Inside the new QANTAS 787-9

Last Saturday I went out to Brisbane airport to see the very first Qantas 787-9 arrive in Brisbane, (see post from Saturday http://madaboutplanes.blogspot.com/2018/07/brisbane-gets-brand-new-qantas-787-9.html) and I watched this aircraft with much fascination. Well today I flew home on this incredible machine from Melbourne to Brisbane and loved the whole experience..

I arrived at the airport around 2.30pm and took advantage of the time to photograph a few movements before my flight.

EMIRATES A380-861 A6-EEH (CN 119)

QANTAS A330-202 VH-EBR (CN 1251)

CATHAY PACIFIC A350-941 B-LRP (CN 101)

QANTAS B737-838 VH-VZE (CN 34199)

Boarding time was at 3.50pm so I got to the gate, 23, around 3.30 and I spoke to the ground staff to see if I could possibly board the aircraft early so I could take some photos before the flight. A supervisor did go on board and ask but unfortunately due to engineering being on the flight deck talking to the flight crew my request was denied. They did say I could get photos when we land in Brisbane, and although a messy aircraft is not good for photos, I was grateful I was allowed the opportunity.

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZNE (CN 63391)

We began boarding Qantas's fifth 787 Dreamliner (VH-ZNE) at 3.46pm and walking down the twin isle aircraft it was very obvious this was a brand new aircraft, (in fact it only arrived in Australia on the first of this month).
The décor is very pleasing and you cant help but notice the tall ceilings and very large windows.

I took my seat which was 53K and I was surprised at how roomy and comfortable the seat was. There was a lot of leg room, especially for a 6ft 1 person like me. Looking around I noticed there was a dimmer switch for the windows instead of the old window blinds. The entertainment screen was quite large and there was even a fold away shelf for your iPad or mini computer, and the compartment had a USB power point.

Todays flight was being operated by Captain Malcom Burns, First officer Tim Apple and the cabin supervisor was Jodie. I also found out the entire cabin crew are actually international cabin crew. 

The last cabin door was closed at 4.09 and we pushed back at 4.14pm. We began taxiing at 4.18 and taxied out for a runway 27 departure. We held short for about a minute before lining up for a rolling start. We got airborne at 4.23pm. The climb out was a little bumpy due to the low cloud, but once we cleared that our flight was very smooth and really comfortable. After banking right we headed for Brisbane climbing to flt lvl 410. Watching the cabin crew make there way down the twin isles offering infight service you could have easily assumed we were on an international flight.

Our track took us up over Wagga Wagga, west of Armidale and on to Casino. 

We began our descent at 5.38 and when we were abeam Coolangatta we went into a holding pattern for one 8 minute hold before continuing on to Brisbane. 

SUN SETTING AS WE HEADED SOUTH IN THE TURN

We landed on runway 19 three minutes late a 6.13pm.

I waited until everyone got off and as promised Jodie introduced me to the captains who were happy to show me around. 

CABIN CREW RESTING AREA

JUMP SEAT IN RESTING AREA

BUSINESS CLASS SEATING

PREMIUM ECONOMY SEATING

ECONOMY CLASS

The aircraft has 236 seats, the interior features 42 lie flat Business Class seats which recline 180 degrees, 28 Premium Economy seats which recline 9 degrees and 166 Standard Economy seats which recline 6 degrees. The 787 will be on the Brisbane - Melbourne rotation up until the 1st of September when it will replace the daily 747 to Los Angeles, but this time it will continue on to New York.