A FA offerred a beverage (water for me
) and nuts. We pushed back and took off on-time, and once in the sky I sampled the entertainment selections. Qantas, like BA, has one of the most impressive entertainment systems I’ve seen. In addition to the normal movie channels on the PTV, you can also get video tapes to more than 50 movies! Both current hits and old classics.
A comment on the seats: They are very similar to the British Airways seats, but they seem a little different. The BA ones are curved towards the side of the plane, and you can not really see those around you without trying to look. The QF seats are more parallel to the side of the plane, so you’re curved inward, not outward. Slightly less privacy, it seemed.
The three flight attendent service the full First Class cabin were excellent. The Purser actually knelt down by my seat once we were airbourn and said that if there was anything I need, to just ask her or any of the FAs.
The menu was attractively presented in a leather binding. For the dinner I had an antipasto plate and a steak filet, followed by cheese and fresh fruit, along with a constant stream of water and Diet Coke. Excellent meal. It came straight from the galley; carts were never used.
After the meal, I changed into my sleeper suit in the very nice, large lavatory, complete with a window! Not too much to see on this night crossing, though. I returned to find my seat made into the bed. I slept very well. Being able to sleep on my chest really makes a difference. When I awoke I felt as though I slept all night instead of a long nap.
I wasn’t in the mood for a full hot breakfast, so I settled for more fruit and coffee.
We arrived into Sydney ontime, just after 6. I felt as though I had slept comfortably all night, and I was ready to face the day.
After clearing formalties, I caught a cab with Mike to the Park Hyatt. ($15) I booked this room only a few days before on the Hyatt website for AUD390 ($225). I checked-in with the front desk and they told me that someone in my category just checked-out, so I’d be able to check-in once it was cleaned in about twenty minutes. I parked myself in the lobby and waited the twenty minutes, then checked with the agent again. In typical fashion of international Hyatts, I wasn’t able to get an upgrade, even after asking, but this hotel, as with all Parks, doesn’t have a Regency Club. I was still happy to get a room at this early hour.