The Big Flying Kangaroo

The Airbus A380  debuted in 2008 and in that context, I am a late arrival.  But late or not, I was however fortunate enough to travel from Los Angeles to Sydney on Qantas #12 last week and lucky me, the aircraft for the flight that day just so happened to be the big flying kangaroo!

How this leviathan of an aircraft takes off and stays in the air for over 15 hours still blows my mind.  And take off it did -- quietly -- effortless -- and with over 450 passengers onboard.  Not only did it transport us safely to our destination but it did so with the quiet comfort unlike any other aircraft.  This engineering marvel took years to conceptualize, develop and launch and all I can say (and so eloquently at that) is WOW!

On this voyage, I was fortunate enough to be in Business Class which takes up almost up 75 percent of the entire upper deck and it actually felt private.  The serene pod-like seats allowed for enough privacy and comfort.  Staffed by friendly, attractive and attentive flight attendants, they provided consistently wonderful service.  They were impeccably uniformed and were always attentive thoughout the journey.

 

I travel over 200,000 miles a year but this trip was kind of different.   It felt special.  Special in a way that reminded me of my childhood.  A time when I was about to experience my first trip on that giant PanAm Clipper in a B-747.  This time was special indeed -- like a kid once again -- excited to board that plane and play with the array of amenities offered and tinker with all the electronic toys that awaited me.

Our flight lasted 15 hours and it could have gone on forever but alas, all good things come to an end.  

I head back to NYC in a couple of days and the only thing I dread is that long haul return flight on a vintage 747-400 and not the Big Flying Kangaroo.