Made out way to Terminal 3 from Termilal 5 in ORD, simple an the airtrain, took about 4 mins. Headed down to check-in, the international check-in is right at the far end of the terminal. The queue was actually barricaded off, and you had to be let in by the agent at the end of the queue. She asked for out ticket, but we only had or flight interruption manifest, so she gave it the once over and said 'Oh, another Virgin transfer!) Headed done the queue and waited about 5 mins. Check in was swift, no complaints, a smile from the agent would't have gone amiss. Asked if there were any window seats (we were checking in with more than 4 hours to go) and there were none available, but she did offer us a bulkhead seat, so that was fine with us.
Headed over to the small security line at the end of the terminal, and whilst waiting glanced at the boarding pass and saw the dreaded SSSS on them. Well at least I knew roughly what to expect. Was taken aside, a thorough patdown, and about 3 mins going through my bag, and another 2 swabbing for the explosives machine. Got through in 5 mins so not too bad.
Headed to the nearest bar for something to eat, and a drink. Service with a smile wasn't an option there either. got ID'd (I'm 28) but so did a woman about 40 on the next table! Met up with 2 other people who had also been transferred from the cancelled flight, that we had chatted to in the queue, so wasted about 2 hours in the bar.
Headed down the terminal to the gate area, and managed to find the small duty free shop. Picked up a couple of bits and went to the gate area, where there was a bit of a kerfuffle going on. The 8pm AA flight to ORD had been delayed, and people were demanding to transfer onto the AA98 as it was going to leave before the earlier one. They were also asking for volunteers at the 98 was overbooked, probably us reticketed pax's fault.
Boarding was called about 9.15, a strange affair, as economy boarded in groups from the front, so as we managed to bag the first bulkhead row, everyone had to trail past us, and got hit by quite a lot of carry ons. I do like the 2-5-2 layout on the 777's, and combined with the bulkhead that my legs didn't even reach, couldn't really have asked for any more. Flight was announced to be full, and with lectures on how to place bags in the overhead bins to maximaise space. Some economy people had to fill up the business class bins, which got sone dirty looks from the biz pax.
Usual frosty AA female crew on board, a very quick seat belt check, and didn't even mention the bags on the floor belonging to the passenger next to me. Next thing we know we were pushed back and taxing on time. Some people decided that they would get up, switch seats and rummage in the overhead bins while taxing, but that didn't seem to bother the crew either. Safely video was still running while on runway waiting. No demonstration for emergency exit locations from the crew. Is this normal?
Drinks soon after takeoff, although seatbelt sign didn't come off for ages. Captain gave us some details of time and weather. Drinks service was a but hurried, but I do like the fact you get a whole proper size can of soft drinks, and not those silly small ones that I always ask for 2 of. $5 for beer/wine/spirits, don't think so, so went wothout.
Lights soon off so a dingy cabin for dinner, didn't actually have any though, was still full from previous meal. IFE was on, has been upgraded since I last flew AA 5 years ago, near AVOD, films and programming starting every 30 minutes. Touch screen too, which was actually quite annoying when the person behind you keeps on pushing the screen. Didn't actually watch it though, played on my DS and had my iPod on, hoping to score some rest, but I can never sleep on planes anyway.
No other drinks service until breakfast, I guess you could have probably found some if you'd bothered looking, but I always have water with me anyway. Breakfast came round about 1:30 before we were due to land. Croissant, strawberry and banana yoghurt (yuk) and some orange juice. I asked for some more juice, as th FA had a carton on her trolley, and I did get some after a scowl from her. There was an Indian man behind me, who asked for coffee. The FA replied 'Black?' to which re replied 'coffee'. she asked again, i'm not sure what he then said, but I heard her say 'Well I'm not a mind reader', which I though was a bit inappropriate.
Captain announce that we were going to be put in a hold for a short while, so we banked left, and straight back right again, and the captain came back on and said they had cancelled that and we were going straight in. Very slow descent, seemed to take ages. Touched down abouit 15 mins early to a hard landing.
Taxied to a semi remote stand, no jetbridge, so had to wait for some steps. Have never deplaned with steps at Heathrow before, was good as there was lots to see. Being about 6 feet away from a Rolls Royce Trent was particully good [^] Got the Reg of the plane and straight onto the bus.About 5 mins on the bus, took us to about a 5 min walk to immigration, less that 5 min wait there, wandered down to the baggage hall and the bags were there already. Straight through customs, there were about 20 officers hanging around there though. 25 mins after I landed I was waiting for the bus to the car park, thats a Heathrow record for me.
Overall, a good flight, good seats, pretty good IFE, just the cabin crew that let the side down. I can live with no free alcohol. This trip has made me think again about always choosing Virgin, may keep my options open in the future.
