After a lot of wrangling with American Airlines, I was finally able to get a first class award ticket booked on Qantas. Given the short notice (1 month), I was able to get pretty close to the dates I wanted to fly.

I made my way to LAX for check in for my flight. The first class line was empty, with just one person in front of me. I was checked in rather quickly, and told where the lounge was. BA and QF share their lounge here. I was somewhat confused, as QF’s website refers to a first class lounge at LAX, however, as far as I know there is just this one. The lounge is nice, I have had the opportunity to use it on a BA flight earlier this year. A full bar is available, some good premium beers, and they have some sandwiches and munchies available. International newspapers from Australia and England are available. They really don’t have any workstations available, but telephones are plentiful for voice and laptop use. It was somewhat crowded, but there are many BA and QF flights going out at this time of the night. An announcement was made that our flight was ready for boarding.

I made my way down to the gate, to see the usual crowd of people pushing to get onto the airplane. I made my way down the jetbridge, and for the first time got to go toward the front of the plane. I was shown to my seat by one of the FA’s, 2K. I stowed my gear, and was immediately offered a beverage choice and some macadamia nuts. I chose the Krug. Strangely though, they only serve Piper Heidsieck (which I think is still a pretty good champagne) during pre-takeoff (probably as they also serve it in the business class section). Oh well. The cabin of fourteen seats gradually filled up to capacity. We finally taxied and took off. Not 10 minutes after take-off, the captain turned off the seatbelt sign. The flight attendants came out soon after, taking drink orders. I finally got my Krug! We also had some nice canapes, Foie Gras and Salmon cream puffs. Everyone was offered a sleeper suit, which most everyone in the cabin eventually changed into for the flight. Noise Canceling headsets (by Advent - these things were awesome!) were also passed out, as well as amenity kits (Better ones in BA J Class, but still better than AA).

The dinner service was starting now, I chose from the leather-bound menu to have an antipasto plate, followed by a fillet of beef. The antipasto was very good selection of smoked salmon, asparagus, fresh mozzerela, and some other good stuff, as well as one of the best fillets I have had in the air. It was all very good. A salad was served with the beef. I had a wonderful Australian Chardonnay with my Antipasto, and a great Cabernet with the beef. Desert was a pecan pie, but I’m not a real pecan pie fan, so I just settled with some vanilla bean ice cream. That was joined by a glass of desert wine, a Botrytis Semillon. A cheese plate was then brought out, accompanied by a glass of port. By this time, I was quite sedated by the alcohol, and quite full and satisfied. It was a great meal. Note, it was all served directly from the galley, no carts.

During this time, I had been watching an 8mm video movie on my screen. I was extremely surprised that there were no laptop power outlets in the seat!! Kind of strange considering they just recently installed these seats.

I then proceeded to the extra large restroom. It even had a window! I changed into my sleeper suit, and upon returning to my seat, found it was folded down into the sleeper bed. I asked for an additional pillow, some water, and proceeded to lay down for some sleep. I had the most restful night of sleep I have ever had on an airplane. I woke up a few times in the night due to turbulence, but quickly went back to sleep. Next thing I know, I was being woke up by a FA for breakfast. I just chose some fresh fruit and croissants for breakfast. I changed back into my clothes, and shortly after landed. The FA’s and Purser came by and thanked each customer by name for flying. My baggage was among the first off of the belt, and I was quickly through customs to meet my cousin in the arrivals area. It was morning in Melbourne, yet I had no jet lag. Melbourne is effectively only 5 hours behind LA as far as your body is concerned. I had such a good night sleep on the plane, I didn’t even get tired in Melbourne until about 9PM that evening. First Class is the only way to go!

Overall, I was pretty satisfied with QF's service. The FA's were great, food was great, seat was great (first time I have ever been able to sleep more than an hour on a plane!), the entertainment selections were pretty good, my water glass remained filled, great noise-cancelling headsets. The cabin seemed nice and new, in good shape.

Disappointments? No in-seat power outlet, should have had a bigger LCD Screen (same as J class). Seat was not comfortable in fully upright position (but didn't last long!). Amenity kits could have included a few more things. An arrivals lounge would have been nice.

Coming up, SYD-LAX in F.

[This message has been edited by SNA_Flyer (edited 11-17-1999).]