This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
As my Sydney hotel was only a short walk to the Museum light-rail train station, I'd decided to use this to get back to the airport. It's AUS$16 one-way and takes about 20mins. The train stops at both the domestic and the international terminal . Once off the train i made my way up to the departures/check-in area. VS now have their desks in zone H. By the time I arrived, the staff had just about finished setting up and where ready to open the desks. A small queue had already started to form for economy check-in. Upper and Premium check-in where deserted. I was checked in quickly by a very friendly and professional agent and within minutes I was heading towards immigration/security with my lounge pass and boarding card. Remember to fill in your departure immigration form before you reach immigration. As I was flying in J, I was given a priority fast-line voucher which offers fast lane immigration and fast lane security. I was through both in under 3 minutes and that also included been pulled for a random explosive swab test.
It's a fair walk to the lounge although there is a map on the back of the lounge invite. VS still use the Air New Zealand lounge at SYD which offers both hot/cold snacks and with self-service drinks. Whilst this lounge is not a CH, it's still very nice and a relaxing place to be offering good views of the air field. Before long the VS 346 (G-VATL) was tugged onto stand after her 8 hour rest at SYD.
The flight was called at about 13:45 and it's only a short walk to gate 58. Priority boarding was in use and working well. Only 1 air bridge but at least this meant I did get to turn left as I boarded
I was greeted by name as I boarded and directed to my seat (12K). As soon as I reached my seat, the cabin crew came and introduced herself and offered me a drink. All the crew where very attentive and where showing other pax how to use the seat/V:Port. My AU status was acknowledged by the member of crew working in my section of the cabin. The seat was in a much better condition this time with everything working as it should the entire flight. There where a couple of empty seats in J and before long the door was closed and we where ready to go. The FSM, a couple of crew and a member of the flight deck where all fighting with a stuck wardrobe door in the J cabin. It had jammed open which meant the door was blocking the aisle. After a few minutes, they managed to force the door back so it was taped off and we could push back.We where airborne only a few minutes after our scheduled departure time. This afternoons flight to HKG would be 9hrs 20mins.
The FSM gave a very in-depth introduction over the PA, mentioning where all the washrooms and water fountains where, even going as far as mentioning the bar and that even though he would have loved it made available to everyone, it was only for J pax.
The cabin service soon started where drinks and dinner orders where taken. The FSM came and introduced himself to me, thanked me for my continued support and custom along with having a chat to me about what I'd been up to in Sydney and what i was going to be doing in Hong Kong.
So far I was blown away with the service from the crew on today's flight, which I have to say did continue the entire flight
Even though it was September, Aug films where still loaded onto V:Port (which was perfectly understandable as the A/C had left the UK in Aug). I still managed to find a couple of films/programs to watch though.
Drinks where soon served long with several rounds of snacks. Dinner soon followed. I had the prawn cake with chilli sauce followed by the chilli chicken and rice. Desert was cheesecake followed my tea/coffee. The meal was fantastic and very tasty. As this is the only 'day' flight on the whole LHR>SYD>LHR route, the bar was extensively used. I was on the hard stuff (apple juice) and it's always great socialising with other pax and crew at the bar
The seat-belt sign did come on a few times during the flight but for for very long periods.
Hong Kong arrival forms where handed out, as I now have e-channel access, I didn't need one of these.
After several hours of bar stool hopping, watching V:Port and light snoozing it was time for the evening snack 90 mins before landing. I opted for the warm panini was filled a hole and was tasty if a little greasy. Tea/coffee was put on hold whilst waiting for the seat belt sign to go off.
Before long the cabin was been secured for out final approach into HKG. We touched down at 22:00 local time and where soon parked at the terminal between 2 A380's (SQ and EK)
2 air bridges in use and within minutes I was heading towards the e-channel immigration booths. They are very quick and easy to use. You just scan your passport (either the newly attached bar code sticker or the photo page) then scan your finger to take a finger print. Within minutes I was at the baggage carousel. VS201 bags started coming off shortly after. From landing to exiting the terminal was under 25 minutes
All in all a fantastic VS flight. I'd even go as far to say, the best VS flight I've ever had
3 great VS flights out of 3 so far
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
