As I promised in other threads, here is my trip report from my partner and I's trip Down Under. Sorry it took a while, I have been extremely busy at work, so I am forcing myself to sit and crank this out.

The flights were all in C/J class on an AAdvantage award with QF.

AA1327 10Nov BDL-ORD 4:15P-5:40P Super 80

As usual, Saturday afternoons at Bradley was not very busy at all. There was no one in the F line. Was able to talk with my favorite AA agent. The line for security was very short and made it through in just a few minutes. For some reason, BDL seems to have the screeners with the biggest attitude.
We saw the new ERJ that flies 3x daily to RDU. Really glad they have this service, but there doesn't seem to be any connections to Florida without a 3 hour layover. If they picked up the JI runs, they should at least make it easy to connect.

Anyway, boarding was 30 mins. prior. First was 12/14 and coach about 80%. No pre-departure drink, I really hate that. Don't they know that cocktail hour starts around 4 on a Saturday! But, within 10 mins after take-off, cocktails arrived with warm nuts (this has to be the quickest service yet). Dinner was then served. Choices were manicotti or beef filet. Both served with a shrimp cocktail and a large caesar salad and a white coconut cake. Throughout the flight, service was quick and friendly, much deserving of a SOS, which I gladly gave. Arrival was a few mins. early and went directly to the Admirals Club to wait out the next hour (and have a couple glasses of Chard)

AA 89 10Nov ORD-LAX 6:55P-9:25P 767-200

Boarding was already in progress when we got to the gate. We took our F seats with the brown sheepskin seats, which I prefer, and was quickly offered a cocktail. As we were stowing our bags, my partner quietly said that Mr. Noah Wylie was sitting across from us! I was tempted to grab my camera, but alas, I didn't. He sat there the whole flight either reading a script or taking little cat naps. He never ate/drank/or left his seat the whole flight. I was wondering if George was with him, but he wasn't. (The rumors, you know). Anyway, in between star gazing, the service on this flight was also excellent. Cocktails arrived with more warm nuts. Dinner choices were stuffed shells, chicken with plum sauce or fish. Followed by the obligatory sundae. I slept for an hour during the movie and work to find Noah still just sitting there. Just prior to landing, which was 30 minutes early, the F/A went to Noah and said that someone was having chest pains and could he help. They both laughed and that was it. I gave another SOS and received a bottle of Chardonnary. Landing was "on the wrong side" and we taxied around for a while and finally arrived at the gate. Bags took about 20 mins.

We spent the night at the Marriott - thanks to my $42 Priceline bid, and spent the next day driving around LA environs after picking up a National Car, which was a very upsetting experiene, as they only had TWO cars on the Emerald Aisle and I had to wait 15 mins. for another one to arrive.

QF26 11Nov LAX-AKL 8:15P-5:55A + 1 744

Checked in about 3 hours prior to flight time at the dedicated QF counters for this flight. There was no one in the J class line, so check-in was quick. I knew the flight was very full and was hoping that the upgrade Gods were smiling on us, but alas, they weren't. Anyone who has flown QF know this never happens, but there is always a first.

Tom Bradley terminal was deserted this evening, and there was no line for security, which prompted the scanner to go through my bag, which was fine. He didn't know what a Cribbage board was and wondered why it rattled. I showed him the pegs, he just looked at them and put them back. We then went to the business class lounge, which was shared with JAL. As some of you know, this lounge is quite small, with horrible music playing. We tolered that for 1.5 hours, then boarding was called. It was a long walk to the plane. We boarded and walked upstairs to 16 J,K. We had these seats reserved far in advance. They were the exit row on the right, with loads of leg room. I highly recommend these seats. Pre-departure OJ/Champagne were served along with our ammenity kits, which were lacking.

Push back was right on time and take-off soon followed "on the wrong side". Pre-dinner drinks were served quickly, but dinner wasn't served until 1.5 hours after take off, a bit slow. (As I was writing my notes, I spilled my wine all over my trip report notes!) Sorry to say that I didn't write down the meal choices and I don't remember what I ate. Landing was right on time. On a sad note, as we were making our way through the rather long customs line, we learned of the AA A300 crash in New York. All of the overheard conversations were about that it was probably a terrorist attack (which I still seem to think). It was a very creepy end to a rather enjoyable flight.

We took a cab to the Sheraton, where we stayed for two nights. The hotel exceeded our expectations. The best part was the breakfast buffet, which was excellent and at a reasonable price. Spent the next two days walking all over Auckland.

On day 3, we rented a car and began our journey on the North Island, all South of Auckland. We went to Waitomo caves, then drove and spent two nights at beautiful Lake Taupo. This was one of the highlights of the trip. This is such a pretty area, but only a teaser of what was yet to come.

Words can not describe the NZ scenery, so I will skip a lot of it and just mention our flights and the cities we visited.

We then spent two nights in downtoun Wellington, with a rather dismal city center. Found a good restaurant, Cafe Trimm.

QF4605 19Nov 8:20-9:15 WLG-CHC DH3

This flight was operated by Origin Pacific. Check in was quick. When I asked if the Qantas Club was before or after security, she said there is no security screening for this flight. OK, doesn't 9/11 mean anything in Wellington. I know the chances are remote for any type of terrorist activity in NZ, but NO security?? Anyway, we had breakfast in the QF club and boarded the flight at 8:00. The seats were very comfortable and the service was outstanding on this quick trip to Christchurch.

After landing, bags were out quick and went looking for the National Car rep who was supposed to meet me. No one with a green jacket was around, so I called their local office and they said they were waiting for my call as they didn't have my flight details, which was suspect seeing that I confirmed everything twice ahead, but they delivered my car in 15 mins. We then started our journey around the south island which took us through Arthur's Pass, overnight in Franz Josef Glacier (amazing) and then on to 3 nights in Queenstown, which was absolutely breaktaking, as was the drive. Again, words can not describe the scenery, so I won't.

QF4582 24Nov ZQN-CHC 9:45A-10:40A DH3

Queentown airport is a cute little non-jet way airport. Again, we were on a codeshare with Origin Pacific, and service was again outstanding on this quick trip. An endless offering of breakfast cakes and juice/coffee for this quick 45 min. flight to Christchurch.

QF4128 24Nov CHC-AKL 12:30-1:45 737-700

We had a two hour layover in Christchurch before our AKL flight, so went to the Qantas Club. We found out our flight was actually going to be operated by Air Pacific. It seems that QF leases a few planes for their NZ domestic service. The agent in the QF Club offered to upgrade us, but saw that we were already in F. I was surprised over the kind gesture. I wish that would happen to me here! Boarding was on time and was very happy to see that the seats on this 737-700 had the biggest pitch I have ever seen on this type of aircraft. It seemed about 55 inches, with a leg rest and electronic controls. F was empty at 3/8 and Y was about 75%. A full hot lunch was service of noodles with a brown sauce, and a salad. Just OK, but impressed that we even got a meal. Landing was one hour later and bags came out about 20 mins. after landing. The priority tags did not work on this flight.

Another one night stay at the Sheraton for our quick layover before going to Australia.

QF26 25Nov AKL-BNE 7:45A - 8:15A 744

This flight originates in LAX. Check in was very quick at the impressively dedicated F/J check-in lounge. Immigration and security was also quick and soon we were having a little breakfast in the QF lounge, one of the nicer ones we have been in on our trip. Boarding was half hour before and again in "our" seats upstairs.

This was a quick 2:30 flight to BNE. The service seemed a bit stiff and not as friendly as the prior 744 flight. Breakfast was a spinach fritata and fruit or omlette. After landing, we were put in the penalty box for 10 mins waiting for our gate to open, occupied by a JAL 744. Customs was a bit slow, but bags were quick after we got to the belts (either wait before or after). We had to find the domestic re-check counter, which was well-hidden in the far end of the arrivals hall, with poor signage. We rechecked our bags to CNS and proceeded to take the bus to the domestic terminal. (The train was not working that day). The terminal was very busy, but the security line had about 15 people and moving quickly. I realized I didn't get any Aussie money yet, and asked where the ATM was after getting through, and was told I had to go back out. I opted not to and just get the cash in Cairns. Again, went to the QF club and waited for the next flight.

QF??? 25Nov BNE-CNS 10:40-11:55 767-300

This was an internationally configured aircraft with the nicer seats than the domestic version, a nice surprise. The flight was full in both classes. Service was too slow to start, but once it began, it was fine. Morning tea was served and considered of a rather bland chicken salad on a too large roll. I complimented the wine, and was given another bottle. Landing was a few mins. early and the bags came out very quickly. We then met up with a friend who lives in Brisbane who accompanied us for the the next 4 days in Cairns. Thankfully,the National Car rep was right there and got our car right away.

The weather was extremely hot and humid, but a nice change from the very cool NZ weather. We drove up to a secluded private resort in between Cairns and Port Douglas for the next 4 nights. It was nice to spend these days just relaxing,especially after our fast paced trip to date. We went on a snorkel trip to the Great Barrier Reef, which was awesome.

QF569 1:55-5:55 CNS-SYD 744

Back to the airport again, where check in was once again quick. This flight is a 744, which was put into domestic service following the demise, and subsequent restart of Ansett Airlines. The Business section was either in the nose (traditinal F class sleeper seats) or upstairs. We asked for the nose section, but they were already taken. I don't know how, since we arrived two hours early. We were given the bulk head seats upstairs. Boarding was on-time and was surprised to see the plane was actually a BA plane (in their colors) with Qantas titles. I think the crew was also a BA crew as the purser and our F/A had Scottish accents. NOt sure if the entire crew was BA though. As we were taxing a tropcial rain storm passed, but we took off anyway, which was a bit unnerving at first, was takeoff ended up being smooth.

This time it was afternoon tea, which was the same meal as the morning tea, go figure. I passed this time on the chick salad roll and got the spinach quich, which was awfull, but as usual, the wine was good.
We landed 5 mins late due to ATC delay. I managed to take a look at the C class manifest on the way out and noted that it read "One World Sapphire" next to my name. Our aircraft was headed back to Cairns. It seems the same A/C does two turns daily, starting in CNS very early and ending up back in CNS very late.

We spent the next day and a half walking around Sydney and sampling the nightlife. We had both been before, hence the short stay.

QF107 12:50P-7:00A SYD-LAX 744

Took a quick 15 min cab ride to SYD, where it was very crowded. But, C check-in for this flight had no lines. The agent said she could not check our bags all the way to BDL, "because it wasn't in the record". OK, so I said just check them to LAX and I will bring them to AA for the downline flights, which I hoped still existed. Since AA is just a short walk from Bradley terminal, I didn't mind doing this, at least I would be assured the bags would make the connection.

We did some duty free shopping (I bought Harry Potter Books 3 and 4) and some liquor) and then went through security and immigration. Security was very tight, which was a welcome sights, especially after the Wellington incident). WE went to the very crowded QF Club for the next hour and waited for boarding. Boarding was called and proceeded to the aircraft. There was another mandatory bag search of ALL passengers prior to boarding, which was just fine with me. This flight was packed full. We got our usual seats upstairs and was quickly offered pre-departure Champagne. Service on this flight was friendly and quick. Lunch for me was sliced chicken with asian noodles. Partner had the beef filet, which looked better than my chicken. A very good vanilla/strawberry ice cream pie was served for desert.

It was a big treat for us to see a new episode of Ab Fab. The series started while we were away. This episode was #2 and was very funny. We were the only two laughing upstairs. I then watched the very bad movie, Rat Race, then thanks to my little Ambien pill, slept for 6 hours.

Woke up with about 3 hours left and breakfast was quickly served. Choices were either a Spanish omlette or potato cakes with sauteed mushrooms, which I had.

Before we knew it, we were disembarking and made a rather quick trip through customs and baggage claim. We collected our bags and walked to AA to recheck them for our connecting flights to BDL. Another quicka nd easy check-in and very short security lines.

Sorry to say I didn't take notes for the next two flights as the jet lag finally got to us. But, we took AA to ORD on a 763, with the nice and newer F class seats. A lunch was served, but only at very little before I layed back and slept for about an hour. Connected to a flight to BDL, where yet another fine meal was served, (I think I ate it). Landing was about 20 mins. early, and bags came out about 15 mins. after.

All in all, a very pleasant and exciting trip. Usually after a 3 week trip, most are looking forward to getting back home, but not us, we could easily have stayed longer, especially in NZ, where two weeks was definitely not enough.

If anyone has any specific questions on any part of our trip that I glossed over, please let me know and I will gladly respond. OK, now back to work!