Review of Qantas flight Sydney → Melbourne in Economy

Qantas QF427 Sydney to Melbourne

Flight Details:
Airlines: Qantas 
Flight: QF427 SYD - MEL
Reg: VH-EBJ "Margaret River"
Aircraft: Airbus A330-202
Class: Economy
Departure Sydney Domestic Terminal 3: 9.00am
Arrival Melbourne Terminal 1: 10:35am
Flight time: 1 hours 35 minutes
Distance: 713 km or 443 miles

VIDEO: Qantas QF427 Sydney to Melbourne

Introduction

This report is from Dec 2022. I decided to book the holiday, which I call the "Great Aussie Fly". This trip would cover parts of Australia, I haven't travelled before.

Original plan was 22 days of drive, but it was dropped due to weather conditions. As reported in news, Darwin had storm and temperatures are very high in Alice Springs. I have driven almost all of South East Australia from Port Douglas in Far North Queensland to Port Augusta, South Australia. If you enjoy long drives, check channel -> @Roadcamz

Pre-Booking

I had planned this trip for years but due to various reasons, kept getting deferred. As I saw an opportunity this year, decided to book the trip.
Had options to book between Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.

I checked the multi-city flights and decided to fly with Qantas, which offered the best routing and aircraft variety.  I haven't flown with Qantas since 2015.

Booking

I decided to book flights after checking car rentals and hotels after preparing itinerary. This flight was booked separately as I was unable to book a ticket with enough transit time.

I chose to fly on this flight as it was a Airbus A330-200, an aircraft type which had eluded me before. I chose the seat while booking the flight.

Day before departure, I received an email with complimentary lounge access. I paid for the access and received an email with details.

Arriving at Airport

I had originally planned to take train to airport. On the day of flight, I checked the train timetable and noticed there is trackwork on the Airport line and I would have to change to bus. I didn't want to drag the bag early morning and then change from train to bus, Not sure how crowded the bus would be and the traffic. I would have missed the flight if something went wrong.

Decided to ditch the idea and drive to airport as I didn't want uncertainty with taxi. I booked parking online and drove to airport.

I reached airport at 7.30am. Took a photo to remind myself, where I had parked as I would be returning after few days.

After parking car, reached the bus stop to catch bus to terminal 3.

Planespotting while waiting for bus.

I would be boarding from the 2nd last stop, bus was full. I squeezed in with my checked bag as it was almost 7.45a.m. Others waited for next bus.

Bus reached the terminal 3 around 8a.m.

Check-in

After alighting the bus, crossed the road and entered the terminal. Took escalator to departure area.

I had taken screenshot of the boarding pass on the phone after online check-in.

Printed the boarding pass and baggage tags. Bags was scanned and the self loaded in the baggage drop area.

Security

After completing the baggage drop. I went to security as seen below. Time was almost 8.10am.

Security check queue was moving, I joined the queue. Australian airports have new x-ray system, where electronic devices can be left in bag during security scanning. Full body scan was conducted during the security check.

Flight schedule displayed above security, The flight with wireless signal are wifi enabled.

Line kept moving and security was completed by 8.15a.m

Lounge

After security, I entered the departure area. Qantas Club lounge is located on the left after clearing security. Entered the lounge area and took escalator upstairs.

Qantas club lounge location.

Entered the lounge after scanning boarding pass on the phone. Breakfast was available.

I didn't have much time as it was almost 8.30a.m. I got bread, baked beans, an egg and muesli with honey and butter.

Drinks choice was Orange juice, mixed veggie or water. Tea and coffee was also available. I had a mix veggie drink as I didn't have much time. Bar was closed, alcoholic drinks are available after mid-day.

boarding

Time was almost 8.40a.m and I decided to head to boarding gate. Took the escalator down and walked about 3-4 minutes to reach gate. Queue had formed for boarding.

Passengers were asked to scan their boarding pass on paper or phone.

Boarding was front door, Crew were waiting to greet and check boarding details.

Onboard

I was seated on the starboard side. was asked to go straight and turn right. Flight was full. Economy seat was 2-3-2 arrangement.

Reached my allocated seat, Co-passenger was already seated. I placed my handbag in overhead space and sat in the window seat.

Announcements made by Customer service manager and captain.

Bags loading on flight.

Boarding continued for few more minutes.

I began exploring the seating area, I hadn't flown Qantas for few years, I thought this flight being domestic, they have removed the screens.

Seat spacing was enough for me. Seat on this aircraft was made of cloth and was comfortable to sit.

SEat Pocket MAterial [SPM]

I checked the seat pocket,which contained the Safety card, Qantas magazine, sickness bag and someone had left their baggage receipt from previous flight.

Qantas Airbus A330-200

Front full view.

Middle pages

Back of the safety card.

Qantas magazine

I also found the iPad which was the entertainment screen.

While explored the seat, boarding was completed and bags were loaded on the flight.

Pushback and Taxi

Pushback commenced shortly after the doors were closed and Captain came on the speaker to inform flight details.

It would be short taxi as runway 16R was used for landing and departure.

Watched Singapore Airlines first departure of the day while aircraft was holding for arrivals and departure. Watch video to experience the flight.

Sydney skyline in sight as a Jetstar Airways is on approach to land on runway 16L.

Departure

After Singapore Airlines, it was turn for Qantas QF427 to depart.

After a quick takeoff, Aircraft headed south over the Tasman sea and then turned inwards over city of Wollongong.

OnBoard Facilities

Captain had switched off the seat belt sign. Announcement was made regarding the onboard facilities, iPad was available for entertainment. Complimentary WiFi was available, which was hit with me as I immediately connected and chatted till arrival in Melbourne. Connection was good, I was able to send photos and record videos. I connected the iPad to the port and powered the device.

While chatting, I checked the outside view. Aircraft was flying over ACT.

Overflew Canberra airport, which is visible on left edge in middle of photo below.

Cabin Service

Cabin service began somewhere over ACT, Crew distributed cookies with drinks - tea, coffee or cold drinks. I chose tea with milk.

Inflight

Few more minutes of flying and aircraft entered Victoria.

Arrival

Captain announced flight would be arriving in Melbourne on time, Cabin crew was informed to prepare cabin.

Landed smoothly in Melbourne and after a long taxi due to holding for other aircraft reached gate. Aircraft had arrived on time.

Disembarkation

I was in no rush as I had plenty of transit time. I disembarked after others had deboarded.

Entered the terminal through air-bridge.

View of aircraft after arrival.

Flight Information

I checked the flight information on flightradar24 after arriving.

Flight information: Actual flight time: 1.07 minutes, rest of the time was spent on ground.

Flight map

Aircraft movement, QF427 was the 1st flight of the day for this aircraft.

Qantas VH-EBJ would be returning to Sydney as QF440

Baggage Collection

Bright sunny day in Melbourne.

After getting fresh, I headed towards the exit to collect bag.

Bag would arrive in carousel 4, I didn't have to wait long as my bag was on belt when I reached the bag claim.

Checked the departure information.

I had 3 hours for check-in to open for next flight. I took the escalator to departure area, found a spot close to check-in and did work while waiting for the check-in to open.

Hope you enjoyed reading this trip report.

Thanks for reading the report and watching the video.

:)