The multi segment DONE (Part 1) – A380 to almost A380

[moa999]

16 days, 10 planes, 11 airports, 4 continents, 5 places explored



The background
After taking my previous ex-CMB DONE4 in 2006, booked within a week of finding flyertalk, primarily as a result of me taking another job and having 5 weeks of gardening leave (apologies no trip report for that one) I decided I was ready for another adventure. Somewhat helped by the fact that after a leave audit I realised I had taken 3 days off in 2 years.


So.. in my penny pinching, trip maximisation ways I sought out the cheapest destination for a new trip – I am not averse to tricky destinations. South Africa, Pakistan, Korea appeared high on the potential list. The trip was originally planned with the roughly the existing legs plus a 4-segment ORD-HNL and JQ *Class to retain the coveted WP before Jul-31. Unfortunately this didn't happen but the gods were smiling and I got comped on 120 Scs. Decided Sth Africa was too hard / expensive to get to so narrowed to South Korea and Pakistan. Positioning flights at just over $1000 on SQ (and the ability to ticket the A380) fo both helped as well. After confirming I didn't need a visa for Pakistan and the ability to get a 5hr connection, decided to go with it.


Started rebooking in September, with a similar trip. Called AA KHI (Avari Travel) and dealt with the wonderul Jawad. Book and priced at PKR469000. Unfortunately something at work pushed out so I had to push it. Rebooked on a slightly different routing using AA RTW to change it (including EGE – Vail for a Feb ski trip) and it priced at PKR472000. AA KHI does not accept credit cards, so money transfer is the only way to go. Unfortunately Australian banks will not do transfers to Pakistan so you are left with a number of transfer agents – Sydney Forex, Citylink Finance and AFFG. AFFG and Sydney Forex use Khanani and Khalia a large Pakistan transfer agent that AA KHI was happy to deal with. I ultimately used AFFG as they seemed more professional and had the best rate on the day.


Got my leave approved at work. Confirmed with Pakistan High Comission that I did not need a Visa for transit and arranged a Russian visa using waytorussia.com


Then the trouble occurred. Sep-29 got the ticket repriced with an Oct-6 ticketing deadline for PKR472700. Spoke to the transfer agent on Sep-30 but were unable to do the transfer due to the last day before the 3-day Muslim EID holiday (one of the holiest days of the year). Over those three days the Aussie dollar went into free-fall so combined with the public holiday in Sydney on Oct-6 decided not to ticket. Called AA KHI and asked for a 2-day extension, telling them that I thought CX had the deadline (note I should have called the AA RTW desk instead). Money sent via transfer agent on Oct-7, called AA KHI and they said my ticket had been cancelled – they were unable to reinstsate. Called AA RTW desk that night, ticket had been cancelled as whilst the CX deadline had been moved the AA one had not. Luckily managed to get entire ticket reinstated, but needed to go back to pricing.


Pricing came back much higher at PKR489000 (remembering I had already paid the previous amount). Numerous discussions resulted with AA RTW and AA KHI with a number of porkies told – fuel surcharges have increased (whilst fuel goes from 140 to 90), airlines hedge for 5-10yrs, spot doesn't matter (try 50-70% for 12-18mths), can't tell you that information. Eventually had an AA agent tell me that they had made a mistake previously (twice) but if I wanted to ticket would have to pay the new price. I think the substantial increases in taxes (fuel YQ taxes) was because they were not fining my previous LAX-SYD leg whiuch had been booked on the QF code. When rebooked on the third time on the AA code, fuel fines were levied. AA did comment that they do need to ticket their codeshare where available.


So eventually got AA KHI to accept a scanned credit card authorisation letter and copy of the card for the balance and finally ticketed 20hrs before my positioning flight. (too close for comfort and thanks to the currency movements, ultimately more expensive than Korea)... anyhow I digress.


The journey
Positioning SYD-SIN-KHI (SQ Econ)
Leg 1 DONE KHI-HKG-LHR-NCE-MAD-DME-ORD-LAX
Back LAX-SYD (QF Econ Award – missing the first LAX-SYD A380 by one day :-( - hence the title)
Remaining Legs LAX-EGE-MIA-JFK-LAX-SYD-HKG-DEL-HKG-KHI


The equipment
Most of this trip report/ blog will be typed on my recently purchased Dell Mini Inspiron 9. Awesome travel laptop, under a kilo, no moving parts, no fan... very recommended... (once you get use to the somewhat different keyboard)
Photos on a Pentax Optio S. Aim to purchase a Pansonic Lumix TZ5/TZ15 somewhere on route.
Blackberry 8310 with WorldMateLive travel software
Expertflyer.com subscription


Check-in


Rocked up to the airport 90 min before flight after going to work in the morning and then going home to pack Minimal queues at the Singapore Gate K desks, although lady two in front was denied with 40kg of luggage (econ). Sailed through with 21kg


Tried to get my luggage ticketed SYD-SIN-(14hrs)-KHI-(6hrs)-BKK(sameplane)-HKG-(12hrs)-LHR. I was well packed with multiple changes of clothes and toiletries (all under 100ml) in the carry-on. This caused the check-in agent some issues due to being more than 48hrs out, despite previous confirmations from Singapore. Eventually got it checkd thru to HKG which was fine – my main concern was an on-check from KHI as I had no visa and thus had to remain airside. After 20 min all sorted, but only 60 min to flight, about 20 min to boarding.


Departure Gate 57, but Customs and Immigration at Pier C was closed due to the renovations, so we had to use the alternate Pier. After a long walk was there, APEC card made customs a breeze. Security screening another matter – with everyone jammed into one place it was a zoo (the new roof scaffolding doesn't help) – even the crew lane had 30ppl

 

[moa999]

AM now in HKG after first 4 flights (sitting in the new Arrival lounge).
Will continue when I manage to get photos uploaded.

 

[mr_greg444]

cant wait to read more

 

[Keith009]

Great start to the TR, aubs. What a roller coaster your booking experience must have been!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[moa999]

SYD T1 QF Business Lounge

Despite being WP, was not flying oneworld/JQ so went to the new Business lounge.
Looks more modern than previous, though still with the same long design with individual rooms. Lighting similar to SIN QP. Semi-long bar with self serve wine and champagne. Anyhow was only there for 10 min and a quick glance at the cricket before leaving.

Champagne. Grant Burge. Pass
Beer. Pouring machine remains. VB and Pure Blonde.
Mini Pizzas and Cheese Platter plus assorted sambos – slghtly better than domestic.




Then to Gate 29 one of the underground gates, for a bus transfer to Pier C and Gate 57... I have never seen som many concrete floors in my life... A lot of work going on at Syd. Got a few airside shots of the backside of an A380 though.

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[moa999]

Flight 1. Fri 10 Oct SQ222 SYD – SIN, A380, 9V-SKF, 1625 – 2140 (8hr 15 flight time), Seat 47E


First time abord the A380 and first time on SQ. On the main deck. Second door goes straigt to economy. Not a massive fan of the SQ colour scheme. Alternate coloured seats with a thin line and leather headrest and a stripy carpet that matches the seats.


Had seat picked online and picked 47E next to the crew rest escape hatch which meant no-one next to me, so effectively an aisle seat wth no climb over risk (see the feet shot) 47F also spare so armrest went up. Unfortunately two bubs in 45 made a ruccus. Load factor probably 80% with los of missing seats.





KrisFlyer. Looks impressive – wide screen, but somewhat dissappointed. 96 page guide!!! No external cameras. Music selection ok – my playlist function is good, but no shuffle, however very limited recent tracks. Best of Tracks ends at 2000, although the radio playslists are good. Movie selection reasonable, although good selection of tv shows and older movies. Documents (using Star Office) – cough. Took 60 secs to load, resessed USB port did not fit my card (Sandisk Cruzer Contour) and then had a 3sec delay using the numeric keypad – so unfortunately a fail on the business front. Movies were also erratic with numerous skips and jumps during the two I watched. Text news was not at all up to date – no cricket on sport, and the business news no. 2 article was the Asian market reaction to the Aust Reserve Bank rate cut on Tue (on a Fri night flight). Server did not work for online multiplayer games, and my call button and reading light did not work – after going up to ask for a drink was told that it wasn't working on half the plane and you have to wave (would have been nice to announce that).





Started with a Singapore Sling and beer before the mains. Main course of Thai chicken curry with veg and rice which was ok and an entree of potato salad with beef pastrami (the potato was not well cooked). No bread was served to me and received an ice cream 2 min after the main. I was one of the last served, although tray collection talk 1hr. Wine selection was Shiraz, Chardonnay or Riesling. No descriptions or FA comments. The Chardy left a lot to be desired.





So my first SQ experience... well nothing horribly bad, but frankly a lot to be desired.

 

[moa999]

Singapore Airport and Singapore
Well my first real exploration of this gem. Landed at T3 saw the butterfly lounge. Quick skytrain ride to T1 and entry to the QF Business Lounge (correctly refused entry to First) for a quick freshen up and email check. Hasn't changed since I last visited and fitout (carpets) and lights similar to the new SYD lounge, although BA Molten Brown products in the bathrooms. Then back to T2 where I had pre-booked a 7hr slot at the Transit Hotel in a Budget Room. Single bed and desk in a tiny room plus communal showers plus a small tv. Nothing special but did the job. 0630 wakeup and quick shower. Got to the Singapore Info desk at 7.00 and was number 4 on the list for the 0900 tour. Back to T1 for breakfast at the QF Business Lounge – quick toast, fruit salad and coffee.

 

[moa999]

Free tour was a bit of a let down. Made us gather at 815 and after double checking everyone and clearing customs we finally got an a bus at 900. On the bus (and not before) they then told us that they had recently cut the free boat ride from the tour and you now needed to pay S$13 for it. Having previously read that the river trip was worthwhile I jumped at the chance but only 3/40 people on the tour paid (half Russians as well). Great boat trip – well recommended, then back on the bus (the 37 people had just stood around the Raffles statue and snake charmer) and to the airport getting back at 1040 – note it was made very clear to us that we had to go back to the Airport. Then on the bus back encouragement to go back to the city to shop, explore (why couldn't they just let us stay??). So back to the airport and back to the City on the 11am shuttle, which strangely drives through Suntec without stopping, goes to the Flyer, stops for 10min then drives bsack to the Suntec drop-off. Singapore logic!!


So I did the Suntec fountain, make a wish and thrice round, a bit of window shopping and a wlalk to the Raffles Hotel – which is how a hotel should be, plus the obligatory Singapore Sling at the Long Bar – expensive at S$22, but beers are S$16.
Then a quick trip to catch up with a friend who is now living in Singapore and has a one-year old and cab ride back to the airport to pick up my hand luggage at left luggage and straight to the plane.

 

[moa999]

Flight 2. Sat 12 Oct SQ460 SIN - KHI, B777-200, 9V-SRJ, 1535 – 1945 (7 hr 10 min flight time), Seat 52C


Again a great pre-selected seat choice. Aisle seat, row behind the bulkhead row, but 51 only has A and B so lots of legroom. Load factor low at about 60%.





Older version of KrisFlyer with smaller screens. Frankly found it easier to use and worked flawlessly. News was udated, although no cricket scores.


Meal was better – had a delicious Murgh tawa masala (indian style chicken), entree was a green bean salad with cooked potatos, tomato and turkey, cheese and crackers and ice cream.


Karachi Airport
Was not expecting anything special and it certainly didn't deliver. Similar in age to the old-CMB wing. Followed the signs to trsansit, and found the decrepit transit lounge past some private airport vendors trying to sell all sorts of goods. Waited in the lounge about 2hrs or so until the CX reps showed up and issued my my new boarding card and reissued my baggage card on a CX slip (at least I knew it had arrived in KHI)


CIP Lounge KHI
Given an invite to the CIP lounge which seemed to be the only lounge (used by PIA, Emirates, Thai and Cathay), although there was also a Barclays lounge next door which looked nicer. The new CIP lounge had been re-opened in Aug-08. Food offering minimal – some basic chicken or cheese sandwhiches, a few sweets treats, some crisps and a self-serve soft drink and juice fridge. Basic coffee and tea. No showers. No wifi although 8 PCs but connection excruciatingly slow – didn't even load SMH frontpage.

 

[moa999]

Flight 3A. Sat 12 Oct CX2700 KHI-BKK, B777-200, A330, 0125 – 0725 (4 hr 0 min flight time), Seat 16K
Flight 3B. Sat 12 Oct CX2700 BKK-HKG, B777-200, A330, 0835 – 1230 (2 hr 55 min flight time), Seat 16K
After a luggage re-scan prior to getting access to the departure pier – some issues were caused by my lack of a baggage tag, and the transit concept was not easily understood.


Nice CX regional business seating. Lots of legroom although I find the back angle makes it somewht difficult to sleep and this was meant to be a sleeping flight for me, as I tried to get myself into the Euro timezone.





Usual efficient CX staff and a pretty good menu. Billecart champagne which was devoured readily.
Got a special greeting from the CSM on the second flight (crew change) who told me I fly a really really really lot and she wanted to say thank you! Menus below.





Note. After an hours fiddling and a few coughtails at the Wing I have finally sorted out the image stuff. To be continued in London.

 

[moa999]

CX HKG Arrival Lounge

After clearing immigration quickly I had to wait for my baggage for 20 min thanks to a lack of priority tagging on the bags. I then thought I would check out the new Cathay “The Arrivals”. Signage is not great but basically it is in the middle of the central corridor directly under the Airport Express, on the right hand side, just past the Priority Club lounge.

Now this Arrivals Lounge apparently only opened on 1 October 2008. However it is probably the smallest ever lounge I have seen. 8 showers, and a few small lounges, probably no more than 50sqm although the showers are quite nice. NO alcohol, just water and soft drinks but an al a carte menu with noodles, japanese bento boxes, fish burgers and a risotto – even when not packed took 20 min to arrive. 6 computers – 3 PC and 3 Mac plus Cathay WiFI. Were willing to store my baggage for the day whilst I went over to Citygate and Ngong Ping. Access rights appear limited to those on a CX ticket, so may be something to win you over to travelling CX, particularly if coming in for a day of work.

 

[moa999]

Ngong Ping 360


Having been to Central and Kowloon many times before, and up the Peak 3 times, I decided to do something different and take the cable car to the Big Buddah. S1 bus takes you straight to the Citygate mall, from where the cablecar entrance is only 100m. Unfortunately was a lot of low level clour/ smog so the views from the car weren't great but you do get an amazing aerial view of the airport.






HKG First Class lounge


Had always been to the Wing when travelling through HKG, so decided to make a quick trip to the Peir despite departing from Gate 17. After one quick drink decided to get back to the Wing – so much nicer with its open ceilings.
So back to the Wing, a small meal in The Haven – wasn't overly impressed with the quality offered, then a quick shower before sitting down to relax.





Also grbbed a shot of the Long Bar in the Business Class section, which has to remain my favourite feature of any lounge I have been to.

 

[moa999]

Flight 4. Sat 12 Oct BA26, HKG-LHR B747-400, [], 2315 – 0505+1 (12 hr 50 min flight time), Seat 62K


Had selected this seat on BA.com many weeks ago, before I ticketed. It is a rear-facing window seat with unlimited leg room due to the exit row. Much better than the forward facing aisle seats in 63. This was my first trip on the New Club World layout and I must say I was impressed. No radical changes but it comes together well. Decent sized fold-out touchsceen and a much improved divider between the seats. Multi-power adapter plug.


IFE worked well, although it seems split into modules, eg take 10 secs to load Movies when you select from the main menu. As always with BA, limited radio selection for the under 40s, although a good CD collection.





Quite impressed with the catering on BA. Went for the light meals – Mozzeralla Cheese and Antipasto, followed by the Ravioli. Also passed on the British breakfast and went for pancakes instead.





Apologies for the lack of food shots but when you get served bit by bit the tray never looks full enough to take a photo.

 

[laffer]

Lovely report Aubs.

 

[moa999]

LHR T5 Arrivals


OK. Well if I hadn't been blown away by HKG arrivals and T5B and T5 itself well the Arrivals lounge totally blew me away. What can I say – nothing bad..





While the showers are somewhat on the small side, wet floors and all, there are almost 100 of them in a honeycomb style configuration. Apparently very busy between 8am and 9am. Not at all busy off BA26 which is the first arrival into T5 in the morning.


Plus a hardcore British breakfast – ie all the good greasy stuff and I was all set to avoid my jetlag and have a big day.

 

[moa999]

London


Caught up with a few people. Took in some of the sites I hadn't seen before. Was lucky enough to get a visit to the bar/restaurant at the top of the SwissRe tower (the Gherkin) which is only open to people who work there and actually had a Sunny October London day!! Also saw some interesting
london spending --- you must check out the pic of the car....





LHR Terminal 1 Terraces
Post the T5 move, now a wacky terminal with both inside UK and limited regional flights and totally confusing gate nambers.
Large two story lounge that is clearly way too large now that the bulk of flights have shifted to T5. Very nice in the BA terraces beach style. Breakfast was ok but lunch (served on the dot of 12) and only seen due to a late running aircraft change was much superior to a QC. Choice of French, Chilean and Aust wines and the alcohol was out at 10am.

 

[moa999]

Flight 5. Sat 12 Oct BA344, LHR-NCE B757, G-CPES, 1140-1440 (2 hr 0 min flight time), Seat 5J


Having had a few London nights pushed my flight back from a stupid 9am to the 11.40am. Note that on a Fri no later flights had D availability.
Flight ended up leaving 1.5hrs late due to the above mentioned change


Departure from Gate 76 which was a random outside walk from terminal 1 to a semi-circular departure lounge.
Lasagne, turkey salad or lamb caaserole for the menu choice.
French beaujolais or chilean cab sav blend. Asked what went with lasagne – told by the FA “I don't drink - I'm a cheap date” AND given both. Chilean was far superior.
Not at all impressed with BA Club Europe. 757 with a conertible 2 / 3 seating. 33 of 35 filled in the J cabin. Luckily had a spare seat but leg room was nothing too special.
Baggage tagging to NCE does not work (trust the Frech).

 

[moa999]

Thanks to Iberia MAD T4S for the superslow uploads. No wifi in the lounge. Just wired at about 10 stations. Big mistake for a terminal built only a couple of years ago. Nothing more till Moscow or Chicago

 

[thegurio]

Great TR.. As for the Hummer, surely that cant be both safe and comfortable! I had to enlarge it just to make sure that i was seeing what i thought i was seeing!

 

[Skyring]

Mmmm. Nice meaty TR! Booking looks to have been a saga. I don't feel so weird about taking photographs of food and drinks and terminal facilities and stuff. I'm in good company here!