Los Angeles International

I stopped at the United Service Desk and asked about the load and a possible upgrade to Business, but was told not to expect one, as the flight was not overbooked.

So I continued my way to the Continental Presidents Club. They offer free WiFi and so I checked E-Mails and updated my trip report.

Boarding was announced to start at 21:58, so I left the Presidents Club at 21:30. On the one hand it is quite a bit to walk from Terminal 6, where the Club of Continental is located, to Terminal 7, where the flight to Sydney departs. And on the other hand I was told, there was an Visa check before one was allowed to board the aircraft. Beside this, I thought it might not hurt to ask for an upgrade. But as I had expected, there were some Premier Executive, who was on the list for an upgrade before me and the flight was full, but not completely full. Visa Check was made a gate 74 and it seems first nobody understands the announcement of the United staff at the gate. Only two other passengers and I went to the gate and got the “OK” stamped on our boarding passes. After the second announcement the line became very long.

Boarding started at 21:50 with First and Business Passengers through the left door of gate 77 while the plebs had to use the right one. Boarding was made in zones and it seems they were enforced. This time there was no announcement for Star Gold, Star Silver as the times before I had flown United.

22 August 2006
LAX – SYD
[Los Angeles – Sydney]
UA 839 (United); Boeing 747-400 (N171UA)
Gate 77
22:43 – 06:11 (+ 2) [effective 22:43 – 06:11]
Economy Plus Class
Seat 35 A

In the Boeing 747-400 there are three rows with the regular Economy seating before the Economy Plus section begins. Though row 35 A is an exit row, the door is limiting the space a bit, but if you seat neighbour does not mind, you can get also a bit of extra space.

Again, a blanket, a pillow and the headphones were placed on our seat.

Both seats beside me (35 B + 35 C) were taken. In 35 C was a Mexican student, who travelled to Australia to practice his English with studies for ten month and in seat 35 B a passenger, who returned from a ten days holiday in the United States and Mexico to his hometown in New Zealand.

Load in Economy was app. 98% with Economy Plus completely full. The Boeing 747-400 had only the wall mounted monitors and no in-seat screens as the plane on the flight from Amsterdam to Chicago. On the other hand the selection of audio channels was wider. There were 11 channels + Channel 9 which was not in use.

The cabin was okay, the plane was not new, but in good conditions. Minor scratches and stains were visible if one looked a bit closer. But the plane was in much better condition, than the ones of US Airways I flew in January.

During take off we chatted with the two flight attendants, sitting on the jumps seat opposite our seats. They asked us about our travel plans and how long I will stay in Australia. They were amazed to hear, that I will only stay for a night, but the male flight attendant told her colleague and me, that he several times had passengers who only stayed one night or made an immediately turn around.
They also told me they are serving Business and First Class on this flight.

We taxied quite a bit and wheels were up in the air at 23:00.

The crew began to prepare the dinner service and no nuts were served with a first beverage round this time. Dinner service began 70 minutes after take off with the obligatory question: Pasta or ? This time it was Pasta or beef. I took the pasta. Though they were not of such a good quality than on the flight from Amsterdam to Chicago they tasted not bad at all. Okay, it is no comparison with my favourite carrier in Economy, which is Thai Airways. The pasta was served with a salad, which was this time more fresh than on the flight out of Amsterdam. A cake, a slice of cheese, some fruit and a cracker were also on the tray. Again only plastic cutleries came on the tray with menu. Together with the meal service was a beverage round done and I ordered my Tonic Water. On flights to Australia alcoholic drinks are complimentary and free of additional charge.

After tables were cleared I took my eye shade and decided to take a nap or at least to try. Luckily it worked quite well and I noticed after I woke up that the lights were switched off and all Window shades lowered. I was able to get a lot of sleep, probably a result of a long day and the late departure.

Although the space in front if seat 35 A is lowered due to the emergency door, I was able to stretch my legs. If the plane is full, this exit rows seat might be a good choice, but as the armrest is fixed and could not be removed one had a bit narrower seat and I would not choose this seats if I can get another row with an empty seat aside me.

The fellow passengers passing by on their way to the lavatories did not disturb me, there were only more than one waiting after the breakfast service before we began our final approach to Sydney. In the other time, there was only one passenger waiting, if at all.

And one could easily get out the seat and walked through the plane without disturbing the seat neighbour too much. As this was a night flight and I had had a long day, I was able to catch altogether six hours of sleep. This is incredible for me, as I usually could not sleep very well on a plane.

After eight hours in the air there was a mid-flight snack served along with a beverage service. The snack consists of a roll with chicken-breast, cheese, some chips and a cookie.

During the night, one could either ask the very friendly crew for a beverage (orange juice, water, etc.) or serve yourself with the wall mounted water fountain.

The flight was partly bumpy and the fasten seat belt sings were switched on several times, mostly only for twenty minutes or so.

70 minutes prior to scheduled landing time the breakfast service started. This time the options were eggs (in this case an omelette) or pancake. I choose the omelette with came with potatoes and a sausage, a croissant and some fruit. It was okay, meaning I have had better breakfast meals in the air. Beverage service was soft drinks or coffee and tea. The flight attendant came along after some time and asked for a refill of either coffee or tea.

I do not know if alcoholic drinks were available, as I did not see anyone getting it. But I assume the most passengers did not want to drink alcohol accompanying breakfast.

We finally began our final approach into Sydney Airport. Again we had the same two crew members sitting on the seat opposite our seats and chatted about a bit over their upcoming trips and the continuing service to Melbourne. We finally touched down at 06.00 and were at our gate ten minutes later.

We were able to leave the plane really fast, as Economy Passengers were not hold back. We were waiting with the Business Class Passengers together in Business Class for the opening of the doors. I hurried a bit for immigration, but there were passengers from another plane – I assume the SFO flight – already there. But waiting did not last long and it was my turn. Okay, I had to explain why I fly only for a night to Sydney, as they wanted to see my outbound ticket. At customs my luck was over, I had to let two female officers check my luggage. That means they unpack both pieces of luggage. But they were friendly, I chatted with one about my hometown. She had already been in the region and I got some nice words about my technique in packing a suitcase, which she rates as "very good for a man". So it costs me roughly 35 minutes, but it was not that bad at all. They wished me a good stay and told me to stay the next time a bit longer than just one night. I was told directions to the train and one officer also mentioned the direction at the station, were I must leave the train for my hotel.

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