Well I’m bored, so I figured I’d do a trip report for my Cairns holiday in mid-October. I had a $100 voucher for Tigerair, because I signed up for their “In-frequent flyer program”. It’s basically just something you sign up for and you are the first to know about sales. It was free to sign up for and as I was amongst the first lot of people to sign up, so I got a $100 flight voucher! I certainly wasn’t complaining! Tiger ended up giving away a few 1000 of these vouchers. Pretty awesome thing to do!
Brisbane is now a base for Tigerair. They operate flights from Brisbane to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Cairns. I had wanted to go to Cairns for a while to go spotting, so this was the perfect opportunity. The $100 voucher covered most of the airfares; I think I paid something like $50.
Brisbane Airport:
Since the trip was 2 months ago I have forgotten a few of the details. I had checked in online, so I just had to drop off the bag. Departure was around midday, before the flight I had a walk around the terminal.
VH-EBC flying for Qantas again!
Today I would be flying on VH-VNF for the third time!
October 13, 2014
Tigerair Australia
TT486
BNE-CNS
VH-VNF A320
Seat 26A
We took off on RWY01 and were soon treated to some lovely views of the coastline.
En-route to Cairns
Nothing to mention about the flight really. I spent most of the time on my tablet and enjoying the view outside. I didn’t buy anything to eat.
Descending into Cairns
On finals for RWY33
Belfast and DC-3 at Cairns
VNF parked at CNS
Cairns Airport:
After a good flight I picked up my bag and caught a taxi to the Colonial Club Resort, where I would be staying for 4 nights. I just relaxed at the resort for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, 14 October:
I spent the whole day spotting. I walked from the resort to the lookout which took about 45 minutes. I was going to catch a cab, but it wasn’t too hot so I figured I’d be alright. I didn’t go up the red arrow trail as I had heard that it is a real hike! So I just went to a lookout I had heard about. It’s about a 10 minute hike from the bottom to the lookout.
VH-VKF arriving from Melbourne
Great view!
JQ A320s arriving
Jetstar Dreamliner’s departing to Japan
The lookout
Dash 8 arrivals
Tiger arriving from Brisbane
Thomson Boeing 757-200 arriving from Apia on a round the world charter
Wednesday, 15 October:
I went spotting again on the Wednesday.
Virgin 737 departure
Orenair Boeing 777-200ER VQ-BNU operated a series of charters from Fukuoka to Cairns
Qantas 767 departing
Cathay Pacific A333 departure
Nice Chinook dropped by!
Jetstar 787 departure
Air North E170 departing for Darwin via Gove
Air Niugini Dash 8’s
Thursday, 16 October:
I did a full day tour to Green Island. Photos from the day can be found here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon30 ... 9033793401
Friday, 17 October:
Unfortunately it was time to head home after a fantastic little getaway. I just browsed around the terminal before boarding the flight home. Unfortunately there are no windows in the terminal!! So no spotting. VNK would be taking me home, first time on her.
October 17, 2014
Tigerair Australia
TT491
CNS-BNE
VH-VNK A320
Seat 18A
Ready to depart off RWY15
Rolling on RWY15
The standard left turn after taking off on 15
Nice overview of the airport
En-route to Brisbane
Nothing really to report from the flight, just the usual.
Descending into Brisbane
Brisbane City and the airport in the distance
On finals for RWY01
Taxiing to the terminal after landing on RWY01
Conclusion:
I had a great time in Cairns. Spotting was fantastic. Cairns Airport has some great locations and it was nice to see some special charters! The flights with Tiger were fine as usual. Overall, it was a fantastic trip!
Thanks for reading
Brandon
