I had a few options to get to RSW (Fort Myers) in Florida, but even with the sales, it worked out cheaper to go with the dark side....
EDI - LHR was the 7:10am BA 1435 shuttle, operated on a 767 domestic config. It was filled to the rafters, but, fitted with the new style BA economy seats, it was surprisingly comfortable, aided with the 2-3-2 seating arrangements. I had seat 27K which was an emergency exit seat, and the legroom was brill They even served a hot brekkie which was welcomed, hearty and tasty (after getting used to their midday ''snacks'' which are basically a minuscule packet of crisps/trail mix/biscuits)! 1hr total flying time, and we were on stand 5 mins early. It is making me wonder what VS service will be like on this route... I'm eagerly awaiting it
LHR - DFW on BA 0193 was to depart at 10:40am. Nice smooth transfer from T5A to T5 B from which it was to depart. I was in WTP and on the B744, this cabin is between first and business (so you turn left at the door) - it is so peaceful and quiet not being backed by Economy. You are also one of the first people to disembark at the other end. In terms of service - after an early departure we were served drinks and snacks from the bar, followed about an hour or so later by a hot lunch (my VJML was rice, kidney beans, spinach and sweetcorn; roll, butter, rice pudding, and a green bean salad) - very tasty. There were two drink runs after that, but there were a few cheeky chappies who helped themselves to the offerings in the Club Kitchen - I had a wonder over, but I was full from lunch, which was quite generous proportion-wise. After a little nap (it was a 10hr flight) in the comfortable WTP seat (11K - the first row of WTP just behind the cordoned-off First cabin), they served a snack consisting of a substantial sandwich, a sweet, some crisps and drinks service. We arrived here in DFW a full 40 mins before schedule.
DFW - a big airport, but transfers are quite simple. BA arrives in Term D. The next flight (DFW-RSW) is operated by AA out of Term A. So...off the plane, straight down to passport control, where we waited about 20mins (I'm suffering from Global Entry jealousy - they were through in 2 mins!). After the usual 'protocol', bags collected (my two bags were already doing their laps of the belt), then customs cleared. A right turn took me to the 'Recheck' area, and the bags were taken away by AA. Then up the escalators and across the concourse to the Skylink trains, which are clean and efficient - a 3 min transfer to Term A, which at the moment looks like a building site - a sign says ''Pardon our dust as we tidy things up for your future use'' But....Free Wifi by ATT is a boon
Verdict on BA? Surprisingly good, both domestic and international! Even with a tatty old B744, the cabin was clean, service was good, food was great and although it lacks the fizz of VS, it is reliable, decent service. The BA WTP amenity kit has the same contents as VS PE, though it is packaged much more simply.
So, I'm now sat at gate A16 awaiting flight AA2096 which will be operated by a B738 and will finally disgorge me at RSW 9:35pm tonight. 25deg C at Fort Myers... after one freezing week in Edinburgh, I'm well looking forward to it
EDI - LHR was the 7:10am BA 1435 shuttle, operated on a 767 domestic config. It was filled to the rafters, but, fitted with the new style BA economy seats, it was surprisingly comfortable, aided with the 2-3-2 seating arrangements. I had seat 27K which was an emergency exit seat, and the legroom was brill They even served a hot brekkie which was welcomed, hearty and tasty (after getting used to their midday ''snacks'' which are basically a minuscule packet of crisps/trail mix/biscuits)! 1hr total flying time, and we were on stand 5 mins early. It is making me wonder what VS service will be like on this route... I'm eagerly awaiting it
LHR - DFW on BA 0193 was to depart at 10:40am. Nice smooth transfer from T5A to T5 B from which it was to depart. I was in WTP and on the B744, this cabin is between first and business (so you turn left at the door) - it is so peaceful and quiet not being backed by Economy. You are also one of the first people to disembark at the other end. In terms of service - after an early departure we were served drinks and snacks from the bar, followed about an hour or so later by a hot lunch (my VJML was rice, kidney beans, spinach and sweetcorn; roll, butter, rice pudding, and a green bean salad) - very tasty. There were two drink runs after that, but there were a few cheeky chappies who helped themselves to the offerings in the Club Kitchen - I had a wonder over, but I was full from lunch, which was quite generous proportion-wise. After a little nap (it was a 10hr flight) in the comfortable WTP seat (11K - the first row of WTP just behind the cordoned-off First cabin), they served a snack consisting of a substantial sandwich, a sweet, some crisps and drinks service. We arrived here in DFW a full 40 mins before schedule.
DFW - a big airport, but transfers are quite simple. BA arrives in Term D. The next flight (DFW-RSW) is operated by AA out of Term A. So...off the plane, straight down to passport control, where we waited about 20mins (I'm suffering from Global Entry jealousy - they were through in 2 mins!). After the usual 'protocol', bags collected (my two bags were already doing their laps of the belt), then customs cleared. A right turn took me to the 'Recheck' area, and the bags were taken away by AA. Then up the escalators and across the concourse to the Skylink trains, which are clean and efficient - a 3 min transfer to Term A, which at the moment looks like a building site - a sign says ''Pardon our dust as we tidy things up for your future use'' But....Free Wifi by ATT is a boon
Verdict on BA? Surprisingly good, both domestic and international! Even with a tatty old B744, the cabin was clean, service was good, food was great and although it lacks the fizz of VS, it is reliable, decent service. The BA WTP amenity kit has the same contents as VS PE, though it is packaged much more simply.
So, I'm now sat at gate A16 awaiting flight AA2096 which will be operated by a B738 and will finally disgorge me at RSW 9:35pm tonight. 25deg C at Fort Myers... after one freezing week in Edinburgh, I'm well looking forward to it