peachman

SFO,
I hope you do not mind me asking this question in your TR.

I just returned from my first Trans Pacific trip,ATL-BKK and back. All First and Bus Cl.
This is also the first time I have jet lag and it was bad. I am almost 70. Also had to take
3 planes.

When you go RTW is jet lag ever an issue for you ? Do you ever do anything to lessen
the effects of Jetlag or because you fly so much it is not a factor ?

BTW, I am also a big fan and read all your TRs.

batmandds

As SFO777 stated, I met him in London for the rest of the RTW trip. But being based in MSP, i took LH F out of ORD to FRA on the 748. I got the black Rimowa amenity kit and it was a great surprise! The FA said they are switching over to these during the holiday season. And of course I had to get a couple of more FC duckies ^

HawaiiTrvlr

Do you tip the driver when they drive you from the terminal to the plane? I noticed that he carried your bag onto the aircraft.

Great report. I am looking forward to the rest of the report.

worldtraveller73

Just awesome.

Most of my 72 hour hall passes involve "no chores and watching Netflix", not trips around the world. LOL.

Travel safe.

TheAAdmiral

SFO777 I am impressed with the Chopin Vodka on offer in the F lounge.

chongl

I think I recall reading that they do no accept tips, at least when I did my research for my trip in 2015.

SFO777

Thanks very much CHSDOC and Betteronacamel.

Thank you so much adampenrith for your perspective. GA was just an amazing experience. How lucky you are to be able to fly GA so often. GA would be my airline of choice if I lived in Australia or SE Asia. Granted we were in First, but every employee we met, on the ground and in the air, was wonderful. It sounded like Sari may be working the 77W routes now as she said that she was home for one night and then off to AMS the following day. The only negative about GA is the dumpy old terminal. But the beautiful new terminal is apparently near completion. Hopefully, once in the new terminal, they will decide to expand their First Class service and try to compete with SQ/TG as a SE Asia connection hub. It looks like F loads are weak but when you only fly to/from LHR and AMS, they're not going to attract much more than O/D traffic. If they would start LAX service, that would be awesome. Since the 77W can't make CGK-LAX nonstop, they'd have to find a fifth freedom airport, like HKG or NRT/HND.

Thank you peachman. Strange as it sounds, I've found that jet lag is minimal on the RTWs compared to spending a week or few days in Asia or Europe. In fact, I have experienced zero jet lag this time. I left Monday afternoon at 5pm and returned home Thursday evening 8pm. I slept my normal 6 hours at home both Thursday and last night and didn't feel tired at all during the day. I think that the key is that you don't spend enough time anywhere to adjust to another time zone. And the flight times on this trip worked to our advantage as well. I was able to sleep at least 6 hours on each of the 3 long hauls and nap a few other times, so despite sleep time being at different times of the day, I felt pretty normal when I got home.

Had a great time with you batmandds and look forward to a repeat some time down the road.

Thanks HawaiiTrvlr. I did not tip the driver as there is generally no expectation of a tip at MUC/FRA.

LOL. Thanks worldtraveller73. You need to try one of these some day.

They did have some nice options, but the lounge was actually a little depressing compared the spaciousness and design of the Business Lounge.

Probably makes sense, although I did tip one PA 20 euros a few years ago after really exceptional service. She accepted it with thanks.

batmandds

I would like to reiterate what SFO777 said about jet lag. On a RTW trip, you just get sleep when you can. Coming home in the evening is a bonus because you are normally tired enough to get a good night's sleep. I don't have any jet lag either after this 72-hour RTW trip.
On this trip, i slept more than SFO777 but he seemed less affected by the time zones. I definitely had to rally a few times. i guess that's why he's a legend in our hobby

FlightNurse

no caviar in the AM?

Annalisa12

Fabulous shots. Love the outdoor terrace. So jealous of Mrs SFO. Would she like any sister wives?

adampenrith

Well from SYD to DPS there is VA and JQ or GA.

JQ you just would not fly.

VA I would due to loyalty programs BUT they normally charge more that GA BUT only offer what we know of as domestic J and its not a lie flat seat.

GA has a great product plenty of J seats on the A330 and awesome service.

Regarding the US service I have heard that the flight will most likely be an add on from NRT or HND - I am pretty certain I saw DOT approval for that a few months back.

There is a new terminal at DPS - which is awesome - compared to the hell hole it was for years. It does have a couple of issues, one is the security check prior to entering the terminal, tickets are checked and bags xrayed - I knew people travelling last night (sat 11/09), who said it took 1 hr to get into the check in area - and others have reported delays of up to 2 hrs. With a big bank of flights to Australia Europe and Singapore going between 2100 and 2400 its a problem.

Then there is check in - which is pretty good - the fiscal check to make sure you paid the departure tax, security, then immigration (with no express lanes) CGK has express lanes. Then once you get to your gate there is another hand search of baggage, so it takes forever.

rhu171

Thank you very much for the report SFO777. I've been waiting to hear your take on GA. I cant agree more that GA is amazing and being based in SE Asia, I do fly with them a lot (sometimes taking a detour in order to fly with them). I've never flown GA in F but even in J it does feel like F on other airlines. The amount of personal attention and pampering you get is just amazing. Thank you again for the report!

NashVegas37206

Oh, man. This is living. The teaser pictures are phenomenal. The crew is photogenic

gilbertaue

I fly SIN-CGK on GA twice a month where all my colleagues fly SQ. What I love about flying with GA (and I guess you would have the same experience if you were to instead fly VA or JQ is that not as many foreigners take GA. That means that the immigration/priority queues are not as packed. Especially when you consider the twin isle SQ aircraft with transit passengers heading to CGK.
I find GA crew to be in most cases friendlier than SQ staff and much more natural in their approach - reminds me of the good old MH days.

JohnRain

Very inspiring TR, SFO777! ^
A F RTW is on my bucket list...
How does the Satellite Terminal 2 First Class Lounge compare to the FCT? Same amenities, same food, better views but a car transfer only for remote stands?

Looking forward to the Garuda installment.