Mini TR: MEL-AKL-MEL in J on QF & EK

[v1nce007]

Just returned from a quick weekend in Auckland to catch up with family and thought I'd do a mini trip report focusing on my flights:

MEL-AKL: a Friday morning breakfast flight with Qantas in Business

AKL-MEL: a Sunday evening dinner flight with Emirates in Business.

Purchased these flight during a recent QF 24 hour flash sale on NZ J flights. As a nice bonus, this was the last flight required to hit WP for the first time.

 

[v1nce007]

Friday morning:

Took the day off work today. Very early start for a 7am departure. MEL was deserted at checkin and security, was in the lounge within minutes of arriving at the airport.

Sat down in the QF J lounge basement for a long black. So glad this is the last time for a while I will need to use the lounge, absolutely can't wait to be able to now access the F lounge.

 

[v1nce007]

Priority boarding worked a treat. The J cabin was was half full 6/12. Jacket taken immediately, and champagne served within minutes. J cabin attendant came around and introduced himself. No contact with the CSM at all on this flight, although probably not needed given the light load.

The domestic J style recliner seats are pretty basic but fine I think for a 3 hour flight.

More champagne served straight after take off, and the breakfast orders were taken.

The menu:

 

[v1nce007]

Went with the eggs. Really nicely cooked and tasty. Could have done without the kale, everything else on the plate was good.

 

[v1nce007]

Service was excellent from our FA throughout the flight. Champagne and coffee proactively topped up. The pax in front of me in row 1 was unwell and he was doted on by the crew who even tucked him in for a sleep.

Arrived in AKL, hardly anyone in the terminal, straight through the e-passport gate and waived through customs quickly.

 

[v1nce007]

Dinner with family Friday night at El Limon, a Spanish/Mediterranean joint In the Viaduct at shed 23 Princess Wharf. Not sure what the cost was as mother had a Groupon voucher but the food was good and service was great; the waitress seemed impressed by my ability to order a beer in Spanish (uno cerveza por favor), or maybe she was just being polite.

Went for the calamari and lamb shanks. Can recommend this place.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Dinner with family Friday night at El Limon, a Spanish/Mediterranean joint In the Viaduct at shed 23 Princess Wharf. Not sure what the cost was as mother had a Groupon voucher but the food was good and service was great; the waitress seemed impressed by ability to order a beer in Spanish (uno cerveza por favor), or maybe she was just being polite.

Went for the calamari and lamb shanks. Can recommend this place.

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Live in AKL and have wondered about Limon, thanks for sharing.

 

[v1nce007]

Sunday afternoon:

Arrived at the airport at 3.30pm for a 5.30pm departure. No queue for Emirates premium check in, express pass sticker applied to BP however no queues through security and immigration anyway. Into the Emirates lounge within minutes.

I've used this lounge a number of times in the past and this is the quietest I've ever seen it. Pretty decent spread of food, Moët champagne, lots of seats, however no views of the runway

 

[v1nce007]

I've flown in both Y and F with Emirates on this route in the past, but this is my first time in J. Settled in and immediately my FA came and introduced herself and pointed out her offsider who would also be serving row A. The J cabin is huge but was probably 3/4 empty. The seat is really nice, I was in 11A and had the extra storage bins next to the window. Plenty of storage on the side table too and the built in mini bar is a nice idea.

The only weird thing is the headphone socket is under the screen and therefore quite far away from the seat. I didn't look at the Emirates supplied headphones so not sure how long their cord is, but the cord for my Bose QC35 was only just long enough to reach and was awkward if I turned my head. This is the older configuration of the A380 so not sure if the new one is different.

Champagne and hot towels served prior to take off and menus and Express passes handed out.

 

[v1nce007]

The menu

 

[v1nce007]

Pre-dinner drink and nuts served, and then dinner came quickly after. I went for the beef, it was pretty good, followed by the cheese plate and a glass of Port.

 

[v1nce007]

After dinner I headed down the back to the on-board bar. There were a few other passengers here and quite a social atmosphere with the passengers and staff chatting. This is a really fun way to spend some time.

The crew even allowed one of the passengers to bring up his sister from Y for a quick visit.

Had a martini, way too heavy on the vermouth.

 

[v1nce007]

Overall for this route I'd say the quality of food and service is slightly higher on QF, but the EK seat is much better and the on-board bar is a really fun experience. For a breakfast flight I'm not really fussed, but I think I'd go for EK for an evening flight, if only for the novelty of hanging out at the bar.

After spending all day Monday constantly refreshing the QF website, my points finally posted overnight and I am WP for the first time. Beyond excited!

 

[kermatu]

Congrats - and thanks for the TR.

I used the EK headphones the other day as I was pleasantly surprised by the range of music in the IFE - the cord is very long but it is in an unusual position and does get in the way. I think between EK and the new A330 SYD-AKL-SYD routes it is hard to see me flying the Jetconnect flights across the ditch much more (as much as I like them).

 

[NZflygirl]

The menu

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]

Yay - an NZ Sav on the list!! And one of my favorites!! They've been devoid for a while. I agree I think AKL-MEL is the best EK TTflight to take to utilize the bar in the evening. I Just don't use it for breakfast. And the flight is a bit longer to MEL.

Congrats on plat

Must check out El Limon. Have been around those parts recently. My only Spanish is me gusta la cerveza? Might keep an eye out for a voucher though.

 

[blackcat20]

Nice to see the Two Hands shiraz on the wine list.

 

[v1nce007]

Nice to see the Two Hands shiraz on the wine list.

I had a couple of glasses, and very nice it was.

 

[themanfromoz]

Don't forget the LATAM alternative on 787-9. You can often get business class specials at around AUD$300 which is cheaper than Qantas (and most) economy.
Good service, reasonable status credits and a lie-flat seat with good IFE.

 

[clipped_wings]

Great report, thanks for sharing