V-Flyer

16985 miles in 132 hours on BA F/J,AA F via BOS,DFW,LAX,HNL & SFO

Part 1
BA 215 LHR-BOS CW 27/12/2008.

This trip came about because of a hurricane heading for MIA in August. We didnt fancy risking being stranded so I booked a full fare last minute one way WT+ MIA-LHR to get us out of Dodge. Ditching the none refundable miles F return a couple of days later was heart breaking. But every cloud has a silver lining(maybe not for my wallet) with 75 TPs in our accounts I decided it would be a shame to waste them and embarked on a TP run booking frenzy to renew BA gold (had intended letting our accounts lapse to silver). With a run to Alaska and a BOS weekender under our belts this trip would take us over the required 1500 point renewal.

I booked WT+ sale tickets in September upgrading the outbound with 25k miles to J,. BA 215 was due to depart at 4.15pm so we left home at 10.30am and headed down the M1 all was fine until we joined the M25, absolutely stationary, eventually it began to crawl and I really did think we would miss a flight for the first time. An hour and half later and a few junctions on and we were ok. Parked up at T5 long stay at the far side of Pink elephant at about 2.30pm bus arrived promptly and we headed over to F check-in, dont really see the point of doing OLCI at T5 as you have to go to a desk to get the BP validated so its faster to get it all done at the F desk. Very courteous and fast check-in there are about 5 F desks and there was only 1 other pax there. Through fast track quickly and despite being nearly striped the machine still went ding so another very unpleasant pat down.

Had to laugh at the very self important man who was checking in at the same time as us being turned away from the Concorde room entrance just to the right of south security 'do you know who I am?'.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/Picture001.jpg[/img]
He had to walk like us, past the shops and up and down the escalators to get to the main south lounge complex entrance. Once gold cards were shown we were allowed into the galleries First section it is quite a large space and was very quite.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/Picture013.jpg[/img]
Needed a glass of fizz after the drive down so we headed for the Champagne bar
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk001.jpg[/img]
and after a quick taste of the Pol Roger 99 we went for the superior Cattier clos du Moulin.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk004.jpg[/img]
A rather quickly emptied bottle later, some food was in order so we decamped to the refectory area, there is a menu and waiter service but the hot buffet select is quite good especially the mini steak pies. The flight was soon called and as I suspected it was a bus transfer to the unusual 3 class 777 with no F cabin. As we pulled up I could see through the windows the familiar wood panel of the F cabin in the noise section. I looked at the BP that I hadnt given any attention to and realized we were sat in row 1 result an F class seat. Apparently our aircraft had gone tech and was replaced with a 4 class 777 so we got the F cabin with club service.

A welcome back by name, coats hung, and a couple of glasses of Charles Heidsieck were excepted before push back. Service was supper smooth more like F than J and have to say the 2 stewards were better than some F crews we have experienced in the past. Take off was on time with a sub 7 hour flight to Logan. The menus and new amenity bags[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk045.jpg[/img] were dished out and the Seat belt lights were soon off. The service began very quickly, more like first ie drinks mixed in the galley and served rather than the annoying miniature and mixer thrust at you a la Y as sometimes in CW. After a couple of G&Ts (with lime but think it was Bombay and not No10).Food orders were taken I plumped for the sage Derby souffl_ I loved it Mrs JP hated it .
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk005.jpg[/img]
Then the excellent fish pie, didnt fancy more turkey particularly as our Christmas bird had induced a nasty gout attrack in my left big toe.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk006.jpg[/img]
Onto pud which was a Yule log washed down with some cab sav very nice.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk007.jpg[/img]
I finished the meal off with a couple of ports and reclined for a sleep. Afternoon tea woke me about an hour out of Boston and Im ashamed to say I didnt fancy a drink so had a cup of coffee.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk008.jpg[/img]
We landed about 20 minutes early and were first off and into an empty immigration hall. A perfect flight and a great bonus to get a F seat

A quick walk to the Logan Hilton and I was sat with a pint of Sam Adams in the bar less than 30 minutes after landing, a record for us. It was to be an early start in the morning with our AA flight to DFW departing at 7.35am,so just a couple of pints and off to bed at 9pm.

TBC

Brilliant TR loved the pictures, one day i will work out how to put them on too, what a result with the change of plane, look forward to the other TRs

cheers

alex

Ah - another JP monster point run! looking forward to the next installments!

Regards

John

Thanks JP - looking forward to Chapter 2. [y][y]

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
Had to laugh at the very self important man who was checking in at the same time as us being turned away from the Concorde room entrance just to the right of south security 'do you know who I am?'.


Poor soul. I don't think we should mock those who evidently find it a challenge to remember who they are and have to seek validation of same from airport staff.

Looking forward to the telling of the rest of the trip.

Paul

Thanks for the Great part 1 of a TR Saga![y]

Awesome stuff JP, and nice one on the plane change. Very much looking forward to the next part [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

JP

Certainly wetted my champagne appetite[:D][:D]

Your pictures speak a thousand words and I cannot wait for the next instalment

buns

Great TR Jaguarpig, and good to see you slumming it in J for a change [:p]. Still, looks like the crew were a credit nonetheless.

As usual, picture paint a thousand words and always good to see them. Makes me want to try posh BA again now [:D]

Dean

Please sir, can I have some more .....

....of the TR [y]

JP

Absolutley fantastic TR with some very nice mouth watering photos. Are you sure this was not J food[:0]. VS, please look at the photos and see how it should be done. What a journey. Can't wait for the next installment.

I like the champagne bar as well[:D]. Could settle down there no problem at all.

Iain

Part 2
28/12/2008
AA1560 BOS-DFW F

After a good 8 hours sleep the alarm went at 5.30am, from past experience it takes us between 45 minutes and an hour from waking at the Logan Hilton to the AA check-in. The Hilton shuttle bus was waiting along with loads of people we just managed to squeeze on and noticed how busy Logans terminals were, everyone going home after Christmas. The AA F desk only had 2 people in front of us, the coach desks looked an absolute nightmare. The check-in lady was rather flustered and only gave us 2 sets of BPs, then the machine spat the last 2 out. Worth noting that you can now input your BA/OW FF number into your booking online, saves trying to get it added later in the Admiral club as all AA check-in desks seem incapable. Your BP should display OW status and your FF number, ours did plus priority access across them, assume this is for fast tract. Security was efficient quick and the staff remarkably pleasant we were sat in the Admirals club with a cup of coffee at 6.30am. [img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/LHR-BOS-LAX-HNL-LAX-BOS-LHR/Picture018.jpg[/img]
The flight was on time showing at 7.35am, not even a free booze ticket at this time in the morning because of Massachusetts booze laws. In fact the total lounge offering was water coffee some mini muffins and a couple of manky apples. Looking at the menu a beer was $6, these AA lounges are really p*** poor even compared to the North worst lounge VS used to use at Logan.

We made our way to the gate just across from the lounge, AA tend to board domestics about 35 minutes before departure and if like us you are travelling with hand luggage only you want to be on swiftly to stow it. Boarding had already started F had gone on plus group 1 and 2 pax (boarding group number is always printed on AA coach BPs the system works well).Dispatcher wishes us a good flight by name as the BPs are checked and I'm just entering the jetway when jobsworth witch heckles me that my roll on is to big. If you have ever been on an AA domestic flight you will know what gargantuan luggage is taken onboard. I politely say its approved carry-on size Òno you have to check itÓ. I ask where the gauge is she points I put my bag into it and she replies its too tight a fit and where are you going to. Nightmare, checked in at the gate and going to DFW-LAX-HNL with tight connections I ain't going to see my bag until I get home and as its my only piece of luggage for the trip I really do need it. So I take my coat out of the front pocket and my ticket wallet out of the back pouch and as the Stranglers would say it fits the gauge like a sausage in the Mersey tunnel. ÓExcuse me my bag fits your gaugeÓ She doesn't turn round as she continues to fill in a luggage label. The look of horror when she turned to see my bag freely moving in and out of the gauge was priceless. Onto the plane a 757, I repack coat and wallet and stow roller wheels first into the overhead it fits as its done on the previous 25 AA sectors in the last 3 years.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/LHR-BOS-LAX-HNL-LAX-BOS-LHR/Picture038.jpg[/img]
Push back is bang on time as usual and we are on our way with a flight time of 4 hours, connection in DFW is scheduled to be 1hour 5 minutes and as it usually means a terminal change I'm relieved we are on time. After the gate trauma a nice AA bloody mary is called for.They really do mix good cocktails on AA,a big glass plenty of ice and plenty of booze.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk009.jpg[/img]
Service was excellent a couple of top ups and breakfast was served fruit,cheese omelette and breakfast potatoes.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk010.jpg[/img]
I whiled away a couple of hours looking at all the crap for sale in the Skyshop magazine, anyone for an indoor dog urinal. The flight was very choppy and quite rough into DFW on landing the captain complemented the first officer's airmanship on account he had found every bit of chop between BOS-DFW. They usually announce the connecting gates before landing but on this occasion we had landed on one of the outer runways which meant a long taxi. Connecting information was announced during taxi we were coming into Terminal D and leaving from C. The long Taxi put us on stand with about 60 minutes to the LAX flight.

DFW Terminals are now linked by skytrain an automated bidirectional monorail.
[img]
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/ ... esk011.jpg
[/img]
So just head up the massive escalator follow the fantastic signage and we were in the T3 Admirals Club 10 minutes later,with drinks vouchers in hand.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/Picture044.jpg[/img]
One swift G&T later, oh and a bag of crisps because they can't serve booze without food and we were ready to board are next flight to LAX at the gate conveniently opposite the AC.

TBC

Super, another great chapter. Keep them coming.

thanks
Iain

Oooh the suspense of the next chapter.......

Thanks for part 3![y]

Wow, great report, and result on getting your bag onboard. That would have been a nightmare with your connections, and I bet you'd see some chap wheeling off TWO rollaboards when you disembark [:D]. Food doesnt look at all bad either.

Cheers for the tips on the BOS-HNL run, something I may well consider in the future [:w]

Thanks,
Sarah

Keep up the good work[y][y][y]

Buns

JP, would you agree with the following ?

The AA domestic first is starting to get a bit old, ok it is very old now, but if you get the right seat (where the padding still works) they are very comfortable.

I do wish AA would change the menu though, it's been the same for a long time now, though I do love the pasta dish they serve on dinner flights.

Oh and thanks for the TR [:I]

Agree about The 757 seat it is very old and not good for sleeping in, I don't mind the MD80 or the 737-800 offerings and the old 767-300 is fine,we got the new 767 J seat LAX-HNL and its very good.I quite like the food but its not a patch on what it was like on our first HNL run in 2005.For the YUP/KUP price we pay its OK for full fare first its terrible.

Part 3
AA2427 DFW-LAX

Boarded with no problems for my roll-on, aircraft was an MD super 80 with a flight time of about 3 hours leaving us good 2 hours to connect and get a few drinks in the LAX AA flagship (first class lounge).First usually has 2 crew this time with the only male FA of the trip.Twigging our accents straight away he asked what we were up to. He also twigged we like a drink and tried to drown us.

Pushback on time again and another long taxi out, a little smoother out than the approach. We soon had a couple of G&Ts and AA's ubiquitous warm nut mix(3 bowls is too much in a day)
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk013.jpg[/img]
Food was served fairly quickly a hot chicken sarnie or a cold turkey one both with salad, I opted for chicken as my gout was still playing up
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk020.jpg[/img]
. Mrs JP had to make do with salad as she eats no fur or feather. My salad was very limp and sorry for itself but the one they found for Mrs was a lot better and a lot bigger, FA was most concerned she didn't want the chicken or turkey.

The chicken was very nice, I had to pass on the ice cream and had a couple of warm brandies to catch up on a little sleep. Cookies were offered and accepted sure these shrink on every trip.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk021.jpg[/img]

We were into LAX on time and after thanking the superb crew we made our way to the Flagship lounge, it's located within the AC and access is by keycard no drinks vouchers needed all free and pour your own. We had the place to ourselves lovely airy space.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk023.jpg[/img]
With a good selection of nibbles, soup, sarnies and booze.
[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c315/jaguarpig/HNL%20xmas2008/desk024.jpg[/img]
I chugged down a couple of bottles of San Pellegrino mineral water and then a few glasses of the Californian fizz which was very good and looking it up in an ABC store in HNL was $60 a bottle can't remember what it was though. The soup a fiery chicken concoction and nibbles were very good. A very nice lounge my second fav of all AAs only ORD is better IMO. I was looking forward to the next leg as it was the only flight on a wide body 767-300 fingers crossed it was a refitted plane with the new international J seat.

TBC

JP

The excellent account of your saga continues[y][y][y]
quote:He also twigged we like a drink and tried to drown us.

My kind of FA[}:)]

There is some serious high end brands shown in that photo in that AA Lounge = pity you were not there for longer

Looking forward to the next segment

buns

Only just realised this report is getting added onto! D'UH! Thanks for this most enjoyable!

keep em coming jp,feel like we are there with you.

Jurgen and Sue

quote:had a couple of warm brandies to catch up on a little sleep

Hehe ... love this quote!

Great trip report, keep it coming! [y] I'm going to have to look at KUP prices I think ....

Thanks,
Sarah

Just brilliant![y]

Love the pictures and the very attentive crew. Can't wait for the next part!!!!

Thanks for the pumping TR.

cheers

alex