001 LCY-JFK 31 MAR 14 (LCYCW)

time to head home to SRQ via JFK on one of my favourite flights.
Online check in done at T-24 but unable to print a BP.

leaving my mums house at 7.15 the start of a perfect journey began with a train journey from paddock wood to London Bridge, on time at 7.27 and into LB at 8..20. A quick walk down to the Jubilee line where a train was waiting to take me to Canning Town. up the stairs and ...a DLR train just pulling in, arriving at LCY just before 9....the reason for no BP became apparent at check in (slight wait of a couple of minutes) as I was informed I had been 'selected' for a secondary security check...this consisted of a quick phone call and 'yup you are ok sir'.

through security and en route to the gate a quick pit stop into the gents, where.....you never cease to be amazed by fellow travellers stupidity. I saw a guy walking away from a bag so naturally 'excuse me is that yours ?' ..'no I think he might be in a stall !!!!'........might being the key word. so exiting I collar a member of staff and report said unattended bag......probably nothing but how stupid can you be ? at best it may have got stolen.

anyway on to the gate/lounge, time for a cappuccino and croissant before a leisurely stroll across the tarmac onto the A318 baby bus all 32 club seats of her....Todays load is 28 but I get a pair to myself . interestingly for a 'business' flight there are two family groups of 4 and 5 heading to the Big Apple.

Push back and take off (hairy for the newcomers to LCY) a couple of minutes before schedule. its always a bit bumpy on the ascent over the east end and the young girl in 7D was having a hard time keeping her brekkie down :cry:

the short 1 hour flight to SNN allows time for a starter (very nice selection of canapés) and one drink (as it was only just after 9 I resisted alcohol) and shortly we arrive in the emerald isle for a top up (fuel) and to clear immigration. even being a green card holder this service is great , speedy and very friendly and in well under an hour we are all back aboard and heading off 30 mins ahead of schedule.

the main trip was announced as 6 hours 50 so a nice early arrival (useful as I had a 50 minute connection time). on this sector a salad (ok) and main (fillet of beer very good) are served , along with copious amounts of a very easy Pinot Noir. desert was ...ok I forget (possibly due to wine intake) and then ipads are handed out for the IFE.

the seat is VERY comfortable and allows you to recline nicely to watch the films and relax. I finished watching Capt Phillips, then went on to Dallas Buyers club (some possibly missed due to a nap) and finished off with Class of 92

afternoon tea of sandwiches and scones , washed down with more red, was served about 90 minutes out...then a nice easy descent into JFK with good views of NY state.

we arrived in at 1.30 giving me ample time to make my 2.50 Jet Blue down to SRQ

all in all a great flight, again the use of 40000 avios meant the cost was below £400, to me a real bargain....

Thanks for posting ,this is a trip I want to try one day ,bless the poor girl in 7d ,did things get better for her ?

she was fine most of the way then had a good honk as we came into JFK poor thing.

the one downside of a small plane (we parked alongside a 747 which was massive in comparison) is you feel the lumps and bumps a lot more.

Thanks for the TR. I had noticed you were flying the same day as we went direct to TPA and rather envied you except for the change to get down to Sarasota. I was relieved we had a very unbumpy flight as friends the previous day had very bad turbulence - so I was interested to read how much more you feel the bumps on the smaller plane.

it wasn't that bad Hil....I have flown on far worse sleazy jet flights from Glasgow to Stansted (35 trips in one year), I think the poor girl was just a bad traveller.

for me the attraction is an early start, I hate hanging around and the chance to imbibe at leisure AND get picked up at SRQ (a mere hour or less to home). v going direct to TPA and then having to drive down. the LCY seat is also IMO better

I left at 7.15 and arrived home at 7pm (12uk) so 17 hours door to door

has I flown LGW-TPA that would have been 9.30 - around 7pm as well BUT a drive at the end (thus no alcohol), plus its quite nice breaking the journey up

[buns]

flabound

Thanks for the TR

I must admit, having read your two recent TRs, the thought of getting one of those BA Amex Cards rather tempting Especially as I would dearly love to do the LCY - JFK trip.

buns

Love this flight, the crew are always so nice, compared to some of the flights I've had from LHR. Almost makes me want to go to LGW (then I think better of it).

I'll be on the baby bus again next month