One more RTW hurrah... oh whY not!

[KeithMEL]

Departure was delayed as one of the airconditioning packs on the plane was found to be defective and the cockpit was working on it with some engineers. Which must explain why the cabin felt rather warm. The crew did a few drink runs in the mean time, so even more bubbles for me.

We finally were on our way 40 mins after scheduled departure. Amenity kits were given out after take off. Got the new Marc Newson kit. In terms of practicality it was more useful than the previous one as it was a fair bit bigger. But I still prefer the rather industrial look and smooth, hard plastic feel of the previous kit. The amenities are now by Korner rather than Ultraceuticals; I'd really liked the Ultraceuticals lip balm but the new Korner kit had a v good moisturiser.







Bar service was performed after take off, no prizes for guessing what I'd picked. Hint: my choice was rather bubbly.



Lunch was served shortly after. Menu hasn't changed from when I'd last flown this segment in late July
. Though winter melon duck soup is quite a bit better this time, less bland. Main course of fish was delicious. The wine offerings were different - I had a lovely West Australian pinot noir, by Picardy which accompanied the meal beautifully. I had the cheese plate for dessert, with some Muscat to go along with it per another FA's recommendation (sadly i'd forgotten his name).







I'd resumed to sipping on the pinot for a while. This broke my own rule of not having red wines in the day due to wine stains, but the Picardy pinot noir is one of my faves.

Watched a bit of the IFE - they had Little Britain Abroad! Quite a favourite episode of mine. As well as the hilarious Osama Bin Laden APEC stunt episode of The Chaser's War on Everything. Then moved on to some Kath and Kim.

I'd listened to my seat mate's ordeal of trying to get home from Berlin, she'd been traveling for 2.5 days now! Her BA flight into HKG was diverted to SZX due to the previous day's typhoon and she'd spent 11 hours onboard as there was an impasse between the airport authorities and the planes which have landed to accomodate the pax. BA had ended up sending up crew from HKG to bring the flight into HKG. Rather than waiting 24hrs to fly Cathay directly to ADL, she'd opted to fly Qantas into MEL, overnighting at the Hilton and a domestic connection the next day - as she just wanted to be home(ish).

Decided to switch back to bubbles when I was done with the IFE. I wasn't tired, but my seatmate was in deep sleep. So instead of disturbing her by dinging the galley for top ups, I'd simply walked to the galley for drinks. Had a nice chat with Glen, as well as the other FA. This flight had crews from all over the place it seems; apart from MEL, there were also crew members hailing from bases in AKL and BKK. The flying pattern of QF crew seem pretty long, and they also get less breaks compared to other airlines. I was told that some crew doing AKL-LAX only get a night's rest before resuming duty!

About 2 hours before landing, Glen handed out hot towels and the refreshment service had commenced. I tried the pot pie this time (as I'd had the pork last time and I can't eat the prawns) - simple but v yummy! Washed down by more bubbles. I finished up with the v nice passionfruit tart for dessert which came with some delightful blueberry toppings, and accompanied by some fragrant Grinders coffee.






oops i'd made a mess of the compote before taking the pic

Glen then came around with a bottle of bubbly for me to take off the plane, as the crew were v grateful for my swapping seats. That was a v nice gesture.

Despite the delayed departure, we only ended up landing 5 mins late due to favourable headwinds I'd assume. We had to be towed into the gate at MEL as the plane couldn't use engine power for the gate it was assigned to.

The flight consolidated my v high opinion of Qantas; it was another one of those that made me almost refuse to leave the plane when we arrived at Tullamarine. Indeed, if there is anything nice at all about ending a holiday other than seeing the familiar sights of home upon landing, it is being brought home by Qantas. The Spirit of Adventure. The ever faithful and reliable Flying Kangaroo.

Next: Epilogue

[KeithMEL]

Sector - HKG-MEL
Flight number - QF30
Class - Business
Equipment - B747-400
Seat - 11B, then 12A

I'd decided to book a HKG-MEL-HKG award to break up the ticket so that I'd have an extra holiday here, perfect starting point for some cheap miles and cash redemptions too. Almost ended up in Cathay J, but award availability on this flight opened up and I'd grabbed it even though it meant I'd get back a day late. The original flight on Cathay was an overnight anyway. And what better way to fly than on my favourite carrier.

Alas, I'd slept in as I'd gone back to snooze after the wake up call (damn the Ws for having such comfy Wonderful Beds!) and was hence unable to enjoy the excellent Wing/Pier Flounges. I'd missed the cut off for ITCI and had got to the airport a mere 10 mins before check in closed. It was pretty much straight through immigration and security (no hassle with epi pen this time), and the flight was already boarding when I got to the gate.

If there is something nicer than starting any adventure with the Flying Kangaroo, almost telling me to 'go forth and have fun mate, don't forget to paint the town red', it is ending with the same - it's like being carried home by a pair of strong, warm familiar hands. I know what I'm getting on Qantas - out of this world cabin crew and the v best IMO, excellent food, fine Australian (sometimes NZ) wines, a comfy seat. Where I'm treated as a valued guest by charming hosts like I'm at my best friend's champagne breakfast or BBQ, rather than stifling formality and deference or plain indifference. Oh we'd ignore the fact that my plane might decide to dive out of the air or land with a bit or 2 missing of course. But since when has any airline been 100% incident free anyway.


the feeling of elation and sense of home begins when i spot the red tail

As with all London flights (QF30 originates from LHR), the flight was totally packed so the boarding gate was a bit of a dog's breakfast. Priority boarding was enforced but the line was a bit long, especially when you consider that whY+ pax also enjoy priority boarding. But in no time at all I was onboard and welcomed 'back' by a cheerful Simon. I'd ascended the giddy heights of the UD, always special no matter how many times I fly, and got to my seat 11B, bulkhead aisle.







Almost immediately I was offered a choice of pre departure bevvies, and of course picked the bubbly. Charles Heidsieck MEC today, 2007 disgorgement - quite nice and not as acidic as the 2005. 11J and K soon arrived - 2 knock-about blokes who'd vowed to outdrink each other on the flight; this was going to be a fun flight!

Glen the FA was surprised that I'd finished my drink so quickly, I'd explained the mad run to catch the flight. He then promised that there're ample supplies of champagne on the flight, with a wink. I was immediately offered a brand new glass of bubbles as he removed my depleted one. Boiling hot towels were also handed out.

My seat mate in 11A soon arrived, with the missus in 12A. The cabin crew asked the woman behind me in 12B as to whether she was willing to swap, but she'd refused. They then tried me. Now normally I wouldn't have given up bulkhead aisle, something which I'd pre-allocated in advanced. But Glen the FA made the request so politely, with an almost pleading look in his eyes. Quite unlike the rude person on that AA transatlantic flight earlier in the trip. So I'd agreed. After all the alternative seat 12A wasn't too shabby - same amount of legroom. I'm a bit bothered being in the window seat of course as I'm an aisle seat person, but the UD window seats had the side storage bins which I find v convenient.


legroom in 12A

The crew seemed most grateful, and made it a point to fuss over me, for instance I got priority during the meal service and was served first during both meals.

[KeithMEL]

The pic in the menu is this one:

http://www.thewineclub.com/125783

Is that the non vintage ? I honestly don't have a clue - you know my thinking behind all this, i.e. it all goes in the same way (glug glug glug), comes out the same way (wheeeeee!), has bubbles and gets you drunk. Who cares about taste ?

That's the Mis En Cave, which is the Non Vintage Brut. QF, SQ and BA (some routes) serve it in JCL. It is a v nice bubbly however. And they do show the date of disgorgement (so you'd hear references like Mis En Cave 2004, Mis En Cave 2006 etc) so many people mistake it to be vintage. It is v honest IMO as NVs can actually taste different, even though they aim for consistency, depending on the composition of the grapes used. This might not be a valid concern for you of course.

[jhm]

Thanks for that. Charles Heidsieck in F - i'd hope it's not the non vintage? It's a nice champagne, but more of a JCL beverage.

The pic in the menu is this one:

http://www.thewineclub.com/125783

Is that the non vintage ? I honestly don't have a clue - you know my thinking behind all this, i.e. it all goes in the same way (glug glug glug), comes out the same way (wheeeeee!), has bubbles and gets you drunk. Who cares about taste ?

[KeithMEL]

Thanks for that. Charles Heidsieck in F - i'd hope it's not the non vintage? It's a nice champagne, but more of a JCL beverage.

PH NV in J... , I might tough out the Cathay FAs and stick to Billecart.

[jhm]

Despite the slightly inferior hard product, I'd now pick KA in preference to Cathay on those regional flights, as the service is really much better. OTOH I wonder what kind of bubbly KA serves in J though, as I do like the Billecart-Salmon on Cathay regional J.

From Dec 2006, PVG-HKG flights:

J:
Piper-Heidsieck Brut
Pouilly Fuisse 2004 Cote d'Or France
Riva Ranch Reserve Chardonnay 2003 Arroyo Seco USA
Robert Skalli Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 France
Richard Hamilton Shiraz 2003 McLaren Vale Australia

F:
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve
Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Margaret River Australia
Saint-Veran 2001 Cote d'or France
Richard Hamilton Burton's Vineyard Grenache Shiraz 2002, Australia
Chateau d'Aurilhac

[KeithMEL]

AFAIK, it's not rare - some of the many daily KA PVG-HKG flights are 3-classes; you also get F on regional CX routes like BKK-SIN, HKG-BKK, TPE-HKG and NRT-TPE etc; F (3-classes I believe) on domestic JL routes like HND-ITM; etc.

That's still only a handful though compared to the number of 2 class flights.

Perhaps try speaking a language other than (your) Cantonese next time.

I've stuck to English ever since my deficiencies in Cantonese have been pointed out. Still fail to be enamoured flying Cathay, alas. The Fillipino FAs are an exception however.

Despite the slightly inferior hard product, I'd now pick KA in preference to Cathay on those regional flights, as the service is really much better. OTOH I wonder what kind of bubbly KA serves in J though, as I do like the Billecart-Salmon on Cathay regional J.

[N_Architect]

Nice photos and descriptions in your TR, KeithMEL. KA is indeed good and the menu offerings and presentations are quite impressive, as you said.

[KeithMEL]

Review of my W Hong Kong experience has been posted in #28-33 of this thread.

Next: QF30 HKG-MEL J

[jhm]

I took a cab all the way to the airport this time, as I felt this was a more convenient option than transferring to the Maglev.

Definitely (and Shanghai cabs aren't that expensive). The Maglev is only a gimmick IMO given that it only takes you so far into town.

KA shares the same lounge with its big sister Cathay at PVG.

If this is the same lounge I tried to enter last August, then in fact it's actually the KA lounge which CX now also use. I tried at the KA lounge with a JL J BP to NRT, a CX F BP on the same day from NRT to TPE and an OW emerald card but still no can do. The lounge staff very politely said to try again when KA were actually part of OW (it had only been announced then). I had to slum it in the horrible PVG third party lounge which JL used.

To my surprise this was a 3 class flight, a rare sighting on regional routes indeed.

AFAIK, it's not rare - some of the many daily KA PVG-HKG flights are 3-classes; you also get F on regional CX routes like BKK-SIN, HKG-BKK, TPE-HKG and NRT-TPE etc; F (3-classes I believe) on domestic JL routes like HND-ITM; etc.

some of the Cathay FAs (in both J and whY) can be rather terse.

Perhaps try speaking a language other than (your) Cantonese next time.

[StarG]

On some flights, KA sells the rear J cabin on the A330s as Y.
I experienced it once - ticket in Y but sat in J with Y service.

[KeithMEL]

Sector - PVG-HKG
Flight number - KA877
Class - Economy
Equipment - A330 (of some sort)
Seat - 22G

I took a cab all the way to the airport this time, as I felt this was a more convenient option than transferring to the Maglev. The ride took about 45mins. KA F counter was deserted and I was checked in v quickly. I was automatically allocated 22G which is a bulkhead aisle seat. My bag was tagged with an F priority tag. I'd forgotten to do seat request for the KA sector and so it was a relief that someone, somewhere in a back office made sure that I didn't get stuck in a middle seat down the back. I was also handed the usual lounge invitation, as well as an invitation and map to the CX/KA arrivals lounge in HKG.

KA shares the same lounge with its big sister Cathay at PVG. It's a combined lounge for premium pax and shiny cards of all shades. Quite a pleasant place with decent food options but limited drink options. It was somewhat open to the rest of the terminal.













Boarding call was made promptly at the scheduled boarding time. Priority boarding was strictly enforced. To my surprise this was a 3 class flight, a rare sighting on regional routes indeed.

The KA whY cabin featured bright colours and was almost garish. Seat was quite comfy, but the bulkhead seat cuts off your legroom somewhat.








looking wistfully at the J cabin...

After take off, I got the Emerald greeting. The Head FA (don't know what she's called on KA) came around to introduce herself and asked if there was anything I would like. I didn't know whether this was like on QF, ie a cue to ask for special things like bubbly from J, so to avoid embarassing myself and making things awkward for her I simply said that all was well and had a glass of chardonnay. I am liking these unpublished courtesies which CX/KA extend to other oneworld elites.

A full lunch was served, which was v impressive for such a short flight. We had printed menus, and 2 choices of mains. The pork was v nice, and washed down nicely by the chardy. Unlike Cathay on short flights where the booze seems to be on request and needs to be retrieved from the galley, KA does it from the trolley like most other airlines. Dessert was coffee flavoured Haagen Dazs. Pretty service intensive for such a short flight - the joy of flying intra Asia I s'pose.



No immigration forms for Hong Kong were given out, and I had to specifically request for it.

On the whole, i felt the service was nicer than Cathay in whY. The KA girls seem much friendlier, whereas some of the Cathay FAs (in both J and whY) can be rather terse. And drink requests were fulfilled v promptly on KA and always with a smile.

We landed on schedule in HKG. I made it landside v quickly due to zero queueing at immigration, as well as my bag coming off first. I thought about exploring the arrivals lounge, but I couldn't wait to get to my hotel as the brand new W Hong Kong beckoned... sorry folks!

Next: A WoWtastic Whatever/Whenever Experience in Hong Kong!!

[KeithMEL]

Anyway, my point is that hope you all the readers do not get a wrong impression that clubbing and drinking are the main activities for the Friends of Dorothy.

Indeed... only p*ssheads like me.

And there are lots of straighties whose main activities are clubbing, drinking and shopping too.

I told KeithMEL about the gorgeous men I see at recitals, concert halls, art galleries and museums. We must try to instil some 'highbrow' culture in him. He's already thinking of gym membership. Another great place for ...

Now is that why you spend so much time at recitals, concerts, art galleries and museums? All along I thought you were this cultured and sophisticated young lady unlike this philistine who'd only contemplate visiting those places for exactly and only the reason you pointed out.

I must add, KeithMEL was game enough to keep us two boring oldies company in old traditional Demel.

Hey it was a v enjoyable arvo! And I'm also a glutton. And you also gave up your sightseeing to sit in a cafe with us so all's fair.

[HUGE AL]

This sounds like my experience of Chinese domestic flights.

As I 110% agree, don't even get me started here...

But there was still something new to enthrall me on this visit. I had Din Tai Fung at Xintiandi which had v good Shanghai dumplings, as well as noodle soup.

I'm just waiting for taipeiflyer's comments here...

[phaleesy]

They are all having the same choice of activities like other people. Some likes to go to the movies. Some likes to go to the musicals. Some likes martial arts. Anyway, my point is that hope you all the readers do not get a wrong impression that clubbing and drinking are the main activities for the Friends of Dorothy.

I told KeithMEL about the gorgeous men I see at recitals, concert halls, art galleries and museums. We must try to instil some 'highbrow' culture in him. He's already thinking of gym membership. Another great place for ...

I must add, KeithMEL was game enough to keep us two boring oldies company in old traditional Demel.