BAe 146
Feb 19, 04, 8:40 pm
I had two new experiences on a recent trip to Canberra that I thought may be of interest. Firstly on a PER – MEL flight I ended up on an A330-300 (scheduled as A332). Secondly I returned to Perth on the new direct CBR-PER service.
QF 802
Depart PER: 1010
Arrive MEL: 1635
Aircraft: A330-300 – VH-QPB – ‘Freycinet Peninsula’
Seat: 23J
This flight was scheduled as an A332 and I got a bit of a surprise when I entered through the second door and was directed by the FA to turn left. This confused me as I often sit in row 23 on these flights and normally turn right. However I quickly realised the upgrade gods were not smiling upon me- I was aboard an A330-300. In domestic configuration this has the curious layout of the first three rows of Y been in their own little demi-cabin forward of the galley.
I couldn’t kid myself that this was a ‘premium economy’ cabin (it did seem to be full of Golds and Plats judging by the luggage labels), however the physical separation from the rest of economy did make it seem a little bit quieter.
Qantas transcontinental flights have had what they call an ‘international level of service’ for some time (since they were designated CityFlyer). I think the service and food on these flights has improved dramatically over this time, and is certainly streets ahead of the deterioration in both visible after the Ansett collapse.
Being in the second row of economy I got served the meal early in the flight. Menus were presented first, and there was a choice between pasta shells in a basil cream sauce and a beef in red wine with mashed potatoes. I chose the pasta shells which were really quite delicious (although the portion was of course too small). Meals were served with a green salad, a bread roll, water and a Tim Tam.
After lunch the movie began. In this compartment the film was displayed on a fixed screen on the front wall, which was quite easy to see (I sometimes find the fold-down screens can give me a stiff neck). The movie was ‘School of Rock’ which I would classify as a perfect ‘plane movie’. I probably would never go and see it at the cinema or even on video, but to pass the time on a moderately long flight it was perfect. A ‘Trumpet’ ice-cream was served during the movie (yum!).
All in all a great flight followed up by 2 hours in the MEL Qantas Club to ‘refresh’ myself with a Chivas Regal or three before my CBR connection.
QF 719
Depart CBR: 1910
Arrive PER: 2050
Aircraft: 737-400
This is a new service for QF; I think it had been operating for a week when I took it. Again this is a transcontinental CityFlyer service.
The first thing I noticed on boarding was that J was completely full but that it seemed to be a very light load in Y (approx 40%). I imagine that J will always do quite well on this service, and I hope it is enough to keep it viable if Y loads stay light.
I was seated in about row 5 of economy, with no-one seated in front (presumably to create a buffer for J). However after takeoff I was able to move forward and sit in the front row, which gives you a bit more legroom (I’m 6’3” so always appreciate it). I didn’t ask but it’s always been QF policy that you can move around after take-off and no one said anything.
Dinner on this leg was a choice between pasta and stir fried chicken with rice and vegetables. I had the chicken, however I think it was false advertising describing it as “stir-fried”. The chicken had obviously been cooked separately and then the sauce mixed through. It was still tasty though and actually quite filling because of the rice.
The movie screened was “Intolerable Cruelty”. This was a movie that I had written off from seeing the previews, however I really quite enjoyed it. I hadn’t realised it was a Coen brothers film, and while not a patch on Fargo, it did display a level of wit not seen in your average Hollywood comedy. It can’t just have been me who enjoyed it, because I heard plenty of laughs from throughout the cabin. The funniest single moment has to be the mix-up from the asthmatic hit man (you have to see it to know what I mean).
During the movie they served a dark chocolate “mini-magnum”. I don’t know about anyone else but these little extras go along way to making you feel a little bit more than a “commodity passenger”.
The movie was followed by an episode of Yes Prime Minister, one of my favourite ever series. I then had a bit of a nap as it was getting on to 11:00pm CBR time. I was woken by the pilot announcing that we had commenced descent and would be disembarking 20 minutes early. I would have liked some more sleep!
I then had a small victoy at the baggage carousel when my bag came off first allowing me to walk straight into a taxi, without queing.
All told two fairly enjoyable flights. The CBR-PER service certainly makes life easier by not having to change planes in MEL (or SYD or ADL), however it does cut out an opportunity to spend some quality time in another Qantas Club.
All told I am pretty happy with the improvements I’ve seen in Qantas service on transcontinental flights. I hope this continues when (if?) Jet Star starts flying to PER.
QF 802
Depart PER: 1010
Arrive MEL: 1635
Aircraft: A330-300 – VH-QPB – ‘Freycinet Peninsula’
Seat: 23J
This flight was scheduled as an A332 and I got a bit of a surprise when I entered through the second door and was directed by the FA to turn left. This confused me as I often sit in row 23 on these flights and normally turn right. However I quickly realised the upgrade gods were not smiling upon me- I was aboard an A330-300. In domestic configuration this has the curious layout of the first three rows of Y been in their own little demi-cabin forward of the galley.
I couldn’t kid myself that this was a ‘premium economy’ cabin (it did seem to be full of Golds and Plats judging by the luggage labels), however the physical separation from the rest of economy did make it seem a little bit quieter.
Qantas transcontinental flights have had what they call an ‘international level of service’ for some time (since they were designated CityFlyer). I think the service and food on these flights has improved dramatically over this time, and is certainly streets ahead of the deterioration in both visible after the Ansett collapse.
Being in the second row of economy I got served the meal early in the flight. Menus were presented first, and there was a choice between pasta shells in a basil cream sauce and a beef in red wine with mashed potatoes. I chose the pasta shells which were really quite delicious (although the portion was of course too small). Meals were served with a green salad, a bread roll, water and a Tim Tam.
After lunch the movie began. In this compartment the film was displayed on a fixed screen on the front wall, which was quite easy to see (I sometimes find the fold-down screens can give me a stiff neck). The movie was ‘School of Rock’ which I would classify as a perfect ‘plane movie’. I probably would never go and see it at the cinema or even on video, but to pass the time on a moderately long flight it was perfect. A ‘Trumpet’ ice-cream was served during the movie (yum!).
All in all a great flight followed up by 2 hours in the MEL Qantas Club to ‘refresh’ myself with a Chivas Regal or three before my CBR connection.
QF 719
Depart CBR: 1910
Arrive PER: 2050
Aircraft: 737-400
This is a new service for QF; I think it had been operating for a week when I took it. Again this is a transcontinental CityFlyer service.
The first thing I noticed on boarding was that J was completely full but that it seemed to be a very light load in Y (approx 40%). I imagine that J will always do quite well on this service, and I hope it is enough to keep it viable if Y loads stay light.
I was seated in about row 5 of economy, with no-one seated in front (presumably to create a buffer for J). However after takeoff I was able to move forward and sit in the front row, which gives you a bit more legroom (I’m 6’3” so always appreciate it). I didn’t ask but it’s always been QF policy that you can move around after take-off and no one said anything.
Dinner on this leg was a choice between pasta and stir fried chicken with rice and vegetables. I had the chicken, however I think it was false advertising describing it as “stir-fried”. The chicken had obviously been cooked separately and then the sauce mixed through. It was still tasty though and actually quite filling because of the rice.
The movie screened was “Intolerable Cruelty”. This was a movie that I had written off from seeing the previews, however I really quite enjoyed it. I hadn’t realised it was a Coen brothers film, and while not a patch on Fargo, it did display a level of wit not seen in your average Hollywood comedy. It can’t just have been me who enjoyed it, because I heard plenty of laughs from throughout the cabin. The funniest single moment has to be the mix-up from the asthmatic hit man (you have to see it to know what I mean).
During the movie they served a dark chocolate “mini-magnum”. I don’t know about anyone else but these little extras go along way to making you feel a little bit more than a “commodity passenger”.
The movie was followed by an episode of Yes Prime Minister, one of my favourite ever series. I then had a bit of a nap as it was getting on to 11:00pm CBR time. I was woken by the pilot announcing that we had commenced descent and would be disembarking 20 minutes early. I would have liked some more sleep!
I then had a small victoy at the baggage carousel when my bag came off first allowing me to walk straight into a taxi, without queing.
All told two fairly enjoyable flights. The CBR-PER service certainly makes life easier by not having to change planes in MEL (or SYD or ADL), however it does cut out an opportunity to spend some quality time in another Qantas Club.
All told I am pretty happy with the improvements I’ve seen in Qantas service on transcontinental flights. I hope this continues when (if?) Jet Star starts flying to PER.