Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 136 posts, RR: 1 Posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 12111 times:
I travel to conferences in San Francisco and Boston once each year. This trip was using QF frequent flyer points so I had to book the flights eons ago. I ended up with business class on QF424 (MEL-SYD), 1st class on QF73 (SYD-SFO), paid economy plus on UA172 (SFO-BOS), 1st class on BA188 (EWR-LHR) and 1st class on QF30 (LHR-HKG-MEL). As it turned out, coming home the "long" way via LHR and HKG only added a couple of hours extra elapsed than flying via SFO or LAX because of poor connections in those ports and the longer flying times inherent in flying in a westerly direction. This is part 1 of my Round The World trip report.
I didn't take any pics of QF424 or facilities at Sydney 1st class lounge, because there isn't much worth recording about short domestic QF flights or the temporary 1st class lounge in Sydney.
However, what is worth reporting is that QF73 (a 744) had un-expected Aussie celebrity passengers in 1A and 1K (I was seated in 2A) on the day of my flight. No less than Kim Beasley in 1A and Kevin Rudd in 1K! I believe both these passengers had been upgraded because I had checked the seating 24 hours earlier and 1A and 1K were vacant and in fact only 4 pax in 1st at that time. The day of the flight saw 10. Also, Kim and Kevin were not travelling together and, in fact Kevin was stunned to see Kim seated across from him. Anyway, Aussie good nature was evident especially with plenty of Krug on offer.........although Kevin was more pre-occupied with reading copious amounts of literature he brought onto the plane, including the Obama book "The Audacity of Hope"!
Now for the flights. Check in at MEL domestic was flawless with boarding passes for both QF424 and QF73 being issued and luggage checked through to SFO as would be expected. I can't remember much about the QF424 flight except that it was a comfortable ride on a 767.
QF73 was notable partly because of the Aussie celebrities but also because the service and food was excellent.
Before takeoff, Krug champagne with olives and almonds.
The usual hand outs of menu, wine list, sleeping suits, etc. followed, but the amenity kit was simply a waste of time given that it contained only a few creams. Essentials like a shaving kit were delivered a-la-carte. How stupid. The new slippers are also a joke, but more about that later.
Here is a pic
of the new slippers featuring a velco base to reduce slipping.
The problem is that when I wore them to the washroom, it felt like they were sticking to something yucky on the floor!
For lunch I chose the Prawn and Celeriac Remoulade:
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Notice the usual bread roll (warm) with olive oil and balsamic.
For main course, I chose the Seared Salmon with Radish, Celery and Lemon Salsa served with Kipfler Potatoes and Chilli Eggplant:
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I also had a small mixed green salad with Palm Sugar Vinaigrette. Delicious!
By this time it was about 4:30 pm and about three hours had elapsed flying east across the Pacific, so not surprisingly the sun was setting
The mood lighting inside the cabin was now noticeable as I sampled the cheese platter accompanied with De Bortoli Noble One, my only departure from Krug on this flight.
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A beautiful selection of cheese.
Following the cheese platter, I had the Assiette of desserts:
consisting of chocolate cheese cake, stewed pears garnished with almond slithers, and summer berries with custard.
Then it was time to turn on the VOD system.
I noticed with some annoyance that my Bose noise cancelling headphones no longer fit into the VOD audio socket, but anyway QF supply their own completely adequate noise cancelling headphones. It didn't matter much as I couldn't keep my eyes open to watch anything and within a short time fell asleep and didn't wake up until about three hours out of SFO – not bad considering the flight is over 12 hours.
For breakfast, I had my favourites:
bircher muesli and mixed fresh fruit with pear juice
followed by croissant and cappuccino. I had eaten so much food earlier I just couldn't face the full-on breakfast of eggs, etc.
Soon we were approaching the USA coast with SFO in the distance:
The passenger in 1K was still reading profusely:
Anyone would think he was swatting for exams!
About to cross the CA coastline:
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Approaching the Bay from the west:
Note the San Andreas fault.
Over "Silicon Valley" just before turning left for approach to SFO:
On final approach descent:
Taxing to SFO terminal:
Processing through immigration at SFO was swift. Certainly SFO is preferable to LAX as first port of call.
Overall, a very pleasant experience. Well done Qantas.
There is a clue in one of the pics as to who Kevin Rudd might be. Can you find it?
He is an Australian politician, in fact the "Leader of the Oppostion" is his official title. He hopes to be our next Prime Minister. This will be decided at our Federal election later this year. The current Prime Minister is John Howard. Kim Beasley is the former "Leader of the Oppostion". He was deposed by a majority of his Party (the Australian Labor Party) who installed Kevin Rudd instead. The local media painted a picture of animosity between the two men. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was not the case, at least not on my flight.
Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 136 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 11033 times:
Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 4): A question about First Class: Do they serve you meals at certain times or do you have the luxury of ordering anytime you want?
On this flight, the main food services are scheduled, i.e. cocktails before takeoff and immediately following seat belt signs being extinguished after takeoff, followed by lunch. Breakfast is offered about two hours before landing. However, food from a snack menu can be ordered at any time.
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom (England), joined Oct 2004, 3412 posts, RR: 35 Reply 10, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 10905 times:
Great pictures! The food certainly looks pretty decent, and Krug....yummy!
Am I right in saying on QF the F seats are parallel to the cabin wall as opposed to herringbone pattern like BA?
How did you find QF F stacked up against BA F? Or shall I wait to find that out?
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 136 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 10831 times:
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 10): Am I right in saying on QF the F seats are parallel to the cabin wall as opposed to herringbone pattern like BA?
Yes, the seats are parallel to the cabin wall - not a very efficient configuration, and not as good as the BA herringbone pattern which is more private as well I think.
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 10): How did you find QF F stacked up against BA F? Or shall I wait to find that out?
You know I was very surprised at the BA service (EWR-LHR) - it was much better than I expected and I am re-considering my flights for a forthcoming trip to Europe from Australia in July. I normally travel CX when I am paying for 1st class but now both QF and BA are equal or of a better standard than CX - especially considering recent comments about CX in other forums. The food and service from flight attendants was outstanding on BA and QF and I really liked the BA 777. It is such a spacious modern plane - much better than the tired QF 744's. The only thing letting BA down is the small video screens. Even the BA crew think they are a joke. Anyway, more about BA in Part 2 of my RTW trip report coming soon.
Thank you for your interest. I am an avid reader of your posts. I think I might have a similar fascination with travel to you
Tbear815 From United States, joined Jun 2003, 704 posts, RR: 7 Reply 16, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 10428 times:
As always, an interesting and entertaining read. Your photos of approach to SFO actually had my home in them! As to the San Andreas fault, I've felt that puppy shake, shiver, and dance all my life! And yes, 280 is a beautiful drive and the average speed is well over 80 mph. It's nice that QF has returned to SFO. Of course, I've had a love affair with Australia since my first trip in the early '70's (on Pan Am no less) as well as hearing about my Father's duty in WWII!
Thanks again for the terrific report. Between you, FBG, Lufthansa 747, Christao, and others too numerous to name, you've got all the bases covered. This way I can save my money, let you pay for F, and I can vicariously enjoy all of your trips! I look forward to the continuation of this RTW saga.
CXtra From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 262 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 10298 times:
Quoting QANTASforever (Reply 13): Heh - I highly HIGHLY doubt he would be flying commerical
I know that when travelling to the UK at least, Howard does fly QF F. Or he certainly used to, if the UK TV show Airline is anything to go by. I don't know, though, post 9-11 this may have changed..
Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 136 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 10200 times:
Quoting Tbear815 (Reply 16): in the early '70's (on Pan Am no less)
Thanks Rod. You might be interested to learn than my first international flight was in 1972 on a Pan Am 707 out of MEL to HNL. Then onto SFO on a Pan Am 747 (full of US military returning from Vietnam). Of course it was Y in those days not F, and out of HNL I was seated immediately behind the 1st class cabin and remember peeking through the curtain at the roast being served from a trolley. I even remember the in-flight movie out of MEL was "Butterflies are Free" with Goldie Hawn, shown on a pull down screen which swayed during turbulence. Those were the days!
Tbear815 From United States, joined Jun 2003, 704 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9739 times:
Interesting about 1972.....That year was my first trip to Australia! BOAC VC-10 AKL/SYD, TAA 727-100 SYD/MEL/Adelaide/PER/SYD (I spent two days in each city - the Barossa Valley was up and coming - a total of two weeks in SYD), then PA 707 SYD/DPS. Funny, none of those airlines as they were are around anymore. Is there still the Southern Cross Hotel in MEL? I think Tullamarine had just opened when I was there...
Superfly From United States, joined May 2000, 29917 posts, RR: 88 Reply 21, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9695 times:
Quoting Tbear815 (Reply 20): Interesting about 1972.....That year was my first trip to Australia! BOAC VC-10 AKL/SYD, TAA 727-100 SYD/MEL/Adelaide/PER/SYD
Do you have photos from that trip?
That would be cool to read about a trip report from 1972.
I was an embryo in 1972 and was on a SAS DC-8 and SAS DC-9.
It may have been Chicago-Copenhagen-Zurich.
I do have pictures from that trip on slides.
Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 136 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 9450 times:
Quoting Tbear815 (Reply 20): Is there still the Southern Cross Hotel in MEL? I think Tullamarine had just opened when I was there..
The Southern Cross Hotel lay closed and in disrepair for many years, but has now been re-developed into a swish office building. I am not sure how long MEL has been operating.
I have fond memories of those days. Not only was the Pan Am flight on the 707 in December 1972 my first international flight, it was only my second flight ever! The previous year I had flown once from MEL to Launceston - and that was my first flight. I was a very nervous flyer in those days probably because I was working as a computer programmer at Ansett Airlines on their engineering records system (Rotable Components) and knew what could go wrong! Mind you, I still marvel at how planes actually fly. When I was growing up I used to go to Essendon Airport at weekends to watch the takeoff and landings and sit around the TAA terminal watching people and gathering glossy brochures. One time a BOAC Comet had just landed from Hawaii and tanned passengers disemabarked with leis around their necks. I fantasised about how exciting it would be to fly, especially to far off places overseas - a dream I realised only a few years later.
By the way, if you are interested in Pan Am memorabilia, there is a Melbourne born comedienne, now based in London, with the stage name of "Pam Ann". If you ever get a chance to see her perform I urge you to attend. She wears the Pan Am uniform looking like the hostess out of 2001: a space odyssey and send up all the airlines. She is hilarious.
QANTASforever From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 25, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 9432 times:
Quoting CXtra (Reply 17): I know that when travelling to the UK at least, Howard does fly QF F. Or he certainly used to, if the UK TV show Airline is anything to go by. I don't know, though, post 9-11 this may have changed..
Yes, things have changed. He has his BBJs now, and will soon have a couple of A330s to play around with.
QFF
26 VHVXB: Ocassionally. It was mentioned in thread that the 3 aircraft that QF bought from Asian carriers operate this route on a frequent basis
27 Trent1000: Ah... Trans Australia Airlines: "Up, up and away, with TAA, the friendly, friendly way!"
28 QANTASforever: You sir, are the root of all evil. QFF
29 N178UA: The food serving sizes looks small compare to Thai or Emirates. I recently flown QF J to HKG from SYD the food was aweful and small in servings. The C
30 Crdaus: The food servings may look small, but I found them to be quite filling. Maybe it was all the Krug that I drank.....
31 Tbear815: N178UA - Please go back and read the first class menus for the flights involved. Being longer, there are more choices and, of course, first class is a
32 Superfly: Unless they had a few drinks on board. I must say, Lufthansa747 was very helpful in terms of matching flights, reg numbers, aircraft type and all oth
33 N178UA: Chill Tbear815. My comment is base on my experiences. I do 90 flights a year mostly long hauls. You can do a search under my username in TR report. I
34 Bill142: Unless he wants to go swimming in Av gas for 14 hours I don't think he'll do much with them. No doubt security will 'insist' on any current or future
35 QANTASforever: What are you talking about? The A330s are not going to have in-cabin fuel tanks. QFF
36 Tbear815: Sam, I certainly know of your dedication to aviation. I personally feel that your photography is the finest one can find on A.net. When I see "photogr
37 N178UA: Hey Rod, no offence taken at all. My original post was a bit blunt to say the best, I enjoy viewing some TR here during a long business day. (I work 1
38 Bill142: The A330 is beight bought for air-to-air refuelling correct? I highly doubt it will be in a VIP config like the BBJ is. Such as your own? I haven't e
40 B747forever: Good TR. Loved the pics of the sunset. QF first class is something to check out.
41 ANCFlyer: Awesome report. I'm looking forward to part 2 and 3. QF does themselves proud, IMO, in the front cabins . . . .
42 QANTASforever: Air to air refuelling, and strategic transport. As I said, there will be no additional fuel tanks in the cabin. It will be set up for quick re-config
43 Chris78cpr: Great report. I have some FF miles burning a hole in my pocket and im thinking of including a leg in QF F. I look forward to the next reports. Chris
44 AirlineBrat: Great trip report. I read your RTW journey out of order with this one being the last. My apologies on your not so fine experience flying UA between SF
45 Crdaus: thank you for your feedback. I am encouraged that people are still reading my trip reports posted so long ago. You know, San Francisco was the first
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