Have you been watching that new show ‘Ready for Takeoff’? It’s a fly on the wall documentary about Qantas and the inner workings of the airline. I loved the second episode with Qantas mega Frequent Flyer John Martin, who hails from my hometown the City of Wollongong who during the episode took his 1000th Qantas flight. He has logged them all, date, sector, aircraft type, registration. John is a fan of Qantas. I think I am a fan of John.

I don’t know how many flights with Qantas this sector is for me (you think I would hey!) but it was a short hop from Melbourne to Sydney on a Friday afternoon. The particular Airbus A330-200 operating the flight today was 5 year old VH-EBP ‘Ningaloo Reef’ which is leased to Qantas from Cit Aircraft Leasing.

The Business Class seating on this flight were the older style recliner seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, although the middle seat in the centre was blocked off for passenger comfort. This is a 1 hour and 20 minute flight so there was really no need for a Skybed or the new Business Suite.

What do you think I had to drink after boarding? Juice, water or wine was offered after I took my seat 1K, prior to the flight departed slightly after schedule due to the late arrival of the aircraft.

As this was a snack flight, there were a couple of options such as a Roasted Tomato soup, a cheese box of which I have had numerous times, so this time I opted for something different, the Charcuterie Plate. Although it slightly lacked in portion, the cured meats were tasty as were the rosemary and sea salt grissini and I washed it down with a Sauvignon Blanc.

I can never get sick of this view when landing in Sydney from the west, Wollongong, as mentioned my home town. “Hi John” I whispered to the window.

We arrived slightly behind schedule, it’s a busy Friday night. The flight was enjoyable and service attentive as always on a Qantas flight. As we taxied past a few more departing Qantas aircraft, I wondered if John was on one of those planes enjoying his 1001st flight on board Qantas Airways.

FreakyFlier paid for his flight independently.