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docjames · 16th October 2008, 11:10 PM

QF 107
LAX-JFK
Seat 26AB
85% Full

We've moved into the front section (originally had 65 again) when no J upgrade available. Turns out this wasnt a favour - last row of the "little" Y cabin on a three class 747. And immediately we notice that there's not as much leg room as row 65! Bummer. But we get over that quickly as we're now excited to be soon in NYC.

Pushback but looooooong taxi and delay to takeoff.

Crew looking a bit blearly - wonder how many days off they had since LAX arrival? Announcement by the captain that due to the remnants of hurricane Hannah storms are expected in NYC and may be bumpy near arrival - no problem. We feel safe on Qantas (!).

Meal served and the first thing we notice :

/darryl eastlake on/ HUUUUUUUUGGGGGGEEEE /DE off/ servings, double dessert. Biggest aircraft meals I've seen. Try to get an hour's rest, but end up watching the IFE (updated to September on this A/C - annoying as i wanted to see the last episode I was watching on the previous flight.) Mrsdoc crashes instantly after the meal. At this point the Captain announces again there are major delays. But we've got plenty of fuel before we have to divert. So that's good. What's not so good is the holding pattern - basically 75 minutes continually turning left. Enough to make mrsdoc almost airsick (and she's never sick!). I think a few on the a/c were looking green. But finally we're on land again (impressively smooth landing given we came in almost sideways!). And excited.

Baggage - all makes it. Phew. THe baggage collection area is clearly designed for AA aircraft and not 747s - it's way too small and pokey and not what you'd expect arriving in NYC (it's worse than the old Adelaide domestic terminal).

Taxi - also a circus - blowing about 30-40kts, partial undercover, freezing, everyone basically getting blown with water. And the queue - i think every cab must have been on Manhattan island - after the queue goes nowhere for 15 minutes and is still about 100 people long, a bus arrives and against our previous judgement, we take it. And it was the right decision - straight to Grand Central Station. And the Grand Hyatt NYC. Into foyer, easy checkin, get to room, collapse. Ring fatherdoc and motherdoc - off to dinner, in bed by midnight into what by this stage seems THE world's most comfortable bed. First time horizontal in 24 hours. Fantastic!

16th October 2008, 11:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
docjames Established Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brisvegas Member of: QF Silver (16.3% LTS); UA MP; Velocity Posts: 1,090	Re: Am I sure I wanted to do all this in Y ? QF 107 LAX-JFK Seat 26AB 85% Full We've moved into the front section (originally had 65 again) when no J upgrade available. Turns out this wasnt a favour - last row of the "little" Y cabin on a three class 747. And immediately we notice that there's not as much leg room as row 65! Bummer. But we get over that quickly as we're now excited to be soon in NYC. Pushback but looooooong taxi and delay to takeoff. Crew looking a bit blearly - wonder how many days off they had since LAX arrival? Announcement by the captain that due to the remnants of hurricane Hannah storms are expected in NYC and may be bumpy near arrival - no problem. We feel safe on Qantas (!). Meal served and the first thing we notice : /darryl eastlake on/ HUUUUUUUUGGGGGGEEEE /DE off/ servings, double dessert. Biggest aircraft meals I've seen. Try to get an hour's rest, but end up watching the IFE (updated to September on this A/C - annoying as i wanted to see the last episode I was watching on the previous flight.) Mrsdoc crashes instantly after the meal. At this point the Captain announces again there are major delays. But we've got plenty of fuel before we have to divert. So that's good. What's not so good is the holding pattern - basically 75 minutes continually turning left. Enough to make mrsdoc almost airsick (and she's never sick!). I think a few on the a/c were looking green. But finally we're on land again (impressively smooth landing given we came in almost sideways!). And excited. Baggage - all makes it. Phew. THe baggage collection area is clearly designed for AA aircraft and not 747s - it's way too small and pokey and not what you'd expect arriving in NYC (it's worse than the old Adelaide domestic terminal). Taxi - also a circus - blowing about 30-40kts, partial undercover, freezing, everyone basically getting blown with water. And the queue - i think every cab must have been on Manhattan island - after the queue goes nowhere for 15 minutes and is still about 100 people long, a bus arrives and against our previous judgement, we take it. And it was the right decision - straight to Grand Central Station. And the Grand Hyatt NYC. Into foyer, easy checkin, get to room, collapse. Ring fatherdoc and motherdoc - off to dinner, in bed by midnight into what by this stage seems THE world's most comfortable bed. First time horizontal in 24 hours. Fantastic!