Matty Somewhere

QantasLink, Sydney to Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast), Boeing 717, Economy Class

“What time will you arrive? I’ll pick you up” My old mate Daz texted me. “I’ll be landing at 10:35” I texted back. “Ok, see you at 10:30” was the reply. “No, its 10:35!” I responded. “Yeah, 10:30!” “No, 10:35!”….. The banter went on for weeks, “10:30?” “No, 10:35!” we laughingly texted each other. The 1 hour and…

Jetstar, Sydney to Bali on the 787-8 Dreamliner, Economy Class.

“Pop the butter on top of your meal, it will soften it” After all my years of flying, I’d never heard something so simply ingenious when it comes to that hard frozen butter sometimes served on board a flight. I was heading on a last minute trip to Bali, partly birthday celebration, partly Christmas shopping trip but mostly…

Qantas First Lounge, Auckland

“No, this way!” Bert said as I bounded into the Qantas Business Class Lounge. He was pointing to the ‘By Invitation’ door. On our recent trip to New Zealand, I flew Emirates Business Class on a Qantas flight number between Auckland and Sydney. I was travelling with my friend Bert, myself in Business Class and Bert…

Emirates, Auckland to Sydney Business Class

“Welcome on board this Emirates flight to Brisbane” Brisbane? Am I on the right plane? “Ladies and Gentlemen, please disregard the menu stating Auckland to Melbourne, we are in fact off to Sydney” Melbourne now? “Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Dubai” Either Dubai now has a harbour with replica bridge and Opera House or I’m…

Merry Christmas 2015!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from FreakyFlier.com

Emirates Lounge, Auckland, New Zealand

“Excuse me, Is this the way to the Emirates Lounge?” I asked asked an elderly lady coming down the escalator. “Oh, I don’t know I’m from Canada!” she replied. When my friend Bert and I reached the top of the escalator, we found not only the Emirates Lounge but the Qantas Business and First Class lounge. I dont…

Spice Temple by Neil Perry – Melbourne

While this post is about a restaurant and its food, its also about one of my now favourite Melbourne restaurants which has a link to Qantas and therefore it is about travel and planes….Right? Recently on a quick trip to Melbourne, my friend Bert and I visited Spice Temple , one of Neil Perry and The Rockpool…

Melbourne to Sydney, Qantas Airways Business Class

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….

The Sea Princess Diaries Part Two. Brisbane to Sydney – Day Two and Arrival Home

Dear Diary, Good morning! We boarded yesterday and now been cruising for one night and this is going to be our only full day on board. I woke up at first light and after a quick shower headed out to explore more of the ship during the quiet time. I headed out on deck where no one was around…

The Qantas Club, Brisbane Domestic Airport

Is there a better way for a FreakyFlier to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon in an airport? Yes, at the Qantas Club of course. On my recent trip to Brisbane with my friend Bert, we were heading back to Sydney on a flight at around 5:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon. After we checked out…

The Sea Princess Diaries – Brisbane to Sydney – Day One

Dear Diary, I’m in Brisbane with my brother Aaron. We arrived late last night on a Jetstar flight which was quite good and stayed in Spring Hill. The hotel was a little dreary but close to a pub where we went for a quick drink. After checking out of the hotel and having a fast…

Inspecting An Etihad A380 With The Residence

I’ve only ever been on one other aircraft with a bedroom and that was John Travolta’s private Boeing 707. True story! In 2004 when he became the Qantas ‘Ambassador at large’ he did a series of dinners around the country called ‘Sharing the Spirit’. I won a competition to attend one of these black tie…

Air Bagan, Heho (Lake Inle) to Yangon, Myanmar. ATR72-500

“Should we stop and get something to eat before the flight?” I asked my travel companion Bert. It had been a long journey from the Novotel Myat Min in Lake Inle to Heho Airport in Myanmar for our flight to Yangon. We did enjoy a delicious a-la-carte breakfast rather early at the hotel, eggs, bacon,…

QANTAS Airways, Sydney to Brisbane Business Class

“Tonight we have the traditional lasagne with steamed greens or the seared beef on glass noodles.” the cabin crew member discretely repeated to each passenger as he made his way down the centre aisle of the secluded Business Class cabin. The food, it is the thing I get most excited about when taking a short flight in Business…

Thai Air Asia – Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Mandalay, Myanmar

“When we arrive in Mandalay, will we just get a cab to the hotel as well?” Bert asked me as our cab pulled up in front of Bangkoks old International Airport, Don Mueang. “No, we’ll get the free Air Asia shuttle bus into the city” I responded. “Ha! yeah, ok” he scoffed. “Seriously, will we get a…

Qantas Airways – Perth to Sydney Business Class

‘Well at least there’ll be no delays with the way they serve the nuts’ I thought to myself referring to nutgate. I was travelling back from Perth after experiencing the new Qantas Business Suite and was a little disappointed that my return flight had the older recliner style seat in Business Class. Thats ok, the flight…

Flying Air KBZ – Mandalay to Nyaung U in The Republic of the Union of Myanmar

“You may sit wherever you like on the plane sir” “Wherever?” “Yes sir, no seating assignments on the flight” After a long hot day seeing some of the amazing sights of Mandalay, the 2nd largest city in Myanmar, our driver took my friend Bert and I to the airport at 3:00 pm for our 4:45 pm flight…

Melbourne to Perth – QANTAS Airways Business Suite.

Mints and mince, although sound similar are two very different things – especially to a vegetarian! I was at a party once, enjoying a delightful array of finger foods while chatting to a vegetarian over the loud pumping music. The lights were low and she was relying on me to let her know what each of the…

Jet Flight Simulator – Sydney – Boeing 737-800

“This is your Co-pilot FreakyFlier speaking, welcome on board. Todays flight from London Heathrow to London City Airport will take approximately 24 minutes. In the mean time, please sit back and relax and enjoy the superior service and wonderful views of London on this short flight”. “Was that ok Captain?” “That was fine Freaky….

Jetstar Airways – Sydney to Brisbane

“I only fly Qantas so I can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points and Status Credits” Said the Gold Frequent Flyer (GFF) over lunch one day. “But you can earn points when flying Jetstar as well” I remarked, “You just need to add the plus bundle, its a couple of dollars more than the lead in fare,…

Wellington to Sydney, QANTAS AIRWAYS Economy Class

Using points, I’d requested an upgrade from Economy to Business Class which unfortunately was declined probably as this route is heavily used by politicians travelling from New Zealands capital, Wellington. That was ok, the flight was under 4 hours so I was content with trying the Economy Class product on this sector. There is a…