Moomba
May 15, 07, 4:52 pm
At the risk of people thinking I actually fly anywhere near the number of miles as Kiwi Flyer I have been off on another journey. This time the destination was Hong Kong with a day trip to Bangkok thrown in for good measure (doesn't everyone?). Well BKK to be exact as I never left the airport.
Some of you may remember my RTW report in First on OW carriers (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543678), or perhaps my F experience on BA to YYZ (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=564379) or my most recent missive – Planes, trains and cherry blossoms again in F on BA (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=683241).
As an unusual departure for me (pun intended) I flew on *A carriers this time round.
This long weekend trip commenced on a LX flight from LCY to ZRH on an Avro thingy operated by Swiss European Airlines.
An hour or two later I was heading east to the Far East on an LX A340.
The thought of not having to make my way on a Friday evening from my work in London to Heathrow was one of the most pleasing aspects of this itinerary. Not only is LHR difficult to negotiate but negotiating tubes and trains to get there is a chore in itself.
At 16:45 I shut down my computer (we are green now), changed my clothes and hoofed it across the river to Southwark station. There I caught the tube to Canning Town station where I switched over to the DLR to London City Airport.
On arrival at the airport there were quite a few people around but not overly crowded. When I approached the Swiss desks there was only one person in front of me. The agent from the Y queue called me over and took my passport. She was dressed in KLM kit so I gather was an outsourced agent for multiple carriers at LCY.
She had great difficulty checking me in as I pointed out that the BP that was printed for the ZRH-HKG leg had a different seat to that which I had checked into online the night before. She did some more tapping and discovered that I was checked in to two different seats. She did some more tapping and changed the baggage tag to my preferred seat but could not manage to kill the other seat assignment for me. She asked me to see the gate agent in ZRH to double check that my bag would be loaded from ZRH-HKG.
Finally with two BPs and a voucher for £4 to use in lieu of there being no lounge facilities, I headed upstairs to security.
Remember what I said about looking forward to the joy of not using LHR on a Friday night? Well knock me down with a feather. Normally you get to the top of the escalators and turn right to get to security. This evening I had to turn left and keep walking and turn left and keep walking until I got to the back of the queue. The queue snaked its way down into the bowels of the building past some VIP lounges and then doubled back on itself to head back to the security area. I had plenty of time before my flight but was none the less quite shocked to see such a long queue. It was fun watching people’s faces as the got to the corner of the queue and realised how long it really was as it doubled back.
To the credit of LCY the queue moved very quickly and I was lined up at the machine within 15 minutes. I was the lucky third punter and was asked to remove my shoes.
I went to the coffee shop and grabbed a coffee and biscuit with my voucher. No sooner had I found a place to sit and sup when my flight started showing as boarding. I sat a bit longer and downed some of my coffee before making the long walk to the gate at the other end of the terminal.
My little white bird with a sore tail was waiting for me and I was able to board as soon as I got to the gate.
Flight LX 0467 LCY – ZRH
Seat 3A
Departure time: 18:25
Aircraft: Avro RJ100
Once I was seated the FA came around with papers, a refresher towel and a bottle of water.
As you could expect the flight was pretty full with business types all heading back to ZRH. I am not sure whether by accident or design but by some fortune I managed to have the seat next to me remain vacant for the flight.
There was a flurry of late arrivals to the aircraft at around 18:18 after which we battened down the hatches prepared for take off.
I recall the last time I attempted to leave from LCY on an LX flight. We had begun boarding and were settling in to our seats when all the oxygen masks came flying out of their hidey holes (http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7db34b3127cce8440917bf1c300000026100AaM2jZk5bsW JA). Needless to say that flight didn’t go anywhere and we were all offloaded.
Thankfully the oxygen masks remained elusive, as they should, and we were soon being tugged out to the runway at 18:35.
We took off heading back towards London and quickly banked around to head for the continent.
At 18:45 the seat belt signs were off and the FA started to serve a snack of smoked Turkey and walnut, carrot and sultana salad. The guy in front of me had his seat all the way back for the entire flight and kudos to the FA she asked me if I would like her to ask him to put it up whilst I ate.
Also on the tray was a small mousse cake for dessert. Rolls were offered along with wines, juices and a sparkling wine. Guess what I had? Ha, ha you’re wrong – I had the white wine.
After the meal was taken away more drinks were offered and then coffee and tea were served with the traditional Swiss chocolate.
We touched down in a wet and cold Zurich at 21:01 local time.
We parked at an outstand and two buses were waiting for the plane. When the first was only partly full we took off for the terminal building. ^
I made my way through the very empty airport to terminal E where my flight was to depart from. When I got to E I thought I had made a fatal mistake as I couldn’t find a lounge to rest my bones whilst waiting for the next leg of my trip. I asked a bored looking gentleman at a transfer desk and he pointed me in the direction of the Bellevue Lounge further down the terminal.
The lounge was upstairs with nice views over the apron and had free computer access to the internet, a small self service bar with a limited array of snack food.
I grabbed a G&T and did the sudoku in the evening London paper whilst waiting.
At around an hour later I made my way back to the gate and checked in with the gate agent about my bags. After much typing and scratching of heads the lovely lady sorted out my seating arrangements By this time boarding had commenced with a dedicated lane for First, Business and *A elites.
Flight LX 0138 ZRH – HKG
Seat 4K
Departure time: 22:45
Aircraft: A340
I was on the plane and settling into seat 4K in next to no time. There was an amenity kit, blanket and pillow on each seat.
The crew got busy as we started to board and champagne, orange juice and water were offered. Then a selection of newspapers was offered and finally the menu cards for the flight.
LATE NIGHT SUPPER
First Courses
Pine tree smoked and marinated salmon trout on a chanterelle mushroom and young fennel salad with a crisp of aged Parmesan and dried blossoms.
Asparagus soup with chervil
Main Course
Beef tenderloin sautéed with a grape mustard glaze served with gravy from the pan, potato and spinach gratin and tomato
Or
Tomato and ricotta tortellini in a creamy sauce with diced tomatoes and fresh basil, garnished with Parmesan
Cheeses
Selection of Swiss cheeses
Dessert
Torrone nougat with passion fruit coulis
Swiss chocolates
Coffee and a selection of teas
The FA took my order for main course whilst we were still on the ground.
At 22:54 we pushed back from the gate and were barrelling down the runway by 23:05.
I am not sure if this is normal for LX or due to the lateness of the flight but there was no pre-dinner drinks offered. After the crew were allowed to get on with their jobs it was straight into the meal service.
An FA came and laid the table with a cloth and then two of them came back up the aisle with a cart each.
One FA had the drink cart and another food. The FA placed the tray with my starter and the cheese on the tray already. I was asked if I wanted the soup as well which was then handed over in a cup.
The drinks waiter, err FA then offered a variety of drinks alcoholic and non from her cart.
Wine List
Champagne
Jacquart Brut Mosaique, Reims, France
White Wine
Schafiser AOC 2005, Caves Garnier SA, Switzerland
Chenin Blanc 2006, Villiera, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Red Wine
Vin du Pays des Trois-Lacs 2005, Caves Garnier SA, Switzerland
Chateau de Pic 2003, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, France
Pinotage 2004, DeWaal, Stellenbosch, South Africa
SWISS Discovery Wine
Port
Porto Niepoort Tawny, Portugal
After quite a long pause and lots of banging and clashing in the galley the same two cart procedure was played out. This time the remains of the starter were cleared away and the main course was set on my table. A further offer of drinks and rolls was made as the FA twosome made their way to the back of J. The drinks waiter also offered freshly ground black pepper, for the meal, not my wine.
My beef was probably the best tasting and best prepared beef meal I have ever had on an aircraft. It did not taste stewed and was cooked to perfection, just a little pink inside and very tender.
After I had demolished the main course the tray was removed and small dessert tarts were passed around. There was no sign of the nougat with passion fruit that was mentioned on the menu.
Coffee and tea followed along with a tray of Lindt chocolates to top off the
meal.
I didn’t really try the entertainment system much but had a play with the AVOD to see what was on offer.
After dinner the lights were switched off and I hunkered down for some kip.
I know some folks have complained that the LX seat is too short. I would concur. I don’t mind the angled seat arrangement but the lack of leg room seemed evident when I put the seat down. The seat seemed similar to the current CX J seat but I don’t think it goes quite as flat, and the CX seat has more leg space available.
I eventually found a good sleeping position and was able to get a good few hours sleep before the cabin lights were switched on again 1 hour 45 minutes prior to landing.
BREAKFAST
Fresh seasonal fruit
Selection of yoghurts
Scrambled eggs and grilled smoked pork accompanied by diced tomatoes and sauteed potatoes
Or
Pear clafoutis
Or you may prefer our cold selection:
Farmer's Ham, Swiss air-dried beef, "Ammerlander" cheese, Camembert and cherry tomato
Assortment of breakfast breads served with butter and preserves
Coffee and a selection of teas
A similar routine to dinner was then played out by the FA’s. One with the food cart and one with the drinks cart. The breakfast tray had fruit on it and I was offered yoghurt and rolls, croissants etc as well before the drinks cart passed by with juice, coffee and tea.
Again a long pause between courses and the two cart system made its way to row 4 again. My main course and more rolls landed on my tray and then a top up of juice and coffee.
After all was cleared away we were asked to prepare for landing by the captain. We flew straight into HKG and landed amid some afternoon rain.
We pulled up at a gate very close to the main body of the terminal and it was a short walk to the immigration desks. Unfortunately I turned left instead of right and ended up at a very busy, very slow immigrations area. Eventually I made my way through and walked up to the baggage belt where my bag had just spewed forth. I quickly caught up with it, lifted it up and kept walking straight out through customs. Heathrow this aint!
I caught the express train into HKG and the bus to the Conrad where I was to spend the first of my two nights in Hong Kong.
Pictures LCY-ZRH-HKG (share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaM2jZk5bsWLC5A)
Day 2 - Day trip to BKK airport (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7747539&postcount=5)
Day 3 - HKG back to London (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7748160&postcount=6)
Some of you may remember my RTW report in First on OW carriers (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543678), or perhaps my F experience on BA to YYZ (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=564379) or my most recent missive – Planes, trains and cherry blossoms again in F on BA (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=683241).
As an unusual departure for me (pun intended) I flew on *A carriers this time round.
This long weekend trip commenced on a LX flight from LCY to ZRH on an Avro thingy operated by Swiss European Airlines.
An hour or two later I was heading east to the Far East on an LX A340.
The thought of not having to make my way on a Friday evening from my work in London to Heathrow was one of the most pleasing aspects of this itinerary. Not only is LHR difficult to negotiate but negotiating tubes and trains to get there is a chore in itself.
At 16:45 I shut down my computer (we are green now), changed my clothes and hoofed it across the river to Southwark station. There I caught the tube to Canning Town station where I switched over to the DLR to London City Airport.
On arrival at the airport there were quite a few people around but not overly crowded. When I approached the Swiss desks there was only one person in front of me. The agent from the Y queue called me over and took my passport. She was dressed in KLM kit so I gather was an outsourced agent for multiple carriers at LCY.
She had great difficulty checking me in as I pointed out that the BP that was printed for the ZRH-HKG leg had a different seat to that which I had checked into online the night before. She did some more tapping and discovered that I was checked in to two different seats. She did some more tapping and changed the baggage tag to my preferred seat but could not manage to kill the other seat assignment for me. She asked me to see the gate agent in ZRH to double check that my bag would be loaded from ZRH-HKG.
Finally with two BPs and a voucher for £4 to use in lieu of there being no lounge facilities, I headed upstairs to security.
Remember what I said about looking forward to the joy of not using LHR on a Friday night? Well knock me down with a feather. Normally you get to the top of the escalators and turn right to get to security. This evening I had to turn left and keep walking and turn left and keep walking until I got to the back of the queue. The queue snaked its way down into the bowels of the building past some VIP lounges and then doubled back on itself to head back to the security area. I had plenty of time before my flight but was none the less quite shocked to see such a long queue. It was fun watching people’s faces as the got to the corner of the queue and realised how long it really was as it doubled back.
To the credit of LCY the queue moved very quickly and I was lined up at the machine within 15 minutes. I was the lucky third punter and was asked to remove my shoes.
I went to the coffee shop and grabbed a coffee and biscuit with my voucher. No sooner had I found a place to sit and sup when my flight started showing as boarding. I sat a bit longer and downed some of my coffee before making the long walk to the gate at the other end of the terminal.
My little white bird with a sore tail was waiting for me and I was able to board as soon as I got to the gate.
Flight LX 0467 LCY – ZRH
Seat 3A
Departure time: 18:25
Aircraft: Avro RJ100
Once I was seated the FA came around with papers, a refresher towel and a bottle of water.
As you could expect the flight was pretty full with business types all heading back to ZRH. I am not sure whether by accident or design but by some fortune I managed to have the seat next to me remain vacant for the flight.
There was a flurry of late arrivals to the aircraft at around 18:18 after which we battened down the hatches prepared for take off.
I recall the last time I attempted to leave from LCY on an LX flight. We had begun boarding and were settling in to our seats when all the oxygen masks came flying out of their hidey holes (http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7db34b3127cce8440917bf1c300000026100AaM2jZk5bsW JA). Needless to say that flight didn’t go anywhere and we were all offloaded.
Thankfully the oxygen masks remained elusive, as they should, and we were soon being tugged out to the runway at 18:35.
We took off heading back towards London and quickly banked around to head for the continent.
At 18:45 the seat belt signs were off and the FA started to serve a snack of smoked Turkey and walnut, carrot and sultana salad. The guy in front of me had his seat all the way back for the entire flight and kudos to the FA she asked me if I would like her to ask him to put it up whilst I ate.
Also on the tray was a small mousse cake for dessert. Rolls were offered along with wines, juices and a sparkling wine. Guess what I had? Ha, ha you’re wrong – I had the white wine.
After the meal was taken away more drinks were offered and then coffee and tea were served with the traditional Swiss chocolate.
We touched down in a wet and cold Zurich at 21:01 local time.
We parked at an outstand and two buses were waiting for the plane. When the first was only partly full we took off for the terminal building. ^
I made my way through the very empty airport to terminal E where my flight was to depart from. When I got to E I thought I had made a fatal mistake as I couldn’t find a lounge to rest my bones whilst waiting for the next leg of my trip. I asked a bored looking gentleman at a transfer desk and he pointed me in the direction of the Bellevue Lounge further down the terminal.
The lounge was upstairs with nice views over the apron and had free computer access to the internet, a small self service bar with a limited array of snack food.
I grabbed a G&T and did the sudoku in the evening London paper whilst waiting.
At around an hour later I made my way back to the gate and checked in with the gate agent about my bags. After much typing and scratching of heads the lovely lady sorted out my seating arrangements By this time boarding had commenced with a dedicated lane for First, Business and *A elites.
Flight LX 0138 ZRH – HKG
Seat 4K
Departure time: 22:45
Aircraft: A340
I was on the plane and settling into seat 4K in next to no time. There was an amenity kit, blanket and pillow on each seat.
The crew got busy as we started to board and champagne, orange juice and water were offered. Then a selection of newspapers was offered and finally the menu cards for the flight.
LATE NIGHT SUPPER
First Courses
Pine tree smoked and marinated salmon trout on a chanterelle mushroom and young fennel salad with a crisp of aged Parmesan and dried blossoms.
Asparagus soup with chervil
Main Course
Beef tenderloin sautéed with a grape mustard glaze served with gravy from the pan, potato and spinach gratin and tomato
Or
Tomato and ricotta tortellini in a creamy sauce with diced tomatoes and fresh basil, garnished with Parmesan
Cheeses
Selection of Swiss cheeses
Dessert
Torrone nougat with passion fruit coulis
Swiss chocolates
Coffee and a selection of teas
The FA took my order for main course whilst we were still on the ground.
At 22:54 we pushed back from the gate and were barrelling down the runway by 23:05.
I am not sure if this is normal for LX or due to the lateness of the flight but there was no pre-dinner drinks offered. After the crew were allowed to get on with their jobs it was straight into the meal service.
An FA came and laid the table with a cloth and then two of them came back up the aisle with a cart each.
One FA had the drink cart and another food. The FA placed the tray with my starter and the cheese on the tray already. I was asked if I wanted the soup as well which was then handed over in a cup.
The drinks waiter, err FA then offered a variety of drinks alcoholic and non from her cart.
Wine List
Champagne
Jacquart Brut Mosaique, Reims, France
White Wine
Schafiser AOC 2005, Caves Garnier SA, Switzerland
Chenin Blanc 2006, Villiera, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Red Wine
Vin du Pays des Trois-Lacs 2005, Caves Garnier SA, Switzerland
Chateau de Pic 2003, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, France
Pinotage 2004, DeWaal, Stellenbosch, South Africa
SWISS Discovery Wine
Port
Porto Niepoort Tawny, Portugal
After quite a long pause and lots of banging and clashing in the galley the same two cart procedure was played out. This time the remains of the starter were cleared away and the main course was set on my table. A further offer of drinks and rolls was made as the FA twosome made their way to the back of J. The drinks waiter also offered freshly ground black pepper, for the meal, not my wine.
My beef was probably the best tasting and best prepared beef meal I have ever had on an aircraft. It did not taste stewed and was cooked to perfection, just a little pink inside and very tender.
After I had demolished the main course the tray was removed and small dessert tarts were passed around. There was no sign of the nougat with passion fruit that was mentioned on the menu.
Coffee and tea followed along with a tray of Lindt chocolates to top off the
meal.
I didn’t really try the entertainment system much but had a play with the AVOD to see what was on offer.
After dinner the lights were switched off and I hunkered down for some kip.
I know some folks have complained that the LX seat is too short. I would concur. I don’t mind the angled seat arrangement but the lack of leg room seemed evident when I put the seat down. The seat seemed similar to the current CX J seat but I don’t think it goes quite as flat, and the CX seat has more leg space available.
I eventually found a good sleeping position and was able to get a good few hours sleep before the cabin lights were switched on again 1 hour 45 minutes prior to landing.
BREAKFAST
Fresh seasonal fruit
Selection of yoghurts
Scrambled eggs and grilled smoked pork accompanied by diced tomatoes and sauteed potatoes
Or
Pear clafoutis
Or you may prefer our cold selection:
Farmer's Ham, Swiss air-dried beef, "Ammerlander" cheese, Camembert and cherry tomato
Assortment of breakfast breads served with butter and preserves
Coffee and a selection of teas
A similar routine to dinner was then played out by the FA’s. One with the food cart and one with the drinks cart. The breakfast tray had fruit on it and I was offered yoghurt and rolls, croissants etc as well before the drinks cart passed by with juice, coffee and tea.
Again a long pause between courses and the two cart system made its way to row 4 again. My main course and more rolls landed on my tray and then a top up of juice and coffee.
After all was cleared away we were asked to prepare for landing by the captain. We flew straight into HKG and landed amid some afternoon rain.
We pulled up at a gate very close to the main body of the terminal and it was a short walk to the immigration desks. Unfortunately I turned left instead of right and ended up at a very busy, very slow immigrations area. Eventually I made my way through and walked up to the baggage belt where my bag had just spewed forth. I quickly caught up with it, lifted it up and kept walking straight out through customs. Heathrow this aint!
I caught the express train into HKG and the bus to the Conrad where I was to spend the first of my two nights in Hong Kong.
Pictures LCY-ZRH-HKG (share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaM2jZk5bsWLC5A)
Day 2 - Day trip to BKK airport (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7747539&postcount=5)
Day 3 - HKG back to London (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7748160&postcount=6)