VS200 HKG-SYD 29 May 07 (Upper)
Posted: 20 Jun 2007, 12:17This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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There were no lines at any of the counters, (funny that, considering we were so early!) and we were greeted by 2 friendly check in agents. We put our luggage on the scales, my came in at 32kgs, and V-Monkeys at 35kgs! Now this is what I dont understand we left London, my case weighed in at 22kgs, and V-Monkeys at 25kgs, I only got a suit made, along with 3 shirts! There is no way that would of weighed 10kgs? Anyway they were very nice, and they asked us if we are going to take the extra out as hand luggage we said yes, and they have us a nice little VS bag![y]
We quickly locked the cases and we were soon on our way, with our CH Invitation in hand, and looking forward to a cold drink! (Did I mention how HUMID it was there!)
We made our way to immigration, there was a bit of a line and again no priority line for J/F Class, it didnt take that long to get to the front of the line. When it was my turn to be called forward the guy was going on a break, so a lady took his place and called me forward, I handed her my passport and exit card and she said something, and I didnt hear her, so I asked her to repeat herself only for her to say, that havent I put on weight since my passport photo! Bloody cheek! (its true, but she didnt need to mention it!!!) So I left rather put out and went through the screening, which took no more than a few minutes! We got on the train to take us to other side of the terminal and we found the lounge and headed straight up for a cooling G+T! Once in the CH, it isnt any cooler than the rest of the airport as it is open air, I am not a great lover of these kind of lounges, but it was quiet, and there didnt seem too many announcements throughout the airport. We found some seats on the balcony, over looking the gate and the airport.
I ordered a G+T and the CH Club Sandwich, which was just lovely. V-Monkey, again wanted to go shopping and look around the airport, I was happy to stay in the comfort of the CH as it was rather warm at the airport, I suppose it is rather difficult to keep such a huge area cool. I loved HKG airport it is just huge! Also I noticed that the announcements in English, the person sounds Scottish! Strange, anyone else thought that? Or was it just the humidity getting to me! [:?]
Our flight soon arrived, and the CH soon filled up with all the outside seating being taken, the service was good, and very friendly and prompt with requests. Our onward plane was Madam Butterfly, we were soon called for the flight on looking at the gate, there didnt seem many people, so hoping for a light load I was very happy to see that there were only 25 people in J, 63 in W, and 32 in Y Class! In total a 120 pax on board! It was a very quiet flight! Once at the gate, they had priority boarding in place, and it was observed not that it really mattered with such a light load, they had a separate air bridge, and we were shown to our seats. Our FA, promptly said hello, and offered us the ususal Champers, which we gratefully took, she soon offered us a second, she was only looking after 8 pax in her section! However no one was refered to by name! I thought this a shame, as such a light load, on my previous flights, that have been full, they have referred to me by name, and no intros from the FSM! Again thought this was a shame. She could of done the whole plane! [n]
We soon took off, and the pilot announced another fairly short flight due to tail winds, however this never helps as SYD has a curfew! The service soon began and was very quick and efficient, I had the prawn spring roll, which was just lovely, it was crispy, and tasted better than some I have had in restaurants! Then I had the Australian beef tenderloin puff pastry pie, with roast pots, sugar snaps peas and carrots. This was just delicious! The beef was tender and cooked to perfection, so were the veggies, crunchy, and just lovely, one of the nicest meals I have ever had on a flight. I told our flight attendant, who said that she would tell the FA cooking the meals. I skipped the cheese and desert as I was full, and still couldnt stop thinking about that horrid womans comment, and thought better of it!
The rest of the flight was uneventful, as I wanted to sleep as much as I could as we would be getting home early in the morning, and wanted to be as awake as possible. This didnt really happen as the cabin temp was SO hot, so I woke after just a few hours and we had about 3.5hrs left, so I went to the bar as everyone was a sleep, and had a coffee, and read my Conde Nast magazine, I went to try and sleep some more with my ipod, and laid in bed it is SO nice just to be able to lay on a plane! I watched the imap, and we werent too far, and they started serving breakfast, I had my bacon roll and coffee which was nice. Have to say that on HKG-SYD flights, you get plastic knifes! You even get metal cutlery on US Flights! The Aussies can be so paranoid at times. We circled for over an hour as we were before the curfew!! We eventually landed at 0615, they held PE/Y to let UC off, not that it would of mattered as there were so few people! We got through the airport, and immigration in 30mins! A record, as often the custom guys, can be like hitlers! But they checked my hand luggage, and as we got through, mum and dad (in-law) had only just arrived! Great timing! OMG it was SO nice to be home! [^][^]