I am sitting in Business Class seat 3K, in a 1-2-1 configuration Qantas Airways Airbus A330-300 flight bound for Haneda, Tokyo, from Sydney. I manage to secure a successful upgrade bid on my points-only booking / the lowest possible bid so a bargain.

After being shown to my seat, we are offered a pre-flight drink and pajamas. I have sparkling water, and take a look through the menu. There is a Japanese bento box so decide that’s what I’ll have – a bit different from the normal airline meals.

Business class passengers receive a simple amenity kit, noise-cancelling headphones, a duvet for the lie-flat bed, thin mattress and pillow. Only slippers are provided in 1st Class – which is not on this flight.

About 90 mins into the 9.5 hour flight the meal service comes around. It’s ok – a Japanese bento box, teriyaki chicken main, and for me – and on request the western dessert – an absolutely delicious chocolate mousse and ganache.

I watch a few movies between meals – the Robbie Williams monkey one ‘Better Man’, ‘Wicked’, and ‘A Complete Unknown’ – great choices for the long flight.

I also manage a 3 hour sleep / it’s bliss. Uninterrupted!

A couple of hours before landing a second meal service is handed out. I choose the fried rice. It’s ok, but the sticky date pudding is a little dry. It would be better heated with ice-cream ☝️.

Qantas business class is slightly below par compared to Asian airlines such as SQ, CX, or even CI – small things like slippers, hot wet towels, mocktails, amenities in the bathroom, and even decaf coffee are absent from the service, but gussy interaction is probably superior.

For the last couple of hours or so I try to sleep again – there’s quite a bit of turbulence which I don’t mind and actually helps.

We arrive ahead of schedule.

Rating: 8/10