First J experience SYD CHC
 

Just booked through QF a return ticket SYD to Christchurch. the SYDCHC leg will be on EK metal in J class....

I've got some questions so I could maximise my experience.

1. Currently me and my wife booked at seat 8H 8K, we want to be the right hand side of the airplane so the sun wouldn't be shining over us. Are those OK seats on the EK 777?

2. I am a DM with CX, the return leg is QF and I'll sure to park the mile and point with CX, what should I do with the EK leg? I do have both EK account and QF account, however both hasn't really been used. EK metal with QF code, which program would give more points? I haven't entered any ffp number into the booking, should I do this at the counter?

3. Which lounge would I access at SYD?

4. What the food like on EK J 3.5 hour flight? Flight depart 9:15am, what the breakfast would be like on EK so I could avoid the same thing in the lounge.

Thanks guys....

Row 8 is a bulkhead row just behind the galley/toilets so TV screen position is not ideal. Most posters prefer Row 7 in the front mini cabin. I wouldn't make a choice based on the position of the sun. Shut the window blind if it annoys you.

Current menus are available on the EK website to give you an idea of what to expect.

Just looked at the menu, although the flight departs at 9:15am, the menu does say "lunch" will be served.

That's actually very good as we could eat some light breakfast before boarding.

Thanks for the seating suggestion, row 6 and 7 are all taken, are they blocked by elites only?

You can access both the EK Lounge and the QF Business Lounge in SYD.

The EK lounge is near Gate 58 but down a level.

Your flight will depart from this end of the terminal.

My preference would be the EK Lounge.

Hi Ausriver

Don't know if CX do the same as BA with QF coded/EK operated flights in that you would get the points/miles as if flying on a OW flight as long as the flight has been bought under a QF code.

If that is the case then I would credit the miles/points to CX unless you are going to start using EK or QF on a more regular basis.

Safe & Happy Travels

S

Cx wouldn't get anything, BA seems to be the only ow airline would credit QF coded EK metal.
Would EK points expire?

EK lounge would be the pick, as a Sydney based owe, been to the QF lounge too many times and would definitely like to check the EK lounge out.

Row 6 is blocked as basinettes are located there, but will become available when check in opens. Row 7 is just popular and must have been snapped up already.

So maybe I should choose row 9 instead of 8?

Yes, definitely have breakfast in the EK lounge - it's usually good in SYD - and then lunch if you're still hungry once you're aboard.

I don't think it really matters which side you sit. I've never been bothered by the sun on that leg. It usually seems to take off so you can see SYD from the left of the plane - but I'm sure you've seen that before, judging from your location! Once you get towards NZ you'll see the Southern Alps covered in snow this time of year. It's quite a spectacular sight. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I've change to row 9, right hand side. It's just my personal habit to avoid the sun during the time that you'll have to put your sun shade up.I guess both side would be able to see the southern alps right?

Yes. For SYD-CHC the better view is on the right hand side.

Perfect

If the day is reasonably clear you should be able to see Mt Cook on the right hand side as you cross the coast.

Wow. That's something to look for

mis post

After reading on the EK forum for couple of months, I've learned that EK is likely to put the newest aircraft onto its longer routes.. The SYD-CHC one seems to be BKK-SYD-CHC. Does this one going back to Dubai? If so, would DXB-BKK-SYD-CHC-SYD-BKK-DXB qualify a ultra long route and get the newest 777 with the new J seats?

The aeroplane does indeed return from Christchurch back to Dubai via Sydney and Bangkok

Yes, you're right. same flight number EK418/419 all the way. Would this be one of the longest flight that EK flies?

Not really as each flight individually is not that long. The longest flight in the world is operated by EK from Dubai to Auckland.

How abt the longest flight with stops？

Perhaps but operationally they see each flight individually. Especially as you get off and reboard at the stops. So it won't be considered ultra long haul.

Anything reaching SYD is likely to be top of the line. SYD always being a top market. I think being newer just allows them to break them in better on ULH routes. Like most electronics breaking is better done with some long periods, then on/off at short intervals.

Regardless I've never seen an old/worn looking Emirates plane. When they get the least bit old they either get rid or refurb them.

PS I find it funny the Emirates is the airline of choice for many on SYD/AKL/CHC flights. They're normally always priced less in F then what I'd pay for J on QF and you're promised to get a 777/380 instead of 737 or if you're lucky A330 on others.

EK418/9 is actually one of the oldest routes in the EK network - back before they decided to go non-stop DXB-SYD!

In reality any of the 77W in the fleet can be on the route, but you are exceptionally unlikely to get the very oldest 77Ws with the oldest ICE product (it has happened though). It's still the same hard product apart from the IFE though.

Yes, flying 777 with flat bed to CHC and coming back, just a J seat on QF. I knew my wife would be disappointed on the way back. I don't think QF is flying any A330 between australia & nz at the moment.

It's seasonal for the A330. Either way I normally fly the EK777 into CHC and fly the EKA380 out of AKL when flying to NZ. I find it hard to pass up F on EK for less then J on QF even if QF happens to fly a widebody. The timing also works well. Fly in the morning and fly out late afternoon/early evening.

SYD-CHC is more likely an preferred choice of EK due to the much less service into CHC on the Tasman. We're as SYD-AKL EK lacks the frequency that is offered by NZ/VA and QF/JQ who are both around 6-7x Daily on this route.

With EK being an early AM departure ex-SYD, it doesn't make good for the AKL market wanting an short break in SYD. On this route the key is frequency, rather than product.

PER-AKL-PER is the only Qantas Tasman route with an wide-body service by the 332. It operates twice weekly during the peak summer holiday period, if everything else is an 738. JQ fly's the 788 into AKL-MEL/SYD during the busier times of the year.

Understand AKL has more choice and flights. However I still hear EK listed frequently as airline of choice for many even out of AKL. It's a lot easier to get some work done on an A380 seat in J then on a 737/A320 in J. Plus free WiFi and just make it better if you want to be able to work during the flight. Also add in that you can use your cell in flight, and it just makes the flight a better pick for the companies I work with. I fly QF/Jet and I'm basically useless for the flight.

Yeah I always get a lot of work done on the free wifi. Open google and 3/7 e-mails downloaded and whoops... 10MB is over

1 USD for 500 MB is hardly an inconvenience :P

Which is why I skip the 10MB and go straight for the 500MB, but the previous poster referred to "free" :)

Although you can of course also use the free 10MB multiple times if you know how.

$1 for 500MB? That's cheaper than any mobile carrier charges on the ground

Yep, EK been offering this for a while. Use different emails (and same CC) and for 2$ you get 500mb on your phone AND laptop each.

If you like cookies you can enjoy the flight even more ;)

I thought it wouldn't let you buy the 500MB until you've used the 10MB!

You can choose the 500MB option from the outset not even selecting the 10MB. Writing this with my 10MB though so... Irony.

EK can't get you to SYD for an day of Business without the need to overnight.

We're as NZ has in the morning:
NZ101 0700-0835 763
NZ7901 0800-0935 738 (operated by VA)
NZ103 0900-1035 772/789

NZ101 allows you todo an whole days business in SYD, and even an day trip if your pushed for time.

Despite the lack of free Internet, it goes allow you to get an day in SYD. We're as EK you have to go the night before, and get to AKL in afternoon peak traffic.

About to fly tmr morning, doing olci and all the side seats of row 6, 7 and 8 are taken. I'm still at row 9..... Does EK check in counter open 3 hours before flight in Sydney or it's a whole day check in facility?

Conversely, EK's schedule from NZ-Australia works very well for those going from Australa to New Zealand for business. The 6-7pm ish departure time is quite decent for getting back

Given that I need to spend a night in NZ before starting, EK's morning departure arriving at 1-2pm ish works well

That's pretty extravagant of your employer - allowing you to spend a whole day travelling from Australia to AKL when it could be done in the evening.

Eh? Why should anybody have to fly in their own personal time for a business meeting?

exactly