This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Seat - 5K
We checked out of the hotel around 9am, and headed with the MTR to the Airport Express terminal to drop of the bags in the city.
This was done quickly and efficiently and within around 5 minutes we were free to spend a few hours walking around Hong Kong until the mid afternoon run to the airport by the Train.
Checkin at HKG was quick and painless, with no lines, and we made our way to the Lounge. The Airport is huge and while there are some airport shops, the pricing is much higher than downtown, which is not at all unusual I know for many countries.
The lounge staff were waiting for the customers to arrive, and we were quickly asked if we wanted a drink / food etc. Within 2 minutes, I had managed to knock over the very nice vase of flowers on the tables, spilling water all over the floor[:I]
The showers were my priority after a sticky and rainy morning in HK, as I had gone off to buy a Camera lense off the Island, so appreciated the chance to freshen up.
I went for the clubhouse sandwich and bacon butty, the sandwich was chosen because I had missed it off the menus at other CH venues over the past year or so, and the bacon butty, because I fancied it. However, the Bacon is not what I would call English style, but it tasted good.
Boarding was called, and we waited for the second announcement, before heading down, and we then had to have a second liquid check before heading to Australia.
On board we were greeted by the member of crew assigned to us, and found them to be very friendly, and mainly LHR based, which was a bit of a surprise. We pushed back a few moments late, but nothing to worry about. The flight time was scheduled for 9 hours, and there were 216 people on board, of which I would say no more than 18, including a couple of infants in Upper.
There was some confusion about taking my meal order, as I had neither a menu, or a member of crew ask me if I wanted anything until some people were actually eating, and while I was waiting the amenities basket was brought round.
This surprised me too, as this had not been done on the LHR to HKG sector, and I remarked to the crew I thought it had been dropped as a cost saving measure as I had n't seen it.
Started watching a few films, and then settled down to sleep, as I find the beds too hard, I opted as there were spares for a mattress, a duvet, and then lie on top with another duvet. This still did n't work, as I got little sleep.
I converted the bed with 2 hours to go, and had the usual 'everything' breakfast, including my first taste of vegimite.
Landing was on time, and we quickly disembarked, and headed to a busy immigration, the fast passes worked great.
Luggage was on the belt when we got there, and we headed to the Domestic terminal to fly to the Whit Sundays with Virgin Blue, as we were not on one ticket, they would n't transfer the luggage for us, and we had to drag them on the Transfer Bus to T1. Which costs $5.50 each, and most people escaped paying, as they only had $50s !
All in all a good flight I think.
We got to T1, to find they have a very short line, specially for Pacific Blue and Virgin Atlantic guests, and we were quickly checked in, complete with Exit Row seats.
This TR has to end now, as the SYD to HKG flight has been called.
Cheerio .....
