V-Flyer

After a superb holiday in Australia, and not really wanting to come home. At least we had the UC flight home to look forward to.

Arrived at SYD, there was one family checking into the Upper Class desk, but someone saw us waiting, and promptly opened another desk to check us in. As we were checking in, the babies in the family group started to cry. Oh! I thought, I hope that they wouldn't be like that on the flight. (I know that is a bad thought). The check in agent must have read my thoughts, she informed us that they were travelling in PE. [}:)]

After a smooth check in, the agent gave us our lounge invitations to the Air New Zealand. Did a little duty free shopping, then headed to the lounge. I was very impressed by the lounge, very spacious and not busy at all. Had some lunch from the buffet style counter, used the internet to catch up on email etc. The flight was soon called and we headed off to the aircraft (Scarlet Lady).

Priority Boarding was in place, but it was like a scrum when we got there, and everyone was all over the place. I went up to an agent and ask if there was priority boarding for UC passengers, she apologised for the confusion and asked us to move forward and she opened the side of the barriers and let us board the flight.

Once on board, we were greated by the CC and we found our seats, we had the same seat selection as we did on the way out, 5K and 6K. We were soon greeted by other member of the CC and asked if we had flown UC before, we informed them that we knew the score about the service and said that this was the 2nd time we had flown UC. We had a laugh and giggle with the CC and then was brought some Champagne. The cabin was pretty much full, I think that there was only 1 free UCS left.

We pushed back on time, and was a nice smooth take off, had superb veiws over SYD as we took off. Settled into seat and decided to watch a couple of films. The entertainment system was slow to be activated, I think they were having lots of problems with it. But it gave me time to make my selection for dinner. Entertainment system eventually was started and I watched 'Blood Diamond', which I thought was a great film - (I also watched 'Happy Feet' and 'John Parker must die')

When we was about 2 hours away from HGK, the captian announced that there was a severe thunder storm over HGK and that the holding pattern was about 2 hours, and that we would have to divert to another airport to refuel. Well we eventually ended up in Taipai. We landed and after coming to a stop, the captain announced that they didn't know if there was the correct tow hitch to the aircraft and thus we couldn't refuel the aircraft using the normal facilities and that they need to refuel the aircraft using bowsers and that it would take over an hour to get the fuel on the aircraft.
They CC made the most of it and after seeing that the passengers had all they needed, proceeded to climb down the steps and take pictures of each other at Taipai Airport.

Eventually took off and cruised to HGK, arrived 3 hours late. Got off the aircraft and headed to the lounge, had a quick shower and a drink, and boarded back on the aircraft after about an hour.

We were settled in pretty quickly and was informed that we needed to get off very quickly and if we didn't take off on time, the CC would go over their hours and would have to stop off in HGK overnight. They did a splendid job and got us off with no hitches. Once in the air we had our PJ's handed to us. Made my dinner selection: I chose Deep fried Chicken with sweet chilli sauce for starters, and Slow roasted Lamb shanks for my main course. Dinner was served pretty quickly and they made the cabin ready for sleeping. I had a cracking sleep, about 6 hours in total. I woke up early in the morning and wanted a drink, so I went to the bar and started to help myself to an OJ, the CC crew appeared and asked if I needed anything else, I asked if I could have a mug of tea. Just what I needed. She stopped a while and we had a really good chat for about 40 minutes.

Rest of the flight was excellent, landed about 3 hours late, used the fast track immigration pass, and then whisked off to the revivals lounge for a freshen up and some brekkie, then met by our driver who took us home.

I was very impressed by the utter professionalism by all the staff who we had contact with. The CC on the SYD - HGK leg of the flight was amazing, you knew that they were so tired because of the diversion, but they always had a smile and gave you their full attention. If any of the staff involved in any part of my journey are reading this, then I would like to say a big 'THANK YOU'.

Again, I hope I haven't bored you with too much detail.[:D]

Mark

Fantastic report Mark! I think you'll find that for the majority of readers if anything there wasn't ENOUGH detail [:)]. Of special interest will be this mention of the slow roasted lamb shank. I don't suppose you happened to memorise the rest of the menu did you?

Nope - the more detail the better!

Why can't airports get the Priority boarding right - all it takes is a sign as some of those dividing strip thingys ( I know they have a name but cant remember!!)

Bit of a bummer regarding the diversion but I guess its just one of those things.

Good report Mark glad you enjoyed the trip and the holiday.

Ah, the dreaded A340-600 towbar situation strikes again!

At least there was a self-positioning remote that you could drive out of without a tug, and that someone had the presence of mind to think about towbars before you found yourself nose-in to a gate with no way of being pushed out.

The crew really do sound like stars, taking the diversion in their stride, and even the delay does not sound too bad... rather than fly in circles, you landed somewhere else, and by the time you had refuelled, the storm at Hong Kong had cleared.

Thanks for a nice TR, and what sounds like VS giving a good performance!

Mike

Sorry Decker, I cannot remember the whole menu, although I do remember that one of the Chicken starter options was stated being vegetarian. One of the other main's was wok fried fillet beef.

Fantastic TR's Mark!, Keep 'em coming! Your enthusiasm for both of your flights really shines through, and your reports have been a real joy to read!

Thanks,
Sarah

Mark another excellent TR. glad you enjoyed the UC, experience .thank you. [y] [:)]

Hey Sarah - I would love to keep them coming, but alas I will need to save some more pennies before my next one - but then again - I did earn lots of miles on the flight.

Glad you enjoyed reading the reports.

Mark

Thanks for another good TR[y][y]

Eventually took off and cruised to HGK, arrived 3 hours late. Got off the aircraft and headed to the lounge, had a quick shower and a drink, and boarded back on the aircraft after about an hour.

The journey was long enoght in itself to have a further 3 hour delay[:0]

given the delay, your coments on the crew are even more impressive[y]


Thanks once again

buns

Originally posted by mark my words
one of the Chicken starter options was stated being vegetarian.

[:?]

I love the fact you were so excited by your first UCS experience and that -- mirabile dictu! -- both legs featured a consistent service.

Here's a little secret -- I've done more than a dozen UCS legs and I am just as excited at the thought of the next one as I was with the first...probably more so because I did not have the valuable members of V-Flyer helping me to anticipate the service. May you continue to be thrilled by your opportunities to travel in style! [:D]

GJ

Very fine report, Mark. I am hoping to see Australia and Hong Kong in the next year or two, so your report was welcome information.

Thanks again.

Chuck-

Great TR. Sorry to hear of the delays, but its great news to hear the CC stayed on top of their game despite the unplanned side trip to Taipai.

Im surprised that Taipai dont have a towbar for the 346- I was under the impression that CX operated the 346 on down days between routes to LAX and LHR the 346 is used on short runs to and was it not used for crew proving routes in the early days?!?

Anyway what a lovely sight- a VS a/c on the ground in Taipai.

Fab TR- hats off for doing LHR-SYD-LHR in one long slog- its tough on the old body isnt it!

What terrific trip reports. As others have said, I really sensed your excitement and enjoyment of all your flights [y]

Echoing Honey lamb's comments - a great TR and really glad you had consistently good service on all!

Originally posted by willd
Fab TR- hats off for doing LHR-SYD-LHR in one long slog- its tough on the old body isnt it!

Very tough on the body, but you soon forget about it after you get off the aircraft. [:)]