A perfect hop across the Pacific: Qantas 787 business class

Qantas is one of the best airlines to have this kind of air ambassadors. As soon as I see a red-tailed mane with a white 'scream' and hear that signature Aussie Twang, I know there's a treat in store...and it's even better than Murray River's Salted Caramel Tim Tam.

Which is why I booked the elusive prize in Business Class aboard a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Melbourne to Los Angeles at the end of my most recent trip to cover the reopening of Australia to international travellers. I was excited the experience was exactly as I had remembered it—if a little more so than it was before the pandemic.

Australia to the US in March Here's my version of returning to the US, and what other travelers can expect.

ReservationAustralia announced that it will reopen to international travelers on February 21, 2022, just two weeks ahead of the official date. This gave me minimal time to plan the trip. However, short notice allowed me to pounce on airline reward tickets before many other travelers did.

That's how I bagged business class on Singapore Airlines from San Francisco to Sydney the day the country reopened and found a real unicorn frequent flyer for my return: qantas business class for just £55,000. Class Award Alaska Airlines Miles plus $110 in taxes and fees.

In contrast, the fare paid was approximately $8,000 one way. This was due to a number of factors, including the lack of flights between Australia and the US, the country being closed to international travelers for about two years, and the fact that Qantas had not yet reactivated its fleet. and rebuild it. root network.

Once I had that ticket, I booked it - then hopefully my plans wouldn't be derailed by something to do with the government or contracting COVID-19 while I was traveling in Australia.

Airport experience

My flight left at 10:55pm. Friday but I got to the airport at 6:30pm. - To give myself some extra time in case check-in was busy and since I had spent the whole day working in the hotel and needed a change of scenery.

The airport was not very crowded at that time. However, there was a car accident at the departures level in Terminal 2, which is where my international flight was leaving, so I had to have Uber drop me off at the lower level of Arrivals Terminal 3 and I turned around.

On my way to check-in, I noticed the Qantas Suite 1 check-in lounge was closed - available on Platinum One and Platinum Elite as well as Oneworld Emerald Elite.

There were only a few regular check-in counters occupied throughout the terminal as very few international flights had resumed.

Previous slideQantas counters were almost deserted during my flight. I still waited about 15 minutes as the check-in agents checked each traveler's vaccination card, health declaration form and negative COVID-19 test results the day before to comply with the current traveler entry requirements. America.

Once I got to the counter it took five minutes for the agent to process me. He then directed me through the security of the Qantas First lounge, as Business Class is closed until the end of March 1st.

I passed immigration and security in a few minutes, then walked past the duty-free shop and depressingly empty aisle of luxury stores (they are all closed for the day). I continued through some deserted gate areas and finally took the escalator upstairs to the hall.

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