Trip Reports - USAirways to London for Thanksgiving

I was considering posting a trip report, and since chexfan asked so nicely I will go ahead and post it.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

ITIN: USAirways PIT-LGW-PHL-PIT all in Envoy(business) class for Thanksgiving

In Pittsburgh on the way out

I get out of bed at 2:00pm with my latest idea on how to avoid jetlag. Sleep in real late and stay up the whole day when I get there. Since I'm a lazy bum sleeping till 2:00pm is no problem for me. My wife finds it a bit more difficult, but we manage. Get up, and leave for the airport at 4:00pm, ninety minutes before the flight. Park off-airport at Parking Company (covered parking for $4.50 a day with coupon, not bad), take the shuttle back and get to the airport at 4:30pm.

At PIT

Go to the special Transatlantic Envoy/First Class lane and check in. Agent quickly waves me over, takes my passports and my systemwides and my wife and I are off to the gate with seats 3A and 3B, confirmed for several months now using Chairman's Preferred Transatlantic upgrades. I also get Envoy Class luggage tags (just paper) to place on all my bags. Boarding is supposed to begin at 4:45pm, 45 minutes before the flight. We get to the gate at 4:40pm and a gate agent that could be Monica Lewinsky's body double lets us on about 4:50pm. After pre-boarding for people who need more time Envoy and Preferreds are invited to board at the same time.

At PIT

I am now onboard the 767. I've flown these planes twice before, once in coach from Pittsburgh to France, and once in Envoy from Charlotte to Ft. Lauderdale (that was weird). In any case, Envoy is about 2/3's full. I chat on my cell phone for the 45 minutes before we take off; the FA's in envoy are around taking coats and offering OJ or mimosa and then handing out amenity kits and meal/wine menus from Crabtree and Evelyn, which includes a eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. I switch my shoes for the socks in the amenity kit. We take off pretty much right on time (we don't 'do' delays at PIT).

On a 767 to LGW

Once we are in the air, they go down the other aisle asking for meal service first. Three choices for main course -- fish, duck, lamb or an express meal with chicken. My wife and I both decided on the lamb, but it wasn't meant to be -- since they went down the other aisle first, we were second to last to chose, and no lamb was left. So we both took duck, which in turn left the last people behind us with no choice except for fish and the express meal. US catering still stinks, IMHO.

If anyone is interested I do have the menus stored away, but suffice to say the food is passable. I haven't had duck before -- supposedly a delicacy -- but on US it was just OK. It took about an hour to get through the meal service. About 20 minutes into the flight the entertainment service came on.

On a 767 you get a small personal TV that comes out from underneath the seats. Its not interactive at all but instead you have about eight channels to pick from with movies tv shows and other programming. I watched Keeping the Faith (good) for the first two hours and then Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps (stupid) for the next. After all that it was only another 30 minutes or so before we landed, so I spent some time reading my London handbooks, etc. Before we landed we were served breakfast which included a terrible egg mcmuffin type thing which I could barely swallow down one bite. We were given Fast Track passes to get through customs quickly and also passes to the Arrivals Lounge. In the end we arrived about 35 minutes early.

Arriving at LGW

Since I had gotten up so late I wasn't really tired. Whizzed through Customs; Fast Track wasn't even open yet but since I had no checked luggage and was in Envoy I was one of the first through customs; they just asked how many days I'd be there and what I was there for, and that was it. After that decided to check out the arrivals club; after a short trek through the parking garage got there at 5:45am. The door was unlocked; went in and no one was there. Decided to freshen up anyway; a few minutes later a Hilton (where the arrivals club is -- just two hotel rooms) rep came by with pastries, milk, orange juice and crossaints. Asked him if there is any USAirways rep here and he said he doesn't know but thinks they come by around 6:00am. We leave right before 6:00am so we never see the rep; wonder if he ever showed up and if I should have stolen a TV or something <heheh>. We walk back towards the South Terminal and onto the Gatwick Express to Victoria non-stop and get there around 6:20am. The train leaves about 5 minutes later; we pay the conductor on the train -- 39 pounds for two people roundtrip, charged to my AMEX. 30 minutes later (I think the driver was speeding since it is supposed to take 50 with the new speed limits in Britain) we were at Victoria. After a sizable wait for a taxi, we got to our hotel, Marriott Grosvenor Square around 7:45am. They already had our room ready for us (being Platinum I'm sure didn't hurt) -- it was a nice large room on the top floor. They also gave my wife and I free Healthy Start breakfasts for the duration of my stay, saving a 100 pounds over the duration of my free stay. So we rested in the hotel room for a few minutes and around 8:15am left to see the Concierge and make our way around town.......

TO BE CONTINUED http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 11-29-2000).]

Thanks so much for the trip report, dg1. I look forward to your return on the big A330 and hope everything went well in Philadelphia.

Sorry to hear your Envoy 767 experience wasn't as good as mine, but I hope the A330 turns out well!

BTW, where there shower facilties at the Hilton Arrivals facility?

The Hilton Arrivals facility is just two hotel rooms joined together -- so two bathrooms, with two showers. Of course when I was there no towels and no attendant so pretty useless. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The 767 is a nice enough plane, just terrible food and just OK service, IMHO.

Anyway, continuing on,

In London for Thanksgiving

My plan to fight jet lag was to stay up all day, which I did. We bought tickets for the Big Bus company (which I think is the best of the three double decker sightseeing companies) for 15 pounds a piece. We spent the whole day checking out the major sights and seeing the changing of the guard, so by 8pm (or being up 25 hours straight) we were very tired. Went to bed and woke up at 7am, rested and on London time. So my plan worked http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The next few days used a weekend travelcard (good deal, 5.70 pounds for two days on the tube) and a one day travelcard to get around. Saw most of the major sights. The hotel is 2 short and 1 long block from Bond Square tube station -- only took me about 6 minutes to walk it, 10 with luggage. I liked the hotel and it is a pretty good location but next time I plan to try the Marriott at County Hall .. drove by that on the Big Bus tour.

At Victoria Train Station

I tried to wait out rush hour a bit but it was still very crowded, especially for two people with luggage as I made my way to Victoria to get the Gatwick Express. The train on the way back was a lot slower and I arrived around 9:30pm into Gatwick. From there I went outside and waited about 15 minutes for the comp bus to the Renaissance.

The bus was packed -- it was a large, 60 person bus and it was almost completely full. It stopped at the Moat House first next door to the Renaissance but no one got off -- everyone, including a bunch of British Airways Flight Attendants got off at the Ren. But since my luggage was strategically placed in the bus cargo hold I was able to check in first.

Upon check in at a discounted corp rate I was upgraded to the Regents Level with a regents room and access to the Regents Lounge. Top floor. Went up there and found a lot of nice treats..

a large fruit plate
a fridge stacked with complimentary (read not minibar) pepsi, diet pepsi, orange juice and water
a card personally signed by the manager
a very nice gift box with chocolates
and a bunch of other snacks

Very nice. Went to sleep shortly after arriving since I just booked this hotel to avoid the long trip from downtown to the airport in the morning.... glad I did.

Back from London

Got up for the 9:15 bus, but I'm slow so I missed it. No biggie, so I just took the 9:45am. Bus was about half full, with a bunch of people, especially old people http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (ie over 30!! heheh) who forgot to buy the ticket for one pound for the way back. After that was all sorted out got to the airport a shade after 10:00am.

After walking a bit checked in at the Envoy line. There is also a First class line now. At the front of the line there was a lady who checked our passports and asked us six security questions; all somewhat different variations of the standard three we get in the US. After that an agent quickly opened up, I gave her my tickets and passports. I didn't say anything else. After some furious typing she gave me back the tickets with a pass to the departure lounge. She explained where the lounge was but I got lost in her explanation and so did my wife, so we skipped it. I really wanted to check out the AA lounge but that didn't happen either. In any case, the agent also put a fast track sticker on my ticket envelope.

After spending my remaining pounds on some magazines, we went through customs in about 10 seconds, walked all the way down to gate 21 where our flight to Philly was going. It wasn't in the Satellite as was the plane when we arrived.. In any case, once we arrived at the gate we are asked different security questions, they took our tickets except our boarding passes, and we waited about 10 minutes before they started boarding. Same as before -- pre-boards, then first/envoy and preferreds. Not too many preferreds on this end, and I got on the plane nice and easy and settled into the new Airbus.

On the Airbus-330

Now the part you've all been waiting for .. the A-330 in Envoy ... and you'll have to wait a bit longer ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif TO BE CONTINUED

so dg1 how many times did you eat McDonald's? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by chexfan (edited 11-29-2000).]

chex: Three times. We ate out once at a TGIFriday's type place called Garfunkels in London. Other than that only ate at US chains like McD, Burger King, KFCs, Pizza Hut, etc http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif No fish and chips..

On the Airbus back to Philadelphia

So my wife and I settled onto the Airbus. The seats at first glance are not much different than the 767. Seems about as wide, maybe a bit more legroom, but nothing much. Almost no underseat room due to the large area used for the entertainment system. The seats have a little light in addition to the overhead light that you can use to direct some extra light - a book light of sorts. I didn't use it but my wife found that useful for crossstiching, etc. The seats are all electronically controlled, you can recline back, move the headrest separately (and also move it up and adjust the sides manually), move the legrest out and extend the legrest.

I peaked into first class too -- there was one person there. The seats recline fully but other than that didn't look much more comfortable. I didn't have the guts to actually sit, and I'm sure if I did the 1st FA would have kicked my arse. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Again, we were offered OJ and mimosa and the same amenity kit to start. We took off about 30 minutes late and then taxied for 15-20 minutes. Typical rush I would expect around noon I would expect. After we took off, we were offered meal service with the choice of fish, beef or chicken lunch. I took the beef which stunk -- leathery and raw. The best part of the meal was the Haagen Daaz ice cream afterwards.

The entertainment system was pretty impressive. The screen is relatively big (bigger than 767) and flips up from in between the seats. You get a little controller and can choose between about eight movies, ten TV shows, and other various programming and music. I think they say its over 100 hours. And its all on demand and you can pause, rewind and fast forward whenever you want, though it seems the fast forward and rewind is kinda difficult to operate and sometimes does weird things to the screen. But overall the system worked nearly perfectly. I enjoyed High Fidelity, Small Time Crooks (well this one I didn't enjoy) and Gladiator, along with Seinfeld, Simpsons, and some more Simpsons. Overall the 7.5 hour flight flew due to all the programming choices. Service was pretty decent but I like many others was engrossed in the system and movies to pay much attention anyway.

We got to PHL about 45 minutes early -- and then we circled. Middle of the day on a Tuesday with no weather problems and we still circled for over 30 minutes. Did I mention that I had not connected in PHL in over a year due to the mess that is PHL?

In Philadelphia

Grr. In the end we landed on time. Customs was real quick even though I was stopped a few times by people asking stupid questions to the girl directing the line, and after I passed through I tried to find out the gate number of the 3:45 flight to Pittsburgh. The first agent kept insisting that I need to go get my checked luggage, and I told her I didn't need any nor did I want her to check me into anything. Then she couldn't find the flight to Pittsburgh on her list so she sent me to another agent who suffered the same problem -- being an idiot -- and I had to explain it to him again. He gave me the gate number finally, and after finally going back and re-clearing security to the domestic gates and being dumped into the A terminal, I decided to forget it and just wait the three hours for my booked flight -- especially since I was told the 3:45 was pretty packed.

Since i was in A I decided to go over to the Envoy Lounge and check it out. After all some folks have gone in after they have arrived. SO I went there. It's at the end of the A terminal and completely empty. I show her my envoy boarding passes and boarding jacket. She tells me this club is only for departures only. I say I know others who have come into this club for arrivals and she says 'No, you have to go to the Club'. I tell her I just want to check it out for next time. She holds firm. So I pull out all the big guns:

-I'm Chairman's Preferred
-I'm a USAirways Club Member
-I'm travelling in Envoy
-The club is empty
-I'll leave in a few minutes and/or before there is any crowd for the next flight in 2.5 hours
-I'm just checking it out for future ongoing flights
-It would be a nice gesture

Finally she gives me a disgusted look and says Fine, I don't care. Dunno why they call Philly the City of Brotherly Love... in any case, checked it out -- its a nice standard club except it had various food items -- basic cold cuts and some other finger foods. I left about five minutes later and travelled to the regular club, where I used my regular club pass to get in ... I overheard someone else being told Envoy Passengers get free drinks in the club by showing their pass, but I don't drink so I didn't care about that. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

In the end, I asked my wife three times if she thought it was worth connecting in PHL for the A-330. The first time was when we first sat down on the plane. She said No. Then the second time was after we got off the A-330. At that point, after viewing the movies she wants to see, she said Yes. I asked her again after we finally arrived in PIT and she still said Yes. So I guess she was really taken by the comforts of the new plane.

Personally however I wish I'd taken the non-stop back to PIT. I do think it's worth the connection but I don't think it's worth PHL. While PHL flight crews are fine, I uniformly have either average or bad experiences with all of US ground staff. Never a good experience. Ever. Not to mention delay after delay after delay. If I have to chose between a connection in CLT with A-330 and a 767 to PIT I'd take the connection. But PHL, no thank you...

Just to sum up, took the quick hop back to PIT, which was sitting on the runway again for 30 minutes, but we still landed 'on-time'. Zipped over to PCA, picked up the car, went home and went to sleep. Woke up the next day pretty much with no jet lag.

<i>Summary</i>

Reading BizJet and other Envoy trip reports I know mines pale in comparison to the greats, but I hope it provides some use to those considering Envoy. Even though I might seem down on it let me say I really enjoyed it, especially at the rock bottom e-saver like fare I was on. I've also flown in Coach across the pond, and I'd say service is actually at similar levels in both cabins; you may get fancier plates and more courses in envoy but the food still stinks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Combine that with excellent service at both hotels and relatively good weather in London I had a great vacation. USAirways is still best in the sky in my books ... lets hope it lasts. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions or get the menus for the flights.


[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 11-29-2000).]

Originally posted by dg1:
I peaked into first class too... I didn't have the guts to actually sit, and I'm sure if I did the 1st FA would have kicked my arse.
When I use my SWUs on that A330 I am making it my sole mission to check out these First Class Restrooms!

Great Report dg1. It is really glad to hear that you connection "horrors" in Philly were worth the A330.

"I overheard someone else being told Envoy Passengers get free drinks in the club by showing their pass, but I don't drink so I didn't care about that."

Hmmmm... I'm told that I actually drink much more when I fly- and in the airlines lounges too! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Could it possibly be the magic word FREE? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the great report! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Great trip report dg! I love hearing about the A330! =D

thanx, dg1. Great report...

Sorry you didn't have such a great time at the Envoy Departures Only Lounge. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Thanks again for your trip report. Sorry to hear about the gruff at the Envoy Lounge. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

The only other difference I noted on the 767 is the upgraded amentity kits.

Glad to post and share. In any case, the amenity kits I got on the 767 and A-330 were exactly the same. Where they different for you bizjet?

I almost wish next time I can try the Airbus 330 in coach -- am curious how you can watch those screens embedded in the back of the seat in front of you if someone leans back!

Wouldn't the business class seats in a US 767 be a lot narrower than a A330 (flown Envoy in the A330 but never in the US 767)? I'm used to a 5-abreast configuration on 767s (CP & QF) and have found the 6-abreast business class seats (also QF, AA and older AC) rather lacking in shoulder/elbow room comparatively.

I think the Airbus is marginally wider than the 767... near the back. The airbus seat narrows near the front due to the cup holder and probably the entertainment system.

Is the A330 is really one coach seat wider (2-3-2 vs. 2-4-2), one would think that the Envoy seat would be a little wider. But I would guess that the armrest is a little wider on the A330 than the 767, so that might account for some of the seemingly lost space.

The amentity kit I received was a grey zipper case with the basics but no brand names. They have updated it with a brand name it appears. I didn't mean it as a difference between the 767 and the A330, but rather the only difference between my 767 experience and yours. Except food of course.

BizJet

I have flown the Airbus in coach and in Envoy and my wife flew in First. The airbus itself is a great plane, the seats are not that much wider or narrower than the 767 but the electronic addition is really nice. The best thing by far is the Sony Passport system. I have a two year old and when we flew in coach we got the bulkhead and on the bulkhead the videos come out from under the seat. This kept my two year old quiet the whole seven hours as he watched the Tigger movie again and again.

The old amenity kits in the 767 were a basic gray case with lotion, lip balm, a comb, eye shade, toothbrush and ear plugs. When they introduced the Airbus they switched both the 767 and the Airbus Envoy kits to the Crabtree and Evelyn kits which has much of the same but does not have the earplugs (they put a slip of paper in telling you to ask the flight attendants if you want earplugs I thought that was odd). In first the amenity kit is something else, It is a shoebox sized box with lotions etc from Crabtree and Evelyn and a set of relatively nice pajamas. I have one more systemwide to use and I have a flight booked in Envoy back to Paris from Philadelphia on New Years Day, I am considering using it to upgrade but that would mean leaving my wife and son in Envoy