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176 reviews
Flight Details:
Airlines: Qantas
Flight: QF644 PER - SYD
Reg: VH-VXL "Charleville"
Aircraft: Boeing 737-838
Class: Economy
Departure Perth Terminal 4 Gate 14: 10.10am
Arrival Sydney Terminal 3: 4.15pm
Flight time: 3 hours 51 minutes
Distance: 3500 km or 2174 miles
This is the return trip report from June 2023. After spending a week in Perth, I would be flying back to Sydney. Read the earlier flight here: Qantas QF5 Sydney to Perth in business.
My original booking was for 30th June 2023 on QF652, a Airbus A330-300 departing Perth at 16.26 and arriving Sydney at 22.30.
In the previous evening, I had checked for the flight.
I received an email and sms late in the morning, the flight was cancelled and would be rebooked later.
Many flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin as flight movement was halted in Sydney due to high wind.
As I was away from home, I requested for reimbursement for food and accommodation cost for the extra day in Perth as I had to extended the motel stay and car rental by a day.
Qantas reimbursed the additional cost after 2 months, I had called few times and write a complaint. Process seems straight forward but the payment is delayed even after all details were provided and online form along with receipts was submitted.
I did not get reimbursed for the extra cost of extending the car rental even though it was booked through Qantas holidays.
I had to keep the car for an additional day for the purpose of driving to airport. Returning the car and then taking taxi next day would have been additional hassle and time consuming activity.
Rebooked flight.
I checked for the flight and received digital boarding pass.
Flight prepardness
I woke early and organised myself in preparation for the trip.
I had filled petrol on the previous night, loaded bag, dropped key at reception and was on the way airport. Took me about 25 mins to reach airport.
I reached the car rental, took the a photo of the kms covered.
Inspected the car
Enjoyed the VW T-Roc and had a good driving experience.
I handed the key and walked towards Terminal 3/4
Terminal 3/4 is used by Qantas and Jetstar.
Direction to Terminals
Departure entry for Terminal 3/4
As I had checked online for the flight, I walked towards the self-check kiosk. Weighed the bags, which were under the limit.
Scanned the QR code on the boarding pass.
Answered the questions
Bag was underweight
Clicked next, Baggage tag was printed.
I dropped the bag in the bag drop belt, which was x-rayed.
I checked with counter staff regarding the lounge access as I had paid for the service. I was informed to show the boarding pass.
Departure schedule
Flight's with WiFi symbol had free WiFi onboard including the Sydney flight.
After dropping the bag, I passed through security without hassle. Took about 10 mins as a short queue had formed.
Entered the departure area which is on level 1 using the escalator.
Airside view, As the windows are facing East. I didn't want to waste time spotting knowing that the photo would be backlit.
Remote bay had Qantaslink aircraft's.
Lounges is few steps from the departure entry.
Qantas club lounge was closed
I walked to Qantas Business Lounge
On entry, I was asked for the boarding pass, I showed the reception that I had the digital boarding pass and the email. I told her, I don't have a printed boarding pass, she printed the boarding pass, scanned and allowed in the lounge.
Printed boarding pass
As I had started early, I didn't have breakfast. I got food and found table to sit.
Lounge was filling up as more passengers were arriving.
Flight Schedule
I had plenty of time and relaxed after the breakfast.
Bar which opens after mid-day
Drink
After had rested enough
I checked out of the lounge.
Time was 9.30am, still time for boarding.
Passengers seated around the gate
Empty gate
Aircraft preparing to accept passengers.
Qantas Boeing 737-838 VH-VXL named "Charleville". Charleville is a rural town in Queensland, Australia.
I walked from Terminal 3 to 4 to cover the daily steps.
Terminal 4 departure gates
Returning to boarding area.
Qantas information desk
Boarding commenced on time.
Departure would be from gate 14
Baggage loading on the aircraft.
Tow truck in place
Passenger queue
Boarding was called by row numbers
Sydney in aborginal is called Gadigal country. The Gadigal, also spelled as Cadigal and Caddiegal, are a group of Aboriginal people whose traditional lands are located in Gadi, on Dharug country, the location of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as per wikipedia.
I was seated in the forward section and joined the queue. Boarding pass was scanned and was allowed to continue towards the aircraft.
Window view from the terminal.
Before entering the aircraft.
Aircraft information plate on the door.
My boarding pass was checked and directed to seat. 3-3 seating in the economy with black cloth seats. Padded headrest.
Sat in my assigned seat.
Window view as boarding continued.
Side view
Flight was full probably due to previous days cancellation.
Safety demonstration was shown and drop down screen and also performed by the crew after the doors were closed.
Pushback commenced on time.
View of Terminal
As the aircraft taxied pilot announced, flight details. Aircraft taxied about 3/4 of the taxi way and then entered the runway.
Ready for departure.
Takeoff was quick and soon was gaining altitude. View of mine below as aircraft passed over it.
Seat pocket content
Qantas Boeing 737-800 Safety card
Air sickness bag
Qantas Travel Insider
Inflight magazine
Route map
Meal tray
Drop down screen showed some documentary, crew had walked through the cabin distributing the earphones. I did not take as I did not have any interest in watching the show.
Entertainment controls in the seat handle and recline button.
I was watching outside the window, enjoying the scenery.
Crew commenced meal service after an hour departure as aircraft had crossed into South Australia.
Meal options were Chicken salad or beef spaghetti or vegan. Found out of the vegan meal as my co-passenger asked if there was an vegan option.
I chose chicken along with red wine and bottle of water. This was same meal as the read the previous flight: Qantaslink QF1604 Perth To Darwin
I emptied the wine bottle and it filled the plastic glass.
Full glass of wine
As the aircraft emptied its tank, I filled mine with the red liquid. I finished the meal and waited for the trash collection. Meal service and clearance was completed in 30 to 40 mins.
After meal, most passengers were resting as was me.
Window view as the aircraft powered ahead.
Being a short day flight, windows were open. Heading East in winter, sun was not harsh.
Pilot announced descend would commence shortly, crew cleared the rubbish and prepared aircraft for arrival.
Aircraft turned North over Southern suburbs.
View of Sydney airport above the engine.
Turning East over the North Western suburbs.
Aircraft approached airport from North to land on Runway 16R.
After landing, exited the runway through the rapid exit.
American Boeing C-17 Globemaster in Sydney
Crossing runway 07-25
Arriving at gate
Aircraft had arrived on time and soon docked at gate.
Exited the aircraft. Crew at the door wishing passengers off the aircraft.
Entering the terminal though aerobridge.
Soft winter evening light glowing the aircraft.
Aircraft had arrived 1 minute before schedule.
Aircraft information
Flight information
Sydney Domestic Terminal 3
Flight schedule
Exited the departure area towards baggage claim.
Escalator to baggage claim.
Baggage claim
Passengers gathered around the belt.
Bag arrived on belt 2 after 15 - 20 mins of waiting.
As I was travelling light, I took train to city and then home.
Train arrived in few minutes.
This concludes the trip report.
I hope you enjoyed reading this trip report.
Thanks for reading the report and watching the video.
:)
Qantas departed and arrived on time. Being a trans-con day flight, I didn't use the entertainment, preferring to rest and peek out of the the window.
Lounge food was adequate for the time of day. I did not use the WiFi as I had personal data. Service wise only interacted with receptionist. Customer experience was average.
This was my 2nd trip to Perth, had a good trip. Even though earlier flight was cancelled, this flight was satisfactory.
4 Comments
While not as good of an experience as the A330s on the transcon routes, the QF 737s seem pretty comfortable for a narrowbody. I like how well-padded the seats seem. I would think that QF would try to put the 737s with PTVs on these transcon routes being that the flights are even longer than the trans-Tasman routes on which they run that 737 subfleet.
Though the meal is a bit on the small side, it's worlds better than anything you'd get on a 4h flight within North America or Europe, which would be just a small snack...or even nothing.
Thanks for sharing!
I was fine with the food quantity. For me, the meal was repetitive. Hope they come with some variation.
Thanks for your comment.
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