BA176 JFK-LHR (Club)
Posted: 21 Dec 2008, 14:57Let me start from the beginning - arrived off an American Airlines LAS-JFK in First which was very pleasant (see trip report). Had a completely confusing wander around JFK - not sure if it was self induced or whether the signs are really that bad at JFK [?]
Never mind - got to the lounge about 1600 - made very welcome by the chap at the front desk but it was packed although did not stay that way for long. Had a a wander round duty free - right next door to the lounge but nothing took my fancy. As I had already booked my massage for 1800 I decided to go to the pre-flight dining (my flight was a sleeper). I chose the salad starter (nice), I had a Thai curry (very nice) and then some cheese and biscuits all washed down with a few glasses of champagne. [y] All in all a very nice experience.
After this a wandered down to the Elemis Spa for my treatment - I was met promptly and taken into a very relaxing room - I had chosen the shoulder and neck massage at 15 mins long - or so I thought - from start to finish the experience took exactly 9 mins and I felt I had been robbed!! That included the walk to and from the front desk. Now I know 15 mins is not long but when it gets shorten as this was it is a little disappointing.[V]
Never mind - I had one last glass of champagne whilst checking emails and the flight was called on time. Wandered to the gate, priority boarding not totally clear but I got there in the end (what is it with me and signs today???). Welcomed on board by friendly staff and another glass of champers. And then waited........and waited........and waited. [|)] Take was due to be 1945, we pushed back at 2111. This was due to the cold slowing down the baggage handlers. We were then informed that we had to be deiced - now that is an experience I dont ever want to repeat. Needless to say after a major drive around the airport we got to the deice pan 3rd in line. Unfortunately the 747 in front of us liked his deice so much he got another one [:?] We left the deice pan at 0020 (nope not a typo 0020). We were then told we were in a queue for take off - great[:(!]
I have to say - this is the second time I have flown through JFK - and the second time food has been served on the ground (last time with Virgin). Never again will I darken JFK's doors - DFW for me next time.
The crew were fantastic though - even with a couple of them sick, the captain kept us informed throughout the delay and I got a nice cup of hot chocolate[y], went to sleep and then was woken up just before we were due to take off.
After the adventure of the ground the flight was pretty quiet. As it was a sleeper there was no meal service, and I refused the olive bread thing to go back to sleep. I slept for most of the flight so as far as I could tell it was great [:D]. Breakfast was served as soon as I stuck my head up from my slumber - not sure about the bacon sarnie mind and no brown sauce tut tut BA.[V]
Landing was uneventful and I was one of the first off so that I could change my missed GLA flight - that was done with limited fuss - although queue pretty big even in the First/Club line.
Now sat in the N gallaries lounge with a glass of medicinal champers having had a shower - and feel much better.
All in all - although I had another 6 hour ground delay at JFK, the crew handled it well and I have no real complaints - EXCEPT - why do BA deice in some remote pan when all other airlines deice on the pan they are leaving - it was ridiculous the amount of time it took.
Anyway - next stop Glasgow - barring any more weather disasters [:)]