RTW BA/CX F - some notes
Mar 4, 2004 | 4:08 am
#1
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RTW BA/CX F - some notes
Just completed an AONE4 (OneWorld, F/C, 4 continent). Some notes:
BA CAI-LHR-SIN-SYD: Excellent product. Mostly good food. PJs and Anya Hindmarsh bags available on all flights. Seats 2A/K are the ones to go for, with the wide aisle. 1A/K are good (as you are facing towards the window, privacy is not really a problem) except for the coat cupboard and lack of overhead locker space. I took a combination of BA15 and 17 to SYD, taking the earlier departure to SIN to allow for a longer stopover. Prefer this as otherwise your flight is screaming last call even though youve only just got off! Pity about the loo paper can it get any worse?
Treatments at MB Spa has anyone ever been able to score one? I was there two hours prior to departure, but they had been sold out for hours.
QF SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL: Business class is slipping, noticeably, on domestic flights. The seats are good (2+2 on 737s), but the service and food is mediocre.
CX MEL-HKG-LAX: Can it get any better? This is true First Class all the way - from check-in to disembarkation. Matched only, I think, by Swiss. Check-in at MEL I was informed that the video screen on the HKG-LAX flight was not working for 1A, so I had been moved to 1K. That is service. Both flights were excellent, lots of hot towels (BA take note please!) and excellent food. If flying on the A330/40, recommend seats in row 2, as row 1 is too close to the galley. Flight HKG-LAX was full, in all classes, except that because of the video malfunction I had all of row 1 to me! (Very nice.) The First seats are truly excellent, with plenty of room by your feet to move them around (unlike the BA/QF models). Nice PJs! Tried out the business class seat on the MEL-HKG sector, and at 62, it is not possible to extend the seat fully to sleep as your feet get cut off.
LAX-LAS-LAX AA: usual domestic First flight. Indifferent service however. We had two different seat plans, with the outbound providing masses of room in row 3 (the first row of First), but the return flight offering minimal pitch (both were MD-80). I skipped dinner in favour of a bag of peanuts.
LAX-LHR BA: The First Lounge in LAX was uncrowded and had a selection of nibbles. Only three of us in the lounge, but the Biz Class lounge was packed to overflowing (got lost after I went out to have a cigarette). Interesting that while there were only three of us in the F/C lounge, the First cabin was full upgrades perhaps? The service was excellent, the lack of hot towels noticeable. And that loo paper again!
The menus are too long to set out here, except to note that CX is serving Krug (vs Perrier Jouet 1996 on BA), BA serves JW Blue, compared with JW Gold on CX. As I dont drink wine, I cant comment on the selections.
Any questions, please let me know.
BA CAI-LHR-SIN-SYD: Excellent product. Mostly good food. PJs and Anya Hindmarsh bags available on all flights. Seats 2A/K are the ones to go for, with the wide aisle. 1A/K are good (as you are facing towards the window, privacy is not really a problem) except for the coat cupboard and lack of overhead locker space. I took a combination of BA15 and 17 to SYD, taking the earlier departure to SIN to allow for a longer stopover. Prefer this as otherwise your flight is screaming last call even though youve only just got off! Pity about the loo paper can it get any worse?
Treatments at MB Spa has anyone ever been able to score one? I was there two hours prior to departure, but they had been sold out for hours.
QF SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL: Business class is slipping, noticeably, on domestic flights. The seats are good (2+2 on 737s), but the service and food is mediocre.
CX MEL-HKG-LAX: Can it get any better? This is true First Class all the way - from check-in to disembarkation. Matched only, I think, by Swiss. Check-in at MEL I was informed that the video screen on the HKG-LAX flight was not working for 1A, so I had been moved to 1K. That is service. Both flights were excellent, lots of hot towels (BA take note please!) and excellent food. If flying on the A330/40, recommend seats in row 2, as row 1 is too close to the galley. Flight HKG-LAX was full, in all classes, except that because of the video malfunction I had all of row 1 to me! (Very nice.) The First seats are truly excellent, with plenty of room by your feet to move them around (unlike the BA/QF models). Nice PJs! Tried out the business class seat on the MEL-HKG sector, and at 62, it is not possible to extend the seat fully to sleep as your feet get cut off.
LAX-LAS-LAX AA: usual domestic First flight. Indifferent service however. We had two different seat plans, with the outbound providing masses of room in row 3 (the first row of First), but the return flight offering minimal pitch (both were MD-80). I skipped dinner in favour of a bag of peanuts.
LAX-LHR BA: The First Lounge in LAX was uncrowded and had a selection of nibbles. Only three of us in the lounge, but the Biz Class lounge was packed to overflowing (got lost after I went out to have a cigarette). Interesting that while there were only three of us in the F/C lounge, the First cabin was full upgrades perhaps? The service was excellent, the lack of hot towels noticeable. And that loo paper again!
The menus are too long to set out here, except to note that CX is serving Krug (vs Perrier Jouet 1996 on BA), BA serves JW Blue, compared with JW Gold on CX. As I dont drink wine, I cant comment on the selections.
Any questions, please let me know.
Mar 4, 2004 | 10:24 am
#2
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Nice and 'to the point' report
I had no problem getting an appt in the MB Spa last time (Thursday lunchtime) in fact they offered me about four options. Though when I went through on an R ticket a year or so ago 90mins before the flight they couldn't get me anything
[This message has been edited by fbgdavidson (edited Mar 04, 2004).]
I had no problem getting an appt in the MB Spa last time (Thursday lunchtime) in fact they offered me about four options. Though when I went through on an R ticket a year or so ago 90mins before the flight they couldn't get me anything
[This message has been edited by fbgdavidson (edited Mar 04, 2004).]
Mar 4, 2004 | 3:28 pm
#4
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Uli:
Yes, here! I have a question: What is wrong with the loo paper?</font>
Yes, here! I have a question: What is wrong with the loo paper?</font>
However, I hear it's great for filing nails, doing pedicures, and removing fine lines around the face 
Cheers,
SDF_Traveler
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
Mar 5, 2004 | 7:59 am
#5
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Agree with the comments on the loo roll - it's the sort of stuff we used to have use at school.
I'd have to diagree with you about spa appointments - I've rarely had an issue getting one.
I'd have to diagree with you about spa appointments - I've rarely had an issue getting one.
Mar 5, 2004 | 10:11 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: FRA
Posts: 2,179
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SDF_Traveler:
I believe it's single ply sandpaper. However, I hear it's great for filing nails, doing pedicures, and removing fine lines around the face
Cheers,
SDF_Traveler
</font>
I believe it's single ply sandpaper.
However, I hear it's great for filing nails, doing pedicures, and removing fine lines around the face Cheers,
SDF_Traveler
</font>
all FTers should work together on this one and bring a proper roll to the leading flight attendant asking to install it in the bathroom. if this happens 10 times a day to them they will feel that something is wrong ...
Mar 5, 2004 | 3:47 pm
#7
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WG,
thanks for this report - glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip. Based on your experience, I am even more looking forward to trying CX First myself soon.
Did you find the time to check out the Wing and/or the Pier in HKG? Any suggestions there?
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truly yours. airOli.
thanks for this report - glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip. Based on your experience, I am even more looking forward to trying CX First myself soon.
Did you find the time to check out the Wing and/or the Pier in HKG? Any suggestions there?
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truly yours. airOli.
Mar 6, 2004 | 2:24 pm
#8
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LHR/MEL/Europe FF:
LAX-LAS-LAX AA: usual domestic First flight. Indifferent service however. We had two different seat plans, with the outbound providing masses of room in row 3 (the first row of First), but the return flight offering minimal pitch (both were MD-80). I skipped dinner in favour of a bag of peanuts.
</font>
LAX-LAS-LAX AA: usual domestic First flight. Indifferent service however. We had two different seat plans, with the outbound providing masses of room in row 3 (the first row of First), but the return flight offering minimal pitch (both were MD-80). I skipped dinner in favour of a bag of peanuts.
</font>
As far as their MD-80's, I don't know if they have any leftover from the QQ (Reno Air) purchase which could perhaps explain the difference. I also believe some of the QQ MD-80's were originally from SAS and had a slightly different interior, but one would think AA would standardize their "Super-80's"
Needless to say, I haven't flown QQ in ages (used to be a great low cost carrier, IMHO) for intra-CA & west coast flights until AA bought them out and dismantled most of their route network.
Anyways, perhaps you were flying on one of the ex-SAS, ex-QQ, new AA Super-80 Luxery Liners with fantastic FC seat pitch?
Thanks for the report, but I just can't believe you skipped dinner in favour of peanuts on AA's flagship LAX-LAS-LAX service.....
Cheers!
SDF_Traveler
P.S. and you missed DMX in the America West LAS lounge a few hours later. I know that must disappoint you... I even had a second set of ear plugs (let's just say they weren't exactly the most quiet of the lounge users).
------------------
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
[This message has been edited by SDF_Traveler (edited Mar 06, 2004).]
Mar 7, 2004 | 10:02 am
#10
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aura:
Nice report. Mind if I ask how much the ticket was? -- I assume the AONE4 originated CAI, and you will throw away the last LHR-CAI portion?</font>
Nice report. Mind if I ask how much the ticket was? -- I assume the AONE4 originated CAI, and you will throw away the last LHR-CAI portion?</font>
Thanks everyone for the replies. I have always been at LHR around 8.00pm - so guess that is why I may have had difficulty with the MB spa. The last leg to CAI is at 1600, so will try again!
As for the Wing - I was not that impressed (although with less than one hour I didn't have the chance to try out the cabanas or anything) - I guess it's kind of 'another lounge'! I prefer the Concorde lounge at LHR.
Regards
WG