After bobbing about Australia for the past few weeks our time had come to an end and at the crack of dawn we left for the airport having spent a great last nigh with friends in Elwood ( food and drinks at Riva in St Kilda).
We arrived at the airport and dropped the car at Hertz and took the walkway over to international departures .
I'd checked in on - line but hadn't printed boarding cards so we used the business check in desk where we were seen immediately and the bags checked through Invites for the CX lounge in MEL and the CX arrivals lounge in HKG were issued along with fasttrack security vouchers.
Security was a bit of a shambles with fasttrack being longer than the ordinary queue and the usual issue if people not taking off belts coats etc.
Once through we headedv to the CX lounge which is on the floor below departures. As lounges go it was ok with a fairly basic food and beverage menu ( nothing like the CX lounges at HKG). I got a couple of cups of coffee and some dim sum and we decided to head upstairs to the gate before the flight was called. As we took the escalator back up the flight was being called so we walked straight into the business lane and were on board almost immediately ( 3 class 320 airbus , business, PE and Y)
I'd selected 14K ( with Mr DL in 15 K) this time and was shown to my seat by one of the cabin crew - this set the tone for the flight and the service level was excellent from the minute we boarded to the minute we disembarked. A tray of fruit juice cocktails was brought and I must admit I did miss my usual glass of fizz.
Boarding seemed to take an age but eventually the FSM announced the doors were closing and we were on our way. I'd thought the cabin was full but there were a few empty seats and the set in front of me had a crew rest area sign on it.
The new CX business seat is pretty comfortable and similar in size and function to the New BA F seat ( save for the table) and the window seats face the windows ( again similar to the BA F seats)
The seats and aircraft in general were all very clean ( with the loos remaking so for the duration of the flight) and hot towels provided three times .
The breakfast run commenced about half an hours after being airborne and consisted of both western and oriental options after the standard fruit , granola and bread basket ( I chose the raisin toast). I opted for the prawn noodles ( delicious)and Mr DL opted for the omelette with sausage ( which he didn't rate). All CX service is done off a trolley which I have to say I really like ( as it gives you the option of seeing the food before choosing).
Beverages were brought on a separate trolley with service being pro-active.
Once breakfast was cleared I settled to watch a couple of films ( The Judge and St Vincent , both of which I'd recommend).
Lunch was served about 3 hours after breakfast - no choice of starter ( salmon) , a choice of mains ( I opted for the beef tenderloin) followed by cheese and fruit and then ice cream.
The drinks trolley had been wheeled out before lunch ( a swift JD and diet coke as I didn't fancy the gin offering which was Bombay) and wine and port served with lunch ( I opted for the Shiraz which was more than drinkable and some port with my cheese). The offer of hot drinks followed ( which I declined) followed by more hot towels .
After lunch I watched another film ( which was so rubbish that I can't even remember what it was called!) and listened to some music having moved the seat into a more reclined position
. Mr DL had converted his seat and slept soundly for a good couple of hours.Cabin crew were constantly visible and far more responsive / proactive than my last few VS flights. Nothing was too much trouble and all done with a genuine smile.I'd expected a snack before landing in HKG but this didn't materialise and we touched down in HKG ahead of schedule.
We were off the plane promptly (via L1) and a swift stomp to immigration saw us through in record time. The bags however took an age - there were several announcements advising of delays because of a problem with the baggage handlers and once they started to arrive ours were out in the first 15
.So in conclusion an excellent flight with attentive responsive crew . Lets hope the trip home tomorrow (in F with BA ) is as good
.If I'm being ultra picky the only thing I'd mark down was not having my CX status recognised ( which it had been on the CX flight down to Perth). It seems that on the manifest it showed as one world and not CX ( the FSM did come and say she'd changed it ).
DL
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