc.

That's what it is still like in many other countries, UK for example. After the Germanwings crash a few years back, it always makes me feel a little bit safer to be honest but I know that this is a whole different discussion which doesn't belong to this thread

 

[kermatu]

OK, back on topic then. AKL-MEL 12:05 flight, A330.

Service really poor. No pre-lunch drinks. Once pax cottoned on, they started asking for drinks which the FA down the other aisle started serving back and forth. Very inefficient.

Pressed call button. Waited about two minutes. CSM took drink order. Then proceeded to hand out arrival cards to whole cabin. Then hot towels handed out to whole cabin. Then she collects all the hot towels. Then brings me my drink. Not impressed.

Menu:

 

[kermatu]

jamon starter.

Reasonably tasty but not the best quality jamon.

 

[kermatu]

The monkfish was pretty good.


Service did improve and rest of flight was uneventful. But still feels like some backward steps on the service.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

While crew were friendly, the CSM made a point several times that it was going to be lightning fast flight of only 3 hours. I think this was his way to provide cover for a disappointing aspect of the flight to me - no pre-lunch drink service. While I didn't care on this flight, it also happened on the return a few days' later (different crew).

Barring turbulence or operational reasons there is no excuse not to offer a pre-meal drink before a two or three-course lunch on a three-hour flight. That is disappointing.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Yea, true. Then again, the new QF lounges I usually find quite nice. And you can still dig over to EK (if it's open at the time) if you're after proper champagne

Agree about going to EK for Champagne but I'd still prefer a separate space for Platinum and above on the QF side. I use the AKL lounge regularly and will be sad to see it combined.

 

[kermatu]

Agree about going to EK for Champagne but I'd still prefer a separate space for Platinum and above on the QF side. I use the AKL lounge regularly and will be sad to see it combined.

Anyone know when the work is going to start? Since it was announced pretty sure the Airport has completely re-done its security screening section, immigration departure area, duty free shops (and the dreaded walk through other retail stores), the EK lounge has expanded. QF... nada.

Not that I mind, as I very much appreciate having a quieter separate space.

 

[kermatu]

Another trans-Tasman disappointment. Lunchtime MEL-AKL flight. No pre-lunch drink again. I asked the FA when he took my meal order and he promised one would be provided. Yeah, not so much. But even worse was the menu and the food. I’ll post that in the meal thread as that seems much more active than this one, and has to be the worst menu and food I’ve encountered on QF.

One reason why my next trans-Tasman flight will be on VA, notwithstanding the less comfortable J 737 seat.

 

[kermatu]

Well, as many have said on AFF - the grass isn't always greener. Had a pretty average experience on VA trans-Tasman J this week. Will post in VA threads but PDB was a bottle of water, no snacks offered with pre-meal drink (though at least there was one), two options only for meal, no starter or salad and everything on the one tray.

A couple more QF experiences to report on shortly.

 

[HS-TQE]

I didn't realise that (though it's been a while since I've been on a longish 737 flight). Used to be quite noticeable on the trans-Tasman flights -- block the galley with the trolley, pilot comes out, CSM goes in etc.

I've noticed this was done on a recent BNE-PER-BNE TransCon 737. Not sure if this was limited to those specific flights or a QF requirement.