Adelaide | 2023

Qantas QF104 | HNL/SYD
Poor Man’s Business Class (i.e., a row of economy seats to myself)
Airbus A330-300 | VH-QPB Tennant Creek
ATD/1106 | ATA/1906+1
Lounge: Qantas Business Lounge

As the end of the year approached, I had four remaining use-it-or-lose-it vacation days for 2023 even after I deferred the maximum of five vacation days into 2024. As I had already requalified for status with American Airlines, I did not want to fork out cash for flights for the remainder of the current qualification period. So, I started looking at mileage redemption options. My saver redemption options were limited, and, after evaluating the few itineraries available to me, I decided to go on a quick trip to Adelaide to visit my friend Trixie. I’ve been to Adelaide four times already, so this trip was more about spending quality time with friends and savoring good food.

I arrived at Honolulu Airport about 90 minutes before my flight. When I researched Qantas’ operations out of HNL, I was surprised to learn that they have a lounge there. I assumed that, with a less than daily service, they would utilize JAL’s Sakura Lounge instead of incurring the expense of operating their own lounge. I was intrigued and so I budgeted time to explore the Qantas Business Lounge.

The lounge wasn’t easy to find as it was located in the courtyard area below the main departures level and it wasn’t well signposted. But, it was in the most picturesque part of the airport. The lounge itself was small and basic. Instead of tarmac views, we had a view of the garden outside. There was a selection of breakfast foods to choose from. My favorite offering at the lounge was a grab and go sandwich counter.

I managed to book business class for all my flights except this first segment from HNL to SYD. When I booked this flight, I chose seat 29D, and the online seat map showed that seats 29E, 29F, and 29G were available right until the day before the flight. When the flight was opened for checkin, however, these seats began showing as not available on the Qantas app, so I resigned myself to sitting upright for ten hours. Imagine my delight when boarding was completed and I had the whole row of four seats to myself! I had lucked out into what many call the poor man’s (sic.) business class!

The flight itself was pleasant. I was impressed that Qantas offered a choice of three meals in economy class, including a vegetarian option. However, I thought the meal setup was a little complex for economy class. Qantas eschews the traditional tray service; instead, the flight attendants had to place a casserole on a small plate, gather a bun, napkin, utensils and drink, and hand the lot to the passenger. I cannot help but wonder how much longer meal service takes with this setup. After the meal, I had a restful flight stretching out across four seats. The sandwich from the lounge came in handy when I felt peckish mid flight. It was barely palatable but it staved off hunger.

Arrival into SYD was delayed due to high and variable winds. We landed about 25 minutes late after circling for a long time. I was concerned about making my connection so I hightailed it out of the aircraft, made my way to immigration (thank goodness for the automated gates for select passports) and customs, and on to the Qantas domestic transfer area where I boarded a bus for the trip across the tarmac to Terminal. 3.Read more