roadwarrior365

I am still reading Looking forward to the rest of this great trip report.

Short hair Francis

Part 12 – Brisbane and short hop on Qantas Business Class BNE-SYD

The drive from Gold Coast to Brisbane took approx. 45 mins. We’re staying at the Brisbane Hilton for tonight.

Hilton Brisbane





After check-in and dropping some luggage, we went to return our Mercedes back to Hertz. We then made our way back to the hotel room where I needed to call up QF MEL lost items office again, at least the phone call got picked up after 45 mins but no luck. So I had to get a replacement charger which cost 99 bucks. Following that was some sightseeing of the local spots, Queens Street Plaza, City Hall, Treasury Casino, among more.

Queens Street Plaza


Old Post Office


Brisbane Town Hall


Treasury Casino and no I didn’t gamble



After 3 hrs of some sightseeing, we return to the hotel then off to Chinatown for dinner. It was a bit shady in Chinatown, dinner was Vietnamese as it looks the best out of the choice. Both times, we used Queensland Rail for transportation and soon return back to the hotel for some rest.

In the morning, we made our way to the Eagle Street Pier for the Cityferry service which traverses on the Brisbane River.

View of the Brisbane Skyline


Old Government House


Streets Beach


Taxi driver wasn’t the best tempered type for a driver as he seems to have very short fuse and I would say leaning to having a road rage issue problem.

Aug 24, 2010 – Tuesday
QF 551 BNE-SYD 6:45pm - 8:25pm (763/J)

Brisbane Qantas Domestic Terminal


Check-in was overall speedy with the agent offering us an earlier flight in getting out of BNE. Since we had an Int’l config 763 along with a more preferred arrival time into Sydney, we declined to made the switch. Security took about 10 mins as they were no priority lanes to be seen at BNE then off to the BNE Qantas Club

Brisbane Domestic Qantas Club/Business Lounge



Let’s just say the lounge was packed and it stayed relatively 95 percent packed the entire time we were there between 3:30pm to about 6:15pm, full of suits. Even momma noticed the traffic in the J lounge and momma ain’t picky The Shower room was very similar to the ones I tried earlier and the lounge offered a soup (Italian Meatball), some cold cuts, and a hot entree near dinner time along with an open bar at the end of the service area.

Another Qantas Boeing 767-300




Qantas Airways 551
Brisbane – Sydney, Australia
6:45pm – 8:20pm, 1 hr 35 min flight
Business Class, Seat 1A
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 767-300 (Domestic)

Flight was slightly delayed during boarding due to the plane’s earlier issues in Darwin and this continues on the tarmac later on as well due to an electrical problem that was discovered on the ground in BNE. This was made worse due to the last minute switching of planes from a 763 Int’l to 763 Domestic which left me initially having 1A, 2A, 3A obviously scrambling to get some insurance since neither me nor dad really like getting stuck in a window seat without aisle access. Fortunately, the J section wasn’t packed and we ended up all getting an extra seat next to us. I guess I don’t mind giving up an extra 10 inches of pitch for an extra seat next to me in J The delays ended up delaying our pushback for about 30 mins.

The takeoff was extremely powerful and off to a short flight to Sydney. Flight service was speedy as the FAs immediately began a very quick tray service dinner. I’m impress they managed a full meal on this flight.

QF 551 Dinner

Choice 1
Appetizer – Small Green Salad on Vinaigrette
Main Course – Curry Duck on White Rice with Carrots and Peas

Choice 2
Main Course – Asian rice/pasta Salad with parma Ham
Dessert – Lindt Chocolate Cake

Dinner


Well notice the choice either offered you an appetizer and a hot main or a cold main and dessert and not quite a full meal? I guess I was a bit peeved by that as the tray could’ve easily fitted the additional appetizer or the dessert depending on the choice. Cityflyer Service also offered dinner on weekday flights after 4pm for economy so I was a bit curious as to what they served but I never truly found out about that. The meal was cleared very quick and soon we made a bumpy descent into Sydney Kingsford Smith.

I also noticed that the Aussie seem to check a bit more of luggage then American/Canadian so that always seem to speed up boarding. Luggage was very mixed bag as non-priority/priority/business tagged bags all came out in one bunch. This was certainly different then my experience from ZRH, HKG, SIN, and even BNE. I didn’t know how that could be possible since 763 uses containers (LD3’s if I remember correctly) so priority luggage should have been an easy task. Taxi lines were packed and that took about 30 mins to sort out. Fortunately, the taxi line operator swapped a cab for us as the person in front of us had a van with minimal luggage while we had significant more and soon we were off to the Holiday Inn and Sydney awaits.

Next Part
Part 13 – Park Hyatt Sydney and Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney

`X'

nice pictures of my home town (brisbane). Just an FYI we call it the Queen Street Mall. Queens Plaza is a different area.

dbuster44

May I ask how you were able to redeem four one-way Star Alliance flights using AC miles? AFAIK, using AC miles for Star rewards only allow roundtrip travel, not one way.

putongo

shorthair francis

Great trip report!

One question -- how did you manage to get the 2nd main course during your LH SFO-FRA flight? I, too, am a big eater and often get hungry during the long overnight flights and would like to eat more when it's available. Did you ask in the beginning or after you finished your first main?

Happy travels!

putongo

Short hair Francis

Wow, I've hugely neglected my TR too much, gotta finish it soon

I didn't, I'm just using the other half this winter

I tend to ask after the first main, I find you should at least allow other customer to get their first choice prior to you eating your second.

Short hair Francis

Part 13 – Park Hyatt Sydney and Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney


Landed into Sydney, baggage was a bit of mix with no particular order for regular, priority and business tags. That was certainly annoying. Taxi lines were pretty long as we waited upwards of 30 mins for a cab. We ended up at the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour just around 10pm.

Hmm, they got me a 1 Queen bed room for 3 people?? I know I’m cost cutting here for using hotwire rate but since when do you get a 1 bed room for 3 people. They were also hesitant in giving me a 2 double bed room as they said it cost more so I ended up sleeping on the rollaway bed for the 2 nights at the hotel. The internet was also 27 dollars a night but fortunately I found a go-around on this situation.

I personally don’t like eating at McDonalds as it mostly serves highly unhealthy food to their clients, that being said, McDonalds itself found its use since it offered free internet in Australia and it was across the street, I somehow got myself on the McD internet, a weak signal yes but nevertheless an internet link. I did eat McDonalds for breakfast for the next 2 mornings so they did get some revenue from us.

The first day started off using the Sydney Explorer, not the cheapest mode of transport but definitely the easiest for this trip’s needs. The first day comprises the visit to the Sydney Fish Market, Sydney Aquarium, Bondi Beach via 333 bus, and MacQuerie Point. Dinner was at Chinatown which was just the next street over from the Holiday Inn at a franchise ramen noodle place.

Sydney Fish Market




Sydney Aquarium


Bondi Beach



MacQuerie Point


Part 13 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

The second day was the movement to the Park Hyatt Sydney. At first, the hotel was a huge letdown. The bell desk completely disappeared so no one came to open the cab’s door, take the luggage from the trunk, nor even open the front doors to the hotel. I of course was hoping a little better than a city/harbour view room, but was none was to be had. The response from the check-in desk was very pompous which left me with a dissatisfying taste. Since our room was not yet available, we headed out to Circular Quay to get some photos of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Hotel itself. Starbucks at Circular Quay became our friend during the next 2 days as it was a good resting place between the Park Hyatt and the transportation system to the rest of the city.

Park Hyatt Sydney










Sydney Harbour Bridge



Opera House




We return to the hotel room around 1:15pm when our room was available, due to the need for checking some email. I tried using the Platinum Wireless Internet without success so ended up needing up calling a butler to help with the situation. The butler took 40 mins to show up, eek, if I was actually paying for this room with money, I would’ve ran. The butler eventually had to call the internet provider to solve our problem, apparently my last name wasn’t in the records??? Now ... is that?

We made our way back to the CBD to Queen Victoria Building and the Strand Arcade and dinner was near the hotel.

Queen Victoria Building


Strand Arcade


I got a glimpse of the pool and the gym but didn’t used it. One of the things I noticed at the Park Hyatt Sydney was that the services were highly inconsistent which was definitely annoying. The room staff itself was quite good at its service, recognizing every time they pass you by. The supervisor on the check-in floor, the concierge along with one of the bellboys was very good in manner and recognition of the guest as done efficiently as well. However, the check-in lady, some of the other bellboys and even other guest were certainly very DYKWIA and I would classify as having an attitude problem. This was a complete reversal from last month’s experience at the Park Hyatt Zurich where the only awkward situation was me entering the hotel door, otherwise everything else was very smooth. So like many other FTers, I personally wouldn’t stay at this hotel unless I was burning points/nights, or have a special event of sorts. Despite the view being excellent, I can’t justify putting myself through this type of service at 5 star hotel.

The last ½ day was spent going to Darlinghurst to the Bourke Street Bakery for some tarts and soon we made our way to the airport. Sydney driver’s are certainly scary even for my taste, but we did get to the airport in around 25-30 mins despite slowdown at certain chokepoints.

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport




We had to wait about 10 mins for the check-in as the check-in can only began at T-4. Immigration and security both were done under 10 mins. I guess my luck finally ran out in Sydney as they were unwilling to let my other parents in so both went to business lounge while I stay at the first class section. Spa was completely booked up as the London flights were still around and the spa close at 5pm. A shower was quickly done then off for some photos in the lounge. In the mantime, a large amount of people left the lounge as the London flights have started boarding. Then my big big dinner began in the lounge.

Sydney Qantas First Class Lounge




Part 13 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

First came the appetizer


Then the Soup


The first main Main course


The second main course


And Finally the dessert


The dinner was fabulous, service was a little slow which is fine as I order after finishing every courses. Then back downstairs to Business Class Lounge to the parents then off to gate 8, the quarantine area for US departures.

My flight awaits


Next Part
Part 14 – Qantas Business SYD-HNL and Hyatt Regency Waikiki

FriendlySkies

The photos from the QF F lounge are great!! If only UA had IFLs like that!

Jimgotkp

Very disappointing to hear about your stay at the PH Sydney. Did you contact the hotel manager about your stay?

Short hair Francis

I know there aren't many F lounges as good as the QF SYD F lounge.
I guess OW Emeralds is better than Star Gold at least in this field

Didn't even bother, not planning to go back to Aussie anytime soon, deemed way too expensive by me and the parents

Short hair Francis

Part 14 – Qantas Business SYD-HNL and Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Aug 27, 2010 – Friday
QF 3/AA 7359 SYD-HNL 7:40pm – 9:25am (763/J)

The gate itself blocked another pic of the QF 763 but I guess everyone seen enough of that one



Qantas Airways 3
Sold as American Airlines 7359
7:40pm – 9:25am, 9 hrs 45 min flight
Business Class, Seat 4A
Food – Dinner, Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 767-300 (International)

As the Cir22 fare was sold by American, they must have wanted some revenue as mine was under AA 7359.

Qantas Airways Boeing 767-300 International Business Class Cabin



Qantas Airways 763 Int’l Business Class Seat






I did manage to be the first one down to get these cabins shots. Boarding was done pretty quick along with the other QF flights I had on this trip. During that time, I gave the seat a bit of try. I personally didn’t like this seat but it was the best, most direct J option in getting to HNL from SYD. The seat personally would be great as an medium haul J product but it was very aged for this leg. In the end, the seat has decent recline but had a somewhat long seat bottom which affected sleep for me as my legs were a bit short for them. There was also no seat power for this seat and the taped video system was even smaller than the LH F SFO-FRA leg I had. I could cover the entire screen with my palm. Fortunately the taped audio system, my computer, ipod and some sleep did cover me for this leg along with the fact that the single seat side had a some space on the side of the seat to put a bag really helped me on this trip despite the limited recline on the J seat.

The pushback and the shutting of the doors were very quick, under 2 mins from what I calculated and by 8:10pm we’re in the air.

Service was first done with a drink service. Since I didn’t have any champagne during the PDB, I thought now would be a good time to make it up with a glass of bubbly. Service was done through the right side of the cabin first so both sides of the cabin did have an advantage of its own. This however did slow down the service til that it was more than 1 hr after departure before dinner was served and by the time it was clear, it was almost 2 hrs after departure.

I was originally hesitant on the curry chicken as I was worried since it was too spicy. The FA however did suggest if I found it too spicy, I can get it switch. Hmm, not bad but as I continue to eat it, it got more spicy along the way, thankfully I was trying a glass of non-alchholic ginger beer as it quickly quashes the spiciness of the curry.

QF 3 Dinner

Appetizer
Cream of Broccoli soup with croutons

Salad of Leg Ham with Celeriac Remoulade

Main Course
Chermoula Marinated Kingfish with Moroccan Eggplant Salad and Sardinian Couscous

Thai Style Red Curry of Chicken with Fragrant Rice and Asian Greens

Roast Beef with Potato Gratin, Spinach, and Cafe de Paris butter

Green Leaf Salad with herb vinaigrette

Dessert
Seasoanl cheese hand-selected by Calendar Cheese Comany served with accompaniments

Nice Cream Hazelnut and Vanilla Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Sauce

Sliced Fresh Fruit

Chocolate

Valrhona Chocolates

Paton’s Macadamia Chocolates

*Express Dinner also available





Cheese/Dessert/Fruit was then immediately done following the main course in quick fashion. One of the weirdest and perhaps more annoying part of Qantas’ service was that the FA would only tend to offer 1 out of the 3 option. So if you had first said dessert, the he/she FA wouldn’t offer you cheese or fruit unless directly demanded by the customer. This was noticed by me and my mom and in a way could be seen as being a bit thrifty on QF part which was seems to separate QF away from CX on a competitive level.

After dinner, I attempted to sleep, unfortunately the shortcomings of the seat only allow me about an hour of partial nap before I woke up again. Defeated, I took my computer out and began rearranging the pics and working on more of the trip report. After 2 hours, I finally went to sleep and woke up with 1 hr 15 min before landing into HNL. Breakfast somehow came out totally cold, as I wasn’t having the biggest appetite, I didn’t really complain and just ate a little bit of it before giving it back to the FA. No worries, I did complain to the ISM about this problem when she came around at the end of the flight.
And soon our quick descent into HNL began from the west side of Oahu.

Qantas Everything Breakfast


On approach into HNL


After landing into HNL, we were momentarily stuck on the QF 763 as a JL 747 had just arrive from NRT and therefore we were held back from overwhelming the customs hall. A 5 min or so wait, we’re allow to displane, following this was a 10 min wall, from a very old terminal looking from the 60’s to being refurbished hall covered of plywood to already refurbished halls which had a more 80’s look to outside for a few seconds before being led on escalator downstairs into custom halls. I think this was an even longer walk then what I’ve had in a long time in HKG and HKG ain’t small by any means.

The wait for the customs agent was around 20 mins as most Aussies and Japanese travellers needed their fingerprints done. Canadians were exempted from this and this certainly sped up the customs process. The good thing out of the deplane delay, long walk to customs hall and agent wait was that the all the QF luggage beat the travellers to the gate. Therefore, this allowed a quick exit outside baggage claim.

The cab driver was very slow even on H-1 which was highly annoying, not so great of a tip for u then
My dad was very surprised at the layback style of Hawaii and I had to remind him that if he thinks that service was slow on the west coast (ex. YVR and SFO) then expect an even slower service here. The perfect comparison I gave was that things that can be done in 1 min in HKG, expect it to be done in 5 mins in HNL. The check-in completely proves my point as check-in at the Gold passport desk at HR Waikiki took around 25 mins, at least I got upgraded to a very nice room. As the room was not ready, we left the bags with the bellboy and went for a much needed coffee down on Kalakola Ave.

Hyatt Regency Honolulu





Finally in paradise



Around 12:30pm, we went back to the lobby where there were numerous amounts of AA crew around, a short wait and the room was ready and we’re up to the room. Dad needed some rest so my mom and I went down for some shopping. This was done until around dinner then I was out on the balcony surfing on the internet enjoying the sunset and the nightlife of Waikiki Beach, I don’t remember which FTer gave that suggestion on the HR Waikiki or Highland Inn/Carmel thread but thanks very much! The stay turned out to be very decent, I didn’t get the full use of the Costco credit as a breakfast cost 26 dollars! No thanks, I can do cheaper than that. I did get a drink in the morning and somehow the rest of the credit did cut the cost of the stay so that wasn’t too bad. With the already granted 2pm checkout yesterday, we finally made our way to the Honolulu Harbor and off to the Pride of America with the 7 day Hawaiian Cruise.

Next Part
Part 15 – 7 Day Hawaiian Cruise (stops in Maui/Kaluhui, Hilo, Kona, Kauai/Nawillili)

El_Chiflero

ahem.

"The Shortcomings of the seat?"

And you wonder why I call you spoiled.

Short hair Francis

This is opinionated of course.

If you were comparing overall travel with the general public mainly in Y cabin and me considering this seat, then yes, you are more than correct to call me spoiled

In retrospect, if i was comparing similar 8-10 hr long haul J products then by no means am I spoiled. Many airlines run better J product then the QF J dreamline seat.