One World Revolutions - Around Mostly the Southern Hemisphere
#1
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One World Revolutions - Around Mostly the Southern Hemisphere
Before I start, here are the links to my previous trip reports.
- AKL-YYZ with NZ/AC in F & C - my first trip report
- Europe to Iceland & return on Icelandair (FI) - somewhere different
- Some FTers DO the Inaugural Worlds Longest Flight SIN-EWR vv 28 June 2004 - 2 long flights back to back
- 7 Crazy Days - includes an almost inaugural flight
- Champagne and figure eights on ice - Antarctica flightseeing
- a Lit.tle sPRinG.Ly JoUrney (BUDding KiwiS Can zig-ZAG around Europe) - mostly central and eastern Europe
- Big DO DOs - or a Kiwi Flyer's Month of Madness - lots of flights
- Another Manic Month for Kiwi - again lots of flights
- Mini Tour of NZ - over 100 domestic flights in New Zealand covering all domestic routes (ongoing)
- Across the Globe in 5 Continents - criss-crossing the globe
- Auckland to National Park by Train - train in New Zealand's North Island
- Across the Globe in 5 Continents Again - criss-crossing the globe, but this time mainly on One World
- A Warm Embrace of the Tropics - short trips to the tropical South Pacific
- Singapore (SQ) new first and business class, plus a medley of 12 F & C SQ flights - name says it all really
- Across the Globe in 4 Continents - around the world on star alliance, including some unusual flights
- Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Sampler - a sampling of Qantas flights, domestic and international, in economy and business (ongoing)
- Around the World in Under 60 Hours - around the world in a weekend
- The Heat is On - another longhaul economy trip in under 60 hours - what a contrast, Asia and Qantas' new first class lounges
- Fast on the ground and in the air - it must be Shanghai – a flying visit to Shanghai + Maglev
- It's a Fine Line Between Pleasure & Pain: 4 wacky weeks 2 RTW C, inaugural longhaul Y – mostly One World
- Back and forth across the Pacific on a variety of airlines in a selection of classes - 16 crossings of the Pacific plus some other related flights
- It isn't every day that you witness a hijacking attempt + NZ's forgotten 4th island - a visit to Chatham Islands coincides with New Zealand's first hijacking attempt
- There and back - first day Air NZ flies to Coolangatta (Gold Coast)
- A Run Around (part of) The Axis of Evil: A Perfect *A RTW in C? - Axis of Evil 0 US Immigration 1
- Wellington to Auckland by train - self-explanatory title
- A mad couple of days flying, including domestic international flights - a double longhaul inaugural, domestic international shuttle and domestic leg of an international flight
- Regional C *A RTW & (hopefully) finishing flying every route (100+) for an airline - featuring new QF First on A380 special flight, "you have to get off now", and 105th different current route with NZ
- One World Revolutions - Around Mostly the Southern Hemisphere - mostly Southern Hemisphere and mostly on One World on a mix of products
- Cris-cros the Med & the Globe on Emirates, Qantas & Star Alliance in mix of F/C/Y+/Y – starting with EK First on A380 and ending with Qantas economy, with a lot of travel mostly on *A in between
- An FTer flies to a Do (or Why take the nonstop when you can fly 10 flights instead?) - combining an FT Do with an aerial tour of northern Queensland
- The Ultimate Qantas Flight - short report on the ultimate flight
- Premium Flying Across the Ditch (Between New Zealand and Australia) - experiencing the forward cabins on Trans-Tasman flights (ongoing)
- 5 Boeings Straight to the Airbus Do - FTer feasts in first, business & economy - my journey to & from the *A / Airbus Mega Do
- NZ route oddities & One World turns by night (redeye special) - an odd collection of flight routes & schedules around the world
- From my first low cost redeye to a first class trifecta - an insane fortnight - some firsts of all types
- G'day, kia orana - it's another inaugural flight in Air New Zealand business class - a day & night tripping around the South Pacific on Air NZ
- A Feast of First Class Flying on British Airways, Qantas and Emirates - long distance in style
- A Weekend of Old and New - Lufthansa first & business, Air New Zealand business - a quick longhaul trip featuring some old and new products
- Star Alliance tres primo, and tres biz - a trio of first and business on Star Alliance
- A few flights to end 2011 - a quick trip around the world + more
- Five Continents in 3 Days and Some Other Mad Trips in 2012 - a selection of my 2012 travels
- Sky Team madness - 14 weeks, 200k miles, 5 continents, CI brand new business – mostly Sky Team
- Off to Star megado on Oneworld - mostly business incl brand new AA 787
- A Glutton for Punishment: red eye, new world's longest flight & more, in comfort?
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Apr 1, 2016 at 3:50 pm
#2
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Index to this trip report
Latest summary
As at post #100
===========
INTRODUCTION
Earlier this year IATA made a push for 100% e-tickets. This unfortunately meant star alliance and oneworld RTWs had to conform with e-ticket requirements, a significant one is a maximum of 16 coupons (including surface segments). This is a loss of 33% on star alliance and 20% on oneworld.
Annoyingly, since the change to supposedly 100% e-tickets I have had several paper tickets issued for various itineraries. Clearly exemptions from the e-ticket requirements still exist. Would it have been so bad to exempt RTW tickets instead of substantially devaluing them?
Naturally I, along with a lot of FTers, bought up some RTW tickets before the changes. I've already done a star alliance round the world bought earlier this year, and now it is time for a oneworld round the world.
Along the way I'll revisit some places I've been to before, and also many new countries. I hope to surpass 100 visited countries en route. I will also make a few missing intercontinental connections on my flight map.
Sit back, relax, and once more it's time to fly.
- Introduction
- Auckland to Sydney on Qantas 767-300 in business class
- Auckland to Sydney business class menu
- In Sydney in transit
- Sydney to Buenos Aires on Qantas 747-400ER in business class
- In Buenos Aires in transit
- Sydney to Buenos Aires business class menu
- Buenos Aires to Sydney business class menu
- Buenos Aires to Sydney on Qantas 747-400ER in business class
- Sydney to Auckland on Qantas 767-300 in business class
- Sydney to Auckland business class menu
- Auckland to Sydney on Qantas 767-300 in business class
- Auckland to Sydney business class menu
- Transit in Sydney
- Sydney to Perth on Qantas A330-200 in business class
- Transit in Perth
- Perth to Sydney on Qantas A330-200 in business class
- Transit in Sydney again
- Sydney to Johannesburg on Qantas 747-400 in business class
- Sydney to Johannesburg business class menu
- Johannesburg
- Johannesburg to Windhoek on Comair 737-200 in economy class
- Transit in Windhoek
- Windhoek to Johannesburg on Comair 737-200 in economy class
- Johannesburg again
- Johannesburg to Mauritius on Comair 737-300 in business class
- Mauritius
- Mauritius to Johannesburg on Comair 737-300 in business class
- Transit in Johannesburg
- Johannesburg to London on British Airways 747-400 in business class
- Johannesburg to London business class menu
- Transit in London
- London to Amman on Royal Jordanian Airlines A321-200 in business class
- London to Amman business class menu
- Transit in Amman
- Amman to Aden on Royal Jordanian Airlines E195 in business class
- Amman to Aden business class menu
- Transit in Aden
- Aden to Amman on Royal Jordanian Airlines E195 in business class
- Aden to Amman business class menu
- Transit in Amman again
- Amman to London on Royal Jordanian Airlines A321-200 in business class
- Amman to London business class menu
- Transit in London Heathrow again
- London First Class Lounge menu
- London to Sao Paulo on British Airways 747-400 in business class
- London to Sao Paulo business class menu
- Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires on British Airways 747-400 in business class
- Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires business class menu
- Transit in Buenos Aires again
- Buenos Aires to Santiago on LAN Ecuador A320 in premium economy class
- Transit in Santiago #1
- Santiago to Guayaquil on LAN Ecuador A320 in premium economy class
- Guayaquil to Quito on LAN Ecuador A320 in premium economy class
- Transit in Quito
Latest summary
- map
- 57,978 flown miles
- 22 flights
- 7 a/c types
- 767-300
- 747-400ER
- A330-200
- 747-400
- 737-200
- 737-300
- A321-200
- E195
- A320
- 5 airlines
- Qantas
- Comair
- British Airways
- Royal Jordanian
- LAN Ecuador
- 11 countries
- Australia
- Argentina
- South Africa
- Namibia
- Mauritius
- United Kingdom
- Jordan
- Yemen
- Brazil
- Chile
- Ecuador
- personal firsts and other trivia
- 13 hour flight that was originally scheduled to have the same arrival and departure time, and arrival and departure day
- 13 hour flight in daylight flying eastward
- my first flight between South America and Australasia (I'd previously been booked on SCL-AKL-SYD but ended up rerouting SCL-(LIM)-LAX-AKL)
- more than 1 month spent in the air (not counting time spent in airports) in 2008, for the 4th consecutive year
- 3rd time flown over Antarctica
- 1st and 2nd wholly Southern Hemisphere intercontinental routes (SYD-EZE and SYD-JNB)
- JNB is 42nd Qantas destination flown, 2nd behind Air NZ (54) and reclaiming the number 2 spot held by Singapore for 2 months
- WDH is 4th airport over 1 mile elevation this year (WDH 1719m, JNB 1694m, DEN 1655m, ADD 2334m) [Ive also flown MEX 2230m]
- CX F LHR lounge computers blocked the BA forum on FT
- RJ is 9th airline to/from LHR, 3rd behind AKL & LAX (both 11) and equal with SIN & SYD
- AMM is 200th airport flown to/from
- LHR-GRU is 11th intercontinental connection, missing just 2 possible on current commercial flights (between Africa and South America and between Africa and North America)
- Ecuador is 23rd new country and 40th visited in 2008
- UIO is 5th airport over 1 mile elevation this year and 6th in total, and highest to date, at 2813m
As at post #100
===========
INTRODUCTION
Earlier this year IATA made a push for 100% e-tickets. This unfortunately meant star alliance and oneworld RTWs had to conform with e-ticket requirements, a significant one is a maximum of 16 coupons (including surface segments). This is a loss of 33% on star alliance and 20% on oneworld.
Annoyingly, since the change to supposedly 100% e-tickets I have had several paper tickets issued for various itineraries. Clearly exemptions from the e-ticket requirements still exist. Would it have been so bad to exempt RTW tickets instead of substantially devaluing them?
Naturally I, along with a lot of FTers, bought up some RTW tickets before the changes. I've already done a star alliance round the world bought earlier this year, and now it is time for a oneworld round the world.
Along the way I'll revisit some places I've been to before, and also many new countries. I hope to surpass 100 visited countries en route. I will also make a few missing intercontinental connections on my flight map.
Sit back, relax, and once more it's time to fly.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Apr 1, 2016 at 3:50 pm
#3
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AUCKLAND to SYDNEY (AKL-SYD) on Qantas 767-300 in business class domestic config
I'd had a crazy schedule since the last big trip and it was like groundhog day. Once again up at OMG o'clock to shower, then pack, call for a cab and head off to the airport. The taxi companies must love me at the moment for the amount of business I've been putting their way - a ride to or from the airport isn't cheap. Anyway I digress. I got a driver I'd had many times before, but not for half a year or more.
He is a former pilot and instructor and takes a keen interest in aviation. Topic of the day was the crash of the Air NZ airbus in southern France which was in the process of being handed back at the end of a lease by XL. He then segued into other similar crashes. Quite a fountain of knowledge, but not the thing that most passengers would want to hear on the way to the airport. Luckily I am not most passengers
I arrived and went straight for the premium check in lobby. It was perfect timing, with no queues. Arrive early and there are lots of people who turn up 3-4 hours before departure (and there are quite a few early flights to Australia). Arrive late and the people who push things to the limit are busy checking in before the deadline. There is a sweet spot in the middle where check-in queues (as well as immigration and security) are not too bad. I know the sweet spot from taking these early flights countless times.
I'd had a crazy schedule since the last big trip and it was like groundhog day. Once again up at OMG o'clock to shower, then pack, call for a cab and head off to the airport. The taxi companies must love me at the moment for the amount of business I've been putting their way - a ride to or from the airport isn't cheap. Anyway I digress. I got a driver I'd had many times before, but not for half a year or more.
He is a former pilot and instructor and takes a keen interest in aviation. Topic of the day was the crash of the Air NZ airbus in southern France which was in the process of being handed back at the end of a lease by XL. He then segued into other similar crashes. Quite a fountain of knowledge, but not the thing that most passengers would want to hear on the way to the airport. Luckily I am not most passengers
I arrived and went straight for the premium check in lobby. It was perfect timing, with no queues. Arrive early and there are lots of people who turn up 3-4 hours before departure (and there are quite a few early flights to Australia). Arrive late and the people who push things to the limit are busy checking in before the deadline. There is a sweet spot in the middle where check-in queues (as well as immigration and security) are not too bad. I know the sweet spot from taking these early flights countless times.
#4
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The lovely couple of check-in agents remembered me and did their usual trick of passing me over to the other person so that they could both look at my itinerary and have a chuckle. Well I suppose it is not every day that someone with my crazy routings turns up to check in.
I was quickly given some boarding passes. The onward flight had a bad seat, the result of some earlier seat shifting by QF. I asked about getting a better seat and was restored to a decent seat, albeit not quite as good as the one I'd originally selected, and also given a seat block.
A quick stop at the immigration desk within the lobby, then upstairs through the pre-cleared immigration line and through security. Then up to the lounge where a favourite agent was on duty but unfortunately busy and unable to chat.
I was quickly given some boarding passes. The onward flight had a bad seat, the result of some earlier seat shifting by QF. I asked about getting a better seat and was restored to a decent seat, albeit not quite as good as the one I'd originally selected, and also given a seat block.
A quick stop at the immigration desk within the lobby, then upstairs through the pre-cleared immigration line and through security. Then up to the lounge where a favourite agent was on duty but unfortunately busy and unable to chat.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,417
INTRODUCTION
Earlier this year IATA made a push for 100% e-tickets. This unfortunately meant star alliance and oneworld RTWs had to conform with e-ticket requirements, a significant one is a maximum of 16 coupons (including surface segments). This is a loss of 33% on star alliance and 20% on oneworld.
Annoyingly, since the change to supposedly 100% e-tickets I have had several paper tickets issued for various itineraries. Clearly exemptions from the e-ticket requirements still exist. Would it have been so bad to exempt RTW tickets instead of substantially devaluing them?
Earlier this year IATA made a push for 100% e-tickets. This unfortunately meant star alliance and oneworld RTWs had to conform with e-ticket requirements, a significant one is a maximum of 16 coupons (including surface segments). This is a loss of 33% on star alliance and 20% on oneworld.
Annoyingly, since the change to supposedly 100% e-tickets I have had several paper tickets issued for various itineraries. Clearly exemptions from the e-ticket requirements still exist. Would it have been so bad to exempt RTW tickets instead of substantially devaluing them?
#7
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Vantaa, Finland
Programs: AY Lumo, FB Gold
Posts: 1,667
I do agree that the 16 segment limit is very stupid, but I think there are some hard facts why it had to be done. I just hope there's some sort of upgrade path planned that will eventually abolish this limit.
And yes, not being able to issue an RTW ticket with more than 16 segments on paper stock is another stupidity.
#8
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I'd hardly checked my messages when it was time to board. I'd noticed from the earlier flight that today the boarding announcement was being made very late in the process with a final boarding call just a minute after the first announcement. This is good to maximise lounge time although doesn't leave much time for last minute ablutions. I grabbed a newspaper before I left. Some days the newspapers are not delivered to the lounge before the early flights go, but not today.
The load was fairly light so plenty of space to sprawl out. A pre-departure drink and offer of a newspaper. Arrivals cards for Australia were handed out, but no express immigration cards (lately these have been handed out at check in ex-Australia only) ... not that I need one for this trip.
Not long after take-off we were handed out personal DVD players and our breakfast orders were taken. We then encountered significant turbulence. Not the worst I have ever been in but the worst in the past several years (many hundreds of flights). It was strong enough that I was shocked the cabin crew continued to pass out breakfast before sitting down to ride it out. It was very bumpy all the way to our cruise altitude and then we descended to 25,000 feet where it was only very bumpy instead of stomach-churningly bumpy. I held onto my glass most of the flight and managed to get most of the water spilled out without drinking.
The turbulence stopped only after we had descended low over the northern beaches. The weather in Sydney was wet with very low cloud rolls and patches. The two masts on the north shore had the tips visible but the rest hidden. There was no sign of the harbour bridge or opera house but Darling Harbour was clear. We landed on the eastern runway, towards the south, thus had the longest possible taxi back to the terminal.
The data on the flight show was odd. When we landed it had distance travelled as 1192 km, about half the correct distance.
The load was fairly light so plenty of space to sprawl out. A pre-departure drink and offer of a newspaper. Arrivals cards for Australia were handed out, but no express immigration cards (lately these have been handed out at check in ex-Australia only) ... not that I need one for this trip.
Not long after take-off we were handed out personal DVD players and our breakfast orders were taken. We then encountered significant turbulence. Not the worst I have ever been in but the worst in the past several years (many hundreds of flights). It was strong enough that I was shocked the cabin crew continued to pass out breakfast before sitting down to ride it out. It was very bumpy all the way to our cruise altitude and then we descended to 25,000 feet where it was only very bumpy instead of stomach-churningly bumpy. I held onto my glass most of the flight and managed to get most of the water spilled out without drinking.
The turbulence stopped only after we had descended low over the northern beaches. The weather in Sydney was wet with very low cloud rolls and patches. The two masts on the north shore had the tips visible but the rest hidden. There was no sign of the harbour bridge or opera house but Darling Harbour was clear. We landed on the eastern runway, towards the south, thus had the longest possible taxi back to the terminal.
The data on the flight show was odd. When we landed it had distance travelled as 1192 km, about half the correct distance.
#9
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Qantas
Business Class menu
New Zealand to Australia
November 2008
Breakfast
Orange Juice
Seasonal Fresh Fruit Juice
Your choice of :
Continental Breakfast
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Yoghurt
or
Cereal Selection
Warm Bakery
or
Hot Breakfast
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Bacon and Egg Pie accompanied with Roasted Tomato, Sauteed Vegetables and Haloumi
or
Corn and Cheddar Cheese Fritters served with Tomato, Mushrooms and Wilted Spinach
Warm Bakery
Beverages
Champagne
Qantas is proud to feature Premium Non-Vintage Champagne from the most respected houses in France.
Australian and New Zealand Wine
For your enjoyment we have a selection of light and full bodied, premium white and red wines onboard today. Your Flight Attendant will advise you on the selection.
Aperitifs
Campari
Spirits
Bacardi White Rum
Chivas Regal 12yo Scotch Whisky
Inner Circle (Green Dot) Dark Rum 57.2%
Tanqueray London Dry Gin
The Glenlivet 12yo Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Wild Turkey 86.8º Bourbon
Wyborowa Polish Vodka
Beers
Hahn Premium Light
Heineken
James Squire Golden Ale
Victoria Bitter
Non Alcoholic
Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Spicy Tomato Juice
Tomato Juice
Mineral Water
Soda Water
Tonic Water
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Cola
Diet Cola
Ginger Ale
Lemonade
Solo – Lemon Squash
Hot Beverages
Grinders Coffee
Bodum
Decaffeinated
Dilmah Tea
Chamomile
English Breakfast
Jasmine Green
Peppermint
Hot Chocolate
Liqueurs
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Cointreau
Fortifieds
Penfolds Bluestone 10yo Tawny
Baileys of Glenrowan Founder Liqueur Muscat
Cognac
Martell VSOP
Business Class menu
New Zealand to Australia
November 2008
Breakfast
Orange Juice
Seasonal Fresh Fruit Juice
Your choice of :
Continental Breakfast
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Yoghurt
or
Cereal Selection
Warm Bakery
or
Hot Breakfast
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Bacon and Egg Pie accompanied with Roasted Tomato, Sauteed Vegetables and Haloumi
or
Corn and Cheddar Cheese Fritters served with Tomato, Mushrooms and Wilted Spinach
Warm Bakery
Beverages
Champagne
Qantas is proud to feature Premium Non-Vintage Champagne from the most respected houses in France.
Australian and New Zealand Wine
For your enjoyment we have a selection of light and full bodied, premium white and red wines onboard today. Your Flight Attendant will advise you on the selection.
Aperitifs
Campari
Spirits
Bacardi White Rum
Chivas Regal 12yo Scotch Whisky
Inner Circle (Green Dot) Dark Rum 57.2%
Tanqueray London Dry Gin
The Glenlivet 12yo Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Wild Turkey 86.8º Bourbon
Wyborowa Polish Vodka
Beers
Hahn Premium Light
Heineken
James Squire Golden Ale
Victoria Bitter
Non Alcoholic
Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Spicy Tomato Juice
Tomato Juice
Mineral Water
Soda Water
Tonic Water
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Cola
Diet Cola
Ginger Ale
Lemonade
Solo – Lemon Squash
Hot Beverages
Grinders Coffee
Bodum
Decaffeinated
Dilmah Tea
Chamomile
English Breakfast
Jasmine Green
Peppermint
Hot Chocolate
Liqueurs
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Cointreau
Fortifieds
Penfolds Bluestone 10yo Tawny
Baileys of Glenrowan Founder Liqueur Muscat
Cognac
Martell VSOP
J_TAS_BF_3_NZ-AUS_SUM08
#13
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Sydney transit
We had a gate close to the lounge, but first I had to clear transfer security. While there were a lot of people there, almost all were cabin crew so naturally I got the "random" explosives test and pat down. I'm now struggling to remember the last time I had an international transit in Sydney (or Brisbane for that matter) where I have not been "randomly" selected - most often because I am the only person going through international transfers at the time. Stupid quotas they have to fill.
I was welcomed back into the first lounge by the bouncer before I even had a chance to pull out my boarding pass
As I knew there were no showers available in the next transit I took a shower here. My travel philosophy on long duration sequences of flights is to take a shower whenever it is practical to do so. Not only does it help avoid me stinking up the plane with a multi-day itinerary, but it also provides a nice pyschological boost to refresh body and mind.
I had enough time to have a drink, check messages, have another drink, post a bit on FT, have one more drink for theroad air, and confirm the flight was on time by keeping an eye on the various useful websites.
We had a gate close to the lounge, but first I had to clear transfer security. While there were a lot of people there, almost all were cabin crew so naturally I got the "random" explosives test and pat down. I'm now struggling to remember the last time I had an international transit in Sydney (or Brisbane for that matter) where I have not been "randomly" selected - most often because I am the only person going through international transfers at the time. Stupid quotas they have to fill.
I was welcomed back into the first lounge by the bouncer before I even had a chance to pull out my boarding pass
As I knew there were no showers available in the next transit I took a shower here. My travel philosophy on long duration sequences of flights is to take a shower whenever it is practical to do so. Not only does it help avoid me stinking up the plane with a multi-day itinerary, but it also provides a nice pyschological boost to refresh body and mind.
I had enough time to have a drink, check messages, have another drink, post a bit on FT, have one more drink for the
#14
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SYDNEY to BUENOS AIRES (SYD-EZE) on Qantas 747-400ER in business class
When Qantas announced this new route early in the year I attempted to get on the inaugural flight. Unfortunately my schedule did not permit it. However, I did manage to book this flight during the first week of service.
In the hundreds of times I have flown across the Pacific I have never flown across the South Pacific to or from South America (treating Easter Island as part of South America for this purpose). Other than my flightseeing trip to Antarctica I have never flown close to the frozen continent. Today I will be doing both - check out the great circle route (the other far southern routes are show for comparison purposes).
I was greatly looking forward to the flight.
When Qantas announced this new route early in the year I attempted to get on the inaugural flight. Unfortunately my schedule did not permit it. However, I did manage to book this flight during the first week of service.
In the hundreds of times I have flown across the Pacific I have never flown across the South Pacific to or from South America (treating Easter Island as part of South America for this purpose). Other than my flightseeing trip to Antarctica I have never flown close to the frozen continent. Today I will be doing both - check out the great circle route (the other far southern routes are show for comparison purposes).
I was greatly looking forward to the flight.
#15
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Apologies for the delay.
When I booked the flight I noticed it had a couple of unusual characteristics. Firstly, the arrival and departure times where exactly the same, and thanks to cross the international dateline also exactly the same day. For a 13 hour flight that is amazing. Is there any longer flight with this characteristic? (Note between booking and date of travel both arrival and departure times where adjusted, and the flight duration was lengthened.) Secondly, at this time of year the entire flight will be in daylight. Not bad for a flight this long, especially one that is not chasing the sun by flying westwards.
Ahead of the trip I did my usual thing to check loads. It was completely sold out up until a week before departure when a trickle of seats became available. At the gate it seemed like the load would be considerably lighter than this, and so it proved upon boarding. Business class was not very full, and neither was economy. I'm not sure about first class.
The boarding started rather late, at just a short while before scheduled departure. Consequently we pushed back a little late and had a further delay due to ground traffic.
I managed a couple of pre-departure drinks while browsing the menu which had been placed in the little cubby of the seat in front. We were given a pen to fill in the breakfast orders and these were collected before we even pushed back. It seemed odd to be filling these in so early in the day (not even noon Sydney time) for the following day's breakfast. Pajamas (yes Qantas has these in business class albeit not as nice as the first class ones) and amenity kits were also handed out before departure, and our post-departure drink orders taken. Ahh this is good.
I also had some papers out to read, the rest of the newspaper I had yet to finish, and a few other bits and bobs. As I'd selected an aisle seat I didn't have easy access to the side bins to put all this stuff, but fortunately the window seat was not claimed and I stored the guff on that seat.
The runway direction had changed while I was on the ground and we had a long taxi out into Botany Bay before taking off to the north over the city. Almost immediately on reaching cruise altitude we hit the significant turbulence that I'd encountered on the way into Sydney and all service was suspended before it really got underway. The crew made a couple of attempts to resume with the drinks, each time being chased back to their seats in no time at all. By the time we cleared the rough air it was 2 hours into the flight and we were west of the South Island of New Zealand.
Drinks as we pass Stewart Island (not visible in the cloud), followed very rapidly by lunch before it spoiled. Our flight path display showed our track southeastwards towards Antarctica. The skies cleared but nothing to see out the window for a long time other than blue ocean and some little puffs of cloud.
We were asked to pull down the blinds so some other passengers could sleep, and to give the crew a rest I suspect. I complied, but continued drinking while I caught up on the reports I needed to, listened to some movies and music, and snuck some peeks outside when I thought we were close to Antarctica.
Sure enough we did fly close enough to see the ice sheet and parts of coastal mountain ranges. It was difficult to view, however, with so much white including scattered cloud cover, and so little other colours to provide any contrast. The brightness was also a bit hard on the eyes in contrast to the darkened cabin. I was pleased with the views, even though I couldn't but help think back to my flightseeing trip at much lower altitude and actually over the continent itself instead of flying near the coast. I had some champagne to mark the occasion.
After a few hours we had pulled far enough north that Antarctica was no longer visible. Most of the passengers continued to sleep, having missed out completely on the spectacle outside I'm not sure that many even appreciated just how close to Antarctica we were flying.
We reached South America by the fiords near Puerto Montt and flew over the rugged terrain. Unfortunately there was not much of a view due to extensive cloud cover, at least not until we had passed the Andes.
Breakfast was served about 2 1/2 hours before landing.
Despite the late departure we had made up an hour en route and would arrive early. It was a misty but warm day, and so we had soft light views of the openness of the plains and the towns and built up areas that sprawl out from Buenos Aires before touching down.
I was in a very relaxed and happy mood.
When I booked the flight I noticed it had a couple of unusual characteristics. Firstly, the arrival and departure times where exactly the same, and thanks to cross the international dateline also exactly the same day. For a 13 hour flight that is amazing. Is there any longer flight with this characteristic? (Note between booking and date of travel both arrival and departure times where adjusted, and the flight duration was lengthened.) Secondly, at this time of year the entire flight will be in daylight. Not bad for a flight this long, especially one that is not chasing the sun by flying westwards.
Ahead of the trip I did my usual thing to check loads. It was completely sold out up until a week before departure when a trickle of seats became available. At the gate it seemed like the load would be considerably lighter than this, and so it proved upon boarding. Business class was not very full, and neither was economy. I'm not sure about first class.
The boarding started rather late, at just a short while before scheduled departure. Consequently we pushed back a little late and had a further delay due to ground traffic.
I managed a couple of pre-departure drinks while browsing the menu which had been placed in the little cubby of the seat in front. We were given a pen to fill in the breakfast orders and these were collected before we even pushed back. It seemed odd to be filling these in so early in the day (not even noon Sydney time) for the following day's breakfast. Pajamas (yes Qantas has these in business class albeit not as nice as the first class ones) and amenity kits were also handed out before departure, and our post-departure drink orders taken. Ahh this is good.
I also had some papers out to read, the rest of the newspaper I had yet to finish, and a few other bits and bobs. As I'd selected an aisle seat I didn't have easy access to the side bins to put all this stuff, but fortunately the window seat was not claimed and I stored the guff on that seat.
The runway direction had changed while I was on the ground and we had a long taxi out into Botany Bay before taking off to the north over the city. Almost immediately on reaching cruise altitude we hit the significant turbulence that I'd encountered on the way into Sydney and all service was suspended before it really got underway. The crew made a couple of attempts to resume with the drinks, each time being chased back to their seats in no time at all. By the time we cleared the rough air it was 2 hours into the flight and we were west of the South Island of New Zealand.
Drinks as we pass Stewart Island (not visible in the cloud), followed very rapidly by lunch before it spoiled. Our flight path display showed our track southeastwards towards Antarctica. The skies cleared but nothing to see out the window for a long time other than blue ocean and some little puffs of cloud.
We were asked to pull down the blinds so some other passengers could sleep, and to give the crew a rest I suspect. I complied, but continued drinking while I caught up on the reports I needed to, listened to some movies and music, and snuck some peeks outside when I thought we were close to Antarctica.
Sure enough we did fly close enough to see the ice sheet and parts of coastal mountain ranges. It was difficult to view, however, with so much white including scattered cloud cover, and so little other colours to provide any contrast. The brightness was also a bit hard on the eyes in contrast to the darkened cabin. I was pleased with the views, even though I couldn't but help think back to my flightseeing trip at much lower altitude and actually over the continent itself instead of flying near the coast. I had some champagne to mark the occasion.
After a few hours we had pulled far enough north that Antarctica was no longer visible. Most of the passengers continued to sleep, having missed out completely on the spectacle outside I'm not sure that many even appreciated just how close to Antarctica we were flying.
We reached South America by the fiords near Puerto Montt and flew over the rugged terrain. Unfortunately there was not much of a view due to extensive cloud cover, at least not until we had passed the Andes.
Breakfast was served about 2 1/2 hours before landing.
Despite the late departure we had made up an hour en route and would arrive early. It was a misty but warm day, and so we had soft light views of the openness of the plains and the towns and built up areas that sprawl out from Buenos Aires before touching down.
I was in a very relaxed and happy mood.