Air Vanuatu:Boeing 737-800 Economy Review

Embarking via the forward door stairs. Love this way of getting onto the aircraft.

I will be reviewing Air Vanuatu Flight NF8 from Port Vila to Melbourne. This was my second time flying Air Vanuatu , with my first time operating as NF7 on the trip up from Melbourne to Port Vila, on their only Boeing 737-800 in the fleet so far registered YJ-AV8. They are in the process of modernising and expanding their fleet. Mid 2020, they will be taking delivery of the new Airbus A220 aircraft, with longer range new engines and improved efficiency.

Air Vanuatu has only just launched direct services halfway through the year to Melbourne connecting the capital Port Vila with Melbourne already serving the established routes of other east coast capital cities like Sydney and Brisbane. It is certainly relieving that no international connection was needed , requiring hopping off the domestic flight then transferring onto the international one, which sometimes can be inconvenient, as some airports are that large you need a monorail or bus to transfer you to the international side, and thus can be a headache, especially with airports you are transiting through for the first time, or that there may be major refurbishment and new projects adding to transiting pains. My departure gate was Gate 2, a nice simple process as Bauerfield Airport is small in comparison to the major city airports on the mainland. Immigration process was quite swift as well. I did like the small size of the airport, as it is partially open air and you embark the aircraft via the forward and rear stairs, just like the old days .

My seat (as specified on the boarding pass ) was Seat 11A which is a window seat, my favourite seat preference. Like the flight up, the time of departure twas punctual . Additionally, like the flight up, it was not full, having the extra seat of the 3-3 configuration free. There are no individual flight entertainment screens, only overhead projector screens, however this was no problem for me, as I had downloaded movies prior to the flight and was able to watch them offline. Ps do bring your laptop or iPad or phone with Netflix or Stan, to watch your favourite TV shows or movies on.

Seat 11A . Why I always choose the window seat.

Dinner was delicious , having gobbled it all down. Extra kudos for having wooden utensils instead of plastic.I chose the peri peri chicken with yellow rice and a a Mrs Higgins raspberry and white choc cookie as a complementary sweet. I then followed up with a couple of white wines which went down nicely. The flight was very smooth as well, with phenomenal views being provided over the South Pacific. As an avid traveller and flyer, that is all you need. Stunning views (especially flying over mountainous New Caledonia), and especially that defining hue of blue of the Pacific Ocean. I especially loved the cabin mood lighting which was either a neutral or light blue tone, calming in nature . I also love the cabin crew uniform which is a lovely light blue, as seen on the aircraft’s livery.

Peri Peri chicken with vegetables and yellow rice, complimented with a raspberry and white chocolate cookie

Overall, I had a fantastic flight with no criticisms. I recommend Air Vanuatu and look forward to flying with them again.

+Very punctual departure time

+ Dinner was delicious

+Wooden utensils instead of plastic (Vanuatu has banned plastic) , great sustainability

+ Young aircraft, delivered in 2016

+ Mood lighting

+Stylish, subtle Interior

+Window Seat

-No individual flight entertainment screens.

-No wifi

Rating: 7/10

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Qantas Airways :Boeing 737-800 Economy Review

For the long weekend, I decided to jet off to Sydney. I chose to fly with Qantas, of whom I had just joined their frequent flyer programme with. I picked an early morning 6:30am flight on Friday, the 19th of April out of Melbourne, as it was cheaper and also gave me the whole day to explore Sydney. The 6:30am flight operated by QF404, that day operated by the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Credit to my mum taking a photo of my plane pushing back for departure to Sydney from Terminal 2 .

My aircraft was registered VH-XZE and named "Pine Creek"

Boarding and closing doors for departure was very quick, which I was very happy about, departing off Runway 27 , the East West Runway. I had window seat 23A, as the window seat is my preference. Economy is in a 3-3 configuration. There were less people towards the back of the plane which was another plus. The seats were nice quilt stitched ones, reasonable for a short flight of just 1 hour, landing on Mode 13, the East West Runway.

Why I choose the window seat.

Because I was on an very early morning flight, breakfast was served. I enjoyed my meal though basic was satisfactory consisting of Evia Greek Yogurt and Blueberry Crunch with packaged apples and fruit and coconut ball. My only gripe really was that my wifi wasn't working onboard the wifi equipped aircraft, of which is almost a complete certainty hopping onboard a Qantas Boeing 737-800. The entertainment features all the latest movies, TV shows and music, which is great , even if you don't need to watch anything on a short haul flight.

Economy breakfast onboard QF404

Airshow map showing our route flown

Overall, I had a pleasant , smooth and brief flight, despite the wifi not working.

Rating 3/5.

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Mantra on 2 Bond Street: Hotel Review

I will be reviewing the hotel I just stayed at on my recent trip to Sydney. The Mantra on 2 Bond Street in the Sydney CBD. I certainly loved the location, being within walking distance to Sydney Harbour, Westfield, Martin Place etc.

The lobby

Business centre towards the rear of the lobby

Lobby bookshelf

I arrived super early, at around 8-8:30am, so check in wasn’t till 2pm, but hotel concierge was happy to check me in and get acquainted in my room and leave my suitcase there . The lobby looked very welcoming and comfortable with nice lounges, marble flooring and old books, along with the restaurant “Memento”, which I didn’t get to try. My room was on level 3 in 317, an Executive Studio Apartment. I liked the contemporary decor of my room, (which had recently been refurbished). It had a separate lounge and dining area with a full kitchen, 2 LCD TVs , tea and coffee, a minibar, air conditioning, and safe. Though the bed was furnished very nicely, I was disappointed it wasn’t comfortable, as my head just sagged into the pillow and gave me a sore neck each morning.

Chic looking bed in my apartment number 317

Comfy lounge in my apartment number 317

Trendy armchair with some small paintings hanging on the wall

One of the biggest pros, was the prime location of the hotel. It is within easy walking distance to Sydney Harbour, Westfield, Martin Place and more. The drawback to being in such a central location , well, in my case, the time I went was in the middle of a construction blitz, which sees Sydney build tramlines and also further building development, as the need grows. In addition, there is no complementary wifi, you have to pay, though the room prices are not bad to not justify for having to pay for wifi.

Overall :

PROS: Within walking distance to Sydney Harbour, Westfield, Martin Place etc, modern and cosy room recently refurbished, with separate lounge and dining area, balcony, two LCD Tvs, full kitchen, lovely art decorations on wall of lounge room, nice comfortable and welcoming lounge at entrance of hotel with “Memento” restaurant.

CONS: Lots of construction happening waking me up, bed is not comfortable, woke up with a sore neck, you have to pay for wifi, hard to get to with Uber/Taxi or self park.

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Rating:3/5