I stepped onto a Western-owned airline.

Now, this might seem a touch judgemental coming from a foreigner living in China, let alone an Aussie flying Qantas. Well, it is. Dead-set, after flying short, two to four hour flights on China Eastern, Hainan Air and Air China for the past 18 months, a 12 hour flight on a Qantas plane felt like heaven.

Doesn't really seem right does it? Well, let me explain.

Firstly I would like to point out what I would consider (1) usual, and (2) unusual occurrences on flights within & from China.

I will deal with the unusual first, as these events would probably be weighted much more heavily by the average air traveller as a prerequisite for the 'perfect flight'.

The core 'unusual' factors that contributed to the comfort on the this trip include...

• a half-full plane
• extra-seats to spread out
• inflight entertainment including movies on-demand.

These events make a flight worthwhile for me. But, I didn't weigh these as highly as the average traveller. Why you ask? The answer is that I've been flying within China for the past 18 months. And the below is a refreshing change from the usual chain of events.

What I did experience on this flight...

• the flight boarded on time.
• the flight taxied to the runway on time.
• the flight left on time.
• bodily fluids actually contained within the correct receptical.
• everyone had turned off the mobile phones.
• brewed coffee!
• the flight arrived early.

None of these aforementioned factors are usually found on most airlines in China - so I guess this isn't a fair comparison. But what can be compared with the general flying experience is the people involved - the crew and the passengers. And what was great about this flight on Qantas is what I didn't experience.

What I didn't experience on this flight...

• constant throat clearing/hocking from the seat behind you.
• passenger in front of you smashing their chair back (because it can) into your knees.
• being hit in the head by 1-tonne's worth of Jingdezhen pottery and ceramics.
• the weird Chinese-Western hybrid meal that no-one finds appetising.
• the fella at the back of the plane having a conversation with his mate at the front of the plane.
• no one rushed to get their bags from the overhead-locker just as the plane's wheels hit the tarmac (except the super-bogan on our flight who called the hostie 'a dickhead..' after she asked him to sit down).

An awesome flight. Awesome.

Did I mention that I'm now back in Brisbane? It's awesome.