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SQDAZZ to Thailand, Sing, Philippines and Bali (JQ Y, SQ F, SQ C, AK Y, FD Y)

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  • SQDAZZ to Thailand, Sing, Philippines and Bali (JQ Y, SQ F, SQ C, AK Y, FD Y)

    Hi all, I thought I would do my first trip report here, hope you enjoy it. I am in Thailand basically every month, and this time I took my Thai partner on a trip from Bangkok to Singapore, then on to Manila, then Bali and back to Bangkok. Used some miles to take SQ F on one of the last F flights BKK-SIN.

    I needed a one way ticket to Bangkok from Melbourne and decided to take the cheap way out and fly Jetstar International for AUD400, as compared to SQ for AUD800.

    JETSTAR INTERNATIONAL JQ29 MELBOURNE - BANGKOK 24 MARCH 2009

    Here are the flights stats:

    Operated by Airbus A330-202 VH-EBC (The All-white A330) MSN506



    STD: 1410
    ATD: 1406
    STA: 1955
    ATA: 1938

    Estimated Flight Time: 9 Hours 9 Minutes
    Actual: about 9 hours 20 minutes

    Y Load Factor: approx 45%

    Departure Runway: 16
    Arrival Runway: 19R

    Initial Cruise FL340 >> step to FL360 >>> step to FL380

    Route: Overhead Melbourne - Woomera - Ayers Rock - Derby - Denpasar - Kuching - then up the Gulf of Thailand.

    ___________
    Last edited by sqdazz; 25 March 2009, 11:10 AM.
    My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

  • #2
    I never really look forward to flying Jetstar Intl, but on this occasion I was budget wary and went ahead with the booking. Other options were Air Asia via KUL for about $500 and Thai for $600 but 0 miles. I elected to take Jetstar, with the plan to use Krisflyer miles to return home on SQ C class.

    I booked my taxi the day before for 1210 and it arrived in my driveway right on schedule! Arrived at the airport just 15 minutes later, yes I live quite nearby to Tullamarine airport in Melbourne.

    There are no International departures for about one hour before and after this flight today so the International Terminal curbside was deserted as was the check-in area. There was a total of 3 people at the Jetstar check-in desks and only 3 desks open, 1 star class and 2 economy. The passenger in front of me was being refused check-in as he was on a one way ticket to Thailand, with no visa and no printout of onward travel from the Kingdom. Fortunately for him he was able to go to an internet kiosk and print off an itinerary he had for a flight to the USA out of Thailand and was then checked in. At the other counter, a family was arguing furiously about their excess baggage charges but the check in girl was having none of it.

    I stepped up and was of course extremely organised with just my 14kg checkin bag, plus I had my onward Singapore Airlines e-ticket printout. I noticed a sign at the check-in desks offering the Star Class on departure upgrade for $350. Personally I think that is a tad high, I believe it used to be $300, and when you add $350 to my ticket price you could almost have purchased the Star Class ticket online for the same price. Not a significant enough discount for me to bother with, and with the look of the check-in area
    I could see this flight was far from full and would have room to stretch out without paying any extra. I was asked why I had selected a seat so far to the rear of the aircraft (56K) , I replied that I was hoping to have a vacant seat beside me, and was it vacant? Yes, it is, she said. I was check-in sequence #99 and I assumed most Jetstar passengers would have arrived before me as they tend to be holiday makers arriving very early to the airport, so it was looking like a nice empty flight.

    After Hungry Jacks for lunch (I had not pre-paid Jetstar for food) I went through passport control, there was NOBODY there at all, no line at security either. I was subjected to the explosives test and a full pat down by the screeners. Was through and into the departures area in only a couple of minutes though. I got myself a latte and prepared to wait the 30 minutes or so until boarding, no lounge access sucks! Here are some snapshots of the terminal and aircraft parked there :
    My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

    Comment


    • #3
      continued


      Terminal construction underway


      Qantas Domestic


      Id rather be boarding this one!


      Instead Im going on this one

      The aircraft operated from Sydney to Melbourne immediately prior, and a number of passengers from Sydney were continuing to Bangkok, these passengers were brought upstairs from the arrivals level and into the departures area by JQ staff having been processed in Sydney. A number of the Thai based crew seemed to be working both sectors also, a long day for them SYD-MEL-BKK. The flight crew and about 4 or 5 Australian based crew seemed to be commencing their working day in Melbourne and arrived separately. Today's aircraft is VH-EBC, delivered to Jetstar 23 December 2006 from Qantas. This aircraft is just on 6 years old and it was the same aircraft that took me on my first trip to Thailand just 2 years ago, I have been back 15 times since! You might say I kinda fell in love with the place! I now have an apartment I permanently rent in Bangkok, so its basically a second home to me these days.


      Crew arriving


      Boarding

      Boarding was on time with ex-Sydney passengers asked to come forward and board first. Then it was Starclass and passengers in the rear economy cabin next. The gate-agent I handed my boarding pass too did not take the stub off the boarding pass of the people in front of me, nor mine, but I noticed the other agents tearing stubs off, so I went past her then turned back and said, 'hey do you want my stub?'. She had already forgotten who I was and said, WHO CHECKED YOU?? Almost accusing me of having slipped by her, I told her it was she who had checked my passport and boarding pass. This attracted the attention of the other gate agents and I informed them that she had forgotten to take the stubs of numerous passengers. My stub was then taken whilst the very embarrassed gate agent came down the aerobridge where she found the cabin manager tearing stubs at the door, thankfully she had picked up the error, otherwise we may have been delayed working out who was and wasn't on the plane! The gate agent apologised to the cabin manager and took her stubs back up to the gate.




      Welcome aboard


      Exit row legroom for sale


      That hideous 'lets fly away' music plays continuously when you board Jetstar aircraft, I hate it! I took my seat 56K and settled in, there was nobody seated in my entire row, nor the seats in front of me, or behind me. With doors safely closed, I relaxed, knowing I could stretch out here and watch the world go by my window. The captain welcomed us all on board, estimated flying time today is 9 hours and 9 minutes with a departure to the south on Runway 16, the very same runway the the Emirates A340-500 over-ran whilst taking off 3 days prior. Hopefully today we would not be repeating that! Most domestic departures and arrivals were off Runway 27, we pushed back, taxi'ed out and across RWY 27 after awaiting a Qantaslink Dash 8 to land in front of us, and took off, with a couple of right hand turns setting us on course.


      I would rather be on any of these 3 aircraft!


      Very empty flight!


      Leg Room
      My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

      Comment


      • #4

        Hold short of Runway 27 please, Qantaslink Dash 8 landing on the cross runway


        We had quite a bit of cloud to get through before the seat belt sign was off and the crew commenced handing out the Video ON Demand portable units, I had prepaid for one of these for AU$12 at the time of booking. I was asked for my drivers licence as a 'deposit' for the unit. With the seat next to me free I set the unit up on the tray table beside me, it contained a reasonable selection of new release movies, most of which I had seen. There is also a nice selection of Australian made movies. There is a limited selection of TV shows. Definitely enough to keep you entertained on this 9 hour sector, although if you travelled more than once in a month you may run out of options! I used my SONY noise cancelling headphones with the unit and settled in. For those not hiring the AVOD units, there is main screen entertainment of various TV shows and one movie during the flight, as well as numerous audio channels available from you armrest.


        Video On Demand Unit


        Audio channels from the armrest, from the Qantas days


        Crew at work, but not much work, not many customers!

        Meal service was offered about 60 minutes into the flight, I did not purchase anything, having had lunch on the ground and prepared with snacks in my carryon bag. The service was briefly interrupted with some moderate turbulence over South Australia and crew and passengers asked to be seated.


        Endless desert in Australia, a familiar site to all regular Aussie passengers going to Asia

        As we crossed the Australian coastline over Derby, the Captain came for a walk around the cabin, to stretch his legs I guess? This was quite unusual for me, I hadn't seen a pilot so far back in the cabin that I could remember. He was EXTREMELY friendly and made small chat with a lot of the passengers as he walked by, giving hints and tips about Thailand for those Thailand newbies we had on board (almost everyone I think).

        We experienced some moderate turbulence over the Kuching area and had to divert around several thunderstorm cells. The seat belt sign was on for quite a while around there, with the crew also obeying the seat belt sign every time it was switched on. And, when flying JQ, if the seatbelt sign is on, you MUST stay in your seat. Every time someone gets up, the cabin manager makes an announcement for that person to sit down! Quite a refreshing change from Asian based carriers who don't seem to care!


        Storm activity around Kuching


        Airshow shows us diverting around the weather

        At about 1 hour 30 mins to arrival the crew came around with the second meal service, I again politely declined. I am not paying AU$15 for a meal when I can be eating Thai food in my local soi next to my apartment for FAR less than that in just a couple of hours time!

        The sun was going down by this stage as we came up the gulf of Thailand and the fishing boat lights scattered all over the gulf were visible, there is just so many they must be running out of fish by now! By the time we started descent it was completely dark, with the lights of Pattaya and Rayong out to the right of the aircraft. A lot of 'ooohs and ahhhs' from the inexperienced passengers as they saw the lights of Bangkok for the first time. It's a real 'holiday' mood on board, so very different to flying a legacy carrier where it is all very business like. I myself prefer the business like vibe of SQ, and even TG has a more formal, business type feel on board, even if half of the passengers are holiday makers. This latter part of the flight saw a video showing on the main screens with highlights of Bangkok and arrival procedures at the airport.


        Fading light as we head up the Gulf of Thailand

        We were arriving on Runway 19R tonight, which means flying past the airport and making left hand turns to head south again, forming a kind of U shape track onto final approach. A smooth touchdown, firm braking with reverse thrust saw us off the runway and onto the taxiway still almost parallel with the end of Concourse E. We would be parking on Concourse E, so a short 5 minute taxi to the gate and we were disembarking. I heard an Aussie couple discussing how they might be able to take an Air Asia flight to Phuket that night, but they had no idea where to go, so I helped them out a bit, pointing them in the right direction so they could buy a ticket on the 2120 departure to Phuket with Thai Air Asia. The immigration queues were short, waiting only 3 minutes, bags were our 5 minutes after that and I was out the door at 2000 and into a taxi!


        Docking at the gate

        Overall a good flight, considering it was Jetstar and I just hate flying when I know I am not earning any miles!!! Had the flight been full I'm sure I would have hated it, but with so many vacant seats it was a real pleasure.

        Next its SQ F, BKK-SIN!
        My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

        Comment


        • #5
          A great start, sqdazz. Looking forward to more.
          All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

          Comment


          • #6
            Keep it coming mate, doing well!

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks for posting

              Comment


              • #8
                SQ973 Bangkok to Singapore - First Class

                SINGAPORE AIRLINES FLIGHT SQ973 BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE

                Here are the flights stats:

                Operated by Boeing 777-312 9V-SYA - Delivered new 10.12.1998



                STD: 1115
                ATD: 1111
                STA: 1430
                ATA: 1425


                Y Load Factor: 100%
                C Load Factor: 100%
                F Load Factor: 72%

                Departure Runway: 19L
                Arrival Runway: 02L


                My partner and I were going on a 1 week holiday from Bangkok, decided to maximise FF miles by flying BKK-MNL via SIN, just 22500 miles in F. A good deal for 6 hours on board in total. Decided on a quick overnight in SIN taking full advantage of the <24 hour not really a stopover rule. You can not make a stopover normally on a F Saver redemption, but if it is under 24 hours it's ok.

                Woke up nice and early to take in the Thai Royal First lounge, up at about 0700, and in the cab by 0730 or so. Was a quick ride in to the airport from my apartment in the Ramkhamhaeng area.


                Looking out from my apartment window before heading to the airport, not the best view I know


                Approaching the terminal in the taxi


                FID

                Checkin was not too busy at this time, and there was nobody waiting at the First counter, was warmly met there by a lovely female checkin agent who handled my seat requests on the SIN-MNL sector for the following day, I wanted 1A and 1B but was unable to choose them online as they were designated bassinet seats. We would be in 3A and 3B for this sector. We were handed our Thailand Elite Fast-Track immigration cards and directed to the right hand side of the passport control area to be processed immediately. There was no waiting at all, although if you were not fast tracked, the queues were quite long on the other side!


                Checkin


                Fast track makes you Elite!
                My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

                Comment


                • #9
                  We had been informed by check-in we could use either the TG Royal First Lounge or the SQ Krisflyer lounge. Of course we went for the TG First lounge. We were warmly welcomed inside on the SQ F boarding pass, and were immediately offered drink service to our seats, no need to go to the bar here, 2 glasses of Moet and Chandon were delivered to our table immediately, and were constantly replaced by the ever attentive staff.


                  Take your pick!


                  Food made to order and delivered to the table



                  You could go to the food area and there was a display of the food available to order, I ordered the club sandwich and wonton soup, my partner took the omelette option. Everything was prepared freshly in the kitchen and then delivered to the table. Food was very good indeed. I felt like some cake and fruit after there, I walked up to the buffet area, and the staff insisted on preparing the food on the plate for me and delivering it to the table. Simply amazing service.

                  Here are some pics of the lounge surroundings:







                  The flight was boarding from D concourse, and with security screening available immediately outside the lounge, we were out of the lounge and on board the aircraft in just a few minutes.


                  Gate holding area


                  Ready to go


                  Our bird today, 9V-SYA


                  Some DOM prior to takeoff please
                  My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Load today is 13 out of 18, possibly a couple of op-ups in front of us, 2 teenagers were delivered to 2A and 2B while Dad was sent to the back.

                    Warmly welcome on board by the lovely cabin crew, and sipping on Dom Perignon within minutes. We were the only ones on the Dom before takeoff, what is wrong with the other passengers???


                    Sneak a peak up front

                    Here is the menu for today:



                    Some spotting around the airport:






                    wish it was longer!

                    We got away on time, actually just a tad early and were up and away a few minutes later. Flying conditions were smooth! I decided on a Singapore sling with my warmed up nuts before lunch.



                    Our seats were the last in the cabin to receive service, but the ever efficient cabin crew worked their way quickly around to us for lunch, whilst the Dom was never allowed to be empty.

                    to be continued - just switching from T3 to T2 SKL, be right back!
                    My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      The following is how the lunch service went, with pictures of 2 of the mains on offer:









                      The Leading Stewardess serving First Class was simply fantastic, she made the 2 hour flight heaven. She was very chatty and just a delight to talk to.


                      Who could refuse a nice glass of Dom

                      Unfortunately it was all coming to an end far too soon, the flight had commenced its descent just as the meal was ending. Quick! Grab that last glass of Dom before its too late!!


                      A familiar sight


                      Pulling in to the gate


                      Changi's efficient ground crew meeting our flight


                      One of the SQ Star Alliance aircraft

                      Well, it was all over, all that was left was to collect our bagage (which arrived late as the priority tag had fallen off!! very frustrating). After that, it was onto the train and into town to check in to the new Ibis on Bencoolen!

                      More to come - I am about to board a flight to Bali. Next leg in this story is Singapore to Manila in F again.
                      My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Nice report and pics. I'm curious to get your take on the new ibis.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          The new Ibis was quite good, I got the PayWhatYouWant promo so stayed the night for $5, I could have stayed for $1 but I gave them 5, lol. Here is a couple of Ibis Pics:








                          SINGAPORE AIRLINES FLIGHT SQ910 SINGAPORE TO MANILA

                          Here are the flights stats:

                          Operated by Boeing 777-312 9V-SYA - Delivered new 10.12.1998



                          STD: 0945
                          ATD: 0946
                          STA: 1315
                          ATA: 1330


                          Y Load Factor: 100%
                          C Load Factor: 100%
                          F Load Factor: 11% (me and my partner!!)

                          Seat: 1A
                          ________________________________________

                          After a pleasant overnight stay in Singapore it was up bright and early to take the train back to Changi. Although we had our boarding passes issued the day before in Bangkok, we had our bag to check in again so we went to the lovely Terminal 2, First Class checkin 'room' where we were seated and bags tagged. There was no waiting and we were sent through the door from this room directly to the passport control queues.


                          Checkin Area T2 for First, sorry poor quality

                          I wanted to check out the T3 lounge first so we went there. Although we had plenty of time before the flight, the lounge dragons in T3, highly recommended we should go to T2, but I declined their recommendation and went looking for some eggs for breakfast. The chef at the F side food section made me an ok omelette and bacon. Nothing flash here though, the TG Royal First Lounge is far superior, in my opinion.


                          Eggs for Breakfast

                          After eating we left and took the airside train over to T2 and went to the F SKL, it was very dreary looking in comparison to T3. Looks very old and dated, and virtually is no different to the C side, other than the chef making eggs and noodles. I got some fruit and juice. It wasn't long before it was time to head to the gate!


                          T3 Quiet Morning


                          Spotted one of the new A330s


                          Looking dated, T3 SKL F side

                          There was a large queue forming at the security line and it seemed no priority for F or C, so we stood and waited. After entering the lounge area I was surprised to see 9V-SYA awaiting me, the very same aircraft I had flown in from Bangkok on.





                          During the online checkin for this flight 2 days before I had noticed the seatmap was totally empty except for myself and my partner, so I was kind of hoping we were the only F passengers, and much to my pleasure, upon boarding, we were informed it was just us for today!! What a great feeling!! It was fun watching the Business Class passengers walk past us as the Dom Perignon was being poured. This is living!!

                          The IFS came over and personally introduced himself to us and let us know we had the run of the F cabin, so we could stretch out wherever we pleased. And anything he could do, just let him know! Very nice indeed. We had one leading stewardess assigned to us, and only us. It is very nice to have your very own flight attendant! She made sure we had enough reading material, bringing around pretty much every magazine and newspaper under the sun.

                          It wasn't long before it was doors closed, and we pushed back 1 minute behind schedule.
                          My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Today's flight was a Brunch service. but with arrival after 1pm, we decided to make it lunch so we had pre-ordered BTC, the Lobster for my partner, and rack of Lamb for me. But first, a couple of cocktails after takeoff:



                            Here is todays menu!



                            Brunch service starts with some fruit:



                            And champagne of course. The cabin crew insisted that champagne must go with brunch and I for one agree!




                            Amateur trip reporter that I am, I forgot to take photo before I started eating!!


                            Apple tart for desert, delicious, and great presentation!



                            Coffee to finish

                            Well, we were simply loving the attention we were being given. By the time the meal was finished we were over halfway to Manila, I was watching some TV and gazing out the window and enjoying my champagne. I took the time to savour having the cabin to myself by taking this shot inflight:


                            sqdazz loves flying 'solo' in F!

                            We were given bottles of Evian to have on hand should we need some water. And the champagne glass was never left empty for long. The flight attendant had just the right balance of attending to our needs and also leaving us alone to chat with each other or just relax. Before long, the aircraft pitched gently down and we were on descent into Manila, and my first time in the Philippines.


                            Oh, looks like we are going back!

                            I noticed we started making left hand turns and looked at the moving map and found we had started flying in the wrong direction. The captain came on at that moment to let us know we would be in a holding pattern for a short time due to traffic congestion at Manila. Fine with me!! More time for first class! After between 20 and 30 minutes, we re-established our course towards Manila.


                            Somewhere near Manila

                            After a smooth landing we taxi'ed towards the ancient Ninoy Aquino Intl Terminal 1.




                            Our aircraft docked at the gate

                            Well, my First Class experience had come to an end, but it was simply fantastic. These 2 sectors had been my first time in F, and I loved it. It was a great introduction and I look forward to flying some long haul F in the future. It was also good to get in on F on these regional sectors as SQ has now dumped it on BKK and seems to be in the process of dumping it to MNL also.

                            Next: Manila city , and Business Class back to Singapore
                            My SQ and flying Videos: Youtube My Travel Blog: AussieFlyer.net

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              oh my!!

                              wonderfull first class experiences!!! especially the whole cabin to yourself!!
                              wonderful TR

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