V-Flyer

hiljil,

I am drawn to your Signature details on the forum. It says there are just 2 days to until you go to Cape Coral. That is clear enough- have a wonderful trip!

But "212 days until hopefully a dream comes true". Now that is very intriguing

Can you let us know what this may be? Does it involve Florida as you will be flying back from Miami 2 weeks later?

Of course feel free to tell me to keep my nose out and leave us all in suspense

Hi, Maximus !

Long before it became the in thing to have a bucket list I had several modes of travel that I hoped one day to experience. Over the years I have managed all but one. Now as this is a VS forum I feel bad about confessing this - but I've always wanted to fly BA First Class. Now, I know there are other carriers with superior products but this has been a dream since I stood in the old Oceanic building at LHR. I tried without success to use Avios. Then, with a lot of sadness & bad news happening around me this year I decided not to put it off any longer. And so when the sale came up I booked !!!

Unfortunately BA only have First Class to the dreaded MIA in Florida & sadly by next April the flight will be going from T3 not T5 with the best lounges. ( Has anyone tried the BA First lounge in T3 - there seems a dearth of info about it !).

So, a very full reply to your enquiry !! A mystery no more .......

Fantastic. I am a firm believer in getting out there and doing what you want to do with your life. "This is not a dress rehearsal" and "There are no pockets in shrouds" are a couple of my favourite sayings

And what a coincidence as flying BA First is also one of my ambitions. I am piping you to the post too (just) as we take our first BA First flights this December to Las Vegas. Can't wait. Our departure flight will also be from LHR T3, which initially I was disappointed about as I will miss out on the Concorde Room. But having read many a post on FlyerTalk, it seems the T3 First Lounge (Flounge) is rather good (not the Virgin Clubhouse of course) and the Elemis Spa is re-opening when First flights resume from there next month.

Remember that you will also be able to visit the Cathay Pacific and American Airlines lounges in T3 as well if you fancy a going on a Tour des Lounges! They are all One World lounges that BA First customers have access to. I can vouch for the noodle bars in the Cathay lounges if you like fresh noodle dishes. Delicious.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british- ... ounge.html

We got our return tickets with Avios and are booked in to Seats 2A and 2K currently.

Lots of Flyertalk members criticise BA First but I think if you go with an open mind and no unrealistic expectations that it is some form of Nirvana in the sky (it is still at the end of the day a seat on an aircraft, albeit a big seat!), it should be a wonderful experience.

Thanks for revealing the mystery

Thank you for the interesting link.

I look forward ,even more than usual, to reading your TR after Vegas !
We are booked ( at the moment) in 2A & K on a 747.

Don't listen to the moaners on FT!

BA First is extremely comfortable and a real treat, so enjoy the whole experience. The wines are especially good on board.

You'll love it...

We're in Cape Coral the same time as one another... See you at Rumrunners!

Enjoy your trip.

Absolutely ! Love it there ! And as I adore scallops some days it has to be Lobster Lady !!!

Have a great holiday. Let's hope the weather improves !!

I rarely post here these days as my travel to the Uk has diminished and I have to 'fess up and say I now use BA , 2 reasons - one I accrue a LOT of miles with the chase card and two flight availability and convenience.

first thing HJ you have chose a good time to come to Fl, we are an hour north of CC and have had so much rain recently (more in July to date than all of 2014!) but the good news is its just changed back to sun

second good news is you will love F on BA, I have been lucky enough to fly it on a 777 and the 380 (to IAD). the CCR is nice but nothing to really worry about missing, but the inflight experience is awesome. the seat so comfy, food is great I hope you really enjoy it..........and have fun here in Fla

Oh thank you , Flabound. I have been rather worried about all the rain so great to hear from someone in the know !

Thank you also for your comments about BA First. I didn't think I could get any more excited about the trip but I've just realised I can !!!

By the way, I've always imagined you somewhere near Rotonda so on our April visits to Englewood I always give a wave when we go to Farlows for lunch !!!!

I'm also working on building up avios so we can fly BA first in a couple of years, using 2-4-1 voucher. We'll probably go back to Japan, as my OH has said he'd like to go back for a special birthday. Hope it's everything you both hope it will be.

Hi Jil

This link may help

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british- ... st19756279

I haven't used any but I know a lot of BA GGL and golds actually prefer T3 especially as they can lounge hop. Are you on the A380, if you are I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. I love flying with both BA and VS, but I have to say that I do get a special buzz flying first. Enjoy every minute oh and the rose champagne is fantastic.

hiljil wrote:Oh thank you , Flabound. I have been rather worried about all the rain so great to hear from someone in the know !

Thank you also for your comments about BA First. I didn't think I could get any more excited about the trip but I've just realised I can !!!

By the way, I've always imagined you somewhere near Rotonda so on our April visits to Englewood I always give a wave when we go to Farlows for lunch !!!!

we live in Rotonda sands but I build homes inside Rotonda. Business has gone crazy and we have 15 on the go with orders for 6-7 next year !!

Farlows is being remodeled and is closed, not sure when it re-opens so best to check first.

been lucky enough to grab 3 F rewards so far and have 2 more Atl-LHR-IAD in November

my last one I blagged some last minutes tickets as it was my daughters birthday, the CC treated her so well at the end of the flight she got a bottle of champers and a menu signed by all the CC and pilot, nice touch. you will love the 380 , its so quiet and comfy...

enjoy CC, right now we are at 90 and I am sat out by the pool with the dogs

hilgil,

I saw these and thought of you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BGMTPAghM8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BGMTPAghM8

Oh wow, Maximus. My excitement knows no bounds !!!!

Thank you

Farlows is being remodeled and is closed, not sure when it re-opens so best to check first.

Flabound - do you know when Farlows reopens? We are coming to Englewood for Thanksgiving.

Thanks!

hiljil wrote:Oh wow, Maximus. My excitement knows no bounds !!!!

Thank you

Have the greatest time. Get back on here when you can and tell us the tales of flying First Class. I'm with Maximus, spend it while you can the children will only squander it.

Janeclar wrote:

Farlows is being remodeled and is closed, not sure when it re-opens so best to check first.

Flabound - do you know when Farlows reopens? We are coming to Englewood for Thanksgiving.

Thanks!

latest is they are saying early/mid oct so you should be fine

all these people coming to 'my' area

We could hold a V-Flyet reunion at Farlows !!!

A reunion at Farlows sounds an excellent idea!!! Unfortunately we will be in Englewood for Thanksgiving and again for the last two weeks in February this year. We are sometimes there in April!!

well I'm here all year round so its easy for me

Understand your excitement I am taking my first First on BA to SFO in November!
I have been an avid v-flyer follower since jumping ship from Delta in 2010. Soon made it to AU and blown away by the LHR Clubhouse, however I think that the brand is becoming more style over substance.
For family reasons I have not been able to travel too much the last couple of years but have experienced Cathay Pacific and Singapore in business class and have been most impressed.
So with regret I find myself jumping ship again and having to experience BA!
Leaving from AMS as it is the most convenient airport for us in Cumbria, will let you know how the opposition measures up.

Maximus wrote:hilgil,

I saw these and thought of you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BGMTPAghM8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BGMTPAghM8

Just added a flight in BA First to my bucket list, Heathrow to Sydney might be nice

oldboy

Hiljil

Found this website which has links to reviews of all three LHR T3 OneWorld First Lounge reviews:

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/ ... w-airport/

None seem as nice as the Clubhouse, but what does?

We will go to the BA lounge for breakfast and the Cathay lounge for lunch (at the Noodle bar)

Thank you so much. Maximus . I needed something today to cheer me up !

Arrived back at LGW yesterday from the Florida heat to 3 degrees. Got home. Guess what ? The boiler wasn't working properly. Seemed to have spent all day ( with jet lag too) with the plumber trying various things. Just heard. It will be a new boiler. Ouch ! But better than patching things and it completely packs up mid December & all plumbers in hibernation.

So, a very timely reminder about my next trip, thank you
P.S Just re-read this post & I'm not sure the sentence about the plumber trying things sounds as I meant it to !!

What you get up to with plumbers is no one else's business but yours

Welcome home! Sorry to hear about the boiler- that's always a nasty surprise. But as you say, better now than mid-Winter.

I hope you had a wonderful trip to Florida. Returning home can be a bit of a downer but focus on the next trip and before you know it you will be there. I have decided I am going to do a very pictorial TR especially for you when we fly in December, so I can really whet your appetite with the delights of BA First