Los Angeles International Airport

I was early at the airport, but I did not want to book another day for the use of my rental car, since I was only 27 hours in the area. So I decided to return the rental and head to the airport. A Red Carpet Club is not that nice thing to spend a day, but it is okay for some hours. Uploading pictures and writing the trip report are for example things one could do there, and this is what I wanted to do.

Check in at the counters was okay. Having a paper ticket, I nearly forget to hand it to the agent. He checked me in and told me to address the NZ transfer desk in Sydney to get the boarding pass for the next segment.

Security took a couple of minutes, but there was a fast lane for Business / First and Star Gold passengers.

At the lounge the agent had some problems with my passport and the flights. She mentioned I needed a visa for Sydney. I told her I would continue to New Zealand and therefore would not need one. She told me she would check with the back office and let me know.

Meanwhile I should use the lounge and I got to voucher for my choice of an alcoholic beverage. The lounge was not that crowded this time.

I took a seat and uploaded the pictures I took during the day from my camera to the laptop and continued writing my trip report.

I walked back to the front desk around 20:00 and they had now verified that there is no need for a eta / visa if your are less than twelve hours in Sydney and have an onward journey.

Boarding was announced for 21:43 and I headed to the gate. Boarding was announced to start in a few minutes. Just seconds later the gate for United First and Business Class passengers and 1K member were opened and we could board the flight. The first passengers who entered the plane had to show their passports, but they stopped this after a few passengers

14 February 2008
LAX – SYD
[Los Angeles – Sydney]
UA 839 (United); Boeing 747-400 (N198UA)
Gate A 77
22:28 – 08:05 (+ 2) [effective 22:30 – 07:38]
Business Class
Seat 14 A

Boarding the plane I was friendly greeted and on my way to the upper deck. My carry on was stored in the compartment at the stairs. I stored my laptop bag and my camera in the small compartments between seat and window. To me, this is one of the benefits in the upper deck. Even if you are in a window seat, you have your belongings right with you.

Predeparture drinks were offered (water, orange juice and champagne). I asked the flight attendant to hang my jacket. She offered this service to two passengers, but not to everybody. But of course she took it and hung it in the wardrobe. At least she smiled.

Amenity Kits, blankets, headphones and pillows were placed on the seat. The Amenity Kit contained an eyeshade, lotion, facial tissues, socks and a toothbrush with toothpaste. Toothpaste was no tube, and therefore on could use it only once. Not a very clever idea, if you want to use it after dinner and breakfast.

The security information was done by the flight attendants at the gate and during begin of push back.

The flight was nearly completely booked in all three classes.

We pushed back at 22:30 and taxied to our runway. The captain came over the microphone and told us to expect a flight time of 13:35 hours and that we should arrive in Sydney ahead of schedule, app. 30 minutes.

Finally at 22:48 we were airborne and climbed into the dark sky above the Pacific Oceans.

After thirty minutes in the air the first beverage round was done and also the bowl with the assorted warm nuts were distributed. I opted for a can of sparkling water without ice. Two flight attendants were serving the upper deck. While the female one was friendly and used a full sentence, the service by the male flight attendant was not that good. Instead of full sentences, we were addressed with phrase like “have dinner?”. Oh well, I have flown too many time in the front cabins of Asian airlines.

Off course no passenger was addressed by name.

The first meal service began at 23:10 the tray tables were laid with linen. Well, laid with linen would not quite describe it right. I got the line thrown on my tray table by the male flight attendant and had to do it myself.

Here is the menu for dinner on this flight

The first course was brought on a tray; it came along with fork, spoon and two plastic knives. I really did not understand why the most airlines serving the US had changed back to metal knives, but not so United and some other. Especially since this plastic knives are of low quality.

Food was so-so. The appearance could have been better and the taste was not that good as e.g. on Lufthansa back in May last year. My salmon was dry and without taste, while the spinach had at least a taste. The wine was okay.

Sorry, but due to the full load I did not take pictures of the food on this flight.

Meal service was fast and one had the choice of either cheese or cake, but off course not both. A glass of port wine was offered with the cake. Contrary to the service on OZ or SQ one got a prefilled glass and could not see the bottle or even got the glass filled at the seat.

After the last trays were collected the light was dimmed immediately.

I reclined my seat and took a nap. At least I got a few hours of sleep on this flight, app. 6 hours. This is not that bad and I am still thinking the seat of United old business class is not that worse. Off course, they are in a need to be replaced, but from my point of view they have been superior to the old one on Lufthansa flights.

During the night the flight attendants refilled on regular rounds our glass with water. Some fruits, sandwiches and snacks were laid for the self service of the passengers at the stairs.

App. 80 minutes prior to the expected earlier arrival time the lights were switched on and a hot towel service soon followed.

The female flight attendant laid linen on the tray tables and some minutes later the cart with the breakfast trays arrived. I opted for the omelet and a cup of coffee. Croissants were also distributed, there was no choice, if was either a croissant or nothing. The omelet was perhaps a bit dry but otherwise okay. Though the presentation was not really there, an omelet, a sausage and a slice of bacon laid on the oval plate. That was it, not special touch, no decoration. Somehow it’s a pity, but it really should not be a problem to put half a tomato or some vegetables on the plate. It’s nice for the passengers and did not cost that much.

Meal service was done quickly and soon enough the trays were collected, we get another cup of coffee or tea. As the in-flight manager made the announcement for the arrival cards and the immigration forms, they flight attendants in the upper deck noticed, they had not yet distributed them and did so now. The in-flight manager mentioned everybody had to fill an immigration form, if the transfer is later than three hours after arrival. This is not true and caused several irritations among the passengers with domestic and international connections.

Headphones were collected and the jackets given to the passengers. It seems they mixed up the hangers, because not everybody got at once the right jacket.

We touched down finally at 07:28 and arrived at our gate long ten minutes later.

As we had to look for our stored carry on without the help of the flight attendants, this took some time. The crew in the lower deck did not block the passengers from Economy and because we all had to use the front door it took a long time until we finally were out of the plane.

The Security check for all passengers on connecting flights had a long line. I really do not understand why there is not line for elite and premium passengers?

After twenty minutes in line I was finally on my way to the transfer desk. There, my boarding pass for the segment SYD – AKL could not issued right away and I should wait for ten to fifteen minutes, I decided to head to the lounge, which was possible.

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