Like I totally figured it would be, and went so far as to say it multiple times in the lead-up to my departure, no doubt annoying everyone.
But it turns out that it wasn’t.
I was off to Europe for the holiday that I had planned to take in 2020, but like most plans in 2020, the trip was waylaid.
Here’s how the 2023 one went.
Look, I was super excited about this ticket – 1st class Sydney to Paris, seat 1A on QF1, then business returning via Tokyo (‘bought’ on points, how good is that! Follow me for more point hacks, no don’t really, I just got lucky), having never even flown business class that far, but if I had actually paid money for it I’d be really disappointed. And it’s many many bucks to buy that ticket.
My welcome at the car drop-off outside the airport, and being escorted to the check-in, did feel a little more like I was under arrest than luxury treatment (not because of any attitude from the ground staff, just cos that’s how being escorted somewhere makes me feel). But after that it was all sunshine and lollipops with the luxury of the first class lounge, and a complimentary massage at the spa there(!).
On the plane, seat-wise, there was a booth kinda set-up, which was comfy, but it wasn’t really private. The mattress was plump, but turbulence vs my fear of flying meant there would be little sleep for me as I wobbled through the skies. And normally I love the how-ya-goin attitude of Qantas cabin crew, being all relaxed and Australian, but my crew member on the first leg was neither relaxed and fun, nor formal. In fact she wasn’t very friendly.
I had visions of the on-board bar upstairs being something like the bar on The Love Boat, where I would ascend the stairs to be greeted by a smiling barman slowly shaking a cocktail shaker, with passengers (like head chef from The Shining?), milling around, chatting away.
But there is no bar. It’s just this seating. And it’s pretty gloomy, and a bit creepy-feeling, and there’s no windows.
The best bathroom I have ever had on a plane was a giant room with a window and a skylight(!) on a Vietnam Airlines ex-Russian Tupelov, back in the early 90s. I had dreamed the Qantas first class bathroom would be like this. It’s not. I think it’s pretty much the same as economy. Maybe a hair bigger. Some random name branded toiletries.
Bloody hell, what a whinger!
The food was great, and the drinks selection was too.
My point is, if I had paid $10000ish for a flight, I might want a few more boxes ticked.
I didn’t pay, so bang for my buck was awesome.
I transited through London, then headed to Paris and an apartment that Sonny had rented while he was there shooting fashion week. He had enough time between shows to let me in and then go to his next job.
Belle had also just arrived in Paris after leaving home a month earlier, so I caught up with her straight away.
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