Aer Lingus flight 154 Dublin to London Heathrow

FLIGHT: EI 154
DATE: 24/01/04
A/C TYPE: A321-200
REGO: EI-CPC
A/C AGE: 6 years
PASSENGERS:
Y: 140
J: 8
F: -
STD: 0750
ATD: 0750
ATA: 0859
STA: 0910
TAKE OFF RUNWAY: 28
LANDING RUNWAY: 27L
FL: 33000ft
Seat No: 11D

Because of the departure time of this flight we had to get up really early at around 0500. We arrived at the airport around 0610, picked up our luggage which we had left overnight after our arrival into Dublin on Aer Arann flight 218 from Sligo. The airport was quite empty and so we started check in after only a few minutes of waiting. I asked the Aer Lingus check in agent if we could have exit rows but she explained how Aer Lingus couldn’t give away those seats, only the actual airline could. She said we should try in London but I knew that arriving into Heathrow around 2 hours before our flight the chances of the exits remaining empty was pretty slim! On our last trip to Ireland in 2002 when we tried to check in for all our flights we weren’t able to get the boarding cards for the Singapore to Perth sector although today the check in lady could which was good. I requested a window seat for myself, although I didn’t realize this meant I would be separated from everyone else! But because all of our cases were way over 20kg we tried to keep quite. My case was 29kg, mums was 28kg and my sis's was 21kg.

Shortly afterwards we said our good byes and went through to the gates. Our gate today was gate 35. The airport was starting to pick up around this time with the duty free getting a few customers! There wasn’t much to see so we went to the gate and waited for our flight to be called. While we were waiting I noticed a female BA F/A in full uniform waiting for our flight, I then took a walk around and I noticed a male BA F/A in full uniform waiting for our flight as well! Is there many BA F/A that travel on this route? That’s three i've seen on two Ei flights! Although there was a few people around, aircraft movements were pretty dead at this dark hour of the morning. Our A321-200 was parked next to a company A330 which I could see was being cleaned or something. Eventually boarding came around. The crew seamed in good humor, I handed one F/A my log book and I settled in my seat, looking forward to the good ol Irish service...(well what I thought was left of it!) After having a look around at the in-flight magazine I noticed a menu card thing. It was about A4 size and had coffee, water, chocolates and lots of other stuff on it. Was this the final end for Aer Lingus free service? (Well the drink anyway!) A mere 6 weeks ago I had gotten on an Ei flight and was served a complimentary drink, and in 2002 on the Aer Lingus flights I was given a drink AND yes AND a biscuit! (Wow I know!) haha. But now there was nothing for free, they had finally taken away the final complimentary drink for Y! Anyway enough of that! I was taking a look around as we readied for pushback, the EI A330 next to us had its wing lights on and the airport seemed to be waking. There were two passengers a few rows back on the left which seemed to be getting a bit of attention from the F/A. They did look a bit wealthy with their fur coats and shortly before pushback they were moved up front. The captain and crew came on and welcomed us after that. After pushback we took the short taxi to the runway where we waited for a DHL 757 to take off and a Continental 757 to arrive. Our take off was normal with nothing out of the ordinary.

Once we were airborne we took a turn to the right and flew right past the airport again giving me some great shots! I would have them but I will explain later! We headed out towards the coast. Shortly after the service started and shore enough it wasn’t free anymore! I didn’t see anyone buy anything and no one seemed surprised so maybe it had been around for a while. Nothing much else happened on the flight worth noting. We then started our descent over England before coming down towards London. We had a fantastic view of the city as we basically saw the entire thing. I took out my camera and got a few shots, it was brilliant seeing things from the air that I had actually been to just a few weeks earlier. I could even spot where I stayed! After that crew took their seats and I discovered what looked like a PIA 747 on hold as well. I did take a photo of it but I never got the chance to take a closer look! We landed on runway 27L, taxied to gate 190 all the while having a good look at the classic Heathrow airport. Passengers started disembarking from the left door closest to my seat, I think it is the second left door. I put my camera on the seat as well as the Aer Lingus magazine, ready to be put in my bag but then I saw the F/A holding my book so I got up and got it from her, although when I came back to my seat I just took my bag and left. When I got out into the terminal I even put my book back in my bag and still didn’t notice I had left my camera behind! It was only when we were walking to the bus which would take us to terminal 4 that I realized I didn’t have it, I just stopped and knew I didn’t have it, I didn’t even need to check my bag I was that certain. I gave my bag to my sis and took my boarding pass, passport and ticket. I asked an Ei rep where I could find it and they sent me back to check in where there was a swissport employee who called the cleaners, supervisors, lost luggage and to cut the story short they couldn’t find my camera. Boy was I pissed! My Christmas present gone! Lucky I had all the photos from my trip on Cd but still, I had just lost all my wicked London photos! To top it all of because I went to check in I couldn’t get back to the transfer area to find my mum and sis. So luckily I had my phone and I just sms'd em and told them to meet me at the gate for our next flight!

Qantas flight 32 London Heathrow to Singapore

FLIGHT: QF 18
DATE: 24/01/04
A/C TYPE: 747-438
REGO: VH-OJS
A/C AGE: 7 years
PASSENGERS:
Y: 315
J: 49
F: 10
STD: 1115
ATD: 1120
ATA: 0750
STA: 0742
TAKE OFF RUNWAY: 27R
LANDING RUNWAY: 02L
FL: 35000ft
Seat No: 70A

After loosing my family I caught the bus to terminal four and went to the gate where a BA employee called for them! Eventually I spotted them and the stress was partly over! I found my family but not my camera! I didn’t really have any time to enjoy the airport. The aircraft was parked on a remote bay and so we were put into a gate thing where we waited for the word for everyone to get on buses. Then I thought I saw the asia buisness reporter guy in the gate, (don’t know his name but sounds like Ree-CO He-zon) but I wasn’t really shore. One thing I found VERY interesting was that when we were walking from the gate down the ramps to the buses, I noticed that the pilots were behind us. I always thought they were there way before the aircraft was set to leave! Gees ya learn something new everyday! They hopped on our bus while I went to the back to find a seat, finally I could sit back and enjoy the view which made me think of all the photo opportunities I was missing! When we got to the aircraft the flight crew got off the bus and headed up to the aircraft, the doors were closed on the bus and we had to wait about 5 mins. While we were waiting one of the crew came down and gave the aircraft its exterior check. I like boarding by the stairs and this was no exception.

Once we got into the aircraft I asked a F/A if he could pass my log book to the crew although he said he would get it off me later. I then headed towards my window seat which turned out to be the first seat that went into two from three seats. (I didn’t even have time to properly study our boarding passes as everything was so rushed!) I then found out that we had been separated from my family. Ah well what are the Qantas in-flight phones for!? I asked another F/A if she could hand it to the captain and she agreed. I am really lucky I asked her as she turned out to be an enthusiast like me! After she came and welcomed me individually and asked where I was going and things like that. It seemed like I was not the only one who was separated, there was a whole bunch of people a few rows in front who wanted to swap seats. Eventually the crew came on to say that everyone was onboard although they were just waiting for people to get seated. A few minutes later the captain came on and informed us of our route, altitude ect. The cabin supervisor came on the PA again and welcomed us all on board the flight, especially the lucky winners of the fosters competition which was a trip to Australia for Aussie Day for something like you and 10 mates or something. (I think it was an MTV competition if I remember the ad correctly!) I then recognized the people, they were the ones who had wanted to swap, and the dead give away...all the fosters merchandise they had! Our engines were then started and we were pushed back a short time later. The engines were quite Smokey when they started up which allowed for some entertainment! As we taxied to runway 27R I could see all the grass which was being blown about by the engines as well as some water being sprayed all over the place. Once we got to the runway I realized there was a bit of a wait, with around 6 aircraft waiting for take off. It was a bit confusing though as three taxi ways seemed to lead to the runway two taxi ways merging into one. A Cathay Pacific 744 seemed to push infront of another aircraft. I liked sitting there for a while as I listened to all the aircraft go, with me trying to guess which aircraft I was hearing taking off as I could only see them when they were near the end of the runway. After the Singapore 744 and United 777 we were off. Take off was great with it being really powerful and long. If I had my camera I would have it on video and you could all see what I mean!

Once in the air we turned and I had a great view of Heathrow with the clear view of aircraft landing and taking off which included the Virgin 744 which was a few aircraft behind us in the runway 27R line. Then the drink service started with me having a coke and some peanuts. By this time I was really hungry, having not ate for like 4 hours! At around this time the entertainment was switched on, headphones were handed out and amenity kits and I set up my phone ready for phone calls to other seats. I did the same thing with my sister’s phone and now we were able to keep in contact with out having to walk 2 meters! Ah the lazy generation! The meal was then served and I had chicken although I can’t really remember what it was! It tasted good though! Ice cream was then served which was nice and topped off the lovely meal! Gillian then came around and told me that if I wanted anything she would do her best to get them. (All the time during the flight she addressed me by my name) After, the meal trays were collected and the lights were dimmed for people who wanted to sleep. Not much happened during the flight although I watched my Bosses daughter which wasn’t really funny, played some games, listened to some music and spoke on the phones! I then started to get really hungry so I went to the galley to ask for a snack and the F/A gave me one of those snack pack things which consisted of a bottle of water, mints, biscuits, fruits and some chocolate thing. He said that they were supposed to have handed them out already but they hadn’t. He was the only F/A that seemed to be there, well there were another two but they were busy socializing but he was just reading a paper. He offered a few more for my seat mates. Soon after some F/A's came around and handed out some more. This meant that we got 2 but shortly after a female F/A came and asked us if we had one already and my neighbor said yes and I said well I have one as well, but she didn’t seem to listen and only took my neighbors. But then a few minutes later she came again and apologized and said yes she wanted mine as well! STINGY! haha. After that I tried to sleep although it was quite hard but at least I got a few hours. I took a look outside around Dubai although there wasn’t much to see so I closed my shutter until the lights were turned on before breakfast a few hours later. Gillian then came around and gave me some Qantas playing cards, some ear plugs, some QF paper, some 744 postcards, some first class menus, business class menus as well as the first class amenity kit. I was really thankful and I was surprised at the amount of stuff she got me! She then showed me a photo of her 30 years before in Miami. She has been a flight attendant for 30 years and she is still so passionate about her job which is amazing...well I think so! She is by far the best F/A I have ever experienced.

Then breakfast was served...but I can’t really remember that either! But it was good! After that it was nearing time to descent into Singapore. Trays were cleared and tea and coffee was served. About 30mins out of Singapore the entertainment was switched off and the crew cleaned up the cabin, collecting head sets. Our descent into Singapore was smooth and we headed towards the runway with a great view of the many islands and boats around. We touched down on runway 02L. Everybody started to disembark and I went back to thank Gillian and she was telling me about how she was staying in Singapore for 2 days and how there was one passenger on today’s flight which was so scared she actually had to lean over her and hold her hand, a first in her career she explained. I asked her whether she had slept during the flight and she said yes and took me to where the F/A sleep, right below the tail, above the toilets. I still can’t understand how it can’t fit above the toilets! I thanked her again and disembarked the aircraft.

Qantas flight 18 Singapore to Perth

FLIGHT: QF 18
DATE: 25/01/04
A/C TYPE: 747-438
REGO: VH-OJB
A/C AGE: 15 years
PASSENGERS:
Y: 366
J: 66
F: -
STD: 1015
ATD: 1035
ATA: 1505
STA: 1525
TAKE OFF RUNWAY: 02L
LANDING RUNWAY: 21
FL: 35000ft
Seat No: 35A

After just having a great experience with Qantas on QF 32 I was looking forward to this flight. We had a bit more time in Singapore this time round so I explored a bit of terminal two although very quickly. I arrived back at the gate where it was "last call." It was no way last call! I hate how they do that in Singapore! Here I was rushing back and we still had stacks of time. Boarding started shortly after I entered the gate, as there was a large line into the gate.

We boarded through the second left door I think and I was seated a few rows after it. I asked a F/A to send my logbook to the captain and she did. Most of the crew on today’s flight were young and in a good mood. I liked my seat because I could see what was going on around the door. A while later the door was closed and the head F/A (not Australian) introduced all the crew and announced our flight to Singapore...he then corrected himself saying to Perth. I could see him the entire time during his announcement and he had a little laugh with the passengers in the front row about his mistake. The captain came on and just briefed us of what was happening and shortly after we were pushed back. I could see the engines suck up some water on start up, as it was wet in Singapore. We taxied to runway 02L and took off, being a Sunday Singapore didn’t seem very busy although we did have to wait for a garuda 737 to land.

Once in the air the crew came around and handed out headphones and the entertainment system was switched on...then restarted about another 5 times, all in all taking about an hour. In the end we just had to make do with no games or phones as the interactive menu wasn’t working. The drink service was then started followed by a meal a short time later. It was either salmon or pasta...I don’t really like either so I chose the pasta which turned out to be dammm good! I ate the entire thing, although I was still hungry after. I mean why don’t they cater for growing people! haha. I then dozed because I was really tired, when I woke up everyone was having their ice-cream. So I didn’t get any of that. I then dozed off again and the next time I woke up everyone had water bottles! I might as well have just stayed asleep because I was missing out on everything! Nothing else really happened on the flight.

We then started our descent into Perth, I was looking forward to getting home. The crew prepared the cabin for landing and we arrived into Perth on runway 21 shortly after. We then taxied to gate 51 where we parked and I was given my log book back. As I left the aircraft I realized that the aircraft didn’t have the new business class seats.

Overall I was quite impressed with my Journey home, not so much with Aer Lingus and the whole drama thing but the crew on QF 32 really made my trip better. Although the only thing that I was disappointed about was that no menus were handed out, so out of 3 QF flights I only got 1 Y menu. It would have made my trip report better because I could have said what I ate! Have they stopped the menus altogether for economy? I will defiantly fly Qantas again, their service was excellent and they have improved an awful lot since my flights with them in 2002.