Trip Report: VA SYD-OOL - QF BNE-SYD

[Jacob L]

Intro -

Since I haven't been on an aircraft for more than 2 years, I decided I should shout myself a trip to see the relatives on the Gold Coast. Flights out of CBR were over $160, so I decided to go to SYD early in the morning and do some spotting before I boarded my flight to OOL.

SYD Airport - Got to T2 at about 09:30, check in was quick & smooth, however security was a joke, people realising they had aerosols after they been screened then they had to get it out of their bags. Sydney really does need an new airport AND SOON. After that debacle, it was time for spotting, & I was so happy not to see just Q400's, 737's & E190's.

Spotting -

Tigerair A320 VH-VND at Sydney
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/12264828566_2de5ec100c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264828566/)
Tigerair A320 VH-VND at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264828566/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas A330 VH-EBN at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/12264270175_9934a39ebc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264270175/)
Qantas A330 VH-EBN at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264270175/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Jetstar A320 VH-VFQ at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/12264276265_d9f2e9298e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264276265/)
Jetstar A320 VH-VFQ at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264276265/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Scoot 777-200 9V-OTA at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/12264281985_ab9f488c71_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264281985/)
Scoot 777-200 9V-OTA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264281985/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Jetstar 787-8 VH-VKD at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/12264453213_92ac5cb6fb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264453213/)
Jetstar 787-8 VH-VKD at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264453213/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas 747-400 VH-OJA at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/12264314965_9e242d02f9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264314965/)
Qantas 747-400 VH-OJA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264314965/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Air Canada 777-300ER C-FRAM at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/12264755604_ca771c5b98_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264755604/)
Air Canada 777-300ER C-FRAM at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264755604/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas 737-800 VH-XZD at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/12264334205_35aa01f405_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264334205/)
Qantas 737-800 VH-XZD at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264334205/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas 747-400 VH-OJA at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/12264493613_65a4b0a4f0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264493613/)
Qantas 747-400 VH-OJA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264493613/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas A330-300 VH-QPB at Sydney
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/12264500423_eafdafa1b2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264500423/)
Qantas A330-300 VH-QPB at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264500423/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Unknown VH-ICV at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/12264786744_5201253caf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264786744/)
Unknown VH-ICV at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264786744/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Regional Express Saab340B+ VH-ZRJ at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/12264932026_437ecaa7ef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264932026/)
Regional Express Saab340B+ VH-ZRJ at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264932026/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Fiji Airways A330-200 DQ-FJT at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/12264800104_8f76a52dc9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264800104/)
Fiji Airways A330-200 DQ-FJT at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264800104/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Jetstar A320 VH-VFV at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/12264374965_e350e8f6a6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264374965/)
Jetstar A320 VH-VFV at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264374965/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Ambulance NSW Beechcraft VH-NAJ at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/12264379495_af1a5f149f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264379495/)
Ambulance NSW Beechcraft VH-NAJ at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264379495/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

[Jacob L]

Virgin Australia Embraer 190 VH-ZPI at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/12264567405_8bf32f9583_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264567405/)
Virgin Australia Embraer 190 VH-ZPI at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264567405/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Jetstar A320 VH-VQS at Sydney
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/12265153656_e3ed3f6d9d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265153656/)
Jetstar A320 VH-VQS at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265153656/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Skytrans Q300 VH-QQM at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/12265161606_8ab67aab29_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265161606/)
Skytrans Q300 VH-QQM at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265161606/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Regional Express Saab340B+ VH-ZLA at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/12265166736_b1f98e1dfa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265166736/)
Regional Express Saab340B+ VH-ZLA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265166736/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Tigerair A320 VH-VND at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/12264598665_a05c332df9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264598665/)
Tigerair A320 VH-VND at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264598665/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Sichuan Airlines A330-200 B-65** at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/12265181946_928cf45b2a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265181946/)
Sichuan Airlines A330-200 B-65** at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265181946/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas 747-400 VH-OJM at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/12264769053_6625f6ff4c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264769053/)
Qantas 747-400 VH-OJM at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264769053/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

British Airways 777-300ER G-STBC at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/12265052854_38e4b84c61_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265052854/)
British Airways 777-300ER G-STBC at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265052854/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas 767-300ER VH-OGG at Sydney
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/12264626285_39e2e4eb8b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264626285/)
Qantas 767-300ER VH-OGG at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264626285/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

China Eastern A330 B-6123 at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/12265067114_1718b84d47_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265067114/)
China Eastern A330 B-6123 at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265067114/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Virgin Australia 777-300ER VH-VPH at Sydney
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/12264640885_9f49869802_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264640885/)
Virgin Australia 777-300ER VH-VPH at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264640885/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantaslink Q400 VH-QOW at Syndey
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/12265222166_7f05fc0285_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265222166/)
Qantaslink Q400 VH-QOW at Syndey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265222166/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Untitled Falcon VP-BZE at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/12265088574_ebc26f8a8d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265088574/)
Untitled Falcon VP-BZE at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265088574/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas A380 VH-OQJ at Sydney
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/12265102224_48a98f02bd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265102224/)
Qantas A380 VH-OQJ at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265102224/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Australian Air Express BAE146 VH-NJM at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/12265107684_697baf0c3a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265107684/)
Australian Air Express BAE146 VH-NJM at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265107684/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

[Jacob L]

Jetstar A320 VH-VFK at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/12265114074_808b7f275c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265114074/)
Jetstar A320 VH-VFK at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265114074/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Qantas A380 VH-OQJ at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/12264689785_7dc9d3424e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264689785/)
Qantas A380 VH-OQJ at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264689785/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

United Airlines 747-400 N122UA at Sydney
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/12264701455_8d787194ae_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264701455/)
United Airlines 747-400 N122UA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264701455/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Malaysia Airlines A330-200 9M-MTA at Sydney
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/12265284336_8f2eba27d0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265284336/)
Malaysia Airlines A330-200 9M-MTA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265284336/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Regional Express Saab340B+ VH-ZRH at Sydney
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/12264722845_c5bd36c2c2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264722845/)
Regional Express Saab340B+ VH-ZRH at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264722845/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Flight -
Virgin Australia Flight - VA531
Aircraft - VH-VOQ
Load - 50%
Takeoff RWY - 34R
Seat - 17A

I boarded via the rear stairs, to a warm welcome from Flight Attendant Chloe, legroom on the flight was more than enough for a 6 foot 2 bloke like me.

Legroom
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/12264884243_de53b802d8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264884243/)
Legroom on Virgin Australia VH-VOQ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264884243/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

We made a steady pushback from the gate, with Captain Cameron McDonald & First Officer Michael Oh at the controls, we made a quick taxi to RWY 34R for departure.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/12265169194_385eb07750_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265169194/)
VIrgin Australia VH-YID next to us (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265169194/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Some aircraft that I spotted along the way

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/12265322226_0b86f334bc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265322226/)
Virgin Australia Embraer 190 VH-ZPA at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265322226/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/12264910323_8cbf603fc4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264910323/)
Virgin Australia Embraer 190 VH-ZPM at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264910323/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/12265190714_4034526520_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265190714/)
Virgin Australia ATR 72 VH-FVQ at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265190714/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

[Jacob L]

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/12264921203_0aa9121f6a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264921203/)
Ready to go (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264921203/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Waiting for traffic
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/12265199954_f694780f1a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265199954/)
Traffic Jetstar A320 VH-VFO (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265199954/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

LIFTOFF
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/12264773705_44081f9cc1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264773705/)
AND LIFTOFF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264773705/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Inflight Entertainment which was complementary for us
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/12265213154_2a28122c4d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265213154/)
Inflight Entertainment (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265213154/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Over Newcastle I noticed that my parents had set me up, It was my B'day and the flight attendants made an announcement that it was my B'day over the PA. As an added bonus lunch was provided for nothing as well.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/12265363256_232a512af8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265363256/)
Lunchtime Provided by VA for free SCORE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265363256/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Beginning decent for Coolangatta
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/12264954403_ed7165452d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264954403/)
Commencing decent into the Gold Coast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264954403/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Almost There
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/12265245574_7ee508c0a1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265245574/)
Almost there (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265245574/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Touchdown
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/12264818085_8cd0b164ff_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264818085/)
Touchdown Welcome to the Gold Coast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264818085/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Cockpit view after the flight
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/12264824845_94b2377496_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264824845/)
Cockpit View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264824845/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

One last look
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/12264984533_e07f43cfe5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264984533/)
See ya VH-VOQ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264984533/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

[Jacob L]

Return Flight -
Since I have never been on an international flight, I had always wanted to fly on a big plane. I decided to fly on QF8 BNE-SYD

Qantas Flight QF8
Load: 75%
Aircraft: VH-OEJ without the Wnuala titles
Departure RWY - 01
Arrival RWY - 34L
Seat - 53A

Finally a 747:D:D
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/12264834485_e4bb75d877_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264834485/)
My ride home VH-OEJ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264834485/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Wing View - 9V-STI next to us
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/12264845075_30b6ef6cef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264845075/)
WIng View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264845075/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/12265281184_a78105a14e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265281184/)
Emirates A380 A6-EEG at Brisbane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265281184/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/12265010493_1f04bcef63_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265010493/)
Virgin Australia Stand-off bays (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265010493/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

As we turned onto the RWY, I had sweaty palms just itching to get into the air, the amount of power the 747 has is unbelievable, I was thrusted back into my seat as we left the ground.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/12265292974_84168c0ebd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265292974/)
Blast off (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265292974/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/12264864765_e2be2ab544_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264864765/)
Crusing down to Sydney QF8-BNE-SYD (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12264864765/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/12265055543_738ee6126c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265055543/)
Breakfast QF8 BNE-SYD (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265055543/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/12265065143_555b890011_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265065143/)
Qantas A330-300 VH-QPC at Sydney (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jllevienphotos/12265065143/) by JL Levien (http://www.flickr.com/people/jllevienphotos/), on Flickr

Having a D on my boarding pass meant I could bypass customs & quarantine

Conclusion -

Both Flights were great, I totally enjoyed them all. I hope to get back into the air soon.

Cheers Guys

Jacob:D