The astute of you will know from an earlier post that on this route MEL-HKG-LHR QF have temporarily ceased First so the other cabins have moved forward. So PE was in the downstairs J section of the aircraft. Nice lie flat seats and plenty of space. Service was still PE though.
We spent a couple of hours in the Qantas Club, I recently lost my Oneworld Emerald status but QF gave me 3 months complimentary QC access, not a bad lounge and they did have a very nice Malaysian chicken curry on offer. However only domestic sparkling and NV to boot!
We went up at the first call and used the clearly marked priority lane and just about walked straight onto the aircraft - no queues. Unfortunately all pax were boarding through L1 so had to turn right. Took are assigned seats and were quickly offered sparkling or soft drinks. PE cabin was less than half full.
Once airborne the service swiftly started, it was 2330 by then, dinner and drinks. Food was fine - but no where near as good as ANZ PE. After dinner I decided to sleep and had to ask for an amenity kit as none had been given out. What an embarrassment to QF. A zip bag only just big enough to contain the eyeshades, socks and mini toothbrush. Once unzipped the zipper refused to refasten. Utter cr*p. They would be better to offer the contents only. PE get the same amenity kit as Y.
Anyway I slept soundly and only woke when the cabin lights were turned on for breakfast one and a half hours from HKG. The best sleep I have ever had on a plane - I did not stir once. Found the J seat to be very comfortable and I didn't feel as though I was sliding down either.
Breakfast was a very light affair - fresh fruit - well thats all I had. No hot options though. Landed early into HKG at 0529. Off quickly and through immigration and customs and onto our waiting limo.
Stayed at the Langham Place in Mongkok in a club room, again, fantastic hotel.
Had a great few days in an unusually sunny HKG. Shopping, eating and sitting around the pool.
Flight back.
Very early start as this flight leaves at 0900. No queues to check in and straight through to the lounge. Immediately after security and shared with BA. Bit of a lame lounge imho. Don't like the lounges in HKG being open to the wider terminal.
Boarded early onto another very quiet flight - again PE less than half full. Service very similar to outbound flight. With one exception - the customer service manager (if thats what they are called) came round with the Australian immigration cards and had a chat with everyone in PE. How lucky we were to get J seats, what had we be doing in HKG and enjoy the flight. Just before landing in Mel she came round and thanked everyone for flying QF and hoped they had enjoyed the flight etc. A very nice touch - but I guess helped by the light loads.
Arrived back in Mel early but had to wait for other aircraft to taxi - and ended up being late on stand. Disgorged into a manic arrivals hall. TG/CX/EK/MH/SG flights having all arrived almost simultaneously. Queue for Immigration was passed the duty free area. Luckily we were not selected for scanning at customs and went straight out. So made it through the terminal in just under an hour!!
All in all the QF PE service is good, not as good as ANZ though, wrt service and amenities but can't comment on the seats - but they do have a 2-4-2 arrangement against ANZ 3-3-3 so the QF seat must be wider. However for money, and getting a J seat, superb value at the moment.
Have decided HKG is our new 'New York'.
Rob
