Trip Report: DJ BNE-SYD-BNE (photos)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Hi all,

Last Saturday I went to Sydney for the day with Virgin Australia as I managed to pick up some cheap fares. $59 each way for their daily Happy Hour sale. So all up with taxes included it cost me $127 which is very good. Would also be my first flight on a 737 sine I went to Canberra in 2007 and my first flight on a 737-800 since 2003 when I went to Fiji! I selected DJ912 to get me to Sydney which departs Brisbane at 0630 arriving in Sydney at 0800 and DJ965 to get me home which departs Sydney at 1700 and arrives in Brisbane at 1830.

I woke up at 0430 very excited for my third daytrip to Sydney this year :D Left the house at 0500 and arrived at the airport at around 0530. Had already done the online check in the day before so went straight to security and went through with no hassles and then up to the boarding gates. Had a look at the Qantas end first, was just the normal stuff and didn’t bother checking out the common user so went down to the Virgin section to see which gate my flight would be departing from which was gate 41 so went to my gate and saw VH-YFE there :D Awesome! Was hoping for a new one! So took a few photos of YFE looking fantastic in the morning light and then just sat down waiting to board.

A few photos of YFE

Parked at Gate 41, she arrived the night before from Melbourne
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6143049229_32b1c9254e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143049229/)

Sunshine Beach looking fantastic in the morning sun!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6143050919_aa33a8ce30_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143050919/)

Very Nice!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6143602042_e5080f9dff_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143602042/)

Just after 0600 boarding commenced so I lined up, eager to get on board and see the new interior. People seated in row 13 to the back were told to board via the rear stairs while people in rows 1-12 were to board via the aerobridge. I was in row 12 but I wanted to go on the tarmac and get some photos so I used the back stairs :D

September 10, 2011
Virgin Australia
DJ912
BNE-SYD
VH-YFE “Sunshine Beach”
Seat 12F

Walking out to YFE
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6143603384_5e09197bb0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143603384/)

Her awesome tail, just love the new livery
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6143604724_ec0b6e0c95_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143604724/)

On-board in seat 12F, parked next to YVA which had just arrived from Darwin
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6143057149_49dd0d5082_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143057149/)

Best shot I could get of the new interior :(
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6143059275_78c1171f34_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143059275/)

Push back, just a few minutes behind schedule
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6143610468_a5ea119e5d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143610468/)

Holding short of RWY19 while ZXF begins her take-off roll, she was also off to Sydney
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6143612584_970abe5bb8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143612584/)

RWY19
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6143065381_e699da4ebe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143065381/)

Got a video of the take-off, just having troubles uploading it to youtube from my phone

Turning left
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6143616430_1a4f7640e9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143616430/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

And right, CBD can be seen in the distance
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6143620440_71324ab16f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143620440/)

Archerfield
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6143073697_590514fd5b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143073697/)

Awesome engine :D We were cruising at 40 000ft
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6143624738_264e003431_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143624738/)

Starting our descent into Sydney
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6143626860_dc6fd795dd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143626860/)

New interior again :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6143078957_bff4ddafeb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143078957/)

On finals for RWY16L, City was on the other side
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6143631292_8fea6d2b0f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143631292/)

Over the Qantas jet base
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6143634308_7c42bb2321_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143634308/)

Over T2, I get my first look at a Virgin A332
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6143087423_0b59116c9f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143087423/)

T1, first time I have seen the Emirates A380
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6143639586_a6b0452186_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143639586/)

Touchdown!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6143641472_d77eff529e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143641472/)

T1 again
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6143643952_41d66bb8de_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143643952/)

And at the gate with YFF taxiing out
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6143096011_3ca48b6bc0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143096011/)

Ok, so I disembarked YFE after an enjoyable flight from Brisbane and made my way outside T2 to ‘The Stairs’ which is a spotting location just a minute walk from the terminal. This spot is fantastic when RWY16R is in use which it was :D I stayed there from 8-11.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Spotting in Sydney

Malaysian B744 9M-MPF arrives from KL
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6143648542_c6e1dc9494_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143648542/)

JAL B772 JA711J departs for Tokyo
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6143660160_a2dc303f4c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143660160/)

Emirates B77W A6-ECA arrives from Dubai via Singapore
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6143662486_a9c897bd0d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143662486/)

Qantas A332 VH-EBL in Oneworld livery departs for Perth with Qantas’ other Oneworld livery a/c (B744 VH-OJU) in the background
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6143115067_b0a6497780_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143115067/)

Garuda A332 PK-GPJ arrives from Jakarta
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6143667166_d432aa02eb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143667166/)

VH-OEI getting towed over to the Qantas jet base, last time I saw her was in May when I flew on her on QF8 :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6143119451_e84bf5c0c3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143119451/)

Korean Air B744 HL7465 off to Seoul
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6143671622_387e06b23b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143671622/)

China Southern A333 B-6087 arrives from Guangzhou
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6143124317_8fc9b0c5a8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143124317/)

Very new VH-LQF
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6143676356_4f4accecac_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143676356/)

VH-VQJ being pushed back
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6143678848_f9d2a6f5bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143678848/)

VH-OJU gets towed to T1
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6143681306_a18157bc48_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143681306/)

VH-OEF also being towed to T1
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6143133961_9afba9fb5d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143133961/)

ZK-ZQF departs
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6143686222_719aaa6c69_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143686222/)

Asiana B772 HL7742 off to Seoul
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6143688866_dbe4187e67_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143688866/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

VH-EBP off to Jakarta
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6143691338_e7095ab0ee_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143691338/)

VH-VZL taxies to T3
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6143144091_ae9afc869e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143144091/)

China Eastern A333 B-6085 arrives from Shanghai
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6143696022_7dbb90caac_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143696022/)

Qantas A333 VH-QPA off to Shanghai
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6143148579_e30b3206ec_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143148579/)

Air Austral B77W F-OSYD arrives from Noumea
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6143700406_fc80720aea_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143700406/)

Singapore Airlines A388 9V-SKB arrives from Singapore
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6143702710_9473553f62_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143702710/)

Philippine Airlines A343 RP-C3432 arrives from Manila via Melbourne
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6143704862_2e56fe5ae2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143704862/)

LAN A343 CC-CQG departs for Santiago via Auckland
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6143157283_bbbf94b3e7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143157283/)

Jetstar A332 VH-EBK arrives from Osaka via Cairns
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6143159555_6b5f2b9cf7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143159555/)

Garuda A333 PK-GPG departs for Denpasar
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6143711684_b8890cda28_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143711684/)

Cathay Pacific A333 B-HLP departs for Hong Kong
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6143714216_66bffc1e3a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143714216/)

Qantas B763 VH-OGM taxies to T3 after arriving from Melbourne
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6143716414_e0375d24d4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143716414/)

Jetstar A332 VH-EBQ arrives from Phuket
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6143718748_6465a0b96a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143718748/)

Thai A346 HS-TND departs for Bangkok
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6143170569_acfb344b15_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143170569/)

Air Niugini B763 P2-PXV departs for Port Moresby
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6143722788_748659aeb1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6143722788/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Jetstar A332 VH-EBF arrives from Denpasar via Melbourne
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6145941127_e48b8e9b72_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145941127/)

Qantas B744 VH-OJM departs for Johannesburg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6146490832_b7df6a4a02_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146490832/)

Emirates B77W A6-ECA departs for Christchurch
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6145944867_aa27da2e22_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145944867/)

Qantas A388 VH-OQE being towed from the Qantas Jetbase to T1 to later operate QF11 to Los Angeles
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6146493282_2e387471e1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146493282/)

China Southern A333 B-6087 off to Guangzhou
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6146495258_18253d8243_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146495258/)

Qantas B744 VH-OJF departs for Los Angeles
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6146497100_9018db7734_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146497100/)

Vietnam Airlines A332 VN-A379 departs for Hanoi via Ho Chi Minh City
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6146498944_a1162f5ba0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146498944/)

Delta B77L N710DN departs for Los Angeles
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6145952735_c90c7a25cb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145952735/)

Air Canada B77L C-FIVK departs for Toronto via Vancouver
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6145954607_f85e5baebc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145954607/)

V Australia B77W VH-VPE departs for Los Angeles
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6146504380_54edac1f77_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146504380/)

Qantas B763 VH-OGE taxies to T3
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6145958351_172a800faf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145958351/)

Cathay Pacific A333 B-LAL arrives from Hong Kong
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6146508302_a78b9aa66a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146508302/)

Singapore Cargo B744F 9V-SFL arrives from Auckland
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6146510244_55f92a440b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146510244/)

LAN A343 CC-CQE departs for Manila, not sure why she is flying SYD-MNL, but it was good to see 2 LAN flights
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6145963887_44f7c2dee3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145963887/)

Qantas B744 VH-OEF departs for Buenos Aires
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6146513900_cd7db46feb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146513900/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Qantas B744 VH-OEI being towed from the Qantas Jetbase to T1 to later operate QF7 to Dallas/Fort Worth
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6145967099_7dbac1af7b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145967099/)

So after an awesome 3 hours of spotting at the stairs I decided it was time to get something to eat and head off to the observation deck for the afternoon. Didn’t want to have to go through security and grab something to eat and then I remembered there is a McDonalds at the international, near the observation deck :D So I caught the train to the international, got lunch and went up to the observation deck for about 3 hours.

While I was on the train it had switched to 25 arrivals and 16R and L departures.

Caught VH-XFA arriving on 25 from Perth :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6145968585_799fdfda85_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145968585/)

Singapore Airlines A388 9V-SKL taxies out to 16R for her departure to Singapore
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6145970267_edbaf6c9dd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145970267/)

VH-OQE being prepared for her departure to LA with 9V-SKL taxiing out and F-OSYD about to depart for Reunion Island
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6146520602_1db6be053d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146520602/)

The beast, roaring down 16R
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6145973971_7eb112b9f2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145973971/)

Brand new Jetconnet B738 ZK-ZQH taxies out for her departure to Auckland
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6146524204_0a0b742b06_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146524204/)

Virgin Atlantic A346 G-VNAP being towed over to T1
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6145977613_a3dfb3aa4e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145977613/)

Jetstar A320 VH-VGZ ‘Quiksilver livery’ about to depart for Hamilton Island
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6146527968_42914dd355_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146527968/)

Air China A332 B-6073 being towed over to T1, to operate the late evening flight to Beijing
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6145981251_f8aee5c4a4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6145981251/)

Qantas A388 VH-OQJ being towed over to T1, to operateQF31 to London via Singapore
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6146578464_946534ab5f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146578464/)

Qantas Freight B763F VH-EFR at the cargo ramp
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6146580460_095f96c324_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146580460/)

Sydney CBD
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6146582168_e784a7738e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146582168/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Qantas B763 VH-OGF at the Qantas Jetbase being prepared to leave Australia :(
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6146583846_120712187a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146583846/)

The big tails of VH-OQE and VH-OQJ
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6146585718_e374ae9d1c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146585718/)

VH-OQE ready to depart for LA
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6146587288_3072b8b7e1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146587288/)

Air Pacific B744 DQ-FJL taxies out for her departure to Nadi
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6146040365_5de7e0947c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146040365/)

VH-OEI ready for the long flight to Dallas/Fort Worth
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6146591070_c61cd0407f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146591070/)

VH-OJS being towed over, glad I got photos of her with the Socceroos livery
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6146593002_5daf647836_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146593002/)

VH-OJO arrives from Johannesburg :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6146045949_e28be79ba8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146045949/)

Finally get to see the Wallabies livery!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6146047569_eca147dc4a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146047569/)

United B744 N199UA departs for Los Angeles
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6146598040_bb221ee71c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146598040/)

Cathay A333 B-LAL pushes back while Malaysian B744 9M-MPF taxies out to 16R for departure to KL
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6146050873_815a200ca5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146050873/)

The Observation Deck
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6146052805_8cbbbb6f4a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146052805/)

Last shot from the Observation Deck!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6146054095_a34094e060_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146054095/)

So just before 3pm I decided it was time to head back to T2, caught the train back and then decided to go to the stairs again just for 10 minutes to catch a few departures.

United B744 N122UA departs for San Francisco
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6146055053_e8160c821b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146055053/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

After that I went through security, got a sausage roll and chocolate croissant from Pie face and took a seat with a good view of the airport. To get some of the late afternoon international departures and a few good arrivals!

Walking down the terminal saw VH-TQG looking great in the new livery!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6146604766_3fb98ba02b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146604766/)

Thai A346 HS-TNE and Singapore A388 9V-SKB taxi out to 16R with VH-VUA in the background, taxing to T2 after arriving on 25 :)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6146057147_0859c5b29a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146057147/)

DHL B752F G-CSVS taking off for Auckland I’m guessing
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6146058435_1126573201_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146058435/)

Bondi Babe on her way to gate 35 :cool:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6146608332_b9466d9cfa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146608332/)

British Airways B772 G-YMMO off to London via Singapore
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6146609566_448929d9e6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146609566/)

Thai A346 HS-TNE off to Bangkok
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6146062211_6e8fc11e49_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146062211/)

Singapore A388 9V-SKB off to Singapore
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6146612108_fcbfffd5bc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146612108/)

FedEx MD-11 N525FE arrives from Honolulu
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6146064943_7f4d1310da_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146064943/)

UPS MD-11 N285UP arrives from Honolulu
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6146614736_b04b348113_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146614736/)

At about 4pm I decided to move to the gate I would be departing from. And I moved at just the right time as Singapore B772 9V-SVM was on finals :D

9V-SVM touches down on 16R
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6146067457_6ec9667226_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146067457/)

Got to my gate and saw that VH-VUA would be taking me home to Brisbane :D

British Airways B744 G-BNLR taxies out for her departure to London via Bangkok
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6146068669_76146e0740_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146068669/)

At about 4:50pm boarding commenced so I lined up awaiting to board VUA.

[Brandon Giacomin]

September 10, 2011
Virgin Australia
DJ965
SYD-BNE
VH-VUA “Bondi Babe”
Seat 18A

Walking out to VUA
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6146618938_a913b271bd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146618938/)

Her lovely tail
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6146636966_c6f2b80318_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146636966/)

Up the rear stairs
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6146638756_d87fab91db_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146638756/)

Onboard in seat 18A parked next to VH-VBP
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6146091663_82d13eec4f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146091663/)

Inside VH-VUA, the crew announced Live 2 Air would be free for the flight :D Watched the RWC Japan vs France for most of the flight :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6146093523_1e155460fb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146093523/)

Taxiing out to 16L past the mound and control tower
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6146644074_2f3bafa358_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146644074/)

Again, I got a video of the take-off but I’m having trouble getting it on to youtube.

Climbing out, passing Bondi Beach on board Bondi Babe :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6146096645_34471aac0e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146096645/)

Cruising at 35 000ft, was quite a lot of turbulence
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6146097951_9bfa480f1a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146097951/)

Passing Port Macquarie were I will be going next month to fly on Virgin’s new ATR :D
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6146100883_43dc63ec6e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146100883/)

Left turn, looking awesome in the sunset, shame about the reflection :(
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6146651220_96844a5072_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146651220/)

Got a video of the landing, but again, problems uploading

[Brandon Giacomin]

And back in Brisbane at the gate
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6146104235_8a915dd9bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146104235/)

Disembarking VUA, got in trouble for taking this photo
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6146654546_1bc971347c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6146654546/)

Left the terminal, went to the pickup zone were my parents picked me up and then we drove home!

Conclusion:
Had another fantastic daytrip, love Sydney Airport, so many different airlines that you don’t see in Brisbane. Lots of 747s, lots of 777s and lots of A380s :D Also saw Air Austral for the first time, just love there livery and saw the EK A380 for the first time and Virgins A332s, managed to see both of them.

Flights with Virgin were great, YFE was fantastic with the new interior and I quite like the old interior on VUA being able to watch foxtel on the flight was great. Were only my 2nd and 3rd flights on Virgin. Look forward to flying with them again next month from BNE-SYD-PQQ-SYD-BNE on a B738, two AT72s and a B737 :D

Thanks for reading!

[Sarah C]

Great trip report - are there only two photos of the DJ interior? We have all seen the photos from the front but not many of the back of the seats.

The second LAN flight was going to Manila for maintainence.

[Jakef]

Nice! Got to fly on ZPT from SYD to CFS a few weeks ago, pretty much still had the new plane smell...
Nice to see someone else on here learning for an RAA cert. I have 4.8 hours towards mine now, but time and money are getting in the way of me doing any hours at the moment. After the silly HSC is done I will hopefully start building hours and go solo!

[Alan Dent]

I enjoyed seeing you pictures Brandon. I was impressed with the photo taken at The Steps.Many years ago a few of us used to go to the terrace at the East West terminal which was pretty close to the The Steps.We used to get similar pictures.
By the way it's cheaper to catch the 400 bus to the international terminal than the train.

thanks again for showing your pictures, Alan Dent.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Thanks everyone!

Sarah - Yes I do have a few more interior shots from the back, if you are interested I will post them.

Jake - I have been saving up money from my casual job since the end of last year and I started flying in June. I usually fly every fortnight, I'll be flying this weekend and will be doing stalling and then on to circuits until I'm solo standard.

Alan - Yes the stairs is a fantastic spot I will deffinately be using it again. Thanks for the tip, I just find it easier catching the train :D

[Sarah C]

Hi Brandon - thanks! Would love more interior shot posted, we have seen plenty of exterior shots of the aircraft.

[Jakef]

I knocked back going flying this weekend due to needing the study time :(
Sounds like you are at a similar place to me, next lesson I have is on turns and such, then stalls and then into circuits till solo.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Sarah - Here are the only other photos I took of the interior

Taken during boarding
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6149890130_1ca8607de9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6149890130/)

And when disembarking the aircraft
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6149891784_fe479b9a30_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/6149891784/)

Didn't get any photos of business unfortunately.

Jake - Yes, my last lesson was on turns, so i'm just a bit ahead of you :D

[Sarah C]

Thanks Brandon!

[Dan Collins]

Brandon, fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing. I've never been to 'The Steps' but it looks like a great place to spot from.

Cheers,
Dan