Getting to Sydney Airport

On the night before I finished my job in the city, I was at Martin Place train station and took a picture of the emirates advert. I know that this trip report is about Virgin Australia but I was so excited about my Business Class trip with Emirates on their A380 and this was the sign that I was definitely meant to be on that equipment!





The day has finally come and as per usual I was getting nervous about security and immigration and trying to double check all my facts, print outs, receipts, arrangements and personal belongings. Once I got all of these and have assured myself that I can get into Auckland on my British Passport we decided to get a cab from Potts Point to the airport. I was practicing taking pictures using my iPhone 4 but no success in mastering the technique(as you will see later on).

Cab through the tunnels.


If only every first class upgrade was 69 AUD.


Qantas 747-400.


Check in

Since I was so keen on this trip I managed to persuade the better half to arrive at the airport with me at exactly 3 hours and 10 minutes before the flight. 10 minutes more early to see if I had the chance on changing my British Airways flight from Sydney Airport to London Heathrow to a different date (I am sure I had posted a thread in FlyerTalk in the BAEC forum somewhere that they were as helpful as potatoes).

Below is the departure information screen.


Check in opened at exactly 3 hours before the flight departure and it was painless. It was nice as we were the only Premium Economy passengers to check in. People did stare at us, thinking “what numptys paying such a premium for such a short flight” little did they know that we only paid circa 200 AUD and 20,000 Velocity points.

A few more technical notes on the check in experience: there was a dedicated priority lane as shown in the picture below. There was also a Priority Pass given to get through immigration and security and of course lounge invitation to the Air New Zealand Koru Club Lounge.