The multi segment DONE (Part 1) – A380 to almost A380

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report.

I admire your perseverance in having your itinerary ticketed.

[QF009]

I LOVE the new BA lounges, both Galleries and the Arrivals. So much sleeker than other OW lounges. QF Flounges have the best service of course but I really do prefer the decor of the BA Flounges (can't speak for the CCR unfortunaterly). Decor-wise 2nd only to the Virgin Club House in T3.

And Galleries F has v good bubbles.

[moa999]

Le Meridien Monaco
Had heard some bad things about the Le Mids in France and had stayed away from the one in Nice after reading a few poor reviews (stayed 2 nights at the 4* Nice Riviera Hotel which was nice without being spectacular although showing its age).. Le Mid Monaco however was amazing. Very modern foyer and rooms, albeit on the eastern part of town - next to jimmy*z (if anyone is after the most expensive club for drinking - eur30 vodka redbulls - and a few were had - but monaco is definitely a party town - also did kare(ment) which plays a superman track whenever anyone orders the large 3l grey goose bottles) as well as the obligatory tours of monaco harbour and the f1 track. The massive WA and boxing kangaroo flag carrying Outback yacht was in town. Back to Le Mid - Pool is great and has its own private beach that is free for guests. Lift was phillip starck-esque. Was given a decent 9th floor room on the Eastern side with partial med views (cheap rate booked)





Monte Carlo Casino and the parking lot

[moa999]

Le Meridien Garden Beach Juan les Pins
Between Cannes and Nice and another beachfront resort, this is the other side of Le Mid resorts. Nice location and includes a casino but the foyer and room are severely dated (sans the brand new Samsung lcd). Was somewhat dubiously upgraded from a internal pine view (more like an internal light well with a few pine trees) view room to a backside street facing room on 2 (of 5). Beach chair access is eur8 for guest and eur18 for outsiders, versus Eur10 at most of the nearby cafes. Fairly abrupt service throughout. eur2/hr wireless access for lobby guests was also useable in the room.

[moa999]

NCE Lounge
Small little shared lounge tucked off to the left as you enter the terminal. Reasonable for a shared lounge but no alcohol. Decent selection of soft drinks and juices and a few sandwiches in a fridge. Wifi if you asked for the little tear off stickers.





Flight 6. Tue 21 Oct IB8755 NCE-MAD, CRJ, EC-JNB, 1835-2030 (1 hr 55 min flight time), Seat 2A


2x2 configuration. While Air Nostrum has previously had a stellar reputation for overall service it recently split the plane into Business and Economy sections (previously the economy class passengers were very very fortunate)


For a 1.5hr trip the service was amazing. Champagne before takeoff. Choice of a hot meat dish and pasta, and a desert Plus the two Fas also had to serve economy – looked like a filled bread roll of some sort. And the Fas got c hanged for dinner service and then changed back. Definitely the gold standard for short flights. Very low seat factor – 6 of 14 upfront and maybe 60% full down back

[moa999]

MAD T4, T4S and T4S Vesqualez Lounge
Thanks to NCE customs not stamping my VAT refund forms, I had to enter Spain, then get the forms stamped and then go back airside. Not too bad and I had packed accordingly. Not a bad excursion and one that I would have had to almost do anyway as the regional jets drop at the far end of terminal T4 compared to the train to T4S.


The new MAD airport is very impressive – large and lots of open space – just one big long wing – Glass and metal contruction with a soft wood roof and coloured metal that graduates along the terminal.





Also MAD T4 has some of the best organised security screening (although I did pass through at a quiet time) – tables for 3 people at once to emptybags, pockets, take off belts, then carry bags and trays to xray, then more tables on the other side – this is how screening should be done.


Similar automated train system as used in HKG and LHR T5 to get to the satellite terminal although there appears to be some distance between the terminals.


Despite the limited signage (unlike the VIP Sala lounge which is upstairs) found the Iberia Vesqualez lounge on the main departure level. Nice long lounge area with good seating and a great view of the airport and a number of very impressive bar areas. A few TVs including smoking areas and some cabanas (although positioned right next to the tv smoking area with the volume up and a local spanish soccer game on). Wine bar at one end with tasting notes in Spanish and English. However – very limited food – just a couple of average looking wrapped sandwiches and a few small cakes.


Knowing there was a dining area searched it out and found it tucked round a corner at one end. Available on med-long haul flights only it seats about 20. Food selection for the alacarte ended up being identical to the plane (ie they just use plane meals) – fish or quail – a somewhat odd seletion, plus a make your own salad and fruit and cheeses. Nonetheless a very well done pre flight dining experience (even if I was the only one eating at the time)


No Wifi at all. Just some (5 at each end) seating bays with wired connections. Somewhat disappointing for a new lounge.

[moa999]

Flight 7. Tue 21 Oct IB4808 MAD-DME, A319, 2345-0635+1 (4 hr 50 min flight time), Seat 2A


New A319 3x3 seating the whole way with the only difference between classes being headrest covers and a saved middle seat. Thankfully the armrests were able to be put up to make use of the middle seat (unlike a 2006 flight with Iberia). New Recaro seats (name on the table latch) with a fixed pocket for mags etc at the top (where a tv could be) and additional vacant space where the fold out mag rack would normally be – actually created a lot more leg room (As a side though – if all seats were 5-10cm off the ground this would creat more leg room).


Meals were the same as in the lounge (quail or fish) so I opted for the starter and a drink and tried to get some sleep – this was afterall a 4hr red-eye arriving in Moscow at 6am

[moa999]

Moscow
Quickly cleared customs in DME, despite my total lack of Russian. Then straight to the AeroExpress train into Pavletska (departs every hour and only 200rubles) – made the 7am by 15min, then a comfortable 40min journey into the main Moscow ting (taxi can take up to 3hrs in peak). Circle line to Bellorusska and after a quick orientation in the construction site (I got momentarily lost), checked into the Sheration and left my bags in left luggage.


Back on the metro I was in Red Square by 8.30am on a glorious blu sky day. Did a tour of the Kremlin in the afternoon and saw the Amazing Armoury (Moscow's answer to the Crown Jewels, nb Kremlin is closed Thu). Also saw the massive Christ the Redeemer Cathedral (actually rebuilt to the original plans by Gorbachev in the late 90s as Stalin had demolished the original). Following day more exploring done, although was a more cloudy day.


Moscow is certainly big. Wide roads. Wide platforms at stations, super long trains that come every 60-120 secs (still a massive crush at peak hour though), amazing subway stations. Red Square and the Kremlin are the picks. Shopping definitely not cheap (estimated 30% more expensive than London) but TSUM is the most high end department store I have ever seen and GUM is an awesome mall (think Sydney's QVB but thrice the size). Some very impressive cars around, although not in the same quantity as Monaco. Traversing distance is tough – the roads are super clogged so the subway is the only way but it can be 2-3km between stations so a bit of walking is in order if you want to see things.

[moa999]

Sheraton Moscow
Stayed here on SPG points (20k versus a 20krub/ A$1000 rate – a;sp saves the 18% room tax). Comfortable hotel that is reasonably well positioned. Rooms beginning to date and no flat screen tv (first hotel I have stayed at in a while without). Hotel has recently renovated the lobby and is gradually moving up to the rooms. Got a level 5 room (rooms on 3-7, with 7 being exec). Gym on the top floor is well kitted out, although relateively small.





Aerostar Hotel Moscow
Also paid for another night at this recently renovated hotel a few kms (and one metro stop) up the road from the Sheraton. Rate was just over A$400 inc taxes and breakfast. Old looking building about 500m from Dynamo Metro and Stadium. Renovated foyer with funky LED space display behind the counter and western music. Rooms are small but have totally renovated furniture and carpets, new flat screen tv with the most responsive interactive graphics I have seen, bathrooms still 20yrs old (ie despite being closed for 3yrs it got the Sydney Hilton treatment). Nice 24hr bar over the top of the foyer. Great breakfast spread (once you find the room)


Internet at both places was extortionately expensive – A$20/ gr or A$100/day. Seems to be easily available WiFi from external parties but didn't check that out.

[moa999]

DME Airport Lounge
Shared lounge just after security clearance. Priority channel had a queue of 20 ppl and was very poorly operated. Interestingly were using a new full body scanner, and the operator could defintely see the person as well. Decent food including pasta and meatballs, limited selection of spirits, beer fridge well hidden, and free wifi. Only had about 30min to kill before flight was called (about 40min before departure time – gates closed 20min before, and we pushed back 10 min before).





On the taxi out passed a lot of planes sitting on the tarmac. Captain mentioned these were old Russian planes waiting for retirement.