Review of Qantas flight Melbourne → Sydney in Economy

For the return leg, I was booked on the MEL-SYD-SIN sectors instead of direct MEL-SIN as it was much cheaper to fly via SYD. Apparently not only me was doing this as there were also a number of Singaporean families doing the same, mostly connecting to the earlier QF5 in SYD. For me, I would be connecting to QF1, my 'final' QF A380 ride! The transit stop did not bother me much as I would also be flying on a new (but old) aircraft type, B767-300ER, on the short hop to Sydney.

I arrived at Melbourne Terminal 1, where all Qantas domestic flights depart from, about 1h15min before flight. All passengers with international connections would have to check in at dedicated desks for document checks and luggage drop. Domestic passengers may perform self check-ins at the automated booths. Again, I had checked in online prior the day before and only needed to pick up boarding passes and drop my luggage. The check-in attendant also ensured that I do know how to transit in Sydney. Been there, done that, so not much of a worry but for newbies, it could be quite confusing as it entails a change of terminal and a shuttle bus ride. Could be kinda stressful if the connection time is short.

Departure boards and security screening.


My boarding passes for both flights.


Through security and into the terminal. Time to do some spotting, but at Terminal 1, there were nothing much except QFs and more QFs. My B763ER, VH-OGT, already at the gate.


Jetstar A321 and A320 at the opposite end of the terminal. No aerobridges for the budget travellers!


Blue ribbon B738 to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation.


Another view of VH-OGT.


The boarding gate. Flight was code-shared with BA as well. Load seemed good and mainly were business travellers. As usual, newspapers were available at the gate for free.



28 November 2012
Qantas
QF 440
Melbourne (MEL) - Sydney (SYD)
B767-300ER
VH-OGT
Economy Class

Soon, boarding was announced and passengers formed an orderly queue to board. Once stepping into the aerobridge, headphones were also available to be picked up for the inflight entertainment. Yes, QF offers IFE on all flights, even as short as a 30min Sydney-Canberra hop! Was greeted by name again at the door by a friendly set of crew. I was seated at 48A, towards the rear of the plane.

Boarding in progress. Boarding was swift as I guess most passengers were frequent flyers on the route. Cabin definitely looked old but was clean.


Inflight magazines, safety card and headphones.


Legroom was more than sufficient for the short flight.


Old school IFE controls. Music channels were already playing.


At the gate. The flight time was announced to be 1hr. Flight filled up to the brim even for this mid-afternoon shuttle. Not bad considering that there are almost one QF flight every half hour between MEL-SYD!


Dash 8s across.


Pushback on scheduled and engine start.



Only had a very short taxi to the active runway. Across at the international terminal were SQ and QF A380s, preparing to head to SIN as well. The B737 looked so tiny beside!


Held at the runway while crew finished their safety demonstration and cabin checks. A DJ 737 departed before us.


Departing from the shorter Rwy27 towards the west.



Making right turns to head towards Sydney.



Dry and brown Australian landscape all the way.


Shortly after seatbelt signs were switched off, cabin service started. Short comedies were played on the overhead TVs. For today's mid-afternoon flight, afternoon tea would be served. Service started from the front economy cabin, moving towards the rear. 2 crew on each aisle, 1 serving drinks while the other distributing snacks. Again, this set of crew were generally friendly and casual, the usual QF-style.


On offer were a cookie or an apple, but I believe you can request for both too. I only had the cookie, which was tasty!


When the drinks cart reached, I had a coffee and a bottle of juice.


Not long after, the plane started its descent into Sydney. Skies turned overcast when we neared SYD.


Cabin was cleared and we descend into SYD. I was hoping that we would arrive from the north and luckily, we really did! But weather in SYD was horrid. Lots of low clouds with no sunshine.


Over the outskirts of Sydney.


Flaps and gears down. Getting lower..


Spot the Opera House!


Nearly there. The entire Sydney skyline in the distance.


Touchdown on Rwy16R, right on schedule.



Passing a QF A380 while taxiing to Terminal 3.


Parked at Terminal 3.


Disembarking and passing the Business Class cabin.


Upon disembarkation, passengers with international connections would have to proceed to the transfer bus gate located beside Gate 1. There was a short wait for the bus as the gate agent wants to get all transfer pax departing on the earlier QF5 to Singapore onto it. All passenger connecting to QF5 were paged to hurry to the transfer bus gate.

Very soon, all connecting passengers arrived and we were allowed onto the bus. Time to tour SYD airport! Firstly, I got a glimpse of the bird that flew me in.


All the QFs, with a special livery in between.


Air Pacific B744 undergoing maintenance.


QF whale meets SQ whale.


Up close and personal with SKM!


The QF A380 would be flying me home today.


Suddenly the mid-sized A330 seemed so gigantic!