Originally Posted by
LHR/MEL/Europe FF
So it is a change in policy. The F cabin was also empty on my flight, but the check-in staff, manager, and on board crew all said the F cabin was closed. They even closed the curtain after take off. Although that being said the seats in both classes are fairly similar, the F seat being marginally longer and wider I think.
Same thing when I went to the galley! Crew strapped in and slumped forward trying to sleep. IIRC the aircraft arrives in MNL the night before, so I wonder if it is the same crew working both sectors with the 8 hours or whatever in between? It must be a pretty brutal flight for jet-lag.
While the crew was better on my second leg, the whole boarding process was disappointing... long wait to get passport checked, long wait in the heat to board the bus. Long wait on the bus, even though it was full because the dispatch agent decided to have a long chat with the driver, then long wait to board the plane with 70+ pax standing on the stairs. I would handle that part differently next time... arrive at the gate later, and make sure i was standing right by the bus door to be first up the stairs.
I was hoping it was just the crew operating my flight who was sleeping... would be terrible if that happens on every MNL flight! Highly doubt they would operate the return after just 8 hours of rest as that would probably break the minimum crew rest rules.
I always board right before the gate closes so didn't really have this problem. They really should have a dedicated J class bus or some priority handling, but it wasn't too much of an issue for me. Hopefully all these problems will be resolved when the new terminal opens supposedly later this year. Eager to check out how the experience is then; I've got high hopes for the new lounge too!