Sydney to Singapore
Airbus A330-300 with 271 economy and 30 business seats.
Qantas Frequent Flyer (oneworld alliance)
Economy. Window seat 24K in a 2-4-2 layout.
Eight hours, 5 minutes.
Two flights daily from Sydney, once daily from Melbourne.
The pitch is 31 inches (78.7 centimetres) and a 17.2-inch (43.6cm) width. I bomb out on my bulkhead request – row 23, the front of economy. There's limited legroom there, but I like it because short people can discreetly elevate their feet against the bulkhead, thus avoiding swollen ankles. I'm in row 24 instead. The downside of these rows is you're beside the bassinets and I feel for the parents – a couple of baby banshees are not loving their flight. The entertainment control box invading my under-seat space is a potential footrest, though my taller partner looks at it with horror. The seat in front of him won't go fully upright.
A generous 30 kilograms for checked cases and one carry-on case of seven kilograms (115 centimetres) plus handbag or similar.
It's economy. Absolute comfort resides further forward. Having said that, the seat is acceptable, unlike some aircraft's strangely S-shaped seat backs, more suited to longer backs. Perhaps the two-seat layout gives the illusion of roominess. We must emphasise the positives in sardine class. Like the extra-cuddly blanket that, though synthetic, doesn't make the hair stand on end.
The sleek 28-centimetre Panasonic eX3 inflight entertainment system with high definition interactive touchscreen, 1500 hours of content and no floor-mounted control box is somewhere out there, but the 6.4-inch (16cm) touchscreen with armrest controller is perfectly serviceable for the time being. And back-to-back Game of Thrones episodes lift the spirits.
A Qantas strong point and our flight is no exception. A lovely flight attendant, seeing me struggling with my headphones, returns unasked from business with decent noise-cancelling ones. What an angel, and there were more like her.
The updated inflight dining experience means no more trays and hard-to-peel foil containers, just a simple plastic plate with a 50 per cent larger Neil Perry-inspired main meal, chosen from three options. There's chicken salad with toasted pepitas, broccoli, green beans and aioli dressing or the stir-fried tofu, black funghi, rice noodles and soy beans. I can't go past the lamb moussaka with broccoli and sugar snaps, washed down with a soothing Adelaide shiraz. Not sure about the garlic-butter-infused roll, but at least it's not a frigid rocklike object. Love the chocolate mousse with salted caramel fudge, though I miss cheese and biscuits. Not bad Grinders coffee.
Qantas is refurbishing its 28 A330s – half will be done by the end of this year, with all completed by the end of 2016 (seats and inflight entertainment). Our aircraft is unrenovated, but it's currently potluck – you can call customer care to inquire beforehand but, even if it's a yes, they can't guarantee it.
Excellent service extends to our boarding – delayed because of lightning. Staff is friendly and unfussed, boarding passengers rapidly, without officiousness. The captain's announcements are clear and, as promised, he makes up for lost time.
