Part 2. Discovering initial benefits of business class
July 3rd, 2012
London Heathrow
Terminal 1 United Check-In
We arrived at Heathrow’s Central Bus Station about 10 minutes early, a great thing as it allowed me some extra lounge time. This was actually my first time in Terminal 1, as I usually flew out of either 3,4 or 5. I walked through the terminal, analyzing my surroundings and searching for the United check-in desks. I guiltily walked past the Economy check-in, feeling like I was betraying my frequently travelled Y-class buddies. However I then saw the gleaming smile on the check-in agents face and my troubles we forgotten.
She was surprised to see me in her check-in counter, as I’m sure they don’t get many teens travelling in business class on their own, but she managed to remain professional.
After reading through the SHARES fiasco on FlyerTalk, I asked her to confirm that I was in-fact sitting in 7A for my flight to IAD, and 2A on the quick bounce to LGA. She shook her head in approval as she handed the boarding passes for both flights and, to my surprise, pointed me to the direction of the dedicated first/business check-in lane. This may be a normality for many of you business travellers, however I was very pleased with my 2 minute pass-through security.
Seats 7A and 2A! Boarding Zone 1!
Sadly, I didn’t manage to snag a picture of it, or for that matter actually use it, but there was a much more prestigious United check-in desk which was placed behind a glass divider right next to security. The check-in screens read that it was PremierAccess (to which I applied), and its hardwood floors and potted plants definitely suggested it was the place to be. I was slightly pissed about missing it, just because it looked that cool, but hopefully this wasn’t my last chance to use it.
The Promised Land. So Close!
After clearing security, I had about an hour and a half before I would need to board my flight to Washington. I toured around Terminal 1, with a final destination in mind- the Star Alliance Lounge. I walked past the metal gates guarding closed, overpriced Heathrow shops and saw various people looking zoned in the Duty Free shops, who wouldn’t be at 6 in the morning? I kept a constant eye out for the signs leading me to the lounge. I stopped by the Amex Currency Exchange and got a “whopping” 125 dollars for my 90 pounds, not a great deal in my eyes.