You don't know exclusivity until you reach the First Class Level. In LA I was invited into the First Class Lounge based not only on my ticket but also this OneWorld around the world ticket comes with perks. You basically have a Buffet of eats that puts many 5 star restaurants to shame, Salmon, Beef Wellington, self pour drinks, too bad I quite drinking a few years ago and per my stewardess there is not limit and the abuse is evident. Nuf said. It was definitely a rung above what the normal passenger will ever achieve, myself included. I'm just visiting, these are not my people. But I sure did pack myself a few cookies, an orange, apple and trail mix just in case the 17 hours in flight to Sydney found my stomach growling.
What was i thinking? I have traveled overseas many times and a few in business class and more in coach. I may not have enough room or energy to tout praise for the Qantas Airlines Staff, Amenities and quality of service. Firs twas the challenge of getting from the American Arrival gate in LAX to the International Travel partner international gate. If you ever wondered what all that traffic was out on the tarmac when you assume it is just the fueling trucks, baggage handlers, traffic directors etc, oh no at 11:50 pm there was a tram full of weary traveler crammed into a travel coach zig zagging literally in front, around and sometime too close to the airplane traffic. Talk about congestion, or better yet let's just take a moment of silence to thank our lucky stars that we made it the the Quantas International departure terminal. No wonder LAX is one of the worst congested airports in the US. It might have to do with the daredevil drivers of coach full of paying customers being delivered by van from terminal to terminal.
OK lets get to the most, bestest, most incredible travel experience that I can positively recollect. I definitely am now approaching an exhausted state as i have been at the airport, traveling, or waiting to travel for a little over 10 hours and I have not even left the Continental US. Well chatty I have been out of necessity and boredom. I was talking to a New Zealander and what a fantastic accent they have so British and use of words that we just can't get away with, yet sounds so cool when they say it. Bloke, smashing, and a few indiscernible praises that even when repeated several times are only know to other Aussies. We talked about the overbooking of her flight to Melbourne and how Quantas does not fly the new double decker planes as there were some mechanical fire issues. Nice news to hear just before you are stepping on this airlines for a 17 hour flight over the Pacific. Well guess my surprise and slight hesitation when I was allowed to board with the first class, and the long list of upper echelon of elite passengers and upon entering the doorway was directed with a smile to the upper level. What to my surprise was a plane needing an upper deck. The upper deck of buses were open air. I was a wee bit skeptical of what i would find until I rounded the corner at the top of the stairs. To my surprise and delight, there were a mere 6 rows of 2 seats on each side of the aisle, of which i was in front of the exit door so there was a good 6 feet of leg space which is case you don't remember I am only 5'6 so hence I could have laid prone in from of my seat without touching either chair. I use the term seat loosely as these are the high tech kind that have more buttons than the direct TV remote that I left behind. You can sit up, recline, lay flat, or any combination of a leg rest to a fully extended support as well as a vibrating massage. It took me half an hour of fiddling to get it just right so that I didn't wake with back pain.
The Quantas service was over the top.Greeted at the top of the stairs with the offer of orange juice, water and or Champagne. There is so much service it is a bit overwhelming. Hang you jacket, stow you bag, explain the TV channels, and the remote for reclining the seat when the time came. Pajamas, hot towels to refresh you, dinner and breakfast menu to select your preference and when you prefer to be served, to be woken up or allowed to sleep, and it is all about that Aussie accent. My two stewardesses, one just celebrated 25 years in the air, were there to look after my every whim. Did I mention that business class is upstairs. See my seat below. Priceless!!
Oh and the amenities packet that you get is a fluffy full blanket not the thread bare rag on previous airlines, then travel pouch that has the slippers, eye mask and toiletries and did I mention a full set of pajamas. And can i tell you that not everyone should be walking around in the pajamas but it made for some light giggles with my seat mate.
I had to hand write my notes originally as although I was in 3 airports and 2 executive lounges I was unable to connect to the free WiFi??? I have been so chatty that I hardly had time to mess with it so I am playing catch up now that I have had a decent nights sleep. I was still awake at !:27 am 1/11/2011 so I had dinner. Smells delicious. Don't remember turbulence quite this rough on previous overseas flights. Poor guy next to me is wearing his red wine. Too bad for the cute PJ's but good thing not his own clothes. Not quite ready for the Dramamine, but sure glad I have it in my carry on just in case.
I'm still amazed at how easy it was to pack for this adventure. Normally I would have the largest roller bad stuffed with well over twice the amount of clothes needed for a months travels and barely wear 1/2 the outfits. I managed to put together a few outfits that are interchangeable, layered and darker colors so that I can get through several months without showing up in the same thing twice. As the quote from "Steel Magnolias " goes something like the difference between man and animals is our uncanny ability to accessorize.
Oh, I almost forgot the reading material that was consumed by the horrible flooding in NE Queensland. I will not dwell but even now that I am here the impact will change my plans for going up to the Great Barrier Reef as there is still alot of issues with travel into the area and the cleanup is going to take some time. They are comparing it to the Katrina of AU.
My flight just keeps getting better....Chocolate Mouse Cheesecake. Not the crummy stuff but good, makes your teeth hurt delicious. I'll find a gym when I get to Sydney. I'm taking from the menu: Neil Perry is one of Australia's leading chefs, having built an international reputation at his renowned Rockpool restaurant in Sydney. Neil lends his expertise to Quantas - bringing restaurant style cuisine to your inflight experience. For recipe details refer to http://www.rockpool.com/. Y U M !
I've kept to my conviction no alcohol and refused the wine and the port and sherry after dessert wine although both the red and white are being highly praised by my seat mate. I am not sure I deserve all this fabulousness but I am certainly appreciative of the blessing. I am savoring every morsel, , taste, smell, sight and sound. Amazing the simple joys that can be appreciated during a bumpy 17 hour flight to a foreign country. WOW and there is port, tea and /or coffee to finish it off and a full bottle of water set on your arm rest so that when you awake in the morning with cotton mouth and breath of a dragon you can refresh yourself. If they don't stop soon I am never getting off of this plane. I mean it...ever! Ok it's time to fiddle with the remote control bed and settle in for a sound 10 hour sleep.
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