Manchester to Sydney via Abu Dhabi

[Guest David C]

All good things come to an end eventually , and after 5 weeks visiting friends and rellies , and drinking copious amounts of that lovely warm British beer it was time to return back home . It was a cool early evening when we arrived at Manchester (MAN) Airport in the NW of England to join our flight , Etihad Airlines A332 aircraft reg A6-EYF for the first leg to Abu Dhabi (AUH). MAN is a busy airport , and tonight was no exception . G-BXTN an Aurigny Airlines ATR72 and SE-RAB a City Airlines Emb145 were parked next to our aircraft .

 

ATR72 G-BXTN loading for Guernsey in the Channel Islands

 

 

We boarded early and took our seats which were 20H and K , window and aisle seats just on the leading edge . Good seats that would afford a comfortable and quiet position .

 

The weather at MAN for our departure was a Westerly wind at about 25kts , light cloud and rain ( well it is Manchester ) and +12degs . My guess was a runway 23L departure, and thats what we happened to get . On departure a right turn took us over the Northern side of airport and a heading out to the East set us up for a crossing of the English coast near to Great Yarmouth .We were now cruising at FL350 just 20 Mins from take off on a lovely clear night . The coast of Holland was clearly visible over 100NM away .The flight continued very smoothly , very little chop and a beautiful full moon shone . This is very busy airspace , there seemed to be a sky full of aircraft , a great night for the flying enthusiast . After about 1.5 Hrs and overhead Germany dinner was served . I had the braised beef casserole , steamed potatoes and vegies , with a desert of mango charlotte , cheese and biscuits and a nice French red wine . My wife had chicken Madina , tomatoe cumin sauce and green beans . The food was well prepared and served in a very professional and friendly manner .

 

We tracked over Prague , Slovakia , Hungary ,Romania , Sinop in Turkey , before tracking East and flying parallel to the Iran ,Iraq border in Iranian airspace . Overhead Shiraz we started our decent into Abu Dhabi . It was just getting light as the sun started to rise and the desert was striking in its beauty as as made our approach into AUH

 

Turning finals for AUH runway 31L

 

 

We landed at 0715 hrs local , after a flight of 6h48m . Weather was a "little warmer than MAN at 25C !!

 

A Gulf Air A320 at AUH bound for Bahrein

 

 

After a 2.5 Hrs layover it was time to connect with our Etihad Airlines A345 flight to Sydney (SYD) . We boarded on time , our aircraft A6-EHA . We had seats 21A and C , these are in the small economy section right next to Business class . The seats immediately gave the impression of more leg room than the previous A332 , and at 33" seat pitch and a 30deg recline were just what was needed for the long flight to SYD . during the taxi to our departure runway 13L we passed a Maximus Airlines AN124 , a unident IL86 and IL76 , Dubai air wing B744 , and various other unusual aircraft . Take off on the 4000M runway at almost MTOW was sedate , however , once airborne a good climb rate was achieved .It was amazing just how soon after take off the wing was cleaned up , leading edge slats and flap all tucked away after about 2 minutes, we started to accelarate well after that . We overflew Al Ain , then into Omani airspace climbing to our initial level of FL350 . Our flight took us over Male then tracked SW for what seemed like an eternity till we crossed the coast of WA just North of Geraldton .The food and service on this leg was up to the usual high Etihad standard , the cabin staff were very attentive and kept busy throughout the long night . Our flight tracked just North of Kalgoolie and Whyalla where the long awaited sunrise started to appear. Breakfast was served , I had juice , fresh fruit salad , omelette , sausage , paprika potatoe , and tomatoe , bread roll and jam , tea .

 

We were now at our final cruise level of FL410 and a very visible contrail could be seen from our window position , it was -67C OAT though !!. Tracking overhead Temora we started the descent . The visibility was good , a few low lying fog patches obscuring the view but lovely flying weather . My house which is directly on the RIVET STAR was obscured by cloud , however , the cloud cleared and good views of Camden were had . We tracked over Botany Bay for a beautiful smooth landing that even I would be happy with on runway 34L , we were followed by SQ A380 . Flight time from AUH was 13h18m , and a total flight time MAN-SYD of 19h6m , the quicket trip from the UK I have ever had .. In conclusion , I look forward to my next flight with Etihad , a fantastic airline with a true customer focus .I am a bit biased I suppose , but the Airbus aircraft are a fantastic aircraft to fly in , so much quieter than the other models that will remain nameless lol!!

 

Turning finals runway 34L at SYD ..

 

 

 

[Guest Steve R]

Manchester is a great place to spend a day out if you have the time while over there - some very Spotter Friendly facilities and some very knowledgeable locals if you hook up with them.

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Thanks for that Dave, a great report :)

 

 

[Guest Darren Masters]

Great trip report Dave Really enjoyed reading it. The amazing thing about these foreign airports is the amount of unusual aircraft/carriers you see. Stuff we simply don't get here. Again, thanks for sharing and hear hear about the Airbus. My favourite and proud of it.

 

 

[Strawberry Muppet]

Nice report. I was in transit at AUH earlier this year and thought the airport facilities were very poor indeed.

 

 

[Guest David C]

Nice report. I was in transit at AUH earlier this year and thought the airport facilities were very poor indeed.

I agree .. The airport is overcrowded , dated and does not meet the demands of todays traveler .I first flew through there almost 20 yrs ago , and it hasn't changed one bit . The good news is that work is underway on the new terminal complex which will occupy the area between the two parallel runways ,13L/31R being the new runway and just commisioned . With Etihads order book , a new airport was just no longer an option , it was a necessity .

 

Dave C

 

 

[Robbo]

Dave

 

I must have missed this post, great report :)

 

 

[Guest OzChris]

Yeah - sorry I missed it too

 

Good one Dave - thanks for that!