This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having managed to get off the plane, and acquire my transit sticker, it was through security in the airport (hence the warning about liquids over 100mls). The tea in its tins caused one or two problems at security [:p] Once I had escaped, it was off to the Club House and time to relax before the flight. As we had arrived nice and early, there was plenty of time to grab a shower. Had to wait a while as both were occupied, but it was just about time to have a glass of champagne! It is very nice being able to freshen up mid-flight, even if you have been wearing a sleep suit. There were already a few people in the lounge (either new flyers from HKG or those who had arrived on the earlier flight). Had a nice table overlooking the main departure lounge, that was kept for us whilst we went off for our showers (very nice touch). Feeling refreshed, it was time for a light bite - Vietnamese chicken salad - just about the right size for me (washed down with champagne of course). Free internet and power sockets are great - means netbook was fully charged before heading onto Sydney.
Boarding called all too soon, although most people had already got on the plane by the time we got down to the gate. Another search of bags - this time by hand before we got on board. Upper was about a third full on this flight which was nice. Same couple and baby opposite us for the flight down - as mentioned before the baby slept most of the flight and was not a problem at all. Champagne in hand - and the crew recognised us as Gold card holders and frequent VS travellers - nice touch. One slight complaint was that as we boarded, the FSM moved out of my way and blocked the entrance to Upper and pointed down the back and said 'there you go sir'.....swiftly followed by me pointing into Upper and saying 'I'm up there'.....not nice to be made to feel like I shouldn't be in Upper by the FSM before we have even left the ground!
Anyway everyone was on board quickly, and so we pushed back early. By now it was raining very hard and there was lightening around HKG. We taxied to the holding point and then sat there. The plane in front of us on the runway didn't move either. After about 5 minutes, the pilot came on and said due to the adverse weather conditions we would be here for a while as take-off/landings had been suspended. Luckily the crew started to do post-take off drinks orders, and opened up the toilets (which was gratefully received by me and others!). There was little warning of our imminent departure - two bings and then straight onto the runway.....luckily no-one was in the toilet. Actually there was more time, as we sat at the end of the runway for another 5 minutes before we left. Take-off, eventually, was rather bumpy as you would expect given the weather around HKG.
Once things were smoother, the crew were up and finishing off the drinks orders and handing out Australian customs forms and priority passes. We couldn't use these, as we had tea on us (no-one could decide if tea was a plant or a food!).
Dinner options on this sector were:
Starters
Seasonal leaf salad with crispy bacon, caramelized chestnuts, cherry tomatoes and truffle oil vinaigrette
Broccoli and stilton soup
Vietnamese rice paper vegetable and shrimp roll
Mains
Pan-fried chicken breast, lemon/caper/olive suace, soft polenta and grilled vegetables
Beef short ribs with BBQ suace, mashed potatoes and garden veggies
Mushroom cannelloni in Mornay sauce
Pan-fried sole with chinese black pepper sauce, steamed rice and chinese veggies
Desert
Apple jalouise with cinnamon sauce
Lemongrass and basil panna cotta
Cheeses
Stilton, edam and brie
I went for the vietnamese roll (didn't realise this would be cold) - very popular and some people had to have an alternative choice, pan-fried sole and the cheese. They were all very good and the wine choices were the same as the LHR-HKG sector:
White
French - Domaine de Pennautier Viognier 2007
Italy, Falerio, Saladini Pilastri 2008 (organic)
Argentina, Vina Delia Chardonnay 2008
Red
France, Alencades, Domaine de Ricardelle 2007
Spain, Artadi Artazuri Garnacha 2007
Australia, Inspired Company Shiraz/Cabernet 2008
Having watching Eagle Eye and finished eating, it was time for some more sleep. Managed about 3 hours or so on this bit of the flight - thankfully no further calls for doctors came! After waking, I felt hungry (surprising as I had eaten in the CLubhouse at LHR, on the flight LHR-HKG, again in the lounge at HKG and then not that long ago!). The breakfast options were the usual, although the hot option was omlette with chives and cheese sauce, boulangere potato, spinach and tomato provencale. This was really scrummy.....and I think had by a lot of people.
On arrival in Sydney, it was off for the lounge trek to the Immigration area and then baggage reclaim. As I mentioned, we had tea which meant we couldn't use the fast-track area. However, the other lanes seemed to be moving pretty fast anyway. No questions by the immigration officer (not even a hello but it was about 7am by then!). Bags were just starting to come off as we got through and ours were Number 1 and Number 5 off - very good. Then to the dreaded customs area - this time simply asked if we had anything to declare and then sent through without extra bag x-raying. Noticed one of the UC passengers who had used fast-track just ahead of us as we left the area.
All in all the flight was good, and the food was excellent again. I have given the crew a 'good' rather than 'excellent' due to the reaction of the FSM when I boarded and also that they weren't as good as the ones on the LHR-HKG sector....still good but the first set were so much better!!
