Review of Qantas flight from Sydney to Melbourne in Economy

Another glorious week well spent in Sydney, but unfortunately it was time to return home.

Having checked out of our hotel in Surry Hills, Mrs Tim84 and I grabbed an Uber to Qantas' domestic terminal and were there within 20 minutes (on a Friday morning, no less!). Side note - the Sydney airport train is a good option but so expensive if you're travelling as a family or a group; probably more cost effective to split a cab fare / Uber from downtown Sydney!

Another super efficient experience checking in on the self service machines and dropping our luggage off at the bag drop area - we were through security and airside in less than ten minutes from being dropped off curb side. 

I know I've mentioned this before but Qantas' domestic terminal is probably my favourite Australian domestic terminal - it's clean, modern, bright and spacious and makes sense (one long pier that you don't need to guess where your gate is). Good F&B options as well as shopping (if you're looking for a last minute purchase!).

We would be departing from Gate 3 today.

Our plane - just arrived from another short haul flight from Brisbane and onwards to Melbourne! 

Boarding started ten minutes beforehand, this time all through the airbridge which was not an issue as the flight seemed to only be 50% full.

This time we were an older B737 without the Sky interior or any IFE, however still WI FI enabled which was great (have I mentioned that Qantas provide complimentary wi fi on all their wi fi enabled aircraft domestically?). 

We were ready to depart right on 11.00am. 

Seat pitch was the normal 31" and although the aircraft was older, it was still clean and very well maintained - a comfortable enough ride for the short 1 hour journey back down to Melbourne.

Normally Qantas would provide iPads on their non-PTV aircraft for all their domestic services, however due to COVID-19 this isn't available but I can't wait for normal service to be resumed!

Safety video was played on the old school drop down screens and pretty soon we were off and flying, making a series of right hand turns and tracking across the South Coast before heading inland through country Victoria.

The crew on this flight were noticeably more warm and engaging than on our previous flight up to Sydney (not sure if SYD-based crew are the cream of the crop?) and came around with refreshments and softies / juices pretty soon after take off.

Another tasty morning tea snack!

Pretty soon the pilot came on to announce our descent and the current weather conditions in Melbourne (a miserable 14 degrees and raining… groan), and we touched down right on time at 12.30pm.

So weird seeing our international terminal pretty much empty and derelict :( hoping we can open our borders again and travel freely (and safely).

We disembarked through the airbridge / rear door again and were at the luggage carousel within ten minutes of touchdown - Qantas is definitely highly efficient!

Ahh Melbourne. Back to reality… back to the cold, rainy autumn days…

Thanks for reading - until our next trip report later this year (hopefully overseas? lots of plans in the works) :)