It’s the Champagne before take-off that really lets you know you’re about to fly in a more refined manner than usual.
Sitting in my spacious seat on board a Qantas Airbus A380 to Sydney with a flute of Charles Heidsieck Brut in hand the gloomy Sunday afternoon at Heathrow outside seemed to magically look a little brighter and sunnier.
Let there be no mistake, business class is completely worth it for this flight.
Colin flew economy with Qantas on one of its A380s and two months later flew the same journey business class (pictured). And the difference was considerable
Not so much room for manoeuvre: This image shows how much less space there is in economy class
Business class passengers have access to a small lounge, complete with magazines, a TV and plush sofas
The seats on Qantas’s business class cabin come with a privacy divider and a 10-inch entertainment screen
Colin, pictured, was impressed with the Charles Heidsieck Brut champagne he was given on boarding
I had taken the same flight two months earlier. In economy.
On that journey, what felt like several hours of cramped, fitful dozing had only resulted in crossing the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. Here the hours and miles seemed to melt away.
Unexpectedly I found myself sharing the business class cabin with the entire Wallabies Rugby squad. Fresh from back-to-back defeats to Scotland and England their mood was subdued. As I finished my glass of fizz I couldn’t help but feel the old phrase ‘in victory you deserve it, in defeat you need it’ seemed quite apt.
I used my extra boarding time to do some surreptitious last-minute online searches for the stats of those matches just in case any of the team felt like reliving the trauma. A subtle sliding up of the privacy divider between our seats suggested that was not going to happen.
At just over six feet tall I’m more than familiar with the old knee in the tray table situation most air travellers experience. But try as I might I simply couldn’t reach the back of the seat in front of me with my legs outstretched.
I was looking forward to catching a few movies on the 10-inch entertainment screen but was distracted by the eight-way movement controller for my seat. There are built-in massage settings and lumbar controllers, too, for ultimate comfort. A USB port in the chair, meanwhile, means you can bring your own devices for entertainment.
Colin explained that the cabin crew set up a mattress cover and soft blanket for him during a toilet break. Complimentary pyjamas, travel socks and an amenities kit that includes assorted toiletries including a toothbrush and toothpaste plus ear plugs and eye cover were also provided
Colin is just over six feet tall, but said that try as he might, he couldn’t touch the seat in front with his feet (left). The seats feature built-in massage settings and lumbar controllers for ultimate comfort (right)
Is this the best lounge at Heathrow Airport?
Sweeping views of the airfield, a marble cocktail bar, a gin bar, Wi-Fi and six shower suites with Aurora Spa amenities.
Welcome to the swanky new Qantas London Lounge at Heathrow Airport.
Qantas spent 12 months building it and the hard work has definitely paid off.
Sweeping views of the airfield, a marble cocktail bar, a gin bar, Wi-Fi and six shower suites with Aurora Spa amenities. Welcome to the swanky new Qantas London Lounge at Heathrow Airport
It’s spacious, it’s luxurious and will give the well-heeled a stylish start to their journey.
Other highlights include a huge brass chandelier – great selfie background material – and menus designed by Rockpool.
Food on offer ranges from ploughman’s platters and pot pies to Australian favourites such as healthy brunch bowls with eggs, avocado and kale.
Food on offer ranges from ploughman’s platters and pot pies to Australian favourites such as healthy brunch bowls with eggs, avocado and kale
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said investing in the first dedicated Qantas Lounge at Heathrow was key as the airline prepares to directly air link Europe and Australia for the first time.
‘The Kangaroo Route is at the heart of Qantas’ identity and London is one of our most important destinations,’ said Mr Joyce.
‘We have worked with leaders in design, food and service to create a lounge that is modern and comfortable and incorporates the aesthetics of the Qantas lounges that make our customers feel at home.’
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Polenta chips with wild mushrooms and spinach was one of the meals Colin enjoyed on his business class flight to Australia
The cabin crew set up my mattress cover and soft blanket for me during a toilet break. Complimentary pyjamas, travel socks and an amenities kit that includes assorted toiletries including a toothbrush and toothpaste plus ear plugs and eye cover were also provided.
With an inflight menu inspired by Sydney’s famed Rockpool Bar & Grill I got a fast-track taste for the gourmet life down under. Goats cheese, shaved fennel and roast tomato salad as a starter was invigoratingly fresh. I thought my seared red snapper main course was a valiant attempt at a tough dish to execute mid-flight but – looking at a my neighbour’s plate – wished I’d plumped for the braised lamb instead.
As Rockpool has been voted as having the best by the glass wine list in the world (World of Fine Wine Awards 2016) it was no surprise to see some great options on the drinks trolley. A glass of 2012 Forest Hill Chardonnay from the Mount Barker region in Western Australia showed mature richness and style.
A brief one-and-half-hour stopover in Dubai gives time to visit the Business Class lounge and showers. For UK residents Dubai is a marvel as they use the UK three-pin socket. Laptop out, phone on charge, no need for the bulky travel plug adaptor.
I landed in Sydney at 6:30am about as fresh and relaxed as a long-haul flight can allow.