Good morning all, and welcome to my very first Trip Report!
After years of reading dozens of previous reports here (and getting a jealous as anything) I finally figured out how to do it. So here it is.
Granted, this trip was from November 2017 I believe it’s still a very interesting one as it was one of the initial Qantas 787-9 services. I gather more for crew familiarisation.
Background: I work as a public servant and was required to travel from Melbourne to Perth for a few days for work. Tough work, I know.
Whilst researching which flights i was able to select from, the numbers 787 drew my eyes immediately. I would have the chance to not only go on a nice trip, but to also fly the newest plane in the Qantas fleet. All on the company dollar, too
I headed from the city to MEL straight after work in a taxi, which thanks to the Freeway widening project (10 years too late) took les then 30min. Apon online checking in earlier in the day i was ready for my QF481 flight, which would be operated by a A330-200 (standard for East/West coast)
A good variety of the QF fleet (Dash-8s, F-100 and a 787)
Nice spot to wait while waiting for my flight.
My ride for the night. Airbus A330-200, VH-EBD, 'Traralgon'
The main meal in a box is a bit odd. I had the Vegetarian pasta (super tasty and crew never run out) Also to drink a can of Boags Premium
Fleet list
Funny man!
A few shots of sunny Perth (while I wasn’t glued to my desk) Such a nice place, especailly around Fremantle (unfortunately not on this trip)
And the long awaited return journey back to MEL aboard Qantas’ first B787-9.
Almost there…
The beauty! Boeing 787-9, VH-ZNA “Great Southern Cross’. Only weeks old!
Unique nose
Final window clean before action. Everyone was taking extra special care of her.
More photos on-board and enroute!
Business / Premium Economy / Economy and my seat for the next 3 and a half hours.
Good quality IFE plus stand for my iPad
Quality of the on-board was good, too. Or maybe I was just riding the high of being on board this lovely aircraft.
I was mesmerised by the shape of the wing.
Then home to these two lunatics. Hahahaha
Conclusion: Understanding that this aircraft was really only flying this route for crew familiarisation, the difference (personally) between the A330 and B787 services was amazing! For me being 6ft3in, leg room was not an issue. the window size was great, allowing much natural light in and i must have played with the window dimmer for half the flight! lol
I was so pleased to have the opportunity to fly it at all, let alone domestically.
Thanks for reading.
Bakerdino.