TRIP REPORT – Rockhampton to Brisbane to Rockhampton – Alliance Airlines for Virgin Australia Airlines – Fokker F-100 Jet

TRIP REPORT – Rockhampton to Brisbane – Tuesday 10 July – Alliance Airlines for Virgin Australia Airlines – VA1238 – Fokker F-100 VH-XWQ

Alliance Airlines has been operating most flights on behalf of Virgin Australia into Rockhampton (amongst other places) since February 2017.  I booked flights from and back to Rocky, and each would be operated by an Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet. Alliance also occasionally operates the smaller F-70, while Virgin Australia Boeing B737s have also operated the occasional flight during more ‘peak’ times.

One thing I did notice was that when I was booking these flights about a month in advance, the price was pretty steep being at almost $400 for the return trip. I thought this was surprising when compared to (say) Emerald and Mackay to Brisbane and return.

Anyway, I arrived at Rockhampton pretty early and left the car in the long term park – the cost around $40 for the four days compared to double in the short term. Fairly long walk under cover though to the terminal via the old car park which is now for hire cars and pick up/drop off.

I haven’t flown out of Rockhampton Airport for some time but the basic layout remains the same. Up the northern end are the check-in counters for both Qantas and Virgin Australia (JetGo has recently folded).

In the middle of the terminal is airport management access as well as the Qantas Regional lounge and security screening through to the departure lounge. There is also one of two cafes and hire car desks.  Adjacent to the entry to security screening is the other cafe and shops.

The southern end of the terminal building still has the baggage collection carousels and the often used ‘international terminal’ featuring a part of the terminal which can be sectioned off to include customs and immigration clearance points.

Through security and a wait for the Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 to arrive from Brisbane.  VH-XWQ would be the aircraft for today.  It was acquired in 2014 by the airline after spending the previous two decades operating in the United States of America and then Europe.

Priority boarding customers went on first, followed by the rest. A walk across the tarmac to the waiting aircraft which parked on Gate 2 on the Rockhampton Airport apron. Up the stairs and on board to the Fokker’s 2 x 3 layout.

I was in seat 12G – exit row and over the wing on the right-hand (starboard) side and with a massive amount of leg room!

Rows 11 and 12 are the exit rows and so some extra reading and a briefing was required before the front door was closed.  The two Rolls Royce Tay 650-15 engines were fired up and a taxi away to the holding point at Alpha.

We entered and backtracked and the lined-up Runway 15 at Rocky.  A powerful departure followed by a right turn to set course for Thangool and then straight down to west of the Sunshine Coast.

In flight service included serving a snack (sandwich) and a cold drink followed by tea/coffee.  Pretty basic and given it is a quick flight – around an hour flight time – it was served and the cabin cleaned in a very quick manner.

Meanwhile, soon after the cabin was prepared for landing, we made a couple of left turns to fly over water north of Redcliffe, then finals onto Runway 19 at Brisbane.

Smooth touch down and taxi to the gate at the end of the Virgin Australia ‘finger’ at The Brisbane Domestic Terminal.

Obviously, a fair walk to the baggage collection point downstairs in the Brisbane terminal with bags coming out after about 5 or so minutes.

In all a great flight to Brisbane and I was looking forward to the return journey.

TRIP REPORT – Brisbane to Rockhampton – Friday 13 July – Alliance Airlines for Virgin Australia Airlines – VA1245 – Fokker F-100 VH-XWT

Back at Brisbane Airport to return to Rockhampton Airport and into the Virgin Australia section on the Southern end of the domestic terminal.  Passengers were generally being ushered to use the self-service check-in kiosks which were quite busy so I had to wait my turn.  The kiosk I eventually found wouldn’t allow me to check-in – no idea why – no explanation – I needed to proceed to the manned check-in counters.

So, after queuing there for about 35 minutes, I finally had a boarding pass and checked in my bag and was able to proceed through a busy security screening point and upstairs in the Brisbane Domestic terminal building to watch a few planes before my departure.

I proceeded to Gate 46 where we would be departing – again at the end of the Virgin Australia ‘finger’.  Looked like today’s flight would be quite full!

Soon enough, priority boarding and then general board were called.  I boarded and was this time in seat 11G same side but one row in front of the seat on the previous flight – still in the exit row but with a little bit less leg room.

Door closed.  Push back and engine start completed.  We then taxied out to Runway 19 at Brisbane with an intersection departure from ‘Alpha 3’.

I love the North-bound departure off Runway 19 at Brisbane as the Starboard side of the plane affords some great views of the River City as aircraft make a sweeping right-hand turn to establish on their Northern track.

Again, a snack was served in the form of a sandwich and drink, followed by tea/coffee.

Again, it was a quick flight and as the cabin was being prepared for landing, nice views of Gladstone, Port Alma, the Fitzroy River and Mount Archer were had out the right-hand-side of the plane before we made a series of left-hand turns to land on Rockhampton Airport’s Runway 15.

Taxi up Juliette and onto Gate 2 again on the Rocky Airport apron.

Off the plane and walking across the tarmac to enter the terminal and proceed to the baggage carousel where the bags came out about 10 minutes later – and as the outbound flight was boarding!

I do quite like Alliance Airlines – I wouldn’t have many opportunities to fly with them as they are predominantly a charter airline nowadays.  As mentioned above, they have been flying selected services to Rockhampton – and also Gladstone and Bundaberg – on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines for a short time now and Alliance Airlines certainly offers a smooth and comfortable in-flight product.

HOTEL REVIEW - View Hotel - Brisbane

I've stayed at the View Hotel Brisbane (formerly River View Hotel) and have really enjoyed each time I've stayed there.  The rooms are spacious and have some old world charms.  But the main attraction (if you are lucky to have it) is the wonderful view over the Brisbane River looking East to the Gateway Bridge and South towards Bulimba, Newstead and further to the city.

All rooms are air-conditioned and include an iPod docking station, work desk and ironing facilities. There is a mini-bar, refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities in each room. 

Some room types are even dog-friendly and these include a dog bed, dog bowls and dog treats!

Other on-site facilities include a tour desk, upgraded WiFi facilities, conference room, resort-style pool, spa pool, sauna and fitness centre. There is a bar and restaurant which features great river views and a decent buffet breakfast.

The Hotel is only a 5-minute drive from the Brisbane City Centre (on a good day!) and around 10 minutes’ drive from Brisbane Airport along Kingsford Smith Drive.

Reception is open 24-hours-a-day and room service is also available.

A great place to stay in Brisbane that is both convenient to the Brisbane City and Brisbane Airport!

TRIP REPORT - Hamilton Island (Great Barrier Reef Airport) to Sydney - Virgin Australia Airlines - Boeing B737-800 VH-VOO

TRIP REPORT – Hamilton Island (Great Barrier Reef Airport) to Sydney – Wednesday 14 December – Virgin Australia Airlines – VA1280 – Boeing B737-800 – VH-VOO.

Having spent a couple of nights at the lovely Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island, it was time to depart and head to Sydney for a week or so.  This would be the first time I’ve flown out of the Hamilton Island (Great Barrier Reef Airport) - I flew into Hamo Airport from Melbourne some time ago - so I thought I’d share this experience.

Mini-bus transfer from the Hotel to the Airport was a little chaotic with people and bags and then mini-busses everywhere but eventually we found a seat and travelled over to the Airport which is only about a 5-minute drive on the other side of the Island.

There is also a dedicated ferry terminal at the Airport for passenger transfers from and back to the mainland (Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour).

Bags collected off the bus and into the nearby check-in hall – almost all major Australian airlines fly into Hamo except Tigerair – and all have dedicated check-in counters and contacted staff.

Check-in was reasonable quick with the ‘usual’ problem of some tourists having to shuffle items from and to bags if they were overweight.   We were assigned the pre-booked exit row 13 with a window and centre seat.

Meanwhile, outside of the terminal, the high tide was VERY high today and the water level was rising into the carpark and onto parts of the Airport, including a taxiway used by smaller passenger charter aircraft from the mainland.

Through security and into the modest terminal.  One food outlet and a general retail outlet along with toilets.  Nice views through louvred windows to the aircraft parking apron and out to the Runway 14/32.

Our aircraft was Boeing B737-800 VH-VOO (ex ZK-PBA with Pacific Blue) named “Peaceful Bay” and it arrived from Sydney pretty much on time.

Soon after the bags were being removed and much to my surprise a pre-boarding call of 5-minutes was made.  This is a very quick turnaround and the ground crew were certainly working hard!

Virgin Australia Business Class passengers boarded first followed by the main cabin.  I saw our bags heading onto the plane as we lined up to board somewhere near the end of the queue.  Out onto the tarmac and up the steps to be greeted on board and directly to our seats.

Plenty of legroom – well worth the extra money to be paid for this 2 hour and 10 minute flight.

Today’s flight was probably about two-thirds full – plenty of spare seats – and quite a few people looking to swap seats to have more room!

Front door was closed, engines started and we commenced taxiing for Runway 14.  Holding for the Qantas B737-800 from Sydney before we back-tracked and lined up just as the safety demonstration finished and the crew was seated.

Quick departure with spectacular views out of both sides of the plane over the sunning Whitsundays.

We flew overheard Mackay and then West of Rockhampton before we levelled and set-course for Sydney.

Cabin service started with all crew providing a muesli bar as a snack along with a drink.  Certainly a nice change for Virgin Australia offering a complimentary snack.  They still have menu items available for purchase and so feeling a bit peckish (it was lunchtime after all) I also purchased a wrap with an extra drink.  Good value and a good lunch.

The rubbish was collected and we sat back for the remainder of this pretty uneventful flight .

In terms of in-flight entertainment, this flight had none – unless you have a smart phone/device and downloaded the special Virgin Australia in-flight entertainment app.  There is Wi-Fi on board to connect your device to the app only and the app provides a substantial range of entertainment options including movies, TV shows, music and games to mention a few.

We started descending into Sydney and were advised that we were running 10 minutes early!  On the downside though was the strong Westerly winds passing through Sydney and that there may be turbulence.  We continued flying South until pretty much overhead the Sydney Harbour Bridge when we made a 90 degree left-hand turn – what turned out to be downwind for landing on Runway 25.

No major turbulence and after a long-final approach we landed and exited Runway 25 on the taxi along Taxiway ‘Golf’ back to the Sydney Domestic ‘Terminal 2’, crossing the main Runway 16R/34L along the way.

Fairly long walk to the baggage collection area from the end of the Virgin Australia terminal pier, followed by another wait for our bags to come out.  Eventually bags were collected and we were on our way from the terminal around 15 minutes after landing.

Overall, a good flight.  Very friendly and professional crew.  Glad there was additional items from the menu available for a decent lunch – the ‘snack’ is certainly not filling.

Enjoyed passing through Hamilton Island Airport, and especially enjoyed the views from the plane on departure!