LHR-SYD in 132 hours BA/QF F updated at last

Mrs JP and I have long wanted to travel down under but were both determined it would be in First class when we did. I had looked at different starting points over the years to try and get the price down, CAI being the cheapest at present. As you will have probably gathered from previous TRs our journeys are short and sweet due to my work commitments. Having to get positioning flights on such a long trip would not have been ideal. Good old Qantas came up with a rather good bogof offer last year, so for the price of a small car I booked it.

BA25 28th FEB 2009 First.

Parked the car at the excellent T5 long stay, dont waste money on T5 business parking as the long stay buses are just as frequent, 15 minutes tops to be in the terminal this time about 6 minutes. Checked in at the First zone as you still have to validate BPs if you do online check-in, so a waste of time when seats are prebooked. Fasttrack security was anything but, what a total cock-up, must have been designed by a committee, how much did T5 cost? After hopping around in the middle of the terminal getting redressed (no one thought to install a few benches after security) we headed for the magic Concorde room door and after checking our luggage in the cloak room settled down at the bar next to Robin Gibb for a couple of glasses of Lanson Noble Cuvee Rose.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk013.jpg[/img]
We were quite early for our 6.40pm departure so decided to have some food in the CR dinning room.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk004-1.jpg[/img]
The last time we ate here the service was slow, the food while not bad was on the cold side and the order was corrupted. No such problems this time seated quickly and drinks order and menus arrived.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk003.jpg[/img]
I opted for sausage and mash as the burger looked massive. I switched to the Pol Roger 99 as the pink was getting a little sweet.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk006.jpg[/img]
Plain and simple yes, but it tasted good and hit the spot, Mrs JP went for the cheese, leek and spinach tart which came with a perfectly poached egg( Im always amazed at how many top hotels send out crap poached eggs).This was declared very good and have to say nebbing at the other food that was being served it all looked well presented and appetising.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk274.jpg[/img]
We decided to have a wander to the galleries First lounge as we both like the Champagne bar and on a Saturday it always seems deserted. On our return to the CR I snapped a couple of pics inside Cabaa 1,it looked like an open plan toilet/shower to me but suppose it would be ok if you had a really long layover.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk008.jpg[/img]
Heading back to the bar, now minus one Bee Gee but plus one GB Olympic gold swimming medalist, no not Mansfields own Becky, but David Wilkie shorter than I would have thought and sporting a serious gold tick tock. I switched again onto a very good Meursault and Mrs JP onto a more sensible coke. I had a quick look in the Board room with its used Conran Concorde seats before we headed for the transfer train to the T5B galleries lounge.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk012.jpg[/img]
I just had time to watch about 10 minutes of the Ireland v England match along with a litre of highland spring before the flight showed boarding.
TBC

Great photos....and am looking forward to your next TR. I have travelled Upper return to Sydney which I couldn't fault and will be interested to hear what a BA FIRST experience to Oz is like.....

Mr S has said he wont take me in First lounges anymore after I was very tactless to a top Golfer once[:I]

jp, the constitution of Mrs jp and yourself is amazing. I don't think I could cope with these 'flying' (literally) visits.
DL

[Scrooge]

JP, I await the next posting with pent up enthusiasm, please do hurry up [:p]

[Neil]

Excellent, another JP TR, bring on the next instalment.

[buns]

JP

You are undoubtedly the Master, not only in demonstrating how to do it in style but also finding cracking deals to boot[oo][oo]

As an unworthy apprentice, I eagerly await your next instalment so as to gain further enlightenment of your appreciation of fine wines and gaze in awe at your stamina[:D]

Thoroughly enjoyable - keep it coming

buns

Love the Concorde seats!

I haven't heard the word nebbing used for years. It's a great word. [:D]

Thanks for the TR, the photos are great!

[HighFlyer]

Come on ... where's the rest of it!! [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

[ChuckC]

JP, an excellent instalment but you must get the remainder online soon! Thank you.

Chuck-

BA25 28th FEB 2009 First.
I dont know if its me but the departure boards in T5 seem to change from go to gate, boarding and the red Final call extremely quickly. Probably to do with departures being split over the main and satellite terminal, it will be even more fun when C is open. No sooner had I poured a glass of wine as the flight looked like it would be late when final call came flashing up in red. I know that it couldnt really be the case as I had watched the departures board far more closely than the rugby match but it still made my stomach do a somersault.

We headed down the stairs from the T5B lounge (there is a lift) to the gate level below and boarding was just starting. There was a dedicated line for FJ and OW elites so we were first down the jet way welcomed at 2L with a big smile and welcome back Mr. and Mrs. JP by the CSD and escorted to our usual row 4 middle pair of seats in the 747 nose by the other CC on the door. The purser introduced herself and brought a glass of Pol Roger 99, cashews, amenity kit and sleep suit all correctly presented on a silver tray. We both changed into the suits before take off and the crew even collected our coat hangered clobber depositing it in the front locker. Several top ups of fizz later and everyone was on board, F had 14 out of 14 seats filled.

We pushed back about 15 minutes late and had to wait an age on the taxiway we finally were on our way about an hour late with a flight time of 11.30 minutes.
Drinks order was swiftly taken and delivered with canaps.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk015.jpg[/img]
I stuck to the fizz Mrs JP went for a bloody mary palette cleanser. The crew were very good and really worked as a team our fellow F PAX seemed a very low maintenance lot with most of them bedding down immediately, we of course didnt.
We decided to wait a couple of hours before ordering dinner I sat back with a warm contented glow that a good First class experience always gives me. I passed on the soup and salad and went for the cold duck dish only realizing it was the same dish I ordered going to SEA the month before but it was still good.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk016.jpg[/img]
I followed this with the fillet steak as usual,it was good quality meat quite moist, veg all cooked to a welcome crunch and decent gravy.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk017.jpg[/img]
I followed this with a pear tart and when asked what I wanted with it I said what do you recommend, everything Mr JP and thats how it came mmmmmmmmmm.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk018-1.jpg[/img]
For the life of me I cant remember what I drank with what but I sampled just about everything on the wine list. I finished off with the cheese and a couple of glasses of the excellent 88 Warres Colheita port its seriously addictive and could leave one in a right mess.
Mrs JP threw in the towel and made her bed up,I decided to try a couple of Camus XOs the second one was still at the side of me untouched when I woke up about an hour and a half out of Hong Kong. I collected my clothes from the front of the cabin and changed before the late rush, my bed was back into a tidy seat as I returned, table out meun open for breakfast selection, good crew. Full English ordered with coffee.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk020-1.jpg[/img]
Eggs were over done but the rest was fine, lovely bacon and I felt set up for the Hong Kong arrival immigration scrum. Wheels were down a long time before we broke through cloud and we were down shortly after with a rather sideways landing, sounded like fun on the flight deck with how the engines were working.
The scrum took about 30 minutes to get through, but with only our carry on we were at the airport express ticket desk quickly. I asked for 2 returns to central should have been $180 each but the guy behind the counter had an offer, 2 returns $160 all in, result. We were in central station 70 minutes after touch down. Very impressed with the airport express and will always use it in future. A very gloomy Hong Kong would be our home for the next day as we waited for our First F QF flight which we were both more than a little excited about, it didnt disappoint.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk022.jpg[/img]
For a 12 hour flight it had seemed like a short hop to Spain.


TBC

[HighFlyer]

Oh my, not seen HKG that gloomy before. Quite amazing.

Great report so far JP. Sounds like another cracking flight for you

quote:a couple of glasses of the excellent 88 Warres Colheita port its seriously addictive and could leave one in a right mess.

I concur with that! Or ... it could leave you in a giggling mess in the Y galley as myself and Foz have discovered [:D]

Looking forward to the next instalment!

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Oh my, not seen HKG that gloomy before. Quite amazing.



Hong Kong is like that every time I'm there! [xx(]

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Oh my, not seen HKG that gloomy before. Quite amazing.



Hong Kong is like that every time I'm there! [xx(]


Me too sadly.

Can't wait for the next installment.

That tuck looks yummy and I would swallow it with PR99 with glee [y]

[Decker]

bring it on! Thanks JP!

Chris,

Just catching up on your latest ventures and yet again you have me dribbling at the fine fayre that BA present. You and Mrs JP amaze me with the stamina you both have for these long haul but exquisite journeys. Long may they continue. To the next one dear sir!

Cheers
Iain

[buns]

JP

A cracking second instalment to your adventure and I thnak you for allowing me to savour the trip through the use of pics and description.

Keep the instalments coming

buns

Part 2 QF128 2/03/2009

Permission was obtained from crew to use their photos.

Well our day in Hong Kong didnt go to plan due to the free cocktail hour (3 hours actually) in the Conrad executive lounge that was just beginning as we checked in and a generous 241 promo in the bar downstairs afterwards. The resulting stupor that passed for sleep had us both waking at 1am absolutely starving and wide awake, only one thing for it room service and wine. After a club sandwich and a few bottles of chardonnay it was back to sleep only to wake at 2pm our flight being at 6pm didnt leave a lot of HK exploration time. To my amazement the cheapo HK airport express return ticket worked, it did make a funny beep and a red light flashed but it opened the barrier.

There didnt seem to be a dedicated Qantas First class check-in desk so we used the business desk only a couple of people in front so not a long wait, after security and immigration he headed for the Cathy Wing.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/LHR-HKG-BKK/Picture146.jpg[/img]
After a very lack lustre welcome we headed for the Long bar, this was boarded up, so onto the short bar for half a glass of warm flat Lanson yuk served with a grunt. Oh dear this has gone down hill big time and it all looks rather drab and tired. We decamped to the first class side and waited an age before not getting served. Our thoughts were Stuff CX and lets have a look if the BA/QF offering had improved since our last unimpressed visit.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/LHR-HKG-BKK/Picture139.jpg[/img]
Thankfully it had improved, the F side was quiet and peaceful plus there was a bottle of NV Pol Roger chilled, fizzy and never ending. I had a fair few liveners trying to get rid of a grade A1 hangover at 4pm.I abstained from the dim sum and spring rolls Mrs JP said the veg ones were all very good. Flight was showing on time so we had a wander down to the gate to find it just boarding. After a pointless hand bag search(everybody)we turned down the first jet bridge and boarded through 1L to be welcomed by a very jolly steward.
The Cabin is similar to BA but more open, the seats are almost identical although the layout is square rather than angled and there are 6 in the middle to BAs 4.Both cabins having 14 in total.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk028.jpg[/img]
Now the first nice surprise a glass of Dom Perignon 2000 and olives appeared whoo hoo.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk031.jpg[/img]
A dead heading QF pilot insisted he take a picture of his colleague pouring our welcome Dom after he saw me snapping the cabin.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk029.jpg[/img]


Within a minute of sitting down it was obvious that the 2 gents and lady serving F were going to be absolute pros and I say that in the most complementary way possible, we knew we were in for something a bit special. A couple of top ups, the bottle always shown before pouring and the Pax and baggage were loaded.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk033.jpg[/img]

TBC

[honey lamb]

Oh dear! These little snippets are real teasers and leave you wanting more! Please hurry up with the next installment

The master of TRs i feel like im living it with you every aimile!

P.S love that shirt you have on!

cheers

alex

[buns]

Ah, Dom[oo] my fave (even though Howard is slowly converting me to Bolly)

And after having the Pol Roger to clear the hang over[}:)]

Keep this story coming

buns

I almost had a fit when having read the 2nd installment I clicked onto page 2 expecting it to be the standard 'we want more' comments. So thank you for two lovely installments on a drab Monday morning!

Excellent TR as always JP.

We were soon on our way after a swift taxi and what seemed like a very long take off roll. Amenity kits were distributed and very nice they are too much better that BAs offering different male and female kit. Tracy the female FA saw us admiring the bags and came with an extra one each.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk327.jpg[/img]
Drinks, orders taken before take off were delivered with the menu and canaps. The little glass of pea soup was divine this was served with duck spring rolls.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/desk032.jpg[/img]
We both stuck to the Dom and I have to say the crew were the most attentive Ive ever encountered, refills were conspicuous in there frequency. There is no dinning on demand the cabin is served together but there are a large amount of lighter items that could be served anytime. The steak sandwich which I didnt get to sample looked very good and far from a light bite. Several glasses of Dom later and the bread was brought out a super selection severed with olive oil and great balsamic vinegar quite a taste sensation.We both opted for the tasty cauliflower soup. Mrs JP declaring it the best soup she had had in a long time
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk037.jpg[/img]
I followed with Chinese warm pork salad along with a glass of superb Oz Chardonnay, water was topped up as frequently as the wine and Dom.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk036.jpg[/img]
Mrs JP passed on this course and had the prawn salad as a main.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk038.jpg[/img]
I had the stellar slow roast beef absolutely brilliant.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk040.jpg[/img]
I was beginning to feel rather full but as there was an assiette of deserts it would have been rude not to try them. Mrs JP passed as we were going to share the cheese.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk041.jpg[/img]
I did finish the plate and needed a glass of port or 2 to wash down the very good cheese selection.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk042.jpg[/img]
We decided to have a few more drinks before bedding down and both decided to try some more Fizz, disaster the Dom had run out the purser said he would see what he could find and he came back with a big smile and a bottle of this.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk034.jpg[/img]
Wow Dom and Krug on the same flight, when I said I though only SQ carried both he said they copied QF in this respect with a wry smile. Well now this was a very good brew totally eclipsing the fantastic Dom. We decided to make the most of it and managed to empty a couple of bottles as our fellow pax slept. Not once did we have to ask for a refill and after Mrs JP had succumbed I had my bed made up, this included a sheep skin mattress about 6 inch thick that made it the most comfortable airline bed Ive ever been in. It was all too soon time to land in SYD the 7 hours passing so quickly. I changed out of my sleep suit and my bed was cleared and back into seat mode. The purser asked if we wanted a final glass of champagne on accepting his offer he said he would have to get a bottle from Business as the F stock had gone 18 bottles in total,there were a few other drinkers in the cabin I hasten to add.A couple of glasses of Charles Hiedsieck mis en cave and landing was imminent.With a Fasttrack voucher issued on board we were through immigration and customs in lighting time using the crew /diplomatic lanes. Pity there wasnt a fast track for the Taxi.

A fantastic crew, fantastic food, fantastic Fizz and fantastic Oz wine made it the best flight either of us has ever taken. This takes into account the use of horrible plastic knifes on flights in and out of Oz due to their legislation. The only thing superior on BA are the sprits and port.

Fuelled on Champagne we yomped all round Sydney while waiting for our hotel room, sunburn and blisters resulted but what a wonderful time we had.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk051.jpg[/img]
Mrs JP gaves the Veg pies a big thumbs up if you are ever in Wollamaloo.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/SYD%20March%202009/desk058.jpg[/img]

TBC

[Scrooge]

18 bottles in one flight !

VS doesn't go through that much in one week !

That sounds like a great flight, thanks for the TR.