VS039 LHR-ORD 29 MAY 11 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

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I did OLCI the day before the flight and we travelled up to LHR in the afternoon, staying at the Premier Inn. Never stayed there before but it was lovely and a reasonable price for overnight stay, a 3 course dinner and breakfast. Would recommend it.

We also stood at the perimeter fence and did some plane spotting, saw plenty of BA's taking off inc a few jumbo's . And saw a Singapore Airways A380 coming into land.

We bag dropped just after 8am after waking up early. There were no queues, we enquired about exit seats but Hubby decided he didn't want them

This is where my personal nightmare started, we cleared security quickly, I managed to set the alarms off and got frisked, think it was my converse that set them off. As soon as we got though I got an attack of the nerves, I felt sick, was hot, cold shaking, felt like I was going to pass out. If someone had given me a chance to escape out the airport I would have taken it. Hubby left me sitting whilst he went for a look around the shops. I managed to keep some water in and visited Boots where the wonderful pharmacist gave me some things to take. I've never been like that before.

Next thing I knew we had a gate and was boarding. As soon as I sat on Rainbow Lady I was fine!! Totally calm and okay. We were in our original seats, and there was a family in front of us with a young baby. Straight away Hubby started tutting and they announced that there were purple extra leg room seats available for £30, so we went and asked.

He spoke to a lovely steward who moved us to exit seats for free I was really happy about that.

The flight was almost full, I can't remember the numbers but there were odd seats (less than expert flyer was suggesting), we had a flight time a little over 9 hours.

Take off was smooth, flight was smooth, no turbulence at all. I managed to finish my book and watch 2 films.Food was quite nice too, and it was nice to see pretzels and ice cream back . Not keen on the red blankets leaving me covered in red fluff though

Next thing we were starting our decent, his was when the captain came on and said there was an almighty storm going on in Chicago and we were going to be circling for an hour till we could land. At this point crew were asked to be seated and it got bumpy as hell!

We were rocking and rolling about and could see nothing out the window. Had a really good chat with the steward about Chicago and VS in general, he was lovely. Then he says I think I am going to be clearing up sick, I was like oh no don't say that, he said don't worry it'll be mine I've never experience a landing like this in 5 years of flying!!!

Next thing we knew, the wheels were down and we came down hard and fast to stop aquaplaning

Clearing immigration etc was quick at O'Hare shame VH mess up our transfers (will be emailing them about that)

Turns out over 450 flights from O'Hare were cancelled that afternoon so we were lucky to get in.

As for Chicago itself its an amazing city and I fell in love with it. It was so hot out there I've come back with a lovely tan

Interesting TR thanks:)

Pity about the turbulence but it sounds like you weathered it well (no pun intended!).

Adam

Thanks for the TR, the first I believe I've read for ORD.

Shame there was a bit of turbulance but glad you got there all ok!

Thank you for the TR.

It was a tough week for Chicago connections, between the weather issues in the mid west, and the volcano thingy stretching out flight times, and I damn near got caught up in it myself. I made a connection between int terminal and a UA flight from the C gates (about as long a transfer you can make at ORD) in 50 minutes for which I was supposed to have two hours, and am still stunned I did it. My luggage was not so lucky.

Circling in a storm is fun, I once got the one hour treatment over a snow storm in Boston, we were almost redirected to upstate NY, lots of excitement. They at least had the decency to not turn off the IFE, still as a first it was quite the experience at night time. The snow white filaments surrounding the aircraft were spectacular, even if the whole experience was a bit unnerving. Now I know, I'm not so distressed anymore Hope it was a good learning experience for yourself, too!

An eventful landing - I flew into ORD on the 39 two days after you and people were still talking about the storms! As you say, by then it was beautiful and hot.

Chicago is my favourite US city, glad you enjoyed it .

For any people heading to ORD in UC or who are Au, VS has left the JAL lounge (well, JAL has left T5) and now uses the SAS lounge. It was windows so in some ways is better, but is quite basic and the staff could do with a charm injection!

Chicago has definitely become my favourite US city, I loved it, what I found strange was being in a "city" but with beaches and a lake front it was strange but in a good way.

We were quite concerned about the time difference only being there for 4 nights but in fact it was fine and has lead Hubby to think he could cope with going to San Fransisco and Hawaii

With the landing I just felt like I was on a rollercoaster dipping up and down and was quite worried that a plane the size of an A340 can be thrown around like that and the creaking and crunching that came with it but I guess the captains know what they are doing

Really enjoyed your TR Leanne a city i would really like to visit, many thanks

cheers

alex