This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Like everyone we heard about the volcano and the ash cloud on the Thursday before we were due to fly. Of course as the story progressed we followed it intently and on the Sunday we concluded that we were probably not going to Miami. On that basis and on the basis that one way or the other we were going to get a holiday I booked a flexible ticket on the tunnel and provisionally booked hotels in northern Italy. I cancelled the US hotels and car as they were all subject the cancelations fees and that was that.
By Tuesday our bags were packed for the road trip and we were looking forward to another of our favorite destinations. However as the evening progressed we like you watched the news of the approaching BA planes and were astonished at the events that took place. In the end I think sense prevailed but I'm sure there will be a lot of repercussions at some point in the future.
So on Wednesday I logged on to check in, half expecting the flight to be cancelled, but no, the seats were booked, check in was completed and all seemed normal. The tunnel tickets were cancelled as were the Italian hotel reservations. Wednesday night we made our way to the Heathrow Marriott and after a meal and a beer settled in for the night.
The next morning we were up bright and early and after a short taxi ride to T3 we headed to the UC desks to drop our bags off. There were 2 desks open but both had several people waiting. It seemed that to reduce the PE queue they had directed a number of passengers over to the UC desks. Unfortunately the group in front of us were asked to wait while we were checked in which was a little embarrassing for us but hey that's life I guess.
Anyway we were soon on our way to the CH and were sat ordering breakfast just before 7.30 so not bad. Mrs M got a hair appointment and so I settled down catching up on a few emails and rebooking hotels and cars for our arrival later that day.
At around 10.00 we went down and did some shopping and after that decided to make our way to the gate as the flight had been called. As we got to gate 13 I noted that the plane was Tubular Belle (is that the right spelling?) Priority boarding was in operation but was already full of people including the group we saw down at check in. I just smiled and they smiled back.
As we boarded we were welcomed on board and offered the customery drink and we settled in. It wasn't long before we pushed back, slightly ahead of time and after waiting our turn were up in the air on our way to Miami. We both couldn't believe how lucky we'd been after everything that had happened in the previous week. Shortly after reaching our cruising altitude dinner was served, we were told it was a reduced choice menu but I had asparagus soup followed by a fillet steak, not too shabby then.
Film wise I watched Sherlock Holmes and 2010 interspersed with trips to the bar with the wife and a few conversations with fellow passengers will storys of their own from the previous weeks events. The crew did everything they could to make the journey as pleasant as possible despite being down a few heads and we were certainly appreciative. One remarkable thing did happen over and above that though, I ordered a TAG watch, which was on sale, several weeks ago and cancelled it on the Tuesday along with everything else. It was still delivered to me which was a really nice suprise.
Anyway the flight was very smooth and in no time at all we were decending into Miami slightly ahead of schedule. After a smooth landing we were off the plane and rushing to immigration as you do. I have to say that even though this experience was better that previous ones, MIA is still my least favorite US airport.
We were out into the sunshine though within the hour and safely ensconced in the booked town car heading for South Beach. All in all not bad considering.
Miopyk
