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LHR - SYD

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 07:45
by JonnyBoy
I am travelling to SYD in Upper at the end of March. I am not having a stop over in HKG, other than the turnaround time.
Do UC passengers get to use the lounge during the aircraft turnaround? Or if not, what happens? Does the same aircraft do the entire journey?
Thanks
Jon

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 09:31
by milehigh
Upper Class Customers can use the HKG Clubhouse as if the preffered gate is used it is very close.
Though you wont get long as as soon as you are there the boarding will be starting again. the aircraft that comes from LHR will go through to SYD with a new crew in HKG (usually 2x less HKG crew substituted for 2 x Sydney crew)

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 10:27
by fozzyo
We are doing the flight next week!! [:0]
There will be full trip reports with plenty of photos available.
Mat xxx

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 11:06
by JonnyBoy
Thanks for the replies! Matt, can't wait for the trip report!
Jon

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 11:56
by adamjswift
My girlfriend and I are travelling LHR/HKG then HKG/SYD in June as part of a round-the-world trip. Anyone got any suggestions as to where is best to stay in HKG.
Also what is the usual "order of service" on the flights as this is our first time long haul. How long into the flight will it be until it starts to get light outside again (I'm guessing about 5 hours??)
Do you get dinner, snacks and then breakfast or what???
We are in economy... any tips on best places to sit on a window seat. We have already chosen 55H&K and then 41H&K.
Any suggestions greatly received!!
Adam Swift


Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 12:29
by V-Ben
What kind of Budget for Accomodation? and what kind of place do you generally like (ie Traditional and plush or modern and trendy?)

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 12:43
by milehigh
Adam, Thats quite a trip for a first Long haul journey.. well the aircraft that you are most likely to travel on is a Airbus A340-600, the longest passenger aircraft in the world at 75.27 m in length and a wingspan of 63.45m, flying at a maximum altitude of 41,100ft Using Rolls Royce trent 500 engines.
seating between 306 and 308 passengers (and up to 16 cabin crew)
what sort of budget do you want to spend on a hotel in HKG? How long is your stopover ? post this and Ill be able to suggest some hotels and things to do.
Both seats you have chosen are on the window side and just the two of you sat there, there are no J seats so incase you were wandering!
First the Crew will offer you a complimentory drink from the bar while the dinner is cooked, then a main meal and this usually consists of 3 choices (one probably a Asian entree) with a glass of Red or White wine,
then Duty Free, have a look at the virgin Atlantic website before you travel !! They will pull the window blinds down and switch of lights so every one can sleep as you do fly into daylight.
Regular OJ and water services are carried out but if you are sleeping they are left out inthe galleys to help yourself, (Crew get bored on long flights too so stretch your legs and say hello they may even make you a cup of tea if you ask))
They have biscuits midflight if you get peckish, 1 and a half hours before arrival a hot breakfast is served.
hope this helps ... just watch your bag weights as you travel you will be shopping so dont forget your allowance for the way home !!

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 13:46
by Mavrick
fozzyo looking forward to the T.R. and photos.

Have a good trip.[y]

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 14:00
by xenole
Looking at doing a similar thing later in the year (oct/Nov sort of time) so threads like this will prove rather useful in the long run

Unlikely to be flying economy myself. Would rather pay a bit extra for some more comfort considering the length of the journey.

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 14:07
by JonnyBoy
Unlikely to be flying economy myself. Would rather pay a bit extra for some more comfort considering the length of the journey.
I thought exactly the same thing, especially because I didn't want an overnight in Hong Kong. I snagged a G fare using miles, and I am so please I did it.
Of course not everybody is in the position to go Upper, or PE for that matter, but if I was to go Y, then it would still be Virgin all the way.
Milehigh - Are there showers in the HK clubhouse to freshen up before the trip to SYD?
Jon

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 20:02
by Richard28
Originally posted by JonnyBoy
Thanks for the replies! Matt, can't wait for the trip report!
Jon
I'm off on to SYD on the VS200 on Thursday - I'll also post full TR with lots of pics, when I get back on 8th March!

Posted:
14 Feb 2006, 20:06
by honey lamb
I'm looking forward to all the TRs as we are following in your footsteps in July [y]

Posted:
17 Feb 2006, 00:40
by adamjswift
Hi thanks for the service info!
Our budget is about £200 maximum for 3nts.
I am a travel agent and can get some good discounts. At the moment very stuck between 2 hotels:-
The Kowloon £180 approx (obviously on the Kowloon side)
and
South Pacific £120 approx (on the HK side).
We feel that the Kowloon looks to have EXCELLENT location, but obviously a price difference of £60! Which all adds up on a round the world trip.
For your info our trip is as follows....
MAN/LHR BD
LHR/HKG VS 3nts
HKG/SYD VS 3nts
SYD/BNE QF 3nts
BNE/Hobart Jetstar 5nts
Launceston/MEL/SYD DJ 1nt
SYD/AKL NZ 7nts
AKL/CHC QF 6nts
CHC/AKL/LAX NZ 3nts
LAX/LHR NZ
LHR/MAN BD.
In total will be away for a month. Got a great deal on flights... £1100 for all the above!!!!

Posted:
17 Feb 2006, 11:48
by cshore
Originally posted by adamjswift
Hi thanks for the service info!
Our budget is about £200 maximum for 3nts.
I am a travel agent and can get some good discounts. At the moment very stuck between 2 hotels:-
The Kowloon £180 approx (obviously on the Kowloon side)
and
South Pacific £120 approx (on the HK side).
We feel that the Kowloon looks to have EXCELLENT location, but obviously a price difference of £60! Which all adds up on a round the world trip.
My recommendation is call the Hong Kong Hotels Association (
http://www.hkha.org), give them your budget and ask them to get the best deal for you. A couple of years back, they got myself and family (2 adults, 2 children) into the Ritz Carlton for GBP100 per night. They might surprise you!
For my money, staying island side is better.
Chris

Posted:
17 Feb 2006, 13:04
by adamjswift
Thanks Chris... will check that website out.

Posted:
20 Feb 2006, 00:33
by badlynx
The Kowloon Hotel is a central hotel BUT its rooms are known Hong Kong wise as being tiny. Check the hotel reviews on Tripadvisor. We are doing the reverse RTW trip in Dec (Melb-Syd-Hkg(stop)-LHR(stop)-JFK(stop)-Singapore(stop)-Melb). We have booked the Langham Place Hotel (as opposed from the Langham Hotel) in Mongkok- got some good prices there and its a fairly new hotel. Location - not in the centre of HK but only 2 stops away on the underground from Kowloon.

Posted:
20 Feb 2006, 23:21
by adamjswift
Thanks for the info... We agree with you RE: The Kowloon.
I therefore booked The South Pacific today for a very reasonable rate and the chance to get upgraded if they have any executive rooms left as I am a travel agent.
The South Pacific is between Wan Chai and Causeway Bay so quite well located and a new, modern hotel with larger rooms than the Kowloon!!!!
Cheers to everyone for the info.
If anyone is ever looking for any accom just send me a message and I can see what I can get.
Adam Swift