Trip Reports - BNE to BNE - The Long Way

Well its that time of year again ...

The booking process for my DONE4 was all too smooth to be true. And yep, I was right - it was not true. When my wad of 5 books of tickets arrived (yes, the old carbon paper coupons), I found I was supposed to find my own way from LHR to FRA as it was showing as a ground sector. So I had to Express Post the tickets back to the TA in Sydney for them to be re-issued - with an additional cost of $106.10 for the extra taxes. Maybe I should have taken the train instead.

So with my tickets correct and in hand, I was concerned that such a large book of tickets would put me way over the carry-on luggage allowance. But I seem to have managed to get away with it so far .

As soon as the tickets were issued, I used my QF Platinum status to request seat 16K on my QF29 MEL-LHR flight and to secure 2F on my QF51 SIN-BNE flight (the only QF flights I can pre-allocate). Then I called asked my TA to remove the QF FF number and add my AAdvantage number for all airlines/sectors. Once I confirmed it was showing correctly on CheckMyTrip.com (the old view) it was time to request an upgrade to F on the MEL-LHR flights.

The QF Premium Desk agent wanted to add my QF Plat FF number back into the booking and could not understand why I was adament I did not want her to do that. I just want to use my QF FF account to waitlist an upgrade for an eligible family member - me! She finally relented and did as I asked. My upgrade was showing as requested and CheckMyTrip showed she has not tampered with my FF details.

The flight planning was done - now for the hotels and car rentals etc. The TA was great and got to know me pretty well over the weeks of planning this trip.

As the departure date approached, I was watching the F seating for the MEL-LHR flight multiple times a day. It was looking good on Friday afternoon with F5 available and the seat map reflecting this also. Then on Saturday night, it dropped to F2 (ouch) and the seat map also reflected this change. Now who booked 3 F seats on a weekend? Oh well, at least I have 16K allocated. But this will be my first sojourn on the upper deck in many years. I guess time will tell.

Sunday night and at T-24 hours I have a look again on EF. No change. I wake at 2am restless in the knowledge that someone at QF is working hard processing upgrade waitlists and sneak out to the PC to have a look. Hmm, no change and my QF FF points balance is unchanged ... hmm not looking good.

When I rise at 6:30am, I again head for the PC to check on the waitlist condition. First place to check is EF and it shows all seating maps as unavailable. Hmm, seems the flight is full - very full. Its showing F1 now.

So I check my QF FF balance and am shocked to see that someone has stolen 60K points from my account sometime between 2am and 6:30am. Then I realise my heart has stopped pounding and I am safe in the knowledge that my QF Plat status has worked and I will be enjoying the front cabin for a long flight later tonight.

So with family goodbyes in order and taxi arranged, its time to ensure all the packing is complete. Plastic bag for liquids, gels and pastes - check. Power adapters for all countries - check. Wad or tickets and passport - check. DVD's and iPod - check. Peace-offering shoping list - check.

The trip to the airport at 8am on a Monday is always slow. But I had plenty of time so its just a matter of grinning and baring, and noting how pleased I am that I normally work from home and don't have to put up with this commuting stuff each day.

Check-in at BNE is quick. Just one family ahead of me in the Plat/Business Class check-in line. The check-in agent made a comment about my wad of tickets and how much better e-tickets are. He was not aware of the 16-sector limit on e-tickets and as he thumbed through my wad he just shook his head.

Bag was tagged through to LHR even though I have a 10 hour connection in MEL, during which time I will visit our Melbourne office. However, he was unable to issue my MEL-LHR boarding pass. He said it was due to the way the Melbourne people had set-up the flight. I would need to collect my 2F boarding pass in MEL. I think I will do this when I first arrive into MEL rather than wait until 9pm tonight when I return to the airport after dinner with the lads.

No delays at the security screening in BNE (as usual) and I avoided the metal detector that triggered once on my shoes. All the others are fine with this shoes. I walk straight through without issue and note the explosives tester is occupied so its a quick and direct departure from there.

So its into the BNE QP for a brief breakfast, knowing I will be fed on board the BNE-MEL flight.

I note the only flight delay is the QF953 BNE-CBR flight. There is an announcement that it is delayed due to mechanical requirements. Soon there is another announcement that there will be a change of aircraft and a new departure time is posted.

About 5 mins later there is an announcement that my QF615 BNE-MEL is to be delayed .... due to mechanical requirements. Hmm, I wonder which aircraft they swapped for the CBR flight . So we are now scheduled to board at 10:20am, 30 mins late. So looks like I will be too late for lunch with my colleagues in MEL, but will still get to the office around 2pm, so long as I am not delayed further or run into problems with getting my MEL-LHR boarding pass in MEL.

QF615
BNE-MEL
VH-VXE
Seat 2C
737-800

After the delayed boarding, the CSM (Susan) was busy apologising to every passenger as they boarded. The captain explained the reason for the delay was that the aircraft had been hit by lightning the previous day and had to undergo extensive systems tests before it could be returned to service. The tests were apparently completed successfully. The captain also mentioned they had taken on some extra fuel and would be fling faster than usual to try to make up some of the lost time.

The snack on this flight was a choice of fruit salad or a ricotta bake with ham and gourmet sausage (whatever that means??). This was offered with the usual bakery items and beverages.

There were 9 passengers in J (out of 12 seats). Next to me was a Qantas flight attendant on her way to Melbourne to start her day’s work. Her first duty flight for the day was to be MEL-BNE. The economy cabin was probably around 65% full.

We landed around 1pm, a little under an hour late.

After arriving into MEL I wandered over to the International terminal to try to get my boarding pass for the MEL-LHR flight later in the evening. I wandered past all the QF check-in desks looking for the First Class check-in desk, but could not find it. Then I spotted the new F check-in facility near the main entrance to the terminal. There were two counters, with one agent processing check-ins and a porter on hand.

I asked about the possibility of a window seat, knowing the 2F is probably my least preferred F seat (not there are no bad F seats ). I was offered 1A or 4K for the HKG-LHR leg, but 2F was the only options available to me for MEL-LHR as the F cabin was completely full. I took the option of two different seats for the two sectors. I like 4K as it has a very wide storage area between the seat and the window where the bassinet is located. This comes in very handy for storing things like pillow, sleeper suit, laptop, reading material etc. It is also easy to catch the FA’s attention when I need a top-up.

Then it was back down to the domestic arrivals level for a taxi into Melbourne for an afternoon in the office. At Beer O’clock it was off to the pub next to the office for a few quiet ales with my Mexican colleagues, and a little after 7pm I headed back to the airport to sample the new FLounge.

On arrival back at MEL, I again stopped by the F check-in room and asked if anything had changed in the way of window seat availability. Again it was clear the cabin was full (as was the whole flight), but they did manage to swap me with 3K, for which I expressed my gratitude.

Immigration was a breeze at that time of night, with no waiting at all. X-Ray screening was also fast, but of course since I was the only person passing through, guess which person was “randomly” selected for explosives trace testing and pat-down. Oh well, at least it only took a few minutes. Then it was through the Duty-Free maze and up to the new FLounge.

The new MEL FLounge is very swish and a big improvement over the old lounge. The first thing you notice is the open feeling that comes with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tarmac (the only FLounge had no windows at all). There is a living wall (wall of plants) opposite the entrance desk. This wall did not seem as large as the pictures I have seen of the new SYD FLounge.

At 7:30pm, the FLounge was very quiet. After having my BP swiped at the entrance desk, I was escorted into the lounge by one of the staff and asked where I would like to sit and what I would like to drink. Much improved service over other QF lounges where they just swipe the BP and point you at the appropriate door. I was given a menu that included food and wine selections.

The scotch offering was disappointing – JW Black or Black Douglas. So I decided to start with some bubbles while waiting for my Veal Schnitzel to be prepared. When it was ready, I was invited to sit in the “restaurant” section or to have it in my lounge chair. I chose to sit at a table to eat. The Schnitzel was served as a “sandwich” with coleslaw and was very good indeed. I followed that with Boysenberry Ice Cream.

There were seven tables for two people and two tables for four people in the dining area, so not a huge amount. But while I was there, only one other table was being used. I expect it got a little busier later in the evening.

I retired back to my lounge chair overlooking the tarmac and settled on the Noble One wine. I love sweet desert wines and this is one of my favourites.

I had a bit of a wander around the lounge and noted about 6 PCs to the left after entering the lounge. There is also a self-serve fridge for water, soft drinks, beer and wines. Beers included James Squire, Coopers Sparkling and Pale Ales, Cascade Premium and Premium Light, and Crown. Sorry, apart from the Noble One I did not take much notice of the wines on offer. The Champaign was Moet.

There are showers at the end of lounge past the computers. These were nice, but not lavish. I had a quick shower just before boarding.

The toilets are in behind the entrance desk, through a smoked glass door. Note the door is automatic and swings outwards into the lounge. It is quite slow, so don’t be a rush to go through to the loos.

In all the time I was in the FLounge, I was never asked for my boarding pass or flight details as others have reported from the SYD and MEL FLounges. Perhaps the staff all noted my arrival early when the lounge was empty so al knew my details already?

QF29
MEL-KKG
VH-OJU
Seat 3K
747-400

Boarding was called at about 10:20, 30 mins before scheduled departure. We used Gate 9 which is close by the bottom of the escalator, so a very short walk. F and J passengers were invited to use the left queue while everyone else was processed through the right queue. Boarding was quick and painless.

As usual, we were offered champaign (Charles Heidsiech Blanc des Millenaires 1995). I know many people rave over this one, but I found it just ok – to dry for my pallet.

I changed into my sleeper suit before take-off. I usually wait until after take-off to change, but there was plenty of time and I was not interested in sitting there consuming the champers until departure. The new PJs are a strange dull green colour. I think I like the old ones better. Why do they always hand out sizes that are too big? Note to self, ask for Medium next time instead of the Large they will hand me.

Push back and takeoff were pretty much on-time and we set course for Hong Kong through the night sky.

Although I had eaten in the FLounge, by the time we were airborne, I was ready for the famous Steak Sandwitch. It was as good as usual. That was accompanied with a glass of The Glenlivet 18yo and followed by Maggie Beer Ice cream (Vanilla Bean and Elderflower).

Then it was time to break out the duvet and settle down for some sleep. I slept reasonably well for a plane, and declined breakfast before arrival, just asking for a refill of my water bottle. Arrival into HKG was on-time.

The new F amenity kit is quite different to the older ones. It is a zippered oblong case covered in brown suede type material. It contains ear plugs, mints and a small draw-string bag with 3 Payot creams. There is a toothbrush and paste, eye mask, socks and comb in the sleeper suit package. So the only thing “missing” is the shaving kit which is available on request.

Menu: Melbourne to Hong Kong

Supper

Canapes

Entres
Shitake Wontons in Oxtail Broth
Prawn and Celeriac Remoulade

Light Meals
Pork and Shrimp Stir Fry with Rise and Gai Lan
Our Signature Steak Sandwich with Tomato and Chilli Relish

Main Course
Ricotta, Sun Dried Tomato and Smoked Garlic Calzone
Seared Salmon with Radish, Celery and Lemon Salsa and Kipfler Potatoes
Steamed Chicken with Szechuan Pepper, Chilli Eggplant and Noodles
A salad of Baby Cos, Radicchio and Frisee is available to accompany your meal, or can be enjoyed as an entrée, dressed with your choice of Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette, Palm Sugar Vinaigrette, Blue Cheese Dressing or Lemon Vinaigrette

Cheese
Blue, soft and hard cheese, hand selected by Will Studd, Maitre Fromage Calendar Cheese Company, served with accomplishments

Dessert
Nice Cream Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Poached Pears and Toasted Almonds
Quince Frangipane Tart with Spiced Syrup and Double Cream
Whole or Sliced Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Maggie Beer Ice Cream Tubs

Petit Fours
A Selection of Manna from Heaven chocolates and petit fours

Wines
Charles Heidseich Blanc des Millenaires 1995
Howard Park Riesling 2005
Lost Valley Cortese 2005
Willow Creek Tulum Chardonnay 2003
Tarrawarra Estate Pinot Noir 2003
Torbeck ‘The Strule’ Shiraz 2004
Setanta ‘Black Sanglain’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2004
Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Muscat & Tokay

Beverages

Aperitifs
Bloody Mary
Campari
Noilly Prat French Dry Vermouth
Seppelt DP116 Dry Amontillado

Spirits
Bacardi White Rum
Bombay Sapphire Dry London Gin
Chivas Regal 18yo Scotch Whisky
Glenlivet 18yo Mald Whisky
Iner Circle (Green Dot) Dark Run 57.2&
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 108 proof Bourbon
Wyborowa Single Estate Vodka

Beers
Crown Larger
Hahn Premium

Liqueurs
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Cointreau

Cognac
Martel Cordon Bleu

Upon arrival into HKG, I received the usual transit card and Qantas sticker on my shirt. We used gate 15, which is the first gate on the wing below the Qantas Club lounge. So it was a short walk to the E1 transfer area where boarding pass is checked and security screening. I was then directed to take the lift up to level 7 for the Qantas lounge. Well I know better than to follow that suggestion and instead of turning left out of the lift I went right and walked over to The Wing Cathay Pacific FLounge, where my QF boarding pass was swiped and I was welcomed to the FLounge.

First stop was the dining area for some Chinese Dim Sum for breakfast. Much nicer breakfast that I was going to get on board QF, even in First. Then to the Cabanas for a shower, shave etc. With all that done, it was time to head back to gate 15 for boarding my next leg to London.

QF29
HKG-LHR
VH-OJU
Seat 4K
747-400

A new crew is ready to greet me and welcome me back on board for the next leg to London. Jane shows me to my seat and we son establish she comes from the same area in the north-east of England as my parents. A new sleeper suit is offered, so this time I ask for Medium size. However, it goes into my bag and I use the same one I wore for the previous flight. A new amenity kit is also delivered to me with my glass of champagne (still the same Charles Heidseick.

The F cabin is supposed to be 13 out of 14 for this flight, but when the doors are closed I am the only person in row 4. All other seats are taken, so we have 11 in the F cabin. Its fairly lightly loaded down the back this time (215 in Y, not sure of the numbers in J but I can see quite a number of empty seats on the lower deck).

Breakfast is offered and I just ask for a Pear Juice, Late, Fruit Salad, Smoked Salmon and some cheese. The cheese was a problem as it is loaded in the lunch cart down the back somewhere, but Jane manages to locate it and delivers.

This is a day-time flight. But as is often the case with Qantas, once the meal service is finished they close the window shades and encourage people to sleep. Well I chose this flight because it’s a daytime flight and I want to be awake for the duration. If I wanted to sleep I would have chosen an overnight flight. So my shades stay up and out comes the laptop. Hmm, no power. A quick word with Jane and she reminds the CSM to turn it on and off I go typing up this trip report.

Time now to watch some DVDs on my laptop while the rest of the cabin sleeps.

After about 8 hours of watching DVDs it was time for lunch. Some components of the lunch menu were the same as the supper menu from the previous flight.

Entres
Deep Fried Bean Curd and Black Fungi Soup
Hong Kong Yellow Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing

Main Courses
Tagine of Pumpkin Dumplings with Almond Couscous and Coriander Yoghurt
Seared Blue Eye with White Wine Sauce
Slow Cooked Duck with Water Chestnuts
Spice Rubbed Beef Fillet with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

A Lighter Main Course Choice
Seared Blue Eye with Fresh Lemon Juice and Olive Oil

Side Dishes
Rosemary Tomatoes
Bok Choy
Braised Porcini
Grilled Fennel
Fragrant Rice
Roast Potatoes

Dessert
Banana and Caramel Crumble with Creme Anglaise
Assiette - a tasting late of desserts
Cliced Fresh Seasonal Fruits

We had experienced favourable winds and landed about 30 mins ahead of schedule. However, as apparently happens 9 times out of 10 (according to Jane, the FA) we were parked at a remote stand and herded onto buses for the trip to Terminal 4.

Immigration FastTrack is not open after about 11am, so I was a little concerned about delays given that all the gates at T4 were occupied. But I should not have worried. After walking past the long line of people connecting to other flights at T4, I found the passport control area was almost deserted. No delay at all. So passport was duly stamped and I was waiting and waiting for my bag on the belt. The F tag didn't seem to work too well for me this time. Once the bag arrived I was out through customs and off to the Avis bus.

Another good thing about arriving on QF29 in he middle of the day is that the M25 is generally not a car park at that time of the day. And I was able to go straight to my hotel and check-in, which can be a problem for the early morning arrivals like QF9.

At the Avis desk, I was told my TA had booked me a 7-seat minivan! Well, that would be nice if I had my wife and 4 kids with me, but this trip is just me, my suit case and carry-on bag. So I was offered a Mini Cooper for half the cost of the booked minivan. I doid not take much convincing. Now I would be dropping it back tomorrow, but noted they offer 1 hour grace and over that I have to pay for a second day. So my pickup time was duly noted as 2:15pm.

I had already programmed the hotel and office addresses into the Favourites of my PPC GSP, so with it all plugged in and operating I headed for the wilds of the M4, M25, M3, A331 etc to Farnborough. At that time of day the drive was easy.

After checking into the Holiday Inn, I called my local colleague and arrange to meet him in the hotel bar when he finished work. After a pint we headed off to his "local", which was a very small country pub about 30 mins drive away. Several pints and a nice meal later he dropped me back at the hotel and we made arrangements to meet at the office the next day.

We had a valuable few hours together in the office and after lunch I decided it was best to leave early to ensure I beat the 3:15pm return deadline for the car - and to ensure plenty of time at the JW Blue lounge (aka T1 FLounge). I was very glad I did leave early as the M3 was a car park for about 8 miles due to a truck roll-over. Using the GPS to get back to the Avis car rental centre was much better than my previous unguided attempts where I ended up driving through the tunnel to T123 and back again to the rental car returns. I put five quid worth of petrol in before returning. Gee petrol is expensive in the UK!

I made the 3:15pm deadline, despite the best efforts of the M3 and the driving rain, and jumped on the bus round to T1 check-in.

The R (Premium) check-in area was deserted at that time of day. I queried about changing my LHR-FRA to an earlier flight and was told I have to take my paper ticket to the ticket desk to have it changed. Since there was no queue, I decided to change to the earlier flight. That would still give me plenty of time in the lounge and get me to my hotel an hour earlier.

The whole process of changing my ticket and checking-in took less than 5 mins. And the security screening also had no delay. Shoes off this time. I had placed all my liquids in my checked bag assuming it was going to reliably delivered and I didn't need anything for the 1 hour flight.

So straight through and to the FLounge. Showed my BP and my QF Plat card and no problems walking into the FLounge. It was not long before I had to gain the attention of the wait-staff to replace the now empty JW Blue bottle.

The flight was delayed slightly, I assume due to the LHR weather. The sideways rain is a fair indication that ATC will be limiting the airport operation somewhat. So it was probably a good thing I changed flights as these delays always seem to get worse before they get better.

Eventually the flight is called and I make my way to the gate via the loo. By the time I am walking down the last part of the concourse, I am being paged. I am the third person to board.

BA914
LHR-FRA
Seat 1A
737-400

Upon boarding, I find two people already sitting in 1A and 1C, deep in conversation. The FA sees that I am holding a BP for 1A and very quickly suggests I slot into 3F and have the row to myself (3D and E are free). I was not in a mood to argue so just stowed my bag and slid into the window seat. Very soon the CSD approached the person sitting in 1A and asked to see if BP. He had noted they were now one person extra in the front cabin. He was told in no uncertain way that he was not allowed to upgrade himself and if he wanted to sit with his friend then they would have to do that down the back. So they got up and moved back to economy. I stayed in my 3F seat.

We have a reasonably long taxi to the active runway, but no further delays and no long queue for take-off as can happen at LHR. There is little view as we very soon climb through the thick clouds.

As soon as the seatbelt sign is off, we are offered drinks. The 15yo Glenlivet is a welcome sight for such a short-haul business class service. This is quickly followed by a light meal consisting of a cold chicken salad and sweet sticky something for desert. It was quite ok for such a short flight.

Another long taxi after landing into FRA and we eventually arrive at the gate. Its a short walk to passport control and as it often the case when arriving on a BA flight in RA there is no queue at the non-EU passport line. Hand over the passport and it is briefly inspected, a quick glance at me to verify the photo and its stamped and handed back. No questions about how long I plan to stay, where I am staying, who I work for, the purpose of my visit or any of the other questions often asked at places like USA.

From my last visit to FRA, I know that the courtesy shuttle bus to the Holiday Inn Frankfurt Airport North picks up from Terminal 1, and the BA flight arrives into Terminal 2. So I head straight for the airtrain to Terminal 1. It is fast and effortless to follow the signs to Terminal 1.

It seems that every time I use airport-hotel shuttles, I must just miss on bus as I always seem to have to wait the maximum time for the next shuttle. But this time I only have to wait a few minutes and the bus arrives. I am the only passenger for the 5 min ride to the hotel.

I have booked an "upgraded room" and am given that room type. I note from my last visit that I am now 2 from 2 stays here with no PC Platinum recognition (no upgrade, amenities etc). But I am only here overnight so its no real issue. I request to be booked for the 8am shuttle back to the airport the following morning and head off to get some sleep.

The following morning, after verifying my flight time, I recall that AA check-in does not open until 3 hours before departure. So that means there is no point in getting to the airport before 8:50am. So I call reception and change my shuttle reservation to 8:30am, again relying on my previous experience to know its a long walk from the shuttle drop-off point at Section A to the AA check-in desk as section C of Terminal 1. The return shuttle is full (8 passengers) so it is good that I had changed my reservation as there are some people who have no reserved and they have to wait behind for the next one.

The walk to the AA check-in area takes about 10 mins, wheeling my bags along the length of Terminal 1. When I get to the top of the escalator I head to the F/J check-in area where I am met by Susan who has the task of pre-screening the passengers before they are permitted to check-in. This is the only place I have ever had such a detailed inquisition about me and my plans for the USA. It really is intrusive and I really don't understand the reason behind the thoroughness, especially when you note the lack of questions for me to enter Germany.

I am asked if I am travelling for business or pleasure. When I answer business, I am asked all about what I do and who I work for. I am asked for a business card of some other form of company identification. I pull out my company photo ID and she holds on to it and says she will need that to show her supervisor (what??).

Next I am asked for proof of when I was staying in Germany. My hotel receipt is shown and again she holds onto this for the time being. Then I am asked about where I will be staying in the USA and can I prove it. Luckily I have a print-out from Priority Club reservation showing a summary of most of my accommodation details for the rest of the trip. That is also held by Susan. I am asked who paid for my ticket and details of the purpose of my business visit, if I am visiting customers, other staff, suppliers etc. This whole question and answer session takes about 10 mins. No wonder the economy check-in queue is so long!

Eventually Susan believes she has collected enough information and takes my tickets, passport, company ID and other collected paperwork over to the supervisor and they discuss for another few minutes. She eventually returns and put a stamp on my flight coupon and scrawls some marks onto the coupon (of course with the 4 layers of carbon this goes straight through to the following coupons making it impossible to read the departure time details for this flights!). Then I have all my papers etc returned and am invited to use the next available check-in agent. Wow, what a process just to get to the check-in desk!

At the check-in desk there is a problem. Susan had only stamped and scrawled on my FRA-DFW coupon. She had not done the same on the DFW-ORD coupon. So she is called over by the check-in agent and asked to verify that coupon as well. Then I am able to be checked in for my flights and boarding passes printed.

The AAdmirals Club is land-side and I am invited to head up the escalator and visit the lounge before heading through security to the gate. The lounge is pretty basic with some comfortable seating and a stocked bar. The only food is some small bread rolls with jam and cream cheese. I have a few Mineral Waters and use the WiFi internet to use call home using my IP Softphone.

Eventually the flight is called so I head down to the security checkpoint and passport control. This time I am requested to remove shoes, belt, watch and glasses before going through the metal detector.

Outbound passport control is manned by only two agents and is the bottleneck for outgoing passengers. They have to hold up the security screening because the queue waiting for passport control has backed up to the x-ray machines. When I finally get to the front of the queue, the stamping process is very fast with no discussion. Then its a very short walk to gate C4 for another boarding pass and passport check to enter the gate area. I then head straight onto the aircraft and find I am one of the last business class passengers to board, even though there are still a large number of people milling around the gate (well over 150 people I estimate).

AA71
FRA-DFW
Seat 12A
777-200

I love the seat pitch on AA's 777 and 767 business class. I normaly prefer to fly in an aisle seat, but with AA's very generous pitch, I am happy to take a window seat. There was plenty of room for me to walk to my window seat without encroaching on my 12B seat partner, and can easily slide my roller bag under the seat in front and not come close to touching it with my feet.

Pre-takeoff drinks of champagne, juice or water are offered - champagne is always a good way to start a 10 hour flight. We are soon pushing back and quickly into the air. The Captain tells us the winds are favourable and we should be about 30 mins early into DFW where the weather is clear.

As always for AA long-haul flights, I was careful to select a seat according to FEBO. AA take meal orders based on the flight number of the flight, with even numbered flights having orders taken from the front of the cabin and old numbered flight from the rear (Front Even, Back Odd). But knowing there are two meal services and that serving is always from the front, I like to avoid the back row on odd numbered flights. AA will run out of the most popular meal choice, which is something that I have never had happen to me on any other airlines when travelling in business class (yes, I know there will be people who have experienced this in QF, BA, CX etc, but I have not had that experience or even heard the FAs on my flights telling people they cannot have their first choice.

When the time comes for meal orders to be taken, the FAs head straight to row 13 (the rear of the J cabin) and start taking orders. Hmm, 13A, B, D and E all choose the lamb. The she moves forward and starts with 12D, then 12B who both also request the lamb. Now I know I have made a wise seat selection as I also request the lamb. That is 7 from 7 for the lamb. There is only one lamb dish left for the 3 rows in front of me. At least there were three other choices on the menu for them to choose from. I order a Diet Coke for starters, while my seatmate requests a scotch on the rocks and has two bottle of Dewars poured over a full glass of ice. I consider following his lead and asking for one bottle of Glenlivet poured over 2 ice cubes, but decide to stick with my initial choice for now.

The meal is very good, though lamb cutlets can be a little difficult to eat with airline cutlery - even though the knife was steel, it was blunter than most plastic knifes I have used so far on this trip. I take a glass of Koonungra Hill Shiraz with the meal and once again am reminded why I usually don't have wine with my meal. Dessert is Ben & Gerry's Cherry Choc-Chip Ice Cream.

After the meal I pull out my laptop and watch a few DVDs. Again on this day-time flight the FAs insisted on having all the blinds closed. If I wanted to sleep on the flight I would have chosen a night-time flight. I chose a day-time flight because I wanted to be awake on this flight and sleep in a hotel room at the end of the day.

About 2 hours before landing we are offered a snack. This time the orders are taken from the front of the cabin, which is why I like to be just back or forward of the middle according to FEBO. The choice is Mushroom Pizza or Cold Asian Chicken Salad.

On arrival into DFW, it is evident that several other flights have arrived at the same time, including one other from FRA (LH) and several from South America. It takes about 30 mins to walk to immigration processing and get through the queue. The USA immigration inquisition is much less daunting or through than the FRA pre-check-in checks. It takes less than a minute to hand over the passport, have the I94W form and passport stamped, place two fingers on the scanner and smile for the camera.

By the time I get to the baggage carousel, all the bags have been delivered and the belt has stopped. So I walk around the belt until I find my bag and I am pleased to see there is no queue to exit customs (unlike my last time arriving on this flight into DFW). Outside customs I am directed to the correct belt to drop my already tagged bag for the connection to ORD. Then a quick check of the departures monitors shows I have to head from my arrivals Terminal D to Terminal A for my connection. I allowed plenty of time for my connection and at this time I wish I had booked the tighter connection.

The new SkyTrain makes it very easy to get between terminals. I went through security screening at Terminal D and then up to the SkyTrain and was at Terminal A in a matter of minutes.

At the Terminal A Admirals Club I hand over the QF Platinum card and my AA BP and am presented with a single drink voucher. Oh well, I am not really in need of multiple drinks and can't be bothered asking for more. Upstairs I make the most of the T-Mobile hotspot and call home again. I exchange the drinks voucher for a bottle of sparking water.

I keep an eye on the time and knowing that boarding starts 30 mins before departure I check the departures display at about 35 mins to go. It shows On Time so I leave the lounge and walk to the nearby gate. Hmm, Gate A21 shows the right flight details and there are lots of people milling around, but there is no aircraft parked at the gate. How can it possibly be on-time when the inbound aircraft has not yet arrived? I decide to take a seat and see what happens.

Soon there is an announcement that the flight will be boarding late and since this is a beverage-only flight, people may like to go and purchase food now. Many people take the advice and leave the gate area. Eventually an MD80 rolls up to the gate and disgorges its passengers.

We are then told that boarding will be at 6pm, though due to storms in the Chicago area we will not be taking off until 7:20pm. It seems they need the gate (or perhaps the on-time departure stats are measured from push-back time) so we will be sitting on the tarmac for over an hour - oh great. I am very glad to be seated in F! At least they offer us drinks while we are on the ground.

AA2364
DFW-ORD
Seat 3A
MD80

Once onboard I ask for a Glenlivet and Ice, and my seat neighbour does likewise. He comments that we have just emptied the bar of the Glenlivet as they only load 2 bottle on the MD80 flights. Of well, its down to Dewars for the rest of the flight, so the next one is requested with ginger ale to make it drinkable.

I made a call to my Chicago-based colleague who was going to meet me at the airport to let him know were delayed and not expecting to arrive until 9:30pm. So I suggested I would just get the courtesy shuttle to the hotel and we made arrangements for him to collect me from the hotel in the morning to drive to the office.

After about 30 mins sitting on the tarma the captain tells us we have been given a landing slot into ORD and we are second in line for takeoff so please turn off all phones and laptop computers immediately.

Soon after take-off we are offered a choice of meals, cheese ravioli or beef salad. This is typical AA domestic F fair. Edible, but not great. The FA (John) is very jovial and chatty which helps to pass the time. My seatmate is also good for some conversation to help pass the time.

We ended up landing about 9pm. By the time my bag arrived on the belt and I found my way to the courtesy bus centre and waited another 25 mins for the hotel shuttle, I found it was 10pm before I reached the hotel. It had been a long day of travel and I was ready for hit the sack.

The check-in agent at the Corwne Plaza Rosemont told me he had provided a complementary upgrade, for which I thanked him. When I got to my room I realised this was not just an upgraded room but a huge King Executive Suite. It was about half the size of my house. It didn't take me long to settle into bed.

Excellent report NM.

It seems QF mix and match their food offerings on their various F flights. Many of the items on your menus appeared on my recent F flights on QF also.

I agree about the window shades. I sit in window seats because I like to look out the window not look at a window shade. :(

LGW has the pre check-in dragons also for AA flights who give you the third degree. Sometimes you just want to say 'Oh and I have Corn Flakes for breakfast too'. :p

Interestingly enough flying AA out of LHR you don't get the same inquisition.

Perhaps DFW is the common denominator here.

It seems QF mix and match their food offerings on their various F flights. Many of the items on your menus appeared on my recent F flights on QF also.
Yes, I have noticed this also. I guess it does provide some consistency and I always enjoy the Steak Sandwich :) .
LGW has the pre check-in dragons also for AA flights who give you the third degree. Sometimes you just want to say 'Oh and I have Corn Flakes for breakfast too'. :p
I will try that one next time and see what sort of response I receive :D

I usually just go with the flow and try to stay under the radar. But the "thoroughness" of the inquisition is quite absurd. I can't recall seeing anywhere in the requirements for entry to the USA that says I am required to be able to prove where I stayed the night before I departed for the LOTFAP. And what does it matter to the AA check-in people who I work for or the purpose of my visit to the LOTFAP. That is information for me to share with the USA Customs and Border Security agent when I submit my I94W form for entry processing.

Way too much flying for my taste, but great report! ^

In all the time I was in the FLounge, I was never asked for my boarding pass or flight details as others have reported from the SYD and MEL FLounges. Perhaps the staff all noted my arrival early when the lounge was empty so al knew my details already?

Or maybe they've been getting too many complaints? When I visited MEL F lounge the day before you, I got asked for BP at the computers, which I went straight to from reception desk - indeed the computer I sat at is in sight of reception. I was again asked a few more times in a lounge visit of about 2 hours.

I wonder if they were doing it to track usage of the different services to refine the offerings?

And what does it matter to the AA check-in people who I work for or the purpose of my visit to the LOTFAP. That is information for me to share with the USA Customs and Border Security agent when I submit my I94W form for entry processing.

Perhaps AA have had too many people turned back at US Immigration - and I guess they get pinged for allowing them onboard so hey try and prevent any returnees from getting on board?

Way too much flying for my taste, but great report! ^

Heresy !!!! :D

The next morning (Friday), my Chicago-based colleague collected me from the hotel and we drove to the local office. Here we met with another colleague and worked through the final planning for some lab work we have planned for Fort Worth a week later. Its a very productive day.

After first verifying that I am of carnivorous culinary bent, my local side-kick makes a reservation for dinner at Fogo de Chao in down-town Chicago. Hmm, its a good thing I had some salad on my sandwich at lunch time, cos this is one heck of a meat-eater venue.

I think we consumed two sheep, a pig and most of a cow between the two of us. Then we headed to a local micro-brewery for a sampler of 8 of their speciality beers. I have an afternoon flight out on Saturday, so no need to rush back to the hotel for an early night.

Following my Friday commitments in Chicago, my next need is to be in Fort Worth for Monday morning. So I looked for the most comfortable way to get from ORD to DFW while collecting some AA miles. Knowing the rest of my North American itinerary, I knew I have two sectors available to me. So I note I can take a 763 to LAX, overnight there and take another 763 to DFW on Sunday. That sounds like a good plan for me, and much more fun that the direct MD80 option most people would take.

So after a leisurely sleep-in on Saturday morning, I take the 11am hotel shuttle to the airport to check-in for my 3:10pm flight to LAX. At check-in I am offered an earlier flight, but decline when I confirm it is a 757 and I have no reason to be in LAX earlier. I intend to spend the time in the ORD FLounge.

So its shoes off again through security, but no delay. After I am safely through the security screening I realise I forgot to take out my plastic bag of "liquids" when my bag went through the x-ray. Nothing was said by the screeners, so I wonder if they were actually able to see it in there?

I head straight to the end of concourse K for the AA Flagship Lounge and show my boarding pass and QF Platinum card. There are quite a few people in the lounge awaiting the NRT flight. The lounge empties out when that flight is called.

I grab a chicken salad sandwich and a generous helping of fresh fruit ... and a glass of champagne (Piper Somona). Then fire up the laptop and take advantage of the free WiFi in the lounge (uses T-Mobile hotspot with a username/password available from the desk staff) and update this trip report.

I check on AA.com to verify the flight is on time. They don't make boarding calls for domestic flights in the FLounge. I see it is showing as on-time, but the gate has changed from K11 to K7, so a little further to walk.

AA55
ORD-LAX
Seat 5J
767-300

This is one of the un-upgraded AA 763s with the old-style F/J seats, which I quite like for a 2.5 hour day-time flight. We are offered pre-takeoff drinks as the last of the cargo is loaded. The F cabin is full for this flights, as is the case for almost all of my AA flights.

The "snack" for this flight is a choice of a Chicken Salad Sandwich or a Turkey Wrap, each served with a pasta salad and grapes.

Hmm, no Glenlivet loaded on this flight. I am offered Dewars but turn it down and just take a "Club Soda".

The in-seat power is out for the whole plane, but with a good 4+ hours of battery life, I am still able to watch a little TV on my laptop before its time to descend into LAX.

Baggage reclaim is slow as usual for AA arrivals. And when the bags start to finally arrive I am reminded just how valuable the QF priority baggage system is. It may not be 100% reliable, but without any form of priority my bag is almost the last one out, a good 45 mins after landing. No wonder people don't like checking bags in the LOTFAP.

At least I have a very short wait for the shuttle bus to the LAX Crowne Plaza, where I am given a room on the "Priory Club Platinum Floor" as well as two drinks vouchers.

The hotel shuttle back the airport leaves every 30 mins, so I head down to checkout in time for the 7:30am shuttle, which should be plenty of time for my scheduled 9:40am departure. There are about 5 people in front of me at the F check-in queue, but I am still processed in just a few minutes. Then I have to queue to drop my tagged check-in suit case at the TSA screening point.

By then, the security screening point upstairs is getting busy. They are holding people back at the bottom of the escalator that is dedicated for First and Business class passengers, EXP, Plat and Gold FF members (which probably means nearly every passenger qualifies to use this queue). Once up the escalator, I still have to zig-zag down the queue to the screening point.

After getting through the process unscathed (I like not getting the SSSS treatment now that I use an AA FF number in the booking), I again realized I had left my clear resealable “quart-size” plastic bag continaing my “liquids, pastes, gels and vegemite” inside my carry-on bag. Again nothing was said. Hmm, I am really starting to winder what they are seeing through their x-ray machine.

Then I head straight for the FLounge, once again using my QF Plat card as my entrance ticket. Having had a quick breakfast at the hotel (free), I grab a Perier and an orange juice and sit down to use the WiFi internet to catch up on work and AFF/FT and post some more of this trip report.

The flight is delayed by about an hour. According to the lounge staff, all flights to and from DFW are delayed by at least 1 hour due to severe thunder storms earlier in the morning. There are lots of connecting QF passengers on this flight and many are in the FLounge sitting out the delay.

AA3234
LAX-DFW
Seat 4K
767-300

This is my first AA flight with their new business class seats (first class for domestic flights). Initially I am very happy to have a flight with the new seats. Then I have second thoughts. The old seats don’t recline 180 degrees, but they certainly recline significantly further than QF’s Dreamtime seats and are spaced at around 60 inches compared with QF dreamtimes at 50 inches. And we all rave over getting a dreamtime configured 767 or 743 for a 4+ hours trans-continental flight to/from PER. So the old AA 763 F seats really are very good for a 3 hour day-time flights.

The first thing I notice with the new AA seats is that the cabin looks much more cluttered. No longer is there wide open space between seats. The shell that the seat in front reclines into is closer than the back of a QF Dreamtime seat, although it does have a large space underneath to store a fairly large bag.

I selected a window seat knowing that the 60” pitch on the AA 763 makes it really simple for the window passenger to get out. But that is a very different situation with these new seats.. They might go flat (not horizontal, and a steeper slope than QF Skybeds), but the overall cabin feeling is much more cluttered and its very hard to get from windows to aisle no matter if the aisle passenger is reclining or sitting. So I promised myself I would change my remaining AA 763 seat assignments from A or K to D or H seats (the middle two in the 2x2x2 config) so I don’t have to be a climber or a climbee.

I am sure these new seats would be great for a long overnight flight. But for a 3-4 hour domestic daytime flight, I think the older seats are just fine and have some benefits. They are very different to the QF Skybed design. While in the sitting position, the seat can be moved forwards and backwards to move closer to the table. There are two parts to the table, which can be used independently or joined to make a single large table. One part folds down from the back of the shell of the seat in front, while the other part lifts from the centre armrest.

No pre-departure drinks offered on this flight. I really don’t understand the criteria for this on AA flights. It really seems random to me. Drinks and warm nuts are offered soon after takeoff. I take a “club soda” to wash down the nuts. The AA warm nuts have also changed over the years. A few years back there were more pine nuts than anything else. Back for the last year or so they have been back to a decent mix of cashews, pistachios, almonds and pecans.

The meal being served is breakfast, even though we took after 10:45am and arrive into DFW around 3:45pm. AA really don’t understand variety when it comes to the meals they server in domestic F. The omelet is just the same as always.

We arrive into Terminal D. Even though I am staying in Ft Worth for two nights, I am booked on this same flight’s continuing service to MIA for my next flight, so I take note that it is likely to be departing from Terminal D as well. In DFW’s usual manner, the bags take about 30 mins to appear, then its outside to wait for the rental car shuttle. At DFW, all rental car agencies are in a common rental car centre which operates very efficiently for such a busy place.

The avis agent notes their system shows I have two reservations., both which show as cancelled. I did change my next flight forward by a day so the TA would have needed to alter the reservation to match (2 days instead of 3), but something went wrong. No problem, the Avis agent is able to rebook me at our corporate rate. But they have no “standard” cars available, so he offers me a minivan! Now I drive one of them all the time at home, so I asked if they had a car? “Sure, I get you a Mercury Grand Marquis, will that do?”. So off I go to find my “yank tank”.

I drive straight to the hotel (Holiday Inn Express) and after checking-in I call my local colleague (a Brit, now married to a New Hampshire lady and living deep in the heart of Texas). I head to their house (or I should probably call it a zoo) for a lovely dinner among the 2 miniature horses, 8 dogs, 5 cats, 4 goats, 3 ducks, 3 turkeys, 7 various birds and some others animals they don’t feed directly.

The next day and a half is spent buried deep in the bowels of lab where the overzealous air conditioning system means I always take my leather jacket along with me. I manage to complete all my preparations for the big assault on the lab that is planned for next week, when we have five six other folks converging on Ft Worth.

Well its about time I update the trip report. Sitting in the FLounge at LAX gives me an hour or so to catch up following a very hectic few weeks.

AA2434
DFW-MIA
Seat 2B
767-300

After two brief nights in Ft Worth and spending all day Monday buried in the bowels of the lab, I returned to the lab to finish off a few things on Tuesday morning before heading back to DFW to my 4:45pm departure. No traffic problems on the roads and I made it to the rental car facility about 2.5 hours before scheduled departure, allowing plenty of time to get to Terminal D and enjoy a few Shiner Bocks before departure. I do like terminal D at DFW - it is a definite improvement on all the other terminals.

The flight was on-time and 100% full. I really appreciate the sanctity of the lounges at US airports in contrast to the bustle of the gate lounges with all the stand-by and upgrade waitlist people are hovering around the desk hoping to see their names progress up the lists published on the TV monitors. I am so glad I don't have to participate in that zoo either there or back home in Australia. The QF process of managing flight changes and ODI at the Qantas Club lounge is much better in my opinion.

On board I am pleased to see the aircraft has the old seats and hence I have 60 inches between me and the bulk head - although I suspect the bulkhead is probably the best place to be on the AA new business class config. Water or juice is offered before departure.

The in-flight service for this flight is the snack and the usual choice of Turkey Wrap or Chicken Salad Sandwich is offered. Note that "Chicken Salad" is the US definition of the same and that means its chicken diced very small and mixed with mayonnaise and coleslaw and spread thickly on two slices of bread. Its quite ok and certainly enough for lunch, just not what most Aussies would expect when ordering a Chicken Salad Sandwich. Last flight I had the turkey so I decided to take the chicken salad sandwich this time.

We landed into MIA pretty much on time. Then as I stood up and removed my bag from the overhead locker, I saw my boss standing up from seat 3H across the aircraft! What a surprise. If I knew he was on the same flight I would have invited him as my guest into the AAdmirals Club. He had managed an EXP comp upgrade for the flight but still has no lounge access.

So we found our way down to the baggage collection area and waited, and waited, and waited. After an hour our bags finally arrived. I was originally planning to arrive into MIA the following day, but someone needed to set-up the demo equipment at our booth at the conference we were attending so I volunteered to be available at the conference hotel on the Wednesday morning, so flew in on Tuesday evening. However, this late change meant I could not get a room at the conference hotel for the extra night so I booked at the Crowne Plaza at MIA airport. My boss had planned earlier than me and went straight to the conference hotel (Intercontinental).

I went looking for the airport hotel shuttle buses and could not locate an area where they would collect passengers on the arrivals level. So I found the board with all the hotel ads and free phones and called the CP to ask where I would find the pick-up area. It was on the departures level. just flag down the bus. there is no designated spot for hotel shuttles. This just confirmed my view of how poorly organised MIA airport is.

At the CP, I was given a room on their "Quiet Floor". The sign on the floor says something like this:

"We will not assign children, tour groups, marching bands or circus companies to this floor. In return we ask that you speak quietly, keep the TV volume low and avoid refrain from hosting bingo games and discos in your room."

I obliged.

I won't go into too much detail of the stay at the Miami Intercontinental Hotel and the conference, except to say that when I arrived at the hotel around 10am I was directed to the 29th floor Club Lounge to check-in (I have IC Ambassador status) and my room was ready for immediate use. I was also invited to use the lounge for breakfast each morning and evening drinks. The breakfast was better than the donuts and pastries offered to the conference attendees.

AA1773
MIA-DFW
Seat 4D (3D)
767-300

I had chosen to take an early flight out on Saturday morning due to it being the only 763 aircraft of the morning. That meant I had to check out of the hotel about 6:15 to make it to MIA airport for the 8:15 departure. A colleague who live in Ft Worth decided to head to the airport with me and go standby on the same flight to save his wife having to come out to the airport to pick him us. We met in the hotel foyer (after a reasonably heavy last night of the conference) and took a cab to the airport.

My colleague used the self check-in kiosk since he had only carry-on luggage and was able to confirm onto the flight and waitlisted for an upgrade (he is AA Plat). I had to queue at the F check-in desk for what seemed an eternity (probably 10 mins) since I had both bags to check and a paper ticket. Eventually I was checked in and then had to take my bags to the TSA station for screening. At least we both could use the priority line for security which only took us about 10 mins to clear.

We headed to the AAdmirals Club and I asked about getting drinks vouchers (hoping to get a decent coffee or Perrier or similar) only to be informed that the bar does not open until after our flight will depart. Oh well, we have to suffer the pickings on offer in the lounge before we board.

My colleague's upgrade did not clear and he was seated in the middle seat in the second last row. I boarded first and took my place in 4D. Soon after, two men travelling together asked if I was willing to swap into 3D so they could sit together. I was a little apprehensive since I had selected row 4 to ensure I had my choice of breakfast. But I agreed to move and I was still able to have my breakfast choice (they didn't run out until row 2).

The flight was pretty much uneventful. The usual breakfast of Omelette or cereal was offered. I quite like the AA omelette for breakfast.

We landed close to on-time and I waited at the arrival gate for my colleague to eventually escape from the back of the aircraft. By this time he was hungry and headed off for a Mc Muffin to fill the hole while I went to wait for my bags. This time they took about 40 mins to arrive. Then it was off to the rental car centre to collect the transport for the week. This time I was given a Kia Sorrento 4WD.

The next week was one of long hour and deep concentration as I worked with 4 other colleagues in the lab evaluating and testing various products and services. This meant some long days and skipped lunches etc.

But Friday was a "debrief day" and we wrapped that up early afternoon and headed to the house of one of the local managers who lives in Eagle Lake about 40 mins drive from Ft Worth. We enjoyed some typical Texas BBQ (from Cousins BBQ for those who know the Ft Worth institution) of Brisket, Ribs, and Sausage along with potato salad and coleslaw. There was plenty of Shiner Bock and Corona in the esky to last well into the evening before the Tequila shots came out.

I had to leave the hotel by 6:30am so was well refrained from the shots and enjoyed the company and the pleasant evening overlooking Eagle Lake. We left just before a very large thunderstorm arrived.

The thunder storms hung around all night and it was still raining very heavily when I awoke at 5:45am. After a quick phone call to the family at home (the last chance I will have for a reasonable timezone overlap for a few days) I checked out of the hotel (HI Express on I30) and headed to the airport. There was lightning all around and the rain was torrential. it was so heavy that a car in the lane on my left aquaplaned and drifted across just in front of me and ended up bouncing off the grass bank on the far right lane. He must have been in a rental car as he didn't stop and just kept on driving - by this stage significantly slowed and now behind me.

At least there was little traffic on the roads at 7am on a Saturday. So after stopping for fuel (boy does that Kia Sorrento drink the fuel) I returned the rental car about 1:45 before my flight departure time. I was sure that the flight was going to be delayed due to the storms and was preparing myself for a 12 our delay at LAX after I missed by CX departure to HKG. But to my surprise, even though many flights were delayed or cancelled, mine was showing as on-time (phew). The aircraft must have overnighted in DFW as all arrivals were delayed.

I was glad to see the departure was again from Terminal D so I jumped on the appropriate shuttle from the rental car centre. Check-in was quick and easy with few people around the departures area. I asked if my bags could be checked through to KUL (via LAX and HKG), but they could only be tagged to HKG even though I was provided boarding passes for DFW-LAX, LAX-HKG and HKG-KUL. But since I have more the 12 hours at HKG the bags could not be tagged through. So I will need to collect them at HKG and take them to my hotel for the overnight stay before re-checking at HKG for the KUL flight on Monday morning.

AA2409
DFW-LAX
Seat 5B
737-800

Unfortunately there was no 763 option for my morning flight to LAX today. The official CX connecting flight (using a CX codeshare) was a MD80 departure at 10:05. I opted for the 9:10am 737-800 departure instead, knowing that I really did not want to miss the LAX-HKG connection and also that I could spend the extra time in the T4 FLounge at LAX anyway. I am always conservative when it comes to connections, and as a result I have rarely had connection problems.

The AA 737-800 has 4 rows of "First Class" and I selected the second last row since it was an odd numbered flight. I ws happy with the seat selection. I was first to board and it was clear from the number of people in the gate lounge that this was to be my first AA flight that was not 100% full for this trip. In fact, there were two F seats unused! This is the first time I have seen empty F seats in several years. Judging by the number of people walking past me, I would expect the flight was 60% full.

We are offered juice or water before departure. Pushback is on-time and we have the usual 10 min taxi at DFW before take-off. The captain predicts an early arrive.

Breakfast includes the usual omelette and this tme the alternate is pancakes. This is the first time I have heard of pancakes for F breakfast. I stick with the omelette and its a good as usual, with a nice fruit salad and "biscuit" with butter and jam.

We landed about 10 mins early but the taxi and gate wait meant we deplaned at about the scheduled arrival time. I knew I had a good two ours before my CX departure from TBI so went straight to the T4 FLounge. The agent at the entrance desk looked at my CX boarding pass and asked if I had just arrived on an AA flight and could she see that BP. It was easier for her to register me with that BP than for my CX flight. My QF Plat card again provided me FLounge access. The agent at the FLounge entrance desk was not at all perturbed by my CX connection and agreed that this was a much better place to spend my time rather than the temp lounge at TBI. She confirmed I knew how to get to TBI and then welcomed me to the FLounge.

Its now 30 mins to boarding for my CX flight, so I guess I should finish up with this trip report and start to wander over to TBI just in case there is a long queue at security.

NM

You certainly keep up a fairly punishing schedule. I've been enjoying the report so far.

CX885
LAX-HKG
Seat 12D
747-400

After leaving the LAX terminal 4 FLounge to head for my CX departure from TBI, I stopped by the CX check-in desk just to see if they were going to want to exchange my AA-issued BP with a new CX-issued pass. They certainly did. So that begs the question as to why AA would bother to actually issue boarding passes for connecting flights operated by other airlines since they seem to always require a new BP to be issued by the operating airline?

The next challenge was to find my way to Gate 101. The security screening queue nearest the low numbered gates was overflowing well out into the check-in area. So I headed to the other security screening check-point nearer the high numbered gates. The queue there was about 5 people deep and after removing my shoes, laptop and nasties bag, I was through security in less than 5 mins. So even with the extra walking, it was still a lot quicker than the other checkpoint would have been.

At gate 101 (the far end of the concourse), boarding had not yet commenced. I joined the end of the line behind the sign that said "First/Business Class". Even though there was a long queue of people behind this sign, I was amazed at how many "important looking" people just pushed past the queue to get to the front. Then when they realised there was actually a queue for F and J boarding, they sheepishly returned to the end of the queue. I must have seen 10 people do this in a matter of 5 mins.

The flight was 100% full, but this was to be my first CX trans-Pacific flight without an upgrade, so I was going to experience they business class sleeper seats for a 14 hour flight. I have used these seats in shorter flights (such as HKG-KUL) before, but not for a long-haul flight. I guess my AA Platinum status was not as important as the QF Platinum status that scored me some upgrades in the past.

I had chosen this flight from all the options to get me to Asia from DFW since it is about the only OneWorld day-time trans-Pacific flight (JL also have a daytime LAX-NRT now as a OneWorld option, and I prefer CX via HKG over AA via NRT any time). So I was looking forward to staying awake for most of the flight and then sleeping in a hotel room near HKG.

I had preselected a middle block aisle seat on the lower deck in the hope that I might have a spare seat next to me and at worst to minimise the disruption of neighbour passenger needing to climb out over me. Even a few hours before departure, the seatmap was showing 12E as vacant. However, I could see from the mass of zeros that I was very likely to have a seatmate, and sure enough it was taken.

When I boarded, Mr 12E was already sitting there reading a newspaper in Chinese, so I assumed English was not his native language and didn't disrupt him. I just with I could say the same for him! four times during the flight while trying to adjust his seat he pressed the buttons for my seat adjustment, so in the middle of watching a movie my seat would suddenly move! Sheesh - some people have no idea on how to even operate an airline seat. Now that was really annoying. Doing it once may be a mistake, but 4 times was really disturbing.

I started the long flight the same way I always start long flights - with a champagne. We pushed back about 20 mins late after sitting at the gate for a long time with the doors closed. Then a long taxi meant we didn't take off until well over half an hour late. But the captain was confident we would make up the lost time.

Its interesting how many CX pilots are Australian. In fact, I can't remember a CX flight where the captain was not an Aussie. I guess many of them are ex-Ansett pilots. Its is quite uncanny to hear the Aussie accent from the flight deck amongst the Asian accents from the cabin crew.

Lunch was served soon after takeoff. While awaiting the lunch service I watched a few TV programs from the Discovery section on Studio CX. The CX AVOD IFE is very fast to load and very responsive. QF can take some lessons from CX in this (and some other) areas.

As usual, the menu is handed out with a personal welcome. The menu is handed to the passenger opened to the page written in the language the FA things will be understood. Jan got it right and opened to the English page for me.

Starters:
Seasonal mixed salad with lemon vinaigrette
Marinated prawns and scallops with caviar cream

Main Courses:
Braised chicken and abalone with steamed rice and baby pak choy
Pan-seared beef fillet with mushroom sauce, roast fingerling potatoes, asparagus and carrots
Stir-fried seafood with ginger and spring onion egg fried rice and pak choy
Asparagus and wild mushroom risotto with truffle

Cheese and Dessert:
Cheese Selection
Fresh seasonal fruit
Tiramisu

Tea and Coffee

Pralines

Snacks:
Panini with mozzarella, grilled vegetable and Parma ham
Roast duck in noodle soup
Haagen-Dazs ice cream

As always, the CX food was good and the service excellent. I enjoyed the beef, served with another glass of champagne and a JW Gold. Then the tiramisu with a port followed by a Baileys and ice. Then I was ready to settle down for some serious DVD watching.

Once the tray was cleared away, out came the laptop and back went the seat. I watched 8 episodes of "24" to while away the hours. I must have consumed at least 4 cans of Perrier water while watching. Then I was ready for a snooze. It was while I was snoozing that my seat neighbour found my seat controls for the 4th time - Arrgggh.

About 2 hours before landing the dinner service began. Those who were awake were served and as other woke they were offered dinner.

Dinner Menu

Starter:
Fresh seasonal fruit

Main Course:
Braised beef brisket with steamed rice and stir-fried baby pak choy
Herb marinated chicken with lentils, boiled potatoes and vegetables
Seafood congee accompanied by spring onion pancake

Dessert:
Fresh fruit flan

Tea and Coffee

Pralines

This time I selected the chicken, however I was not very hungry and didn't eat it all. Ice cream was also offered along with the fruit flan, so I had my second Haagen Dazs treat for the flight.

True to the captains promise, we landed pretty much on time, but then had a very long taxi all the way to gate E1. The queue for immigration processing was probably around 50 people and took about 10 mins to get through. Then I had to wait a further 10 mins for my bag to arrive. So much for AA's priority tags that were applied at DFW. There was nothing priority about the deliver of my bags. They were not the last out, but certainly well down the deliver schedule.

Outside customs I headed for the hotel information booth to register for the shuttle bus to the Novotel Citigate. I was given a blue triagular sticker to wear on my shirt and asked to take a seat until the bus arrived, at which time I will be escorted to the bus. I was told the wait was going to be 10 mins. Exactly 10 mins later I was collected and escorted to the bus. I was the only passenger.

The Novotel Citigate is new and modern. Its very convenient if just transiting overnight at HKG. The bus ride is about 5 mins from the airport, so even with the 10 mins wait and a 5 min walk for the bus, I was checking-in at the hotel about 20 mins after collecting my bags.

CX723
HKG-KUL
Seat 11D
A330-300

I checked out of the Novotel Citigate around 6:10 and just made the 6:15am shuttle to the airport. At the CX F check-in desk I was informed that the business class check-in was down the row a little, but was welcomed to use the F check-in when I whipped out my QF Platinum card. A porter came by and collected my bags and took them away to be tagged to KUL. I was given an invitation to the FLounge and headed for security.

The security lines were fairly short at that time of the morning. Once through I turned left (oh what a feeling) and headed to the nearby Wing FLounge. I headed straight for the dining room and the dim sum. I was reminded that the buffet dining can mean some of the food is not as fresh as you might like and although the dim sum was tasty, it was not as hot as it could have been.

After breakfast I sat and caught up with this trip report and some other surfing while I waited for boarding time. The flight was leaving from gate 25 which is not too far to walk from The Wing (about 1/3 of the way down the main link between the East and West sections. Judging by the number of people milling around the gate area, the flight was not going to be full. Two aero bridges were used for boarding with J pax using the forward door so I didn't see how many people were sitting down teh back.

I should have been more prepared for this sector. I had pre-allocated seat 11D, but I do recall noting a while ago that the aircraft type was showing as 333 and not 330. CX's 333 means its a 3-class long-haul config A330-300 and the HKG-KUL is a 2-class service. So I should have made the effort to request a seat in row 1 or 2 and had an F seat for the 3 hour flight. But instead I settled for my long-haul J seat and had an empty seat beside me, so not to bad for the shortish leg.

Breakfast was offered on this flight, starting with a plate of fresh seasonal fruits accompanied by a bakery selection. This was followed by the offer of cereal and yoghurt, and eventually a choice of 3 different main courses.

After the meal service I pulled out the laptop and watched some more DVD episodes. We landed on-time and has a long taxi to the C (satellite) Terminal. I was quickly off the aircraft but just missed the train over to the main terminal. At least the trains run very frequently.

Having been through KUL many times I knew to go to the far end of the train (front) and move across to the door on the other side, which would give me a jump on all the other passengers heading for immigration control. This theory worked well and I was the first from our train to hit the arrivals hall and was processed witout delay at the Premier Lane. All CX and MH business class passengers receive an invitation to use the Premier Lane for passport control. I have never seen tis lane with more than 2 or 3 people in line, but maybe that is because I use my always use my train boarding practice to ensure I am first of the bunch from my train.

Straight after immigration processing I head to the ATM to get some local cash, then to the KLIA Ekspress booth to purchase my ticket (MYR35) into KL Sentral. Then to wait for my bags. The display board over the conveyer displayed the ETA until the bags arrive. When I arrived, the clock was ticking down from 8 minutes. The first bags arrived with 2 mins still remaining on the clock, so not bad compared with all of my USA baggage waits.

I only had to wait a few minutes for the next traing to arrive at the station on the lower level of the airport. The KLIA Ekspress train takes 28 minutes for the journey from KUL to Sentral. Upon arrival at Sentral, I made my way to the Teksi booth and decided to splure for a "Premium" Teksi. At KLIA and KL Sentral, the teksis are pre-paid and you receive a voucher which you present to the concierge outside and he shows you to the next teksi waiting in line. It cost another MYR20 to get to the Crowne Plaza hotel.

After two brief nights and one long work day full of meetings in KL, it is time to start the indirect journey home. I set the alarm for 6:15am just in case I was not already up and almost ready to leave the hotel. I planned to check-in at KL Senral and that the check-in there is only available until 2 hours before departure and my scheduled departure was 9:35am.

I made it KL Sentral with plenty of time to spare, but there was a long queue of people waiting to check-in. There was a person standing at the entry area directing people to the right queue. When I mentioned CX Business Class has escorted me to the front of the queue and said the agent would check me in as soon as he finished with a group in front. Well they had about 35 pieces of luggage to be tagged and nearly as many boarding passes to be printed. Judging by the type of luggage being checked, I assume they were a band or some sort. About 15 mins later he was able to start working on my check-in, and by that time the queue was almost out the door. It is a good thing I was there early.

Once checked-in I went and purchased by KLIA Ekspress ticket and managed to walk straight onto a train that was about to depart. 28 mins later we arrived at KUL.

I noted that the check-in agent had not provided me an invitation to use the Premier Lane for immigration processing and there were enough people around the terminal to know there was going to be a queue downstairs. So I popped into the CX Business Class check-in desk and asked for the invitation and was also provided lounge invitation for KUL and HKG.

With my Premier Lane invitation there was no waiting for immigration processing, then it was through the first security screening point and then onto the train to Terminal C. I went up to the CX lounge to wait for the flight. This is one of the most disappointing lounges in the network. I say and used the internet and had two glasses of orange juice. even though I had not yet had breakfast, there was nothing available that interested me in the lounge. I decided to wait and eat on-board.

A most enjoyable read thus far, NM. Definitely one for the collection. I look forward to reading of your continuing adventure. Great stuff!

A most enjoyable read thus far, NM. Definitely one for the collection. I look forward to reading of your continuing adventure. Great stuff!

Agree with you there, 2A. NM's best report yet IMHO. Can't wait for the next update.