SFO-YVR-SFO QF first class
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Agoura Hills, CA USA
Posts: 2,662
SFO-YVR-SFO QF first class
As many of you know, QF began to fly between SFO and YVR for the summer months only.. I had two segments of my AONE left for North America and decided to take this day trip to experience QF short haul first class. And what a great trip it was....
QF 73 SFO-YVR
Qantas uses the "A" terminal at SFO. I checked in quite early only to learn that my flight was 2 hours delayed due to the late flight from SYD. So I was given a pass to the BA terraces lounge that QF uses in SFO. Coming from LAX where I usually fly from, this lounge was spectacular.. The views, the food ( egg and watercress, prawn, and roast beef with creamed horseradish sandwiches ) were only some of the great selection of foods. No hot food but complete bar. However no champagne seen ..Did a lot of email and watching lots of DVD.
QF 73 arrived at gate A4 at SFO. There were not too many passengers continuing on to YVR. Boarding commenced at 1:15 PM for a 2:15PM departure. This plane was a 747-longreach with full three classes of service..
There were 8/14 seats occupied in first class. Almost all of business class was filled both upstairs and downstairs.. Economy seemed empty... I took my seat 2A and immediately was offered canapes of smoked salmon and proscuitto wrapped asparagus. And then I was offered champagne.. yes my fellow flyer talkers... the coveted DOM PERIGNON was offered on this short 90 minute flight. Of course I imbibed as did most of the other passengers. It was wonderful. I should also mention that the staff was pouring the bubbly quite generously as well..
We were advised that the flight up to YVR was a short 90 minutes and that it would be difficult to see an entire movie from the vast selection fo movies that QF offers.. But I requested "Capote" and was able to see approximately 50 percent of it..
Were were then presented our menus
LIGHT LUNCH
Canapes
Main Courses
Braised Chicken with Smoked Paprika, Red Perrs and Spanish Rice
Seared Salmon with Salsa Verde, New Potatoes and Leeks
Salad of Marinated Grilled Beef with Baby Corn, Snow Peas and Mint
Green Leaf Salad with Red Wine Viaigrette
Dessert
Selection fo Sasonal Chees and Dried Fruit
Mediterranean Almond, Walnut and Hazelnut Tart with Creme Anglaise
Sliced Fresh Fruit
Petits Fours
Great menu for such a short flight. Everyone in first was drinking the DOM ..I can only say that I have flown quite a bit over the past 10 years and I have never had such a great flight with such great staff and been so well taken care of...
Now for all of you who are interested... The turnaround in YVR is one real pain.. I had to clear Canadian customs and then explain to them what a mileage run was.. The nice thing however about YVR is that when returning to SFO one actually clears customs before boarding rather than in SFO. This was quite convenient..The YVR airport is magnificent. QF staff however are not that well trained.. They took 30 minutes to get my QF FF number into my reservation.. while many other people waited in line behind me.. Also, QF uses the ALASKA airlines lounge in YVR. Pretty shabby in my opinion.
QF74
The return flight to SFO was just as enjoyable as the outbound flight. I requested my same seat and again was offered DOM on boarding . The canapes included some corn fritters with salsa and a tuna fish crudite. Excellent .. Here is menu for the return flight
Light Dinner
Canapes
Main Courses
Italian Style Braised Beef with Polenta and Broccolini
Seared snapper with Sauce Vierge and Potato Puree
Salad of Poached Chicken and Summer Vegetables with Chili Lime Dressing
Green Leaf Salad with Vinaigrette
Dessert
Selection fo Seasonal Cheese and dried fruit
Chocolate Cherry Cake with Cherry Sauce
Sliced fresh fruit
Petits fours
The food was superb and the snapper was some of the best fish that I have ever tasted..
Suffice to say, I really thought that these two flights were two wonderful segments of my RTW. Although short, each short segment was worth 90 QF SC and helped me retain platinum. The comfort of a 747-400 on a 90 minute flight reminded me of airline travel in days gone by.. Great food, great drink, great seats, and great staff......
QF 73 SFO-YVR
Qantas uses the "A" terminal at SFO. I checked in quite early only to learn that my flight was 2 hours delayed due to the late flight from SYD. So I was given a pass to the BA terraces lounge that QF uses in SFO. Coming from LAX where I usually fly from, this lounge was spectacular.. The views, the food ( egg and watercress, prawn, and roast beef with creamed horseradish sandwiches ) were only some of the great selection of foods. No hot food but complete bar. However no champagne seen ..Did a lot of email and watching lots of DVD.
QF 73 arrived at gate A4 at SFO. There were not too many passengers continuing on to YVR. Boarding commenced at 1:15 PM for a 2:15PM departure. This plane was a 747-longreach with full three classes of service..
There were 8/14 seats occupied in first class. Almost all of business class was filled both upstairs and downstairs.. Economy seemed empty... I took my seat 2A and immediately was offered canapes of smoked salmon and proscuitto wrapped asparagus. And then I was offered champagne.. yes my fellow flyer talkers... the coveted DOM PERIGNON was offered on this short 90 minute flight. Of course I imbibed as did most of the other passengers. It was wonderful. I should also mention that the staff was pouring the bubbly quite generously as well..
We were advised that the flight up to YVR was a short 90 minutes and that it would be difficult to see an entire movie from the vast selection fo movies that QF offers.. But I requested "Capote" and was able to see approximately 50 percent of it..
Were were then presented our menus
LIGHT LUNCH
Canapes
Main Courses
Braised Chicken with Smoked Paprika, Red Perrs and Spanish Rice
Seared Salmon with Salsa Verde, New Potatoes and Leeks
Salad of Marinated Grilled Beef with Baby Corn, Snow Peas and Mint
Green Leaf Salad with Red Wine Viaigrette
Dessert
Selection fo Sasonal Chees and Dried Fruit
Mediterranean Almond, Walnut and Hazelnut Tart with Creme Anglaise
Sliced Fresh Fruit
Petits Fours
Great menu for such a short flight. Everyone in first was drinking the DOM ..I can only say that I have flown quite a bit over the past 10 years and I have never had such a great flight with such great staff and been so well taken care of...
Now for all of you who are interested... The turnaround in YVR is one real pain.. I had to clear Canadian customs and then explain to them what a mileage run was.. The nice thing however about YVR is that when returning to SFO one actually clears customs before boarding rather than in SFO. This was quite convenient..The YVR airport is magnificent. QF staff however are not that well trained.. They took 30 minutes to get my QF FF number into my reservation.. while many other people waited in line behind me.. Also, QF uses the ALASKA airlines lounge in YVR. Pretty shabby in my opinion.
QF74
The return flight to SFO was just as enjoyable as the outbound flight. I requested my same seat and again was offered DOM on boarding . The canapes included some corn fritters with salsa and a tuna fish crudite. Excellent .. Here is menu for the return flight
Light Dinner
Canapes
Main Courses
Italian Style Braised Beef with Polenta and Broccolini
Seared snapper with Sauce Vierge and Potato Puree
Salad of Poached Chicken and Summer Vegetables with Chili Lime Dressing
Green Leaf Salad with Vinaigrette
Dessert
Selection fo Seasonal Cheese and dried fruit
Chocolate Cherry Cake with Cherry Sauce
Sliced fresh fruit
Petits fours
The food was superb and the snapper was some of the best fish that I have ever tasted..
Suffice to say, I really thought that these two flights were two wonderful segments of my RTW. Although short, each short segment was worth 90 QF SC and helped me retain platinum. The comfort of a 747-400 on a 90 minute flight reminded me of airline travel in days gone by.. Great food, great drink, great seats, and great staff......
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Does QF74 arrive at SFO at the international terminal? Or does it use the AA domestic gates? I think all the other pre-cleared flights from Canada do not arrive at the international terminal, so they would have to have special provision to avoid clearing immigration/customs again at SFO if using the international terminal.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,808
Originally Posted by RTW4
Also, QF uses the ALASKA airlines lounge in YVR. Pretty shabby in my opinion.
If QF didn't preclear, presumably they could use the BA (or less likely, the CX) int'l lounge.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
Originally Posted by number_6
Does QF74 arrive at SFO at the international terminal? Or does it use the AA domestic gates? I think all the other pre-cleared flights from Canada do not arrive at the international terminal, so they would have to have special provision to avoid clearing immigration/customs again at SFO if using the international terminal.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach
Be thankful you have a lounge to use. There's only 2 lounges at YVR for transborder flights. AC has the nicer one while AS uses the old CP one.
If QF didn't preclear, presumably they could use the BA (or less likely, the CX) int'l lounge.
If QF didn't preclear, presumably they could use the BA (or less likely, the CX) int'l lounge.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Burlingame, CA
Programs: TK Miles & Smiles, CM ConnectMiles, AA Advantage
Posts: 2,129
Thank you for the wonderfully detailed short report. There is no question that QF is the way to fly between SFO-YVR, especially F or J. I think even in Y a meal is offered. The departing times are great but unfortunately this service is offered only 3X a week (Wed/Fri/Sun). I recently saw some specials from SFO-YVR for $198 RT in Y and $890+ in J.
#14
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Originally Posted by francophile
Carte Classique or Cordon Rouge?