The flights returning from Orlando seem to be getting later and later and it’s getting to the stage were it would be worthwhile booking an extra night at your room to get freshened up after a hot and sticky day.
The return of the Hertz car was, as always very easy and uneventful and your soon on what I thinks the worlds longest escalator to check in. I miss the Disney Springs check in, but given the cutback in flights along with quieter flights in general from Orlando, I doubt that will return in the future.
The upper checkin located opposite the main check is always very quiet although this time a couple of strange things happened. First of all, I was asked if it was fit enough to travel. Don’t think I’ve ever been asked that and second she wanted to weigh and tag my hand luggage - the same one that’s been used for probably 15 years and never caused any issues. She also mentioned that the Delta lounge was only available for 3 hours before the flight although I was very early given the heat. Also asked it I had any priority at security before noticing it had TSA Pre printed on the pass.
After stopping for a last Chick-Fill-A security was very quiet and i was in the satellite far to early for my “3 hours”. Had a wonder around and noticed virgin are using some weird gates now. We were 90 and I think the MAN flight was 98. That’s not the usual section but the leg to the right hand side of the satellite although there was still a flight from the usual area.
The lounge was the usual Delta product albeit slightly improving ever time you go. The food is now ok with a little freezer stuffed with ice cream, there’s a charcuterie section along with the usual fare.
The staff as usual were all very polite and kept the place clean and tidy but of course the cherry on top is the rep that appears to take you to the gate. It’s just a real special “virgin thing”
Boarding was good, didn’t seem to be a huge number of people at the gate but when you compare a full 747 to a 3/4 full A350, I guess it will always be a bet less crowded.
The cabin was full again and again it was my “favourite” A350.
So 1A this flight as opposed to 1K on the outbound although a different plane. Wonder what’s gonna break this time. The screen
Again
First it wouldn’t stay in although this seems to be a problem with most of them. Second it would switch off after maybe 10 mins. It maybe was haunted as I was trying to watch the new Ghostbusters movie but after 2 resets and a slightly non concerning crew I gave up and resorted to sleep. So the last 15 hours in the air with VS and no IFE.
Before sleep, it was time for food. Now as we have all encountered the inbound food is even more suspect than the outbound. I had preordered chicken wrapped in bacon. Pretty standard UK fare you’d think. Until of course you realise they use American bacon which made the whole dish very very strong tasting and nearly unedable. The starters and deserts simply didn’t appeal - no soup option and to be honest I had pretty much given up. I normally struggle to eat well on the inbound flights. Don’t know if it’s the timing, the thought of a finished holiday or just the actual food but, yeah.
The seat this time worked and it was quite funny watching 2 Americans behind with literally open mouths watching me make the bed up complete with duvet etc and climb in after changing into the sleep suit in the bathroom. I’d overheard them in the lounge and this was their first time in upper and didn’t know what to expect.
Speaking of the bathroom. The one bathroom in upper. Get rid of that stupid “social space” (bring back the bar) but for Gods sake fit another bathroom. When you think the literally exactly half the upper cabin has to walk through the crew galley to use the bathroom is not only awkward for us and the crew, it’s plain stupid and whoever signed that off when designing the cabin needs to take a good look at themselves.
So talking about designing cabins and seats ( read my last trip report if you havent already ) who designed a seat when in bed mode, right at your eye level is a strip light that doesn’t go off. Yes there’s eye masks but really. It’s right at eye level and pretty bright in a dark cabin.
So of course the next problem being that because the tv was bust, you couldn’t have a wee peak and see how long you had left to sleep or if it was time to get up but miraculously after tapping all over the screen , it came on long enough to see that there was only 2 hours left, so I must have had a few hours sleep.
Breakfast was a cup of tea as I was planning visiting revivals before catching the Ba shuttle back to Edinburgh and for once my passport worked in the e-gates so I was down to baggage reclaim before the belt had started. Bags were very quickly off and soon it was revivals time were a wonderful shower, bacon and sausage rolls were partaken along with a couple flat whites. All was good again in the world.
To finish off, a quick trip on the Heathrow express to T5 and into the zoo of a lounge before boarding a very full Airbus to take us back to Edinburgh. Unfortunately just before pushback, an elderly lady took unwell and had to be offloaded into an ambulance along with her bags. The captain and crew dealt with the situation very professionally and kept everyone updated so only caused around an 80 min delay. This meant landing into Edinburgh a bit late but also to an email from BA apologising for the delay. Well done BA.
In summary flights ok. Maybe a 3 1/2 out of 5 in total. Shopping - terrible, everything very expensive, Weather very very hot and Orlando in general seemed to be quiet although I’m guessing that has something to do with costs and weather.
Thanks again for reading. I’m already wanting to go back because it’s always better than work
David.
