The airport was much less crowded on this transit, and I managed to grab a free Internet straight away, so the time passed quickly. We took off 30 minutes late because we were waiting for some passenger for some baggage? Anyhow, it all worked out well, we arrived back to London on time.
Rating - 4
This Airbus A346 was the most crowded I've been on. Granted, it still wasn't full and I sat next to this lovely (but old) gentleman who got my bags and graciously moved for me anytime I needed to go to the loo! I didn't do too much, just finished watching Invisible (strange but compelling), and The Wendell Baker Story (I still don't know what that was about).
Rating - 4
Well, they weren't very good at delivering the drinks, so I actually had to press the call button twice to get some sort of juice. Besides that, the usual friendly Etihad service I have now come to expect.
Rating - 3
The usual.
Rating - 3
Well, it's the same menu as the Abu Dhabi to Jburg flight, so I got to try another item on the menu. If I were trying with them all the time, you could get bored with the menu. Fortunately, my breakfast was pretty nice. I still don't like the dry bread they serve, but apart from that, all good and plenty of it too.
Rating - 3
Part of my 439 Pound flight deal.
Rating - 3
Abu Dhabi -> London
15 Oct 07, 02:55 - 07:40
Website
There was a short wait at check-in, but otherwise the fligth was very on time. In fact, the captain informed us that there was absolutely no wind and the weather was great, so we would arrive right on time. Great! More time for me to go on the Internet on my stopover!
Rating - 5
This Airbus A332 was like the others. I was originally seated next to this woman, but she wanted to sit next to her lover, so she wanted me to swap seats with her. I happily obliged as it was another relatively empty flight, so I was able to move to an aisle seat. Well, this out that didn't do much good as the selfish guy on the row of four decided that he would take up 3 seats to sleep on, leaving me squashed on one anyway. Plus, he kept farting the whole way!
I was disappointed they didn't have the v-cam on, but I watched Mr Brooks (excellent), License to Wed (lame), He was a Quiet Guy (weird but compelling).
Rating - 4
I couldn't understand the guy at the check-in counter at all. I had to ask him all sorts of information about my flight and transfer. I asked if I had to pick up my own luggage and he didn't answer properly, so I just hope things are like last time, and my stuff will get to London. Good thing it's the end of my trip so I don't really care that much. The staff on board were great as usual, but they didn't bring around as much drinks as I liked, plus there were no ice-creams. The captain was informative and clear as usual.
Rating - 3.5
I checked in again with only 15kg of luggage, and got the same eye patch things. The only difference was they had the blankets all wrapped up - I wonder if I can take one of those?
Rating - 3
Well, the hot meal was better than the other flight, so maybe I just chose correctly this time. No ice cream so I was disappointed. The snack of sandwiches were very un-exciting.
Rating - 3
Part of my 439 Pound flight deal.
Rating - 3
Johannesburg -> Abu Dhabi
14 Oct 07, 10:30 - 20:15
Website
I checked in nice and early, Jburg airport was very efficient, so I spent a lot of time at the airport. Luckily the airport is quite nice. The staff warned you at check-in that they don't have boarding calls so you just have to be at the gate. So, they got us on the bus, transferred the 10 or so of us out to the plane, only to be fold by the captain that the flight would be delayed because of a missing part, but that we could have a free coffee on the airline. I was fine with it since I had nothing to do at Vic Falls anyway, so they decided to take us to the BA lounge. I got a drink and started using the Internet, I wasn't interested in eating anything. Anyway, I was typing away, and next thing I know, I was the only one in the lounge. It seemed that the ground crew knew the plane was ready and didn't bother to inform me. If I had not looked around, I would have missed my flight. I was told when I asked the staff at the BA Lounge that I had to run to the gate (which was very far away) as quickly as possible or I would miss the flight.
Rating - 0
Well, the BA Lounge was nice enough. It's quite small but then again there weren't any people there anyway. Everything seems to be serve yourself as it was minimally staffed. I was there for such a short time I didn't even get the chance to use the toilets.
There were so little people on the flight that we were spread out all throughout the plane, there were heaps and heaps of legroom for some reason too. In fact, there was so much space between the seats that I actually had to lean forward off my seat to use the tray table. The flight was pretty comfy for a small plane. The coat hook was very useful, but there was no footrest (not that I could've reached it anyway!).
Rating - 4
Well, you can definitely see the difference. The captain was very nice, apologetic and informative. The cabin crew were ok, below the SA standard I was getting at the hotels and shopping malls, but they were pretty rude to me when I asked for a drink. Gees, there were 3 of them serving like 10 people! And don't get me started about those idiotic ground crew...hmmm, maybe I should file a complaint...people always seem to get free stuff out of them.
Rating - 1
Well, as usual, I had nothing to check in anyway. You don't get any comforts for such a short flight.
Rating - 3
The food was terrible! A very bland and dry pita bread that had a whole in it and wasn't cut properly, so the filling was already falling out before you started eating it.
Rating - 1
This was ZAR 1288. About 210 AUD.
Rating - 1
Johannesburg -> Victoria Falls
29 Sep 07, 09:15 - 10:50
Website
I didn't have to check in or get my luggage again, so it was a very easy transit from the airport. They didn't really provide any information though, so I had to find it all out by myself. We had to line up for ages for the X-ray machine, and all these other people pushed in because their flight was leaving.
Once I got to Jburg, our bags took AGES to arrive, and there was this confusion with the luggage belt, so we were running around everywhere.
Rating - 3
Airbus A332. I had to sit next to some really fat guy, just my luck, especially when more than half the flight was empty. I moved the first change i got and nabbed a 2 seater, so I was able to have a semi lie down.
The In-flight entertainment system was not working properly, it keeps not working after seeing 1 movie, on both of the seats I was on, but luckily this flight was at sleeping down so it wasn't too bad, but I still can't sleep on the plane. I only managed to fit in The Ex (much better than I thought).
Rating - 3.5
Well, maybe because it was a night flight? But the staff definitely didn't deliver as much water. Other than that, they were great. The captain wasn't as informative than the other flights, but better than all the other airlines anyway.
Rating - 4
The same eye-patch thing.
Rating - 2.5
Food was not that great again, but there were lots. We got a small meal before we took off and an ok breakfast, but no ice-cream.
Rating - 2.5
Part of my 439 Pound flight deal.
Rating - 3
Abu Dhabi -> Johannesburg
28 Sep 07, 02:25 - 08:20
Website
The check in didn't take as long as expected. I got on with no problems at all. Well, my luggage was only a bit over 10kg, so it looks like I can buy much more stuff on the way back, hahaha! All the delays is because of BAA, so I can't fault Etihad at all.
We took off 30 minutes late, but arrived only 10 minutes late. Since I had to wait 3 hours for my next flight anyway, what time we landed actually didn't matter with me. In fact, the flight was so comfy I wished we'd spent more time in the air.
Rating - 3
We flew in an Airbus A346. The seat configuration was 2,4,2. It was a pretty empty flight, so people were pretty spread out and there was no queues for the toilets! The seats - has the bend back head rest which I like, had a footrest which I like, but the length is quite short - which I don't care about at all!
There are many things to occupy your time. They provided an excellent range of newspaper and mags at the waiting area. Their inflight magazine is not bad at all. The best thing though is definitely their in flight entertainment. I managed to finish off all the movies I started on the Cathay flight. Fantastic 4 - Rise of the Silver Surfer (crap), Paris, Je T'aime (very French), Fracture (very gripping), Chaos (an EXCELLENT movie). The screen was big, has all the usual controls, and it even operates as a touch screen. There are loads of videos on demand and the remote is really good. The headphones they provide are excellent. Well padded and comfortable, and most importantly, not too big.
The time flew by in a flash. I didn't sleep so I'll report on that the next flight. And if that's not enough to keep you occupied, you can watch the takeoff and landing on the screen as they have a vi-cam attached.
Rating - 3
The check in desk was quite good. They checked that I had the right visa, assured me about my luggage for my transfer, and adviced me that it took awhile to get to the gate.
Once on board, the staff were very polite. I didn't need them much as my in-flight entertainment was very good. They constantly brought us drinks, took away rubbish and stuff. They cater to all the people who are fasting for ramadan, and served their meals when they could eat too.
The best thing though, is actually the information they provide you. The co-pilot was so informative about EXACTLY what was happening, and spoke in very clear English.
Rating - 4.5
Well, the magazines at the boarding gates were great. You also get socks, earplugs and a mask, so that's all the stuff you need and none of the stuff you don't. I don't know how lax they are with extra allowance, but I don't think I will try to find out.
Rating - 4
Well, since they won the Skytrax award this year for best in-flight catering, I was expecting big things. My meal was pretty good, don't get me wrong, but I didn't think it was better than other meals I've had. I think they were pretty generous with their food though, and I love their constant supply of drinks, so I never felt I was thirsty or anything.
Rating - 3.5
My London to Jburg return costs me 439 booked online. As I booked at pretty much the last minute, I think it was an ok deal. However, considering the plane was half empty and I am sure I received much better service and a lot more miles, it was great. I've also decided 7 hours is probably the ideal time for a flight, so having a break instead of going direct is probably not a bad idea!
Rating - 3
London-> Abu Dhabi
27 Sep 07, 13:05 - 23:15
Website
Wow, I didn’t expect to have a big 3 bedroom house to ourselves. We had 3 big bedrooms to choose from. Our pillows were nice and comfy, but the double bed was a bit small and hard. All the beds were equipped with towels and electric blanket.
The place had a big living room, with some comfy but old chairs. The bathroom was spacious and newly done up, not fancily, just functional.
There was a carport out the front too that we had to share with the pigeons.
Rating - 4
We had access to the fully stocked kitchen, flour, egg, cereal, pots, pans, all kinds of tea and coffee. You want it, it was available. There was a huge fridge, but alas, no freezer. We had a very small TV (a good thing). The bathroom even had toothpaste and loads and loads of toilet paper.
There was also a laundry and second toilet, a dartboard, loads of brochures. The best thing though, was that it was a working farm and in the morning you could go watch the cows being milked and have a go yourself. There are lots of tracks and paddocks you are free to wonder across as well.
Christine and Ian were very nice and very friendly. They talked a lot and invited us into their lives. They showed us around the place but left us alone too.
Rating - 4
The location is both good in bad. Situated on a farm around 30 minutes from Burnie, it meant you couldn’t just get to the shops and go to restaurants or freshen up when you want, but the setting was so beautiful and quiet. Also because it was a farm there was no mobile reception.
Rating - 2.5
We were given 6 fresh eggs, white and wholemeal read, loads of different jams nad butter, a huge supply of cereal and milk (sadly because of the law they couldn’t give us the fresh milk, which gets sent to be packaged), tea (green, peppermint, camimole, jasmine, breakfast), coffee, hot chocolate. They had sugar, flour, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, so I was able to whip up some pancakes for breakfast!
Rating - 4.5
I couldn’t believe how cheap it was, at $60 a night, including breakfast supplies. I would definitely come back for more.
Rating - 5
Greta Road
Upper Natone
North West Coast
TAS 7321
Phone (03) 6436 2181
Website
It was one of those holes in the wall. There’s enough room for you to walk between the two single beds, and that’s about it. We had a big suitcase so we had to step over it to get anywhere. The bed itself? The pillow was extremely flat, with a very soft mattress. The bathroom had a shower, a very small sink and nowhere to put your stuff.
Rating - 1.5
Well, the light was not working so we had to make do with just the reading light. The kettle was one of those dumb one with no on/off button. It just boils when you plug it in, which of course meant it doesn’t turn itself off either, so you have to wait around to hear it boil before you turn it off. We were given biscuits and fresh milk, but there are really no other facilities. The curtain also don’t reach all the way past the bottom of the small slits of windows, and let the light through. Good thing we had a very early morning flight so it didn’t matter that much.
The service was very efficient (hey at least they had our booking!), I managed to arrange my check out the night before all without a problem.
Rating - 2
It’s not in Hobart itself, but it’s not too far away. It’s easy to eat to Hobart if you have a car, and it’s actually a bit closer to the airport. However, except for a winery, there’s really nothing much around there. We couldn’t enjoy the supposedly beautiful views because we arrived after it was dark and headed off very early in the morning.
Rating - 2
$75 per night, “discounted” from the rack rate of $79.
Rating - 2
897 Brooker Highway
Berriedale
TAS 5001
Phone (03) 6272 6721
Website
