The very quick hop of 37 mins from Orlando down to Miami to catch the 006 to Heathrow was the result of the last minute booking to catch some sun before winter arrived.
The outbound LGW to MCO can be found here http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=6& ... =viewtopic
But the cheap holiday needed a journey down to MIA so it was a case of driving and really losing the last day or catching the AA flight which is hardly up then it's down.
First was picked, basically because it proved you with free extra bags which if I had chosen economy and paid for the extra bag would have worked out only slightly cheaper.
A little indulgence given the flight length, but hay.
The AA desks at Orlando are mostly all self service desks although there are staff manning these so it kinda defeats the purpose.
Bags tagged, dropped and onward to security.
First gives you a priority lane as well as priority security lane. Whether it's was any quicker, I don't know.
A quick trip to Starbucks and I settled in to make use of Orlando's free wifi.
Again, first gives you priority boarding into a smallish cabin of around 24 seats. Drinks where offered before departure as well as during along with a small packet of pretzels.
And that was about it.
Seat belt signs where off for about 5 mins.
Everybody continued to use phones etc without anything being said by the cabin crew (although I believe a rule change is in progress about electronic instruments during flights in the US) and seats where reclined during take off and landing
A quick arrival into MIA and onto the sky train to pickup bags which where amongst the 1st off (again another feature of 1st)
A wonder upstairs then along to concourse F for check in which was already open.
So in short, it was worth the money for the short flight and saved a lot of driving but still a little worrying about the laid back attitude of the crew.
David
ps. Yes all bets are off at the airport. Had a K class in premium booked, as part of the 4 day sale, had been checking EF and seen premium was full and upper had around 8 empty seats so was ready to try and upgrade.
Didn't get the chance to ask as was offered it as soon as I approached the desk.
20,000 miles and $259 which was $85 dollars for the tax and $174 to upgrade the k to an s.
So much for the cheap break
The lovely lounge at MIA
Thanks
David
