Qantas 8
Dallas-Sydney
A380-800
8:10p-6:00a +2
December 23, 2015
First Class
Departed 5/14
Suites 2A and 3A
At around T-50, we headed downstairs for the short walk to Gate D15, where boarded had just started.
A nice start tonight as First Class had it's own separate and private jet bridge. We were welcomed on board by a very personable group of cabin crew members.
To a very pleasant First Class cabin with 14 suites on the A380's more spacious lower deck. Yes the suites are a little dated and not the most luxurious in the sky, but quite comfortable, amazingly spacious and very private. Even better if you are on the A suite side and with only a few other passengers, like tonight.
Champagne and canapés… tonight featuring Osetra caviar tartlet with crème fraiche and Crostini of thyme goats curd and marinated artichokes. Meh.
While we were still boarding, I headed upstairs to take a look at the Business Class cabin.
And the dopey Business lounge, a far cry from Jennifer Aniston's favorite on board lounge on Emirates.
And a weak snack offering from a later walk about.
The amenity kit was so-so although Mrs. SFO liked the creams.
The entertainment system was adequate, not fabulous like EK or SQ. Clunky, heavy and dated control was not always responsive. Another more modern control was only useful for some of the functions. Strange.
Tonight's menu was a Supper menu which is apparently the standard ex-USA menu despite the 8pm DFW departure. Seems pretty weak to treat this flight exactly like an 11pm west coast departure.
Our FA took drink, food and wine orders although the wine list was not the correct one. But first, my usual G&T.
I ordered the Yarra Chardonnay but was served a Tasmanian Chardonnay which was awful. OK, lets try the 2013 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling from West Australia. Much better.
Showtime.
But what about those cheap, ugly utensils??
Service seem a little rushed perhaps because that's what the supper directive is. Not like we're going anywhere fast. My soup was delivered right after the bread.
The soup itself was excellent… Cream of spiced cauliflower with coriander yoghurt and grilled flat bread.
For my main, I chose the delicious Roast pork belly with ginger noodles and kimchi. And a glass of 2013 Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Pinot Noir.
For dessert, I had the delicious Cinnamon Churros with warm salted butterscotch and grilled plums.
After dinner, I finished my movie.
And a little late, our FA made our beds, 1A for Mrs. SFO and 2D for me. Between the Sheepskin mattress, comfy duvet and a little Ambien, I slept amazingly well for 7 hours straight. Just over 5 hours to go.
After another walk around the plane, upper deck, J, PE, E and downstairs to Y and back home, I worked on pics and watched another movie. About 4 hours out, I asked for a mid-flight snack, the delicious Signature steak sandwich with grilled plums.
A couple of hours later at around T-90, I passed on breakfast while Mrs. SFO had the fruit plate.
At around T-30 we started our descent into SYD.
We touched down at around 6:15a on Christmas morning and pulled into our gate a few minutes later... more than 17 hours after we boarded in DFW. But it sure didn't seem that long. Between the great crew, light load and a very nice hard product, this was a wonderful flight. Can't imagine why anyone would fly any other airline from North America to Australia. Bravo Qantas.
