VA11 MEL-LAX 14 MAY 11 (BUSINESS)

The long awaited day of the start of the OH's big birthday trip arrived. The alarm went off at 0615 and we bounded out of bed, or rather I gingerly stole myself from under the doona and sluggishly made my way to the bathroom. A while later the OH decided to get up (after much nagging from me). At 0710 I receive a text from the cab saying he is ready when we are - to which the OH states if I had known we were leaving now I would have got up sooner (I did point out that the cab was booked for the time as requested by him).

Anyway off we set for the airport on a very windy and wet Melbourne morning. As we approach the airport the traffic slows down to a crawl very reminiscent of a Monday morning at 0600. It takes a further 15 minutes to crawl to the drop of point outside the international terminal so the usual 20 minute trip had taken 35 minutes. Upon entering the terminal we discovered that apparently all of Australia had decided to ups ticks and head OS, well thats what it seemed like. There were queues of people everywhere and in the gaps between people were milling around. Where was the tranquility of the VAustralia Business Class check in? After scanning the departures board - one of the now old fashioned click click boards - we found VA11 right at the bottom but with no check in desk location. A few minutes later after the board had clicked and the flights all moved up check in desk were assigned, right at the back where I didn't even know there were desks.

Luggage in hand off we went fighting our way through the melee only to find a huge snaking queue purporting to be for the VA11 - but wait where was the priority line? Hidden! Well not exactly but from where we were it was the other side of a column. Once found we made our way onto the golden carpet (it was coloured gold) and waited - to be fair we were at the front. A few moments later we were beckoned over and very pleasantly dealt with by a young gentleman - well we were checked in, given our BPs, priority immigration pass, Lounge invites, baggage tags and wished an enjoyable flight. We were allocated 1A and 1C the seats I had requested over the phone some months prior.

Off to immigration and no queues so straight to the desk. Handed over our new Australian passports, decided to travel as Ozzies rather then Brits, and quick check that the pics looked like the two specimens in front of her and we were off. The airport is undergoing an upgrade and despite having to walk straight into the duty free shop it was at least airy and there was a walkway through. The other areas are looking good with nice areas to sit and wait etc. but not for us as we made a bee line for the Air New Zealand lounge. It is on the ground floor and has a view out onto the apron and is decorated as a typical NZ bach. So we plonked ourselves into a couple of wicker armchairs.

As a first for us we did not partake of the fizz immediately. I am aware of the rules regarding Business class flying but I was hungry, thirsty and tired so went for a cup of tea and a lovely bacon sandwich. Then we had some fizz but only one glass each. For the plane spotters amongst us the display monitor in the ANZ lounge is not your typical one as it displays the aircraft type, rego, number of passengers etc etc. The VA11 was displaying a passenger load of 364.

About 45minutes before departure we made our way up to the gate as we were departing from the new wing. On arrival at the gate it was already busy with people milling around and new ones rushing up and pushing to the front as the displays said boarding even though they weren't. A short delay in boarding was announced as the aircraft was late in from the remote stand.

Pre-boarding commenced and I was amazed by the number of people who put themselves into the needing more time to board or had children under 5 with them - approximately 90% of the flight. However common sense prevailed and they were denied access. General boarding commenced and Business class were invited to use the priority lane - so we did. Passport checked, BP ripped and down onto the jetway we went. Only to stop suddenly as no one had actual boarded the plane yet.

Once at the door L2 BPs were shown and we were greeted by name and directed to turn left and proceed to the front row. The cabin only has 4 rows of 2-3-2 and very spacious it was. Settling into our seats our CC come over and introduced herself and offered juice or vintage Lanson - no hesitation now and we went for the Lanson and very nice it was too, indeed so nice we had refills as did a number of others. Our CC then ran through how the seat worked and the meal service and if we needed anything just to ask.

The DJ new uniforms are very alike the VS uniforms but thats where the similarities stop. VAustralia are in a league of their own. Where shall I start a ladies only toilet, large useful amenity kits comprising the usual stuff but in a useful albeit branded shoulder bag, the decorations whilst at first sight look like busy wallpaper are in fact images of kangaroos, koalas, turtles, emus etc, the pjs are nice 100% cotton and the food - I have had worse in good restaurants.

Unfortunately I forgot to avail myself of the menu so will have to go from a rather fuzzy memory. Drinks and nuts came round first we went for the Australian cocktail (ex Australia only) a blend of white spirits with ginger and lime with hues of an Australian sunset (it was pink in colour). Some might say rather a camp cocktail - others might say if the cap fits - but the burly american gentleman across the aisle had one, then a second, so they must have been manly drinks. And before any suggests he may know Dorothy even I with my dreadful radar, the OH says if the late John Inman stood in front me I would be none the wiser, could tell he was not.

The dinner orders were taken and I opted for the mushroom soup, duck salad and ocean trout along with the paired wines (yes you read correctly paired wines). I dispensed with the desert but did have the cheese plate. I noticed that there was a CC member who's sole job, ie the only thing I saw her do, was plate up the meals.

The food was fantastic. The tables were laid individually and cutlery brought out for each course individually - the Sydney Opera House salt and pepper shakers are adorable - and still remain the property of DJ. As each course was brought out the paired wines were offered for tasting and the bottles presented for examination. At all times the CC serving was engaging, smiling and came across as enjoying herself all with out being overly formal or too friendly (if you know what I mean).

I will continue later I am under orders to get up.

Passport checked, BP ripped and down onto the jetway we went. Only to stop suddenly as no one had actual boarded the plane yet.

LOL! Can't wait to read the rest!

Rob

Great so far. I'm in suspense waiting for chapter 2

..I am under orders to get up.

I imagined you were at the wrong end of a gun in a spy novel when I read this. I hope you escape from the evil Goldfinger with your life!

Cheers

Martin

Thank you for the great TR.

Great TR looking forward to the next installment.

xx

... mission accomplished

Part 2 - Back to the flight.

Dinner was consumed and thoroughly enjoyed, the OH enjoyed his too with only one and I quote 'if I had to find fault by being uber uber critical the lamb was slightly overdone'. An hour or so after the dinner service whilst we were watching Red the IFE system (which worked faultlessly all flight) the CC member came over and asked if we would like any desert now (as both of us had declined at the time - although I had had the cheese plate). I declined again but the OH asked for the ice cream to which she said there were two flavours and why didn't she just bring both and we could share. A few minutes later two ices creams plus a plate and a knife appeared (in case we wanted to cut them up to share). I should point out the ice creams were in fact what I would call ice cream sandwiches ie ice cream with a coating (not chocolate or biscuit) but nice it was - well the vanilla one as that was all I tried.

By now I was fully fed and watered and felt the need for a sleep. I headed off to use the facilities and asked if my bed could be made up. On my return my seat had been converted into a fully flat bed. There was a soft mattress like thing on top of the seat then a doona and a pillow (not bad for an airline pillow as it has some thickness to it). PJs on, ear plugs in and eye mask in place I climbed in and promptly fell asleep. I felt for those around me as apparently I snore at the best of times - however the ear plugs did a fabulous job as I didn't hear a thing. As a side note no one glared at me in the morning so I can't have disturbed anyone.

I awoke after about 4 hours mainly as I was very hot and dehydrated. Post flight discussions meant it was me who was hot not that the cabin was hot. I have always been used to cold bedrooms, since I was a kid, and hate and never do have heating on in a bedroom and as a rule I don't wear pjs (too much info? but I am trying to explain a point) so I don't think it was the cabin but more so me - for some reason I forgot to take my socks off and on previous flights find that helps keep me cooler. Two bottles of water soon cured the dehydration.

But I was peckish - something was required to soak up the wines but alas no kebabs. On demand were beef and burgundy cocktail pies - very Australian. So I asked for one and so did the OH. We were soon delivered two pies each (after all they are small) on a plate with a bowl of tomato sauce. The CC member asked if would like cutlery or were going to eat them Aussie style. Of course we ate them Aussie style dunked in the tomato sauce. Very nice they were too with flaky pastry definitely not soggy. The OH decided more fizz was in order but I stuck with the water and went back to sleep.

About two hours out of LA the mood lighting came on to simulate the sunrise - could have had the real thing if we all opened the shades - but I guess some people were still sleeping. We had ordered breakfast after dinner and as people woke up their beds were cleaned up and breakfast served. I had the ordered the smoothie, fresh fruit and yogurt and the cooked breakfast. This time the place settings came on a tray but the courses served individually. It was all very nice but I have to say the bacon was crispy and the vine tomatoes good.

My only complaint about the whole experience now follows (some of you may think this very trivial) the cooked breakfast came with beef, yes you read correctly beef, sausages. When everyone knows sausages should be pork. I know some religions don't do pork (some don't do beef) but there was already bacon on the plate! Whoever thought beef sausages were a good idea should be taken out, placed against a wall and ...

Sadly the 13.5 hour flight was coming to an end as we approaching the City of Angels - how could get they name so far from the truth. After the cabin was secured for landing the CC member serving our aisle came round and crouched down in front of us and thanked us for choosing to fly VAustralia and hoped we had enjoyed the service and hoped we would choose to fly them again. We said she had been fantastic and hoped she would be on our return trip in a couple of weeks.

After a nice smooth touchdown in LA we taxied almost to the gate where the engines had to be shut down so we could be tugged onto the stand. This accomplished the jetway was cajoled into position. I am sure it was being operated by a trainee as it took 5 minutes to get it right. We deplaned through L2 (looking at the layout I don't think they could use L1 as the galley layout does not allow a clear exit from the second aisle). The less fortunate ones were held back to allow us to leave first and we were all again thanked by the CSM or whatever his title was for flying VAustralia.

We made the hike to immigration to join a queue which to be honest didn't take more than 20 minutes to get through. The immigration agent even wished me an enjoyable vacation. Bags were already there and had been taken off the carousel to avoid overloading it apparently. Joined another queue for customs but were through in 5 minutes. We actually left the baggage hall at the same time as some of the crew.

Overall one of the best flights I have ever been on. I was a little apprehensive as I don't really rate DJ flying domestically generally choosing QF. However they seem to have adopted all the good things from VS and put an Aussie twist on them. I actually prefer the VA seating to the VS seating both in terms of comfort and sociability.

PS there is a bar on board in between rows 4 and 5 by doors L&R2 but we didn't partake - maybe on the way home.

I will also try and remember to take some pics and acquire the menu on the return leg.

Rob

great TR - really interesting to read a comprehensive review of VA.

Hope to fly with them one day.

Have a great trip!

Great TR and I have to say I agree about Beef Sausages and will happily join the shooting party if/when you catch the little bugger responsible Lol.

xx