Following our flight from Zurich Switzerland to Helsinki we connected through to Tokyo Narita airport on Finnair AY73 operated by an Airbus A350-900 our first experience in this model aircraft. Before boarding we spent time in the other Finnair lounge in Helsinki airport near gate 52, a photo of the self serve bar area is below.
We departed Zurich on a newer Airbus A321 with winglets, Finnair flight number AY1512 departing ZRH at 10:55am arriving HEL at 2:45pm, a scheduled duration of 2 hours and 50 minutes over a distance of 1107 miles. Seats feature thinner backs on the newer models and provide better support and a little more space. Food tasted better than it looks in the photo and drinks service was great. On arrival in Helsinki the aircraft parked away from any gates and all passengers were bussed to the terminal. Check in at Zurich airport was very smooth and the smallish Oneworld Lounge was excellent.
Following arrival from JFK at 10:00am in the morning on December 28 we had a little over 6 hours before our connecting flight to Zurich departed at 4:30pm. This arrival also meant we cleared immigration and spent most of the time waiting in the Finnair Lounge near Gate 22. There were shower facilities which were clean and well appointed. The range of food and drinks was not very extensive but there are plenty of options out in the main concourse.
Prior to departing New York JFK to Helsinki on Finnair we had time to visit the American Airlines Flagship Lounge in terminal 8. Actually due to Finnair not accepting any check in earlier than about 3 hours before departure we had to wait around for a few hours before we could check in and clear immigration and security.
Even though our arrival flight QF17 was late, and the as expected immigration lines at LAX were long and slow, we had allowed plenty of time to make our way from Tom Bradley International across to Terminal 4 for our connecting flight AA28 to JFK. Once clearing security at Terminal 4 the American Airlines lounges entry are on the right just after the first gate. On presentation of our boarding passes we were handed black Flagship access cards and told to make our way to the next level and use the door on the left which is the Flagship lounge.
When initially booking Qantas flight QF17 SYD-LAX as a segment of multiple flights the operating aircraft A380 seating configuration was the same original layout configuration in place since Qantas first started flying A380 Airbus. Qantas started upgrading business class seating to "The Business" style as is now installed in all Qantas A330 and all B787 aircraft midway through 2019.
Prior to a recent international flight which was delayed we photographed some of the Qantas business lounge within Sydney airport T1 terminal. Provided there is plenty of time allowed for connections at your destination as we had, the lounge makes waiting comfortable and provides almost everything anyone would need.
Recently flew Qantas from Sydney to Brisbane return, aircraft were B737 and both flights were just after Qantas began enforcing premium boarding lane for Business passengers and passengers with Gold/Sapphire status and above.
Return flight from an overnight business trip to Adelaide was on Qantas QF756 a Boeing 737 departing Adelaide Airport at 1420 from Terminal 1 gate 22 arriving in Sydney Terminal 3 Gate 4 at 1648. As with the flight down to Adelaide there was luckily only 2 persons seated in the row of 3 leaving the dreaded middle seat free!
For an overnight business trip Qantas QF739 was selected for the flight down to Adelaide. The equipment was a Boeing 737 Departing from Terminal 3 Gate 7 in Sydney and arriving in Adelaide at Terminal 1 Gate 22. Breakfast was served during the flight and there was a bacon and egg roll option or an egg and salad option, the latter was chosen and was fresh and tasty.
