TheCommodore From Australia, joined Dec 2007, 114 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 9633 times:
MK943 Sydney to Mauritius via Melbourne (SYD/MEL/MRU)
Scheduled Departure 7.40am
A340-300 3B-NBE Paille en Queue Business Class
MK64 Mauritius to Frankfurt (MRU/FRA)
Scheduled Departure 8.10am
A340-300 3B-NAV Kestrel First Class
With many flights from Sydney to European destinations taking you typically through Bangkok, Singapore or KL, Air Mauritius offer an alternative (if only slightly longer) route for Australians to consider when traveling to Europe. It's not ideal to have to stop in Melbourne on the outbound leg, but it's only a short stop and the airfare more than compensates when compared with other Business Class fares.
MK use Air New Zealand's Business Class lounge at Sydney Kingsford Smith and it was virtually empty at 6.00am. The lounge has an excellent view from the western side of the terminal, across the tarmac to the control tower and main runway. On this particular morning, which was dark, cold and rain streaked, it provided an ideal vantage point from which to watch MK's MK942's arrival.
Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge SYD Laptop Terminals
Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge SYD
Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge SYD Breakfast Buffet
Food and beverage on offer in Air New Zealand's Business Class lounge is good quality and in plentiful supply. There's plenty of fresh fruit, cereals, and a reasonable selection of hot food. The lounge is tastefully restrained in its design with plenty of seating and excellent facilities.
3B-NBE Paille-en-Queue quietly slipped into view just minutes after the 6 am curfew and slowly taxied past the lounge to gate 2. Although due to depart at 7.40am, a problem was announced with the aircraft's de-icing equipment leading to a delay of some two and a half hours. So, a bit more time was spent in the upstairs lounge, rather than the slightly chaotic conditions of gate lounge 2 that morning. Still, that gave plenty of time for a bit more plane spotting.
Air Mauritius are progressively updating their fleet and have a number of new A340ER's, however they currently operate their older A343's on the Mauritius / Sydney route. The business class cabin is therefore now MK's older style and while the seats are not the equivalent of the major carriers, they are very comfortable, the cabin clean and well maintained.
Air Mauritius A340-300 Y Class Cabin 3B-NBE
Air Mauritius A340-300 Y Class Cabin 3B-NBE
Onboard, the reception from MK flight attendants was warm and friendly. Passengers were efficiently helped to stow bags and coats. Champagne, Orange Juice and water were immediately offered, prior to departure.
The short hop from Sydney to Melbourne takes around an hour, and with a light load, Paillle-en-Queue lifted gently and quickly into the air, climbing out over Botany Bay to the south. Service began soon afterwards, but with such a short a short run, it's just light refreshments - Hors d'Oeuvres and drinks.
Canapes & Drinks SYD/MEL
Melbourne's business Class lounge is a little more modern than Sydney's, but awkwardly located underneath the terminal, looking out onto the ramp through baggage carts. Perhaps, not surprisingly then the focus is more internal than that of looking out onto the airfield.
'Paille en Queue' 3B-NBE
'Paille en Queue' 3B-NBE MEL June 19 2006
Fully laden with fuel for the next leg to Mauritius, A340 Paille-en-Queue lifted ponderously off the ground, after a long take-off roll, and climbed gradually into the skies above Melbourne, soon banking west for the 8391km (9 hrs 14 minutes) haul to Mauritius. Despite the A340-300's slow climb rate, a subject of great conjecture in A.net forums, these aircraft are exceptionally comfortable and very quiet.
Lunch was served soon after departure, starting with Smoked Salmon and Cajun Chicken hors d'oevres. The menu is shown below. The dishes that our party of three tried were all delicious. Drinks were kept topped up by the efficient cabin crew and meals are completed with a ritual small box of two handmade Mauritian chocolates. A nice touch is the availability of Mauritian Tea -- a vanilla infused brew.
Smoked Salmon & Cajun Chicken Appetiser
Menu for the Melbourne / Mauritius Leg
Snapper Gremolata
Having always flown the more traditional routes though Asia to Europe, this flight, with its long over-water component, was something new. Soon after crossing the West Australian coastline, you become aware that it's a long, long way to the next landing strip. The image of our aircraft heading out over the vast emptiness of the Indian Ocean on the LCD screen seemed to make us look even more alone. I'm not really sure what the longest over-water route with nowhere to land actually is, but the west coast of Australia to Mauritius must be up there as one of the longer flights. Even though ETOPS makes twins as safe (if not statistically safer) than quad engined aircraft, there's something a little comforting about having a few more engines.
Water, water, and more water!
LCD Display
Over The Indian
We had strong headwinds on this flight and our indicated airspeed dropped considerably on a few occasions. A little more than half way, I took these shots.
The remainder of the flight was smooth and uneventful, with our arrival at MRU just after dark. Passengers wishing to continue immediately to Europe connect with a flight straight through to Paris CDG.
Having a strong aversion to Charles de Gaulle airport at the best of times, and a sworn refusal to ever again willingly subject myself to a connection through CDG at summertime, there was no way any of our party would have chosen that option. As luck would have it, three days later, MK64 flies MRU / Frankfurt FRA -- this gave us the option of being closer to our final destination in the Netherlands and having a short break in Mauritius on the way. Besides, Mauritius sounds so exotic, you'd be crazy not to spend a few days there as a stop-over right?
Well yes, right. But, there's a few things to be aware of. MRU lies at the southern end of the island of Mauritius. This part of the island receives far greater rainfall and can often be windy. The north western side of the island is recommended for more stable weather and there are plenty of resorts around Grand Baie. However, there's only one road from the airport to the capital Port Louis and on to the north of the island. So, this means all transfers are always through the capital and the traffic jams can be gruesome.
In hindsight, I'd probably try one of the resorts closer to the airport next time. If you're staying longer than a couple of days, as our party had planned for our return journey to Australia, then definitely consider accommodation in the north.
MK64 Mauritius to Frankfurt (MRU/FRA)
Scheduled Departure 8.10am
A340-300 3B-NAV Kestrel First Class
In a bizarre twist of fate, Air Mauritius upgraded all three in our travel party to First class for the Mauritius / Frankfurt leg of our journey. Tickets had been booked about six months in advance and seating allocated for our SYD/MEL/MRU trip had been 4A, 4B and 5A. Our itinerary definitely had us allocated for 1A, 2A, and 2B on the MRU/FRA leg though. Having studied the seat plans of MK's A340 fleet, both new and old, it seemed impossible that these couldn't be first class seats. A query of the travel agent made the situation no more clear. Naturally, we all just hoped for the best, but secretly expected it to be a mistake that would result in seats being re-allocated upon check-in at MRU. Nothing of the sort happened.
Porters whisked our luggage straight up to the F check-in counter and boarding passes with the same seat allocation were duly produced. So, it was off to the lounge to kill the remaining time before departure.
3B-NAV A343 Kestrel stood at the gate, awaiting departure.
3B-NAV Kestrel at the gate at MRU
First Class cabin.
MK64 3B-NAV F Cabin
MRU / FRA is 11 hrs 20 mins flying time, so with warm, humid conditions and a heavy aircraft, we all expected a long, laborious take off roll and the A343 delivered exactly that. After taxing to the very end of the runway and completing a 180 degree turn, Kestrel came to a complete stop a little short of the Piano Keys. The engines then spooled up, before the brakes were released, and we started to roll.
As you might expect, F cabin is a little quieter and as Kestrel's nose wheel lifts, there's a noticeable vibration and slight harmonic. We lift slowly and then, very gently, the rate of climb begins to feel more positive.
Here's a clip of the climb out pitch.
We banked to port and completed a 180 degree turn, providing a great view of the airport below.
MRU Airport
The seats in first provide enormous legroom and are exceptionally comfortable. However, they don't recline fully, or become beds, so those accustomed to legacy carrier F class might expect to be disappointed. Service from the cabin crew was personal, attentive and appropriately discreet.
Passing Madagascar
Madagascar
Once again, the food was outstanding. Menu shown...
Breakfast
MRU/FRA Breakfast - Fruits and Pastries
MRU/FRA Breakfast - Cheese Omelette
Needless to say, the views flying over the African continent are extraordinary.
Nairobi
Getting late...
The next hot meal service - Appetiser.
Pink Lobster Tail with Shreaded Palm Heart
Landing at FRA provided an opportunity to capture reverse thrust, bringing to an end a very memorable journey.
I've been on a lot of things that fly - British, European, US and Russian built.
ScotLAN From United Kingdom (Scotland), joined May 2008, 5 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 9430 times:
Nice trip report - as you point out, an intersting routing to/from Oz, and one I wouldn't have thought of before.
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): I'm not really sure what the longest over-water route with nowhere to land actually is, but the west coast of Australia to Mauritius must be up there as one of the longer flights.
I think either LA or AR from SCL/EZE to AKL would be around 6000 miles over water, not too many diversion airports in that part of the South Pacific. I understand that Indian Ocean and South Pacific routes are excluded from ETOPS rules and are excluded to twinjets.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1740 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 9236 times:
Great report! It's rare to see something about MK nowadays. I'm just thinking out loud, do they use the same servicewares for their J and F service? The F meal looks very much like those on your J flight.
It gets a little lonely when you're way up there...
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 517 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 9111 times:
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 3): I'm just thinking out loud, do they use the same servicewares for their J and F service? The F meal looks very much like those on your J flight.
As far as I know Air Mauritius does not have a first class. Both flights were in business. Very old business (by the look of the first leg) and old business (second leg). The very old business looks poor (a little like BA Club Europe) and the old one looks quite spacious but with old seats.
Their new product looks better.
Nice TR though and always good to be reminded that there are airlines with very variable products on offer.
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 517 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 8989 times:
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 7): How is it then that the OP says that the MRU-FRA sector was in First Class?
If you read his TR you will find he ASSUMED it was first class due to the seat numbers and difference in product.
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): Having studied the seat plans of MK's A340 fleet, both new and old, it seemed impossible that these couldn't be first class seats
It was however possible. I checked and Air Mauritius only flies 2 class configurations. Easy mistake to make if you compare the J product on the two flights.
Debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 1136 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 8779 times:
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): In a bizarre twist of fate, Air Mauritius upgraded all three in our travel party to First class for the Mauritius / Frankfurt leg of our journey. Tickets had been booked about six months in advance and seating allocated for our SYD/MEL/MRU trip had been 4A, 4B and 5A. Our itinerary definitely had us allocated for 1A, 2A, and 2B on the MRU/FRA leg though. Having studied the seat plans of MK's A340 fleet, both new and old, it seemed impossible that these couldn't be first class seats.
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 5): As far as I know Air Mauritius does not have a first class. Both flights were in business.
No, it was NOT a BusinessClass flight!
All old A340-300 (Pink Pigeon, Kestrel, Cardinal, Parakeet and Paille-en-Queue), were equipped with FIRST CLASS, CLUB CLASS and Economy Class- NOT! Business Class! MK decided back in 2006 to upgrade ther 1st Class product, by dropping their old fashioned Business Class and "re-call" this class as "J" CLUB CLASS (like Premium/deLuxe Economy) for very low prices (in competition to German carrier CONDOR and LTU, as well as Air France).
But with the delivery of the brand new A340 Le Flamboyant and Le Chamarel and A330 decided to change all over their inflight service, offering NEW BUSINESS CLASS (taking over FIRST and CLUB CLASS) and ECONOMY CLASS.
Also, all "old" A340 are inline to get the same make-over. Unfortunately, this takes time! So passengers booked on NEW BUSINESS CLASS, but flying "old" styled MK planes, will be upgraded (if possible) to the old FIRST CLASS or flying in old CLUB CLASS!
TheCommodore From Australia, joined Dec 2007, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 8384 times:
Well... a few questions to answer!
Flight time MEL / MRU - 9 hrs and 14 mins (8391 kms)
First Class or Business on second leg? (MRU / FRA) - Well it was certainly in the forward cabin, the curtain was closed between 'Business' or 'Club Class' and the front cabin, and there was a dedicated cabin crew for the passengers up front.
Not sure if the menu was different from J class MRU/FRA but the service style differed i.e. Items delivered individually to your tray table. Not hugely different food wise perhaps but I doubt anyone would choose the J class real estate over the front two rows!
Pity I didn't get more photos of the main course items MRU/FRA. They did seem a little up-spec from the J class leg of the trip.
Quoting ScotLAN (Reply 2): I understand that Indian Ocean and South Pacific routes are excluded from ETOPS rules and are excluded to twinjets.
That's interesting. Didn't know that - thanks!
IFE - The inflight entertainment was limited when compared to legacy carriers. Not on-demand but a selection of about half a dozen movies. J class get seat back screens and F class the pull up variety. If you're an entertainment or games Junkie you'd be disappointed.
Thanks for the explanation of J & F arrangements Debonair!
I've been on a lot of things that fly - British, European, US and Russian built.
Cambrian From United Kingdom (Wales), joined Sep 2003, 606 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 7698 times:
Thanks for the report. I think that Air Mauritius have the best looking A340's around, with the exception of Olympic.
I live near the Air Mauritius office in London and they have a window display advertising their routes down under. Their slogan is that Perth is just a hop, skip and a jump away, via Mauritius, and of course, there is a kangaroo doing the hopping, skipping and jumping.
And now I see your trip report, so it must be true!
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 517 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 7510 times:
Quoting Debonair (Reply 9): All old A340-300 (Pink Pigeon, Kestrel, Cardinal, Parakeet and Paille-en-Queue), were equipped with FIRST CLASS, CLUB CLASS and Economy Class- NOT! Business Class!
From the Air Mauritius website:
5 AIRBUS A340-300
Paying homage to the fauna of the island, the 5 A340-300 classic bear the names of the endemic birds of Mauritius : Pink Pigeon, Kestrel, Cardinal, Parakeet and Paille-en-Queue
Tailored to meet the needs of long range markets, this aircraft offers the possibility of direct point to point services to the distant Air Mauritius’ and tourist markets. Equipped with advanced satellite communications systems, the Airbus comprises navigation by satellite as well as telephone facilities.
The A340-300 C are configured in a 2 class layout of 34 in Business class and 264 in Economy. Click here to view seatmap
So unless you want to tell they don't know their own fleet it does look like you are mistaken...
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 6155 posts, RR: 52 Reply 14, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7229 times:
Great report on a little reported airline, many thanks for sharing with us.
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): Lunch was served soon after departure, starting with Smoked Salmon and Cajun Chicken hors d'oevres. The menu is shown below
- Nice, except I prefer to have desert & cheese served after the main, not on the tray with it.
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): Even though ETOPS makes twins as safe (if not statistically safer) than quad engined aircraft, there's something a little comforting about having a few more engines.
- I know what you mean, crossed the atlantic on a 380 of friday, returned by 332 in the evening, nothing to worry about but I get what you say.
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): Having a strong aversion to Charles de Gaulle airport at the best of times, and a sworn refusal to ever again willingly subject myself to a connection through CDG at summertime, there was no way any of our party would have chosen that option. As luck would have it, three days later, MK64 flies MRU / Frankfurt FRA -- this gave us the option of being closer to our final destination in the Netherlands and having a short break in Mauritius on the way. Besides, Mauritius sounds so exotic, you'd be crazy not to spend a few days there as a stop-over right?
- Too right!! CDG or a few days in Mauritius??
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): In a bizarre twist of fate, Air Mauritius upgraded all three in our travel party to First class for the Mauritius / Frankfurt leg of our journey
- Nice!
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): As you might expect, F cabin is a little quieter and as Kestrel's nose wheel lifts, there's a noticeable vibration and slight harmonic. We lift slowly and then, very gently, the rate of climb begins to feel more positive.
Here's a clip of the climb out pitch.
- Very quiet, I notice the middle section overheads have been removed, LX have done this in F too.
Quoting TheCommodore (Thread starter): Needless to say, the views flying over the African continent are extraordinary.
TheCommodore From Australia, joined Dec 2007, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 7144 times:
I'll let you guys argue the toss about whether it was 'Business', 'Club' or 'First' but I assure you, there was a three class configuration on 3B-NAV 'Kestral' on the day we flew - June 22 2007.
Perhaps that's where the confusion starts. We found it difficult to work out exactly what class we would be flying when we got our seat allocation as well. Even though we'd booked what we understood to be Business, we'd clearly been allocated pointy end seats on one leg of the trip. MK's website didn't seem to help at the time either as the new 'Club Class' was referred to, but that seemed to only be on MK's new ER's. The link to the seat map provided by 'Henkybaby' doesn't show MK's earlier configuration. I've added two photos below that perhaps better show... let's see - lets call it cabin one for the sake of neutrality! You can clearly see the bulkhead behind row two separating 'cabin one' from 'cabin two'.
In any case, it's immaterial after reading the latest Emirates A380 trip reports - MK's food looks economy class by comparison! Plus, we weren't upgraded on the return legs to Mauritius or MRU-SYD.
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 13): Paying homage to the fauna of the island, the 5 A340-300 classic bear the names of the endemic birds of Mauritius : Pink Pigeon, Kestrel, Cardinal, Parakeet and Paille-en-Queue
That's true but I don't expect to see 'Dodo' appearing on any MK aircraft anytime soon!
Here are those photos...
Seats 1A & 1B 3B-NAV 'Kestrel'
Seats 2A & 2B 3B-NAV 'Kestrel'
They're definitely bigger seats than the cabin behind and offer much more recline.
Quoting Debonair (Reply 9): Look forward to the return report.
Funny you should bring that up. I wasn't going to talk about the horrific return trip which had nothing to do with MK but everything to do with the passengers flying FRA-MUC-MRU. Twelve hours of 'Pigs in Space'! Didn't take any photos so I thought I'd leave that part of the report out.
I've been on a lot of things that fly - British, European, US and Russian built.
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 517 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 6878 times:
Quoting TheCommodore (Reply 16): let's see - lets call it cabin one for the sake of neutrality!
It's strange if they actually had three cabins. Nowhere on their website or on any trip report or in any picture database could I find MK First class. Nor is it bookable online.
Maybe it is like the time I flew J class from HKG to DPS. CX uses a three class 747 for the route, but sells their F seats as J and delivers J service. That would however mean that MK at one time or another did have an F class, which they apparently did not.
Confusing to say the least, but what does it really matter indeed? If it felt like F it might as well be F.
My 'peeve' is with airlines who offer very inconsistent service on their flights. MK seem to offer very poor and acceptable J class on their flights. The difference is so great that you actually assumed you were in a higher class on the second leg. If they even have two J class cabins on the same plane with such a difference in service I would become very cranky if I was in the inferior one.
Besides: checking the prices I found MK not that dirt cheap. May I ask what you paid for the return journey?
It really looks like nobody (including MK) has any clue what the real story is.
I am going to stick with Business, since that is the only fare the offer on their website. I am quite certain I will never fly them, since there is no telling what to expect.
Pawsleykat From United Kingdom (Scotland), joined Jul 2005, 1805 posts, RR: 13 Reply 21, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6333 times:
What a brilliant, if somewhat slightly unusual, trip report.
I would never have thought of flying that particular route from SYD to FRA, but there you have it, something else I didn't know
The photos were really good, and I particularly like the one of the wing and engines at sunset
Konstantinkoll From Germany, joined Aug 2006, 85 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 6283 times:
Thank you for that awesome trip report! I'm planning a trip to Australia for sometime in the next years, and am a bit unsatisfied with the hub options. Air Mauritius looks like a good alternative, including some days of great vacation (which I always seek on trips oversees).
TheCommodore From Australia, joined Dec 2007, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 6080 times:
Thanks for the positive feedback all. Very encouraging especially as it's my first 'TR'.
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 17): It's strange if they actually had three cabins. Nowhere on their website or on any trip report or in any picture database could I find MK First class. Nor is it bookable online.
Quite right. Remember though, this trip was taken 11 months ago and MK's website has been updated since, so that's why you're not finding what you're looking for. The tickets were actually bought back in October 2006, well ahead of the actual flight. Even then though, MK's website showed the "new" premium economy product (with the modern orange seats) - which was available on the new A340-300E's being introduced - at the same time as showing the older style Business Class with the blue seats. I think the new service was only available on the MRU/LHR route at the time. I guess most, or all of the fleet, has now been updated so they've dropped the old style seats / prices off the website.
The price? Well it was considerably less than three Business Class fares to FRA on Qantas and we were pretty happy. Well actually very happy. We flew on four of the fleet and each aircraft seemed quite fresh, clean and well maintained. The cabin crew were consistently friendly and helpful. Although the product in no way compares to the likes of BA/QF/EK/SQ/NZ it was very good and was great value for money, as well as offering the bonus of seeing an interesting corner of the world.
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 21): The photos were really good, and I particularly like the one of the wing and engines at sunset
Hey thanks! You might like this one of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance as we tracked over the coast of Africa to the south of Nairobi.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Been SYD-MEL MEL-SYD today, and it was a great day for flying, but it's now late down here in the Antipodes! Will post the story of the return leg shortly. Stay tuned!
I've been on a lot of things that fly - British, European, US and Russian built.
TheCommodore From Australia, joined Dec 2007, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 5764 times:
The Return Trip
Frankfurt - Munich - Mauritius
Fun, fun, fun. I'm hope I'm not opening a can of worms here but here goes...
After travelling through Scandinavia - Air Berlin to Helsinki, Finnair to Rovaniemi (just inside the Arctic Circle), then Brathens from Bergen to Oslo, then on to Frankfurt, our party connected with Air Mauritius for the homeward bound run.
On arrival at FRA our group walked forever to reach the Lufthansa business class lounge which was tired, dirty, and offered slim pickings on the food front. The bar was well stocked though and there was free internet access.
Boarding was called, we took our seats 4A & B, drinks were served and 'Parakeet' was pushed back right on time. Take off roll was again lengthy, followed by a very gentle rate of climb. This first leg is extremely short, just 40 minutes (249 km) to Munich for a one hour pit stop, more pax, and then departure for the 12 hr (8945 km) leg to Mauritius.
During the Frankfurt - Munich leg, a child emerged from behind the first class curtain, took a few steps into the business cabin then pushed her way through the centre seats to the opposite aisle, before running back up front giggling. This, at first, seemed quaint but passengers opposite soon became visibly irritated by the repeated visitations. Nothing happened although we did begin to wonder if the parents or perhaps crew might exercise some restraint.
After touch down in Munich, the father, as it turns out, of the young girl approached one of the cabin crew while the aircraft was standing at the gate. Passengers had been informed that we were not to leave the aircraft as we would be departing within the hour. He proceeded to badger the FA standing at 2L for permission to leave the aircraft for a cigarette. His wish was not granted. He was not happy. Smoking man returned to his seat.
Soon, a party of four arrived, creating a great fuss, juggling an excess of baggage and buggering around opening and closing overhead lockers. Father # 2 was in and out of the lockers, bags were up and down, and finally everyone was settled.
Another family arrived, the two teenage sons thinking we'd taken the wrong seats. After that was sorted, they took their correct seats, 5A & 5B.
Departure was again on time but right after take off, just as the cabin crew were attempting to commence their service, father # 2, jumped up, opened his overhead locker, pulled out his bag and began getting changed into his Qantas PJ's, making a display seemingly designed to impress fellow passengers. Stretches and borderline acrobatics followed before he was finally ready to be seated. FA's were visibly annoyed by his continued blockage of the aisle, patiently waiting for him to stand aside each time they needed to pass. He finally settled into his seat, popped his eye covers on, and presumably drifted off.
Dinner was served and afterwards, the cabin dimmed and most passengers tried to sleep. Then it started. Is there no worse fate in air travel than sitting in front of restless teenagers or children? Yep, you guessed it. The occasional thump and whack on the back of the seat at first doesn't bother you too much. Then someone's foot squeezes through the small gap where your armrest disappears and the toes wriggle against your elbow.
Nice... intimate... you think as the blood pressure rises. Unfortunately, this continued until it was necessary to demonstrate some dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, the young girl first seen on the Frankfurt - Munich leg once again began her rounds. By now, with reclined passengers trying to sleep, her passage across to the opposite aisle was considerably obstructed. This didn't deter her in the least though as she continued on her merry way. Again, no sign of the parents. Soon passengers moved to block her passage and she finally got the idea and returned to her seat.
The cabin settled and the only bumps, thumps and turbulence came from 5A & 5B. After a fitful doze, dominated by murderous thoughts, it was finally time for the breakfast service and final approach to MRU.
After landing, we departed through 1L, passing though the first class cabin. Smoking man and the roving daughter were busily gathering strewn belongings. Something he'd also missed was that roving daughter had stuck animal farm stickers all over the wall and window of the aircraft. This was in no way discreet given that there's a lot of wall between 1A & 2A. I was amazed, but also surprised that cabin crew had put up with it.
It was a far from restful leg of the journey but that's travel isn't it! Still, two days on the beach are a fine way to recover before completing the MRU-SYD leg.
That flight, completed on 3B-NAU 'Pink Pigeon' incurred a two hour delay due to the prevailing tail winds. SYD has a curfew and flights arriving before 6 am can incur fines. The tail winds were so strong we would have arrived at 4am if we'd departed on time. This final leg was uneventful and very relaxing with good service.
I've been on a lot of things that fly - British, European, US and Russian built.
Vambridge From South Africa, joined Apr 2001, 80 posts, RR: 0 Reply 25, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 5461 times:
Hi All
I enjoyed this trip report tremendously. Your group appear to be "my kind of people", know what you want, take life as it comes and enjoy the good bits.
Just some of my own experience of flights over vast oceans. I personally find the possibility of a fire on board must more worrysome than engine failure. If you have a fire on board a flight, even if close to an airstrip, it must be a terrifying experience. I am a fireman, so I might have a bit of a different point of view.
You (The Commodore), should consider travelling via South Africa next time, here is plenty to see and do, take SAA!!
26 TheCommodore: Yes, I guess a fire on board is possibly more likely than engine failure. Then there are those who argue that with four engines you have double the ch
27 PerthGloryFan: Very nice report. PER-MRU-Europe is becoming popular. Some fares match Royal Brunei and QF cheapies, and can be much less than SQ and EK. My only expe
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You can clearly see the bulkhead behind row two separating 'cabin one' from 'cabin two'.
From South Africa, joined Apr 2001, 80 posts, 
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