PDA

View Full Version : Trip Report: QF BNE-SYD-BNE on a 747 and 767 (Photos)


Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:11 PM
Hi all,

Last Sunday (May 22) I went on my favorite day trip so far, an all day trip down to Sydney :D

Late last year I had heard rumors on the net about a new Qantas route to Dallas, and that the routing would be SYD-DFW-BNE-SYD. I was hoping this would come true and that the BNE-SYD route would be available to domestic travelers. And in early January I heard the good news, it was official Qantas would fly SYD-DFW-BNE-SYD four times a week starting May 16 and that you could fly BNE-SYD :D

As soon as I heard the news I went on the Qantas site to see what the fares were like, and QF8 was $157 :( So I thought I would just have to wait, then the next day I saw that Qantas had a sale on BNE-SYD so I looked at QF8 on Sunday May 22 (the soonest date I would be able to do it) and it was $81! :D So I asked my parents if I could do the trip and they were fine with it.

So I selected QF8 on May 22, all I had to do now was select my flight home, before booking I had a look at Virgin Blue, they didn’t have any sales, nor did Tiger so I had a look at Qantas. I wanted to return in the evening, there was a Jetstar flight at 6:30pm and it was $81 but then I saw QF548 which departs at 7pm which was $85, so I thought I’d pay the extra $4 and fly with Qantas and get free dinner and fly on the more comfortable 767 :)

The day after booking I told my best mate at school, Josh, about my trip. He said he would like to go with me but he didn’t book, but then in late April I came to school and he said he had booked and he showed me his itinerary, he was on QF8 with me on the 22nd but because he left it so late, all the later flights were now around $150-200, so he picked up the cheapest flight he could which was QF520 departing at 11am which cost him around $80-90.

It sure was going to be a great day, as we got into May we started counting down the days and before we knew it the day had come! :D

Brisbane Airport

The flight left at 6:30am so I had to get there at 5am, so I set my alarm for 4am and planned to leave the house at 4:30. But I woke up at 3:30 and I knew I just wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. Tried to go to sleep early the night before, thought I wouldn’t be able to because I’d be too excited but I managed to fall asleep at about 8pm. At about 4am I got a message from Qantas saying that QF8 was delayed and would now leave at 7am. Only half an hour late so not too bad.

Woke my parents up at about a quarter past four :) Packed my bag the night before so just did a quick check in the morning, made sure I had charged my camera battery the night before and also my phone. Had also done the online check in as soon as it opened at 6:30am on the 21st. Had requested 55A and I managed to get it, my friend requested 55B but had troubles doing the online check in, so he called Qantas and he was told to check in at the airport.

Got to the airport a little after 5am, Josh arrived a little earlier so he could check in, he managed to secure 55B. When he checked in he asked how full the plane was, he was told that about 100 people were continuing on from Dallas and around 10 people would be joining the flight for the BNE-SYD leg! Nice looked like we would have a bit of room!

So we went to security told them we were just going to Sydney, passed security no worries then proceeded to customs. Josh went first and he was fine then I went up and showed my boarding pass and also some ID, I was told that I needed a domestic sticker on my boarding pass, because I used the online check in I didn’t get one. So had to go back to the check in desks.

Very quiet at this time of the morning, was no line for check in. Went straight up to the counter and told them I needed the sticker, they printed me out a new boarding pass and put the sticker on and had me sign it. The guy and the counter said for flights like QF8 its always just best to check in at the airport.

So through security again, no problems and then up to customs, all was fine so my boarding pass was stamped and I was on my way to the gate. Checked the departure screens and we would be departing from Gate 80. Two days earlier at 1:30pm I was on flightradar24 waiting to see QF7 depart for Dallas as this would be the aircraft that would operate my flight. I wanted Wunala but the day before she went to Tokyo, so I would not get her. And about half an hour late VH-OEI took off from Sydney on her way to Dallas! So ‘Ceduna’ would be my first 747!

Had a look to see if there were any aircraft at the international, Strategic Airlines A332 VH-SSA was there after flying BNE-DPS-BNE the day before, today she would fly BNE-HKT-MEL, took a few shots of here, no to good though as it is still dark at 5:30am. A Pacific Blue 737 was the only other aircraft there but didn’t take any photos as I see them all the time.

At about 5:45 Royal Brunei B772 V8-BLD arrived so walked to Gate 78 I think, to get some shots of her. Sat down with Josh, was using the free Qantas Wi-Fi, went on Planefinder as balus wasn’t working, and saw that VH-OEI was on short finals for RWY19 with VH-OJN not far behind coming in from LAX. Took some great shots of OEI taxiing and pulling into the gate and also of VH-OJN taxiing behind.

Enough talking for now, time for some photos!

Check in area with the very large departures screen
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/5760644095_b00266355d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760644095/)

Strategic A332 VH-SSA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/5761192418_1f951369b0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761192418/)

Royal Brunei B772 V8-BLD
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/5761196032_d29055dc61.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761196032/)

Qantas B744ER VH-OEI pulls into Gate 80
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/5761199572_424e6789e3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761199572/)

VH-OEI completes the 16 hour flight from Dallas
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5761202996_012ba2cec5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761202996/)

Qantas B744 VH-OJN arrives from LAX, taxiing behind VH-OEI
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/5761206742_9450355a97.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761206742/)

Emirates B77W A6-ECI arrives from Dubai
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5761210142_78d9eddfbd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761210142/)

Departure lounge
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5760669515_0b6ae00168.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760669515/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:12 PM
Korean Air A332 HL8211 taxies behind VH-OEI after arriving from Seoul
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/5761216472_ffd7ed2224.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761216472/)

At 7am boarding commenced so Josh and myself lined up, had our boarding passes scanned and we were boarding the mighty 747!

May 22, 2011
Qantas
QF8
BNE-SYD
VH-OEI
Seat 55A

Was welcomed onboard and we made our way down to row 55, had a quick peak in first class, looked very nice! Josh and I took our seats, 55C was occupied, the plane was very empty! At 7:30 we pushed back (an hour behind schedule).

Anyway, here are some more photos.

Boarding
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/5761218898_a5cc0d4158.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761218898/)

Foggy window
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/5761319480_805c921100.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761319480/)

It started raining so that cleaned my window up
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5761321608_4d690dc378.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761321608/)

Front economy section on OEI
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/5760779971_3471fa868f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760779971/)

Back economy section, very empty!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5760783161_52e2d9e214.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760783161/)

Push back
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/5761330864_0e58e26fd3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761330864/)

Nice lineup
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5761333634_9534b03aa8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761333634/)

Taxiing to RWY19, passing VA, BI and QF A333
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/5761336742_04365b3427.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761336742/)

Passing the domestic terminal, I spot Virgin Australia B738 VH-YFC for the first time
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5760794365_36e6c4704c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760794365/)

Lined up on RWY19, had no aircraft to wait for
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5761342818_c0906cecee.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761342818/)

Roaring down RWY19, kicking some water up
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/5760800833_b2a5870da0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760800833/)

Josh took a video of the takeoff, he is having problems uploading it at the moment though, will post a link when he gets it up

Qantas Hangar 2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/5761349214_74e8d2dc95.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761349214/)

Qantas Hangar 3
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/5761351240_8289340418.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761351240/)

Banking left
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/5761354914_dabe20c790.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761354914/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:18 PM
Brisbane Airport, some low cloud around
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/5760812737_2e4859897a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760812737/)

Passing Cleveland
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5760815477_268d01eff1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760815477/)

Once the seat belt sign was switched off the lady in seat 55C moved to a different seat, she was looking at her itinerary and I saw that after QF8 she would be on QF63 to Johannesburg

Above the clouds
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/5760859399_a0ac02197b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760859399/)

Breakfast
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/5760865367_9734478c55.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760865367/)

Because it was such a short flight I didn’t really use the PTV, just used the flight map the whole time. We were cruising at 28 000ft
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/5760873983_41e3e2d74c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760873983/)

Newcastle, according to the map
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/5761423954_76d9606278.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761423954/)

Descending into Sydney
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/5760884133_45c259cdbd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760884133/)

Flying over a very smoggy Sydney
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/5760890135_113b5a8448.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760890135/)

Passing Sydney Airport, you can see JAL Boeing 777-200ER JA707J (Oneworld Livery) rotating
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/5760897021_cbfc9a18b8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760897021/)

Looked awesome
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/5761445616_8f8ab3a87c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761445616/)

Banking left
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/5760903923_1c98284b72.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760903923/)

And again
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/5761451942_0074b7d72c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761451942/)

Over Botany Bay
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/5760910183_371aa1b188.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760910183/)

On finals for RWY34L
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/5760914705_f8a9f77f50.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760914705/)

Nearly down passing Korean Air B772 HL7765
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/5760918273_c1beae2d65.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760918273/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:19 PM
And were down!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/5760921289_50127d2e01.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760921289/)

Aircraft parked at the international off bays
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/5761473022_d61305d083.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761473022/)

Singapore Airlines B772ER 9V-SQK, British Airways B772ER G-YMMG, British Airways B744 G-CIVP 'Oneworld livery', United B744 N177UA and United B744 N122UA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/5760924471_163bfd1879.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760924471/)

Malaysian Airlines B744 9M-MPM, Emirates B77W A6-ECP, Thai Airways A346 HS-TNC and Air Canada B77L C-FIUA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/5760931381_54d2fd7d79.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760931381/)

Jetconnect B738 ZK-ZQF (Great Crusade Wallabies livery) and LAN A343 CC-CQA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/5761479686_ff2c7eea1b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761479686/)

Qantas A333 VH-QPA, Hainan Airlines A332 B-6519 and Cathay Pacific A333 B-LAF
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3502/5761482588_b46622781b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761482588/)

Jetconnect B738 ZK-ZQB, Qantas B744 VH-OJO, Qantas B744ER VH-OEG and Air China A332 B-6090
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/5760940091_3d05728260.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760940091/)

Into the Gate next to Air China
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/5760942605_13e91f606f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5760942605/)

De boarded the plane we were going to ask to go into the cockpit but because Josh wasn’t in Sydney very long we gave it a miss so he could have more time at the observation deck

Air China at the gate, was the first time I have seen Air China
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/5761491054_c6a22d165c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761491054/)

Didn’t know VH-OEG had the new livery
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/5761494398_d8fd36760b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5761494398/)

Went straight to customs, no problems there, then up to Quarantine and Boarder Protection, the line was huge, luckily there was someone calling for domestic passengers. We had our boarding passes checked by a guy at quarantine; he said that was fine and we can go straight through. Unfortunately he walked off with our boarding passes! We both wanted to keep our boarding passes. Oh well, I still had my original online boarding pass so it was ok.

So after all of that we went straight up to two ladies who work at the terminal and asked where the observation deck is. They gave us directions and we found it easily. Caught the lift up to the observation deck and enjoyed 3 hours of Plane spotting.

Plane Spotting in Sydney

Spent just over 3 hours at the observation deck, will let the photos do the talking

Qantas B744ER VH-OEI, Qantas A388 VH-OQB, China Southern B772ER B-2055, Singapore Airlines Cargo B744F 9V-SFJ and Jetstar A332 VH-EBJ
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/5764447084_4e48481096.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764447084/)

Emirates B77W A6-ECP – EK418 to Christchurch
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/5763899233_392af56846.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763899233/)

Qantas B744 VH-OJS ‘Socceroos Livery’ is towed over to the international
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5764452644_5609e5d8a3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764452644/)

United B744 N122UA – UA839 to Melbourne
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/5764455136_2ef43b5197.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764455136/)

Asiana B772ER HL7500 – OZ602 to Seoul
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5764456954_bdb467e0e1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764456954/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:20 PM
LAN A343 CC-CQA – LA800 to Santiago via Auckland
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5763910265_6d42df43ff.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763910265/)

Just before 10am, Josh left for the domestic terminal, met Adam P from Mackay who had also just flown on QF8

Delta B77L N708DN – DL16 to Los Angeles
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5764460280_06e773ac2e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764460280/)

Hainan A332 B-6519 – HU7914 to Hangzhou via Shenzhen
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5764461576_fee621956b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764461576/)

China Southern A333 B-6112 – CZ326 to Guangzhou
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/5763914151_e83af6bb6f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763914151/)

Qantas B744 VH-OEG – QF63 to Johannesburg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5763915785_17be4eb8d9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763915785/)

Cathay Pacific A333 B-LAF – CX162 to Hong Kong
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5764466586_e4beb9856e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764466586/)

Observation Deck
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/5763921659_0dde68d14b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763921659/)

Thai Airways A346 HS-TNC – TG476 to Bangkok
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/5764472292_538a88a9b0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764472292/)

Air China A332 B-6090 – CA176 to Beijing via Shanghai
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/5763926083_c65063f408.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763926083/)

Qantas A332 VH-EBO – QF581 to Perth
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5763927437_d79411bcd8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763927437/)

Vietnam Airlines A332 VN-A376 – VN782 to Hanoi via Ho Chi Minh City
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5763928719_db289c38f7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763928719/)

Singapore Airlines Cargo B744F 9V-SFJ
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/5764480158_417c2474b3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764480158/)

Air Canada B77L C-FIUA – AC34 to Toronto via Vancouver
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5764481500_58a39ab1f9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764481500/)

Qantas B744ER VH-OEI – QF107 to Los Angeles
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/5764483814_137033dff4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764483814/)

Malaysian Airlines B744 9M-MPM – Being towed to the international
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/5763937593_7568161ce1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763937593/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:20 PM
Atlas Air B744F N409MC – Taxiing to the cargo area
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/5763940403_516049c55f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763940403/)

Cathay Pacific A333 B-LAL (brand spanking new!) – CX101 from Hong Kong
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5764491210_20455e35e6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764491210/)

Singapore Airlines Cargo B744F 9V-SFJ – Not sure where she was going
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/5763944313_c348584814.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763944313/)

United B744 N177UA – Fridays UA840 to LAX I believe, was delayed due to fog in Sydney and diverted to BNE
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/5763945477_4cfe4c32b0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763945477/)

Aeropelican J-32 VH-OTH
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5763946897_a17f41fd97.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763946897/)

Qantas B744 VH-OJS ‘Socceroos Livery’ – QF127 to Hong Kong
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5763948351_0613314e87.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763948351/)

Qantas A388 VH-OQB – Being towed to the gate I used, she later operated QF11 to Los Angeles
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/5763950417_a935d27e58.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763950417/)

Air Pacific B744 DQ-FJK – FJ911 from Nadi
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/5764501402_ae9b0ba86f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764501402/)

China Eastern A333 B-6127 ‘Shanghai 2010 Expo Livery’ – MU562 to Shanghai
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/5763954411_bfc952e83d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763954411/)

Qantas B763 VH-ZXF – QF520 to Brisbane, with Josh onboard, taxiing out to RWY34R
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5763956885_7fcdeb0c47.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763956885/)

Air Vanuatu B738 YJ-AV1 – NF11 to Port Vila
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/5764507506_1178d56d68.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764507506/)

Garuda Indonesia A332 PK-GPJ – GA713 to Jakarta
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5764509908_8891b79c10.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764509908/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/5763963163_d0b9cc8b82.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763963163/)

Singapore Airlines B772ER 9V-SQK – SQ232 to Singapore
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/5763965207_5ceab0880f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763965207/)

Qantaslink Q400 VH-QOH ‘BCF Livery’
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5763968017_8309451cfa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763968017/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:21 PM
Jetconnect B738 ZK-ZQC – QF43 to Auckland
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/5763971671_ac6ab9357b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763971671/)

China Southern B772ER B-2055 – CZ302 to Guangzhou (mustn’t have been able to get out last night before the curfew)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5763974291_9863f84963.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763974291/)

Wanted to wait for Aerolineas Argentinas to depart, but her departure wasn’t showing up on the screens, so said goodbye to Adam and was about to go down the lift when I saw the Etihad and Virgin Atlantic A346s being towed over to the international so thought I’d stay another 5 minutes and get some photos

Etihad A346 A6-EHH – Being towed to the international
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5763977269_2bdb7d07a2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5763977269/)

Virgin Atlantic A346 G-VSSH – Being towed to the international
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/5764530290_0192248c31.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764530290/)

Ok so said goodbye to Adam again and went to the train station to get a train to St James. Just before I got in the lift I saw Aerolineas fly over the airport, knew she would land on RWY34L like all the others so I wouldn’t see the arrival, had a look at the screens and she would park at the other side of the terminal so I wouldn’t see her.

Sydney

Bought my ticket, and caught a train at about 1pm. About a 20 minute trip to St James, walked to the centrepoint tower, after about 10 minutes of looking for the entrance in the shopping centre I found it. Bought my ticket and got the lift up.
Awesome views of Sydney from centrepoint tower, stayed up for nearly an hour enjoying the views of Sydney. Here is some photos, also got a few photos of some departures from Sydney Airport.

Looking out to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5764628322_83dab47061.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764628322/)

Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World and Anzac Bridge
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/5764638212_46b684b83a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764638212/)

Sydney Airport
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/5764096153_d116ca00ea.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764096153/)

Qantas A388 VH-OQB – QF11 to Los Angeles
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/5764648994_d35dd29950.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764648994/)

Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5764657626_e47d24b80b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764657626/)

Aerolineas Argentinas A343 LV-ZRA (I think, can anyone confirm?) – AR1183 to Buenos Aires via Auckland
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5764661410_b835dfb5a3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764661410/)

Virgin Australia B738 VH-YFC – DJ947 to Brisbane
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/5764665376_3a853f6a88.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764665376/)

So once I thought I had seen everything and got enough photos I caught the lift back down. Walked to St James Train station and saw behind the entrance St James church, I walked over to it and grabbed some photos, looked very nice.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/5764124599_71e0d86abf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764124599/)

Ok so after all that I walked down to the train station, bought a ticket to Circular Quay and waited for a train, think it was about a 5 minute wait. Circular is the next station after St James, after the 2-3 minute train ride I got off and saw the magnificent view off Sydney Harbour, grabbed a bite to eat and sat in front of the Opera House. Once I’d finished I had a walk around the Opera House and then walked back past the train station and over to the bridge. Here are a few photos.

Got heaps but only going to show a few.

Opera House
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/5764131719_77eb677a9c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764131719/)

Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Opera House
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/5764688052_6f4208d9cc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764688052/)

View of the Opera House from the other side
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/5764696406_ebe811471b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764696406/)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 04:22 PM
Harbour Bridge from the other side
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/5764703404_04fe464b23.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764703404/)

At about 4pm I had decided I had seen enough and of course had enough photos so I walked back to Circular Quay train station and bought a ticket back to the airport, this time to the domestic. Had about a 5 minute wait, used the free Wi-Fi at the train station.

Sydney Airport

Another 20 minute trip on the train and arrived at the domestic station, had a 5 minute walk to the Qantas terminal. The day before at 7:05pm I tried to check in for QF548 (as soon as check in opened) but I couldn’t, so I decided I would just do it in Sydney. I was going to go to the check in counter but then saw the check in kiosks, about 10 of them with only 1 being used so decided I would give them a go. It is so easy, I just entered my booking reference, selected the passengers I wanted to check in, selected my seat (I had requested 40A a few months ago and managed to get it, had a look to see if there was anything closer to the front but nothing) and then it printed off my boarding pass, only took about 2 minutes.

Then went to security, no one in line so went straight through with no problems. Had two and a half hours to kill, decided to get some photos before it got dark.

VH-TJU was at Gate 1, VH-OGB pulled into Gate 2 (unfortunately she was off to Melbourne, I was hoping I would get her as she is the oldest B763 in the fleet and I am assuming she is next to go), VH-ZXG was in Gate 3, VH-OGF in Gate 4, VH-OGU in Gate 5, VH-OGM in Gate 6, VH-OGG in Gate 7, 737s in Gates 8, 9 and 10, VH-OGN was also there but can’t remember her gate. Here are some photos.

A332 in the hangars
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/5764777956_2c18269055.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764777956/)

VH-OGB pulling into Gate 2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/5764235249_2afa1ff33e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764235249/)

A few aircraft were over at the international, 2 Jetstar A332s (one was VH-EBC from HNL), and also FedEx MD11, UPS MD11 and Qantas Freight B763F VH-EFR were at the freight area. Some more photos.

UPS MD11 N286UP – UPS34 from Louisville via Honolulu
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/5764239671_a945dd022d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764239671/)

FedEx MD11 N588FE – Not sure where she came from, somewhere in the US via HNL? And also Qantas Freight B763F VH-EFR
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/5764792568_9757f2ff82.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764792568/)

Spent maybe an hour sitting down looking through my photos, had well over 1000, but managed to get it down to 900, still need to delete some more. Had a look at the gates to see if there was anything that had arrived that interested me, it was dark by now so couldn’t see much at the international.

VH-VZM was the only aircraft that caught my attention; she only entered service a few days earlier.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/5764795818_beec8cef11.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764795818/)

Had a look at the departure screens and saw that my flight would arrive from Melbourne at about 6:30pm and would be at Gate 3, so I took a seat at gate 3. Have only flown on a B763 twice before that I know of, BNE-PER and PER-BNE back in January last year, both were on VH-OGE (Orange), Josh said when he was n the Qantas transfer bus he saw OGE in one of the hangars, so I was hoping she stayed in there all afternoon. After about half an hour of waiting I saw a B763 taxiing over, it was in the new livery so was hoping she was mine. And it was, and VH-OGP was the rego (Forbes).

VH-OGP at the gate, taken just before boarding
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/5764800530_07bc60647d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764800530/)

May 22, 2011
Qantas
QF548
SYD-BNE
VH-OGP
Seat 40A

Boarding commenced on time, I was tired and just wanted to get on board quickly and not wait in line so as soon as I heard the boarding call I went straight in line. Was one of the first to board. Made my way down to seat 40A, interior of OGP is wonderful, nice new seats and plenty of leg room.

Inside OGP
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/5764256685_f7aecbe93a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764256685/)

Spoilers up
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/5764809336_3905e82859.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764809336/)

Pushed back on time
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5764815058_079e51a53c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764815058/)

Passing my good friend OGE who was now out of the hangars and also Josh’s new friend ZXF
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5764271453_fe3fb09cf8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764271453/)

The captain said that we were in for a long taxi to RWY34R. Took a good 5-10 minutes. Lined up on RWY34R, no aircraft to wait for, so we roared down the runway. Love the sound of the 767, so good!!! Got a great view of the international terminal when we got up, unfortunately no photos. Flew right over Sydney which looked amazing.

My attempt at a photo of the international would have turned out alright if it wasn’t for the reflection.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/5764824534_4580e2833c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764824534/)

Got to our cruising altitude of 37 000ft, was served dinner which was a chicken and vegetable korma (got this very same meal on QF598 from PER-BNE in January 2010) with a little bread roll and a small piece of chocolate and also my choice of drinks, I just took a can of coke.

Dinner
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/5764836226_6eb2042a11.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764836226/)

Just watched Q for the rest of the flight as there wasn’t anything to see outside. On descent I tried to get some photos but just turned out the same as the departure in Sydney. Got a good view of the Southside and also the Brisbane CBD. Flew over Josh’s house at about 2 000ft.

On finals for RWY01 over the city
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/5764283547_fea2410633.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764283547/)

Flew past the international terminal and saw Malaysian Airlines A333 9M-MTA in the new livery parked there. Looked great! Also saw all the other normal internationals at that time of night, SQ, EK and maybe a few others. Touched down and taxied to Gate 24 at the domestic got of and grabbed a few photos of OGP at the gate who would overnight in BNE and then return to Sydney the following morning.

Forbes at the gate
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/5764293353_181af7bbe1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/5764293353/)

Called my parents, they were waiting for me at the pick up area, found them after about 5 minutes and then we had the 30 minute drive home and that was the end of my awesome Sydney daytrip.

Conclusion

Had a fantastic trip, already want to do a daytrip to SYD again on QF8. Love the 747 so comfortable especially with only 100 people on board. Also nice having the PTVs to see the flight map. If you need to fly BNE-SYD I definitely recommend QF8, I know I will always try to use it if I go to SYD.

Observation Deck was good, just very smoggy in the morning. Got better later on in the morning. Would have been better if RWY16L/R were being used. Still had an awesome time there. Would like to go to the mound and the beach next time I’m in Sydney.

Centrepoint Tower and the harbour was great. Probably wouldn’t do the tower for a while though as I’ve seen everything but would walk around the harbour again.

Flight home was very comfortable love the 767, awesome aircraft.

Hope you enjoyed reading my report!

Radi K
28th May 2011, 04:42 PM
very nice!

Rod Sloan
28th May 2011, 04:56 PM
Sounds like an awesome day. Great photos. Thanks for sharing :)

Sarah C
28th May 2011, 06:50 PM
:D Fabulous trip report - great detail but fabulous photos too. Thanks for posting :)

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 07:45 PM
Thanks Radi, Rod and Sarah :)

John Arena
28th May 2011, 08:51 PM
Awesome Trip Report!!!

I flew VH-OGP back in 09 (YMML-YSSY), it was one of the first acf to receive the new livery, i sat in 40K, lovely plane compared to the now retired -OGC i flew down to Mel on

Gled you enjoyed your day in Sydney

John

Brandon Giacomin
28th May 2011, 09:37 PM
Thanks John!

Andrew Coggan
28th May 2011, 10:13 PM
Great TR Brendan! Can't wait until my turn to fly on QF8 :D

Ryan Hothersall
29th May 2011, 09:56 AM
Well done, day trips like that are always interesting.

Brandon Giacomin
29th May 2011, 06:07 PM
Thanks Andrew and Ryan :)

Dan Collins
30th May 2011, 01:03 PM
Excellent review and so many great pics! How cool that you can fly QF8 from BNE-SYD?! Might consider that when I visit my friends up there next time! :)

Thanks for sharing,

Dan

Chris Q
30th May 2011, 04:07 PM
great report !

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/5760884133_45c259cdbd.jpg

Like this shot, Brooklyn - start of the Central Coast - my back yard hehe


Reminds me back in 2002 when I got a QF 747 that went Sydney to Brisbane, then Auckland then LAX

I went up for the day to look at buying a car, thanks to Dad and staff travel I had a cheap J class fare....as there were only 3 of us they put us in 1st!

great pics mate!
Cheers,
Chris

Brandon Giacomin
30th May 2011, 04:50 PM
Thanks Dan and Chris!

Dan - Deffinately recomend QF8 if travelling from BNE-SYD, was an awesome flight! I know I'll be doing it again.

Chris - Thanks for that! Didn't know where we were flying over. Looked very nice down there.

Anthony T
30th May 2011, 05:44 PM
A great trip report, seems that you had a very good day.

Last Sunday (May 22) I went on my favorite day trip so far, an all day trip down to Sydney

You need to expand your horizons. :D

Cheers
Anthony T

James Thomson
10th January 2012, 04:37 PM
Great Trip Report Brandon !! I am doing QF8 on the 20/1 so excited and Can't Wait!!
Keep Up the Good Work!