NRT-VIE
OS52 Business class
Dep. 11.55AM
Boeing 777-200
Seat 3A

Actually bowed and welcomed on board at 1L on this flight as well, OS uses some Japanese FAs on their NRT flights. The Austrian purser showed me my seat, took my jacket and handed me a bottle of Evian water. I got settled in
with all my stuff in 3A, knowing I would have a seatmate. The front main business class cabin was almost full with only 2 middle seats vacant.

I had the OS pre-departure sparkling wine, agian no champagne on the ground with these guys. Most of the mid-morning departure wave had left by now unfortunatly so I did not get to snap pics of all the beauties I had wanted, including an SQ A380. Well, I'd had them right outside my window in Changi for 4 days so can't complain. The only ones I spotted were parked in the distance, including NW and some ANA business jets.

Once again a nice and powerful take-off on the 777-200 equipped with GE90s. Upon reaching crusing altitude I ordered champagne, Leroy-Duval is what OS serves in C. It was rather quaffable, as the Britsh say. The purser came around, greeting all in the cabin by name and welcoming us on board. Very nice touch, and not something they did ex-VIE. The OS amenity kit comes in a big yellow bag that is perhaps supposed to double as shoebag. It contains socks, shades, toothbrush, lotions, earplugs, tissues. Noice cancelling headset already in seatpocket.

Then came the meal orders.
I chose the western meal option, starting with a tasty appetiser. For starters I had the tuna, followed by potato soup. For my main I had the spring lamb, which was very tender and succulent, washed down with a nice cabernet sauvignin from Chile.
Once again, excellent catering onboard OS C. I followed this with cheese, as
OS serves cheese and fruit and dessert at the same time. Too bad, I'd have liked to finished off with some ice cream. Anyhow, the coffee menu was passed out, and I ordered the Wien Melange. I had baileys on ice with this and was actually completely stuffed by this time.

Settled back and watched Leatherheads, the latest George Clooney flick which was passable. Found a very nice relax postition for the seat, I often find these lie-flat style seats more comfy when not completely reclined, because then I start slipping down. So naturally in such a good position I fell asleep. Woke up 5 hours later, which I was kind of impressed with in the middle of the day and all. Upon waking up I wanted to watch a movie, but
again with this non-Avod system, it's just not good enough in a 2008 longhaul C cabin. So I switched on my Ipod and kicked back with some Kings of Convenience.

My overall impression of OS longhaul business class is good, and the catering is truly excellent! SAS could learn something from them. Seat if fine, but the cabin lay-out of 2-3-2 means it does feel somewhat cramped, and solo flyers need to beware of the dreaded middle seat. No AVOD on C is also a big drawback in this time and age. Service, especially on the NRT sector, was very good.


Pictures:
Welcome drink
Business class cabin
In the air. Is that Mt. Fuji?
Appetiser
Tuna starter
Excellent potato soup
Main course of lamb
Cheese plate
In flight view
Pre-landing snack
Sun setting in VIE
Cafè avec in VIE Senator lounge


VIE

We landed in the early evening as the sun was setting on Vienna. I exited swiftly and beat the masses from economy to immigration. I headed straight to the Senator lounge and announced my wish to take a shower. There is only one, and I was asked to wait a bit as they were cleaning it after the previous user. I happily slid down into one of the many chairs, had a diet coke and checked the newspaper selection.

The shower room was nicely appointed and clean, which made for a thoroughly refreshing and relaxing shower after a long flight from Narita. Feeling reborn I hit the food selection, and sampled tonight’s spread from Do & Co. A nice casserole, some salad and bread to go with some excellent Austrian beer would do nicely, as I connected to free wifi and checked my e-mails.

VIE-OSL
OS331 Business class
Dep. 19.40
Fokker 100
Seat 1D

I made my way to the gate at the announced boarding gate to find a huge line. There was no priority line to be seen, which I thought was disappointing at Austrian’s home base, just like my long haul flight from VIE. In fact, it was the complete opposite of boarding the Austrian flight in Narita, where the Japanese had a big priority lane with no queue as the economy lines stretched out long, and bowed me onboard. I missed Asia already in some aspects.

The flight this Sunday evening to OSL was crammed, and every seat seemed to be taken. I was very happy I’d booked 1D, which is the aisle seat in the 3-seater, as Austrian blocks the middle seat. The passengers in A and C had no such luck as it’s only a 2-seater. I was exceedingly tired at this point, declined my food, had some red wine and drifted off to sleep. I slept on and off until we started descending at OSL. All I needed to do then was to get my quota at the tax-free zoo in the arrivals hall, and head straight for the airport express train, and look forward to soon be sleeping in my own bed again.

In the end, I got home safe and sound after an exciting adventure and many, many hours in the air. I never got to meet up with my dad as planned, never got to go to my luxury hotel in Samui and never got to spend time in Bangkok. But such is life. Now at least I have another excuse to go to back


35099 miles covered according to Great Circle Mapper