Kathmandu and trekking in Nepal via Etihad First Class
Nov 2, 2014, 6:38 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,598
Kathmandu and trekking in Nepal via Etihad First Class
Last year SFO777Jr. and I spent 6 days in India when Mrs. SFO said "no way am I ever going to India". Sensing another golden opportunity for a "no way" moment from mom, he suggested Nepal. I've always wanted to go but knew that Mrs. SFO would not be interested. So here we are with Jr. scoring another all expenses paid vacation with dad. Pretty smart kid. LOL. Of course he comes by it honestly as Mrs. SFO is no slouch herself, last night deciding that she wanted to see Lebron James in Denver this Friday and can I please get her a good seat? Happy wife, happy life. Just take pics dear.
• United First Class Denver-Washington Dulles
• Etihad First and Business Class Lounge at IAD
• Etihad First Class Washington-Abu Dhabi
• Premier Inn at AUH
• Etihad First Class Lounge at AUH
• Etihad Business Class Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu
• Shangri La Hotel Kathmandu
• Kathmandu
• Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
• Trekking in The Annapurna
• Ker and Downey Lodges
• Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
• Kathmandu
• Etihad Business Class Kathmandu to Abu Dhabi
• Westin Abu Dhabi Golf and Spa Resort
• Etihad First Class Abu Dhabi to Washington Dulles
• United First Class Washington to Denver
With the US-ification of American Airlines by Discount Dougie, I cancelled our DEN-DFW-IAD AA flights and rebooked on United nonstop. Hey Doug and Hector, if you're going to serve me garbage, I may as well fly nonstop on United and save a couple of hours.
United 795
Denver-Washington IAD
Ancient 757-200
12:45P-5:50P
November 2, 2014
First Class
Great DEN-based crew with open bar PDB and a refreshingly honest admission that this was "an old 757 with no power or wifi".
Despite our lead FA Donald bouncing around the cabin taking lunch orders from 1Ks, we had our choice of Beef & Cheddar sandwich on an Asiago Cheese baguette, or chicken salad. And onion soup. Don't know it was three weeks of inedible US Airways food on AA, but the salad was actually pretty good.
Unlike AA, a substantial towel.
And very good soup and salad.
And chocolate chip cookie in a bag and still using the laughable "Made fresh especially for you" line.
On time arrival and after the long walk thru the C terminal we arrived at the IAD Train.
And a few minutes later, we were in the A terminal and less than 2 minutes from the train is the beautiful Etihad First and Business Class Lounge.
Wonderful staff welcomed us and took our passports to process check-in and boarding passes. We arrived about 3:30 before departure and were the 2nd and 3rd persons in the lounge and had our pick of seating areas.
With the Broncos playing the Patriots we opted for the comfy TV area and watched Brady dismantle the Broncos.
Time for some food.
[/IMG]
Hummus was excellent with a lovely Chablis.
The Spicy Lebanese parsnip and leek soup was delicious.
As was the Marrakesh style tagine of chicken.
Jr. enjoyed the Zaatar crusted bass.
Up next: 13 hours of Etihad First Class... but we have to share the cabin with others tonight.
• United First Class Denver-Washington Dulles
• Etihad First and Business Class Lounge at IAD
• Etihad First Class Washington-Abu Dhabi
• Premier Inn at AUH
• Etihad First Class Lounge at AUH
• Etihad Business Class Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu
• Shangri La Hotel Kathmandu
• Kathmandu
• Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
• Trekking in The Annapurna
• Ker and Downey Lodges
• Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
• Kathmandu
• Etihad Business Class Kathmandu to Abu Dhabi
• Westin Abu Dhabi Golf and Spa Resort
• Etihad First Class Abu Dhabi to Washington Dulles
• United First Class Washington to Denver
With the US-ification of American Airlines by Discount Dougie, I cancelled our DEN-DFW-IAD AA flights and rebooked on United nonstop. Hey Doug and Hector, if you're going to serve me garbage, I may as well fly nonstop on United and save a couple of hours.
United 795
Denver-Washington IAD
Ancient 757-200
12:45P-5:50P
November 2, 2014
First Class
Great DEN-based crew with open bar PDB and a refreshingly honest admission that this was "an old 757 with no power or wifi".
Despite our lead FA Donald bouncing around the cabin taking lunch orders from 1Ks, we had our choice of Beef & Cheddar sandwich on an Asiago Cheese baguette, or chicken salad. And onion soup. Don't know it was three weeks of inedible US Airways food on AA, but the salad was actually pretty good.
Unlike AA, a substantial towel.
And very good soup and salad.
And chocolate chip cookie in a bag and still using the laughable "Made fresh especially for you" line.
On time arrival and after the long walk thru the C terminal we arrived at the IAD Train.
And a few minutes later, we were in the A terminal and less than 2 minutes from the train is the beautiful Etihad First and Business Class Lounge.
Wonderful staff welcomed us and took our passports to process check-in and boarding passes. We arrived about 3:30 before departure and were the 2nd and 3rd persons in the lounge and had our pick of seating areas.
With the Broncos playing the Patriots we opted for the comfy TV area and watched Brady dismantle the Broncos.
Time for some food.
[/IMG]Hummus was excellent with a lovely Chablis.
The Spicy Lebanese parsnip and leek soup was delicious.
As was the Marrakesh style tagine of chicken.
Jr. enjoyed the Zaatar crusted bass.
Up next: 13 hours of Etihad First Class... but we have to share the cabin with others tonight.
Nov 3, 2014, 8:07 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,598
Etihad 130
Washington-Abu Dhabi
A340-500
9:50P-7:55P +1
November 2, 2014
Departed 11/12
Seats 2DG
At around T-50, one of the lounge attendants stop by to tell us that the door to the jet bridge was open and we could board at our leisure. Another nice feature of the IAD lounge is direct board from the lounge. With all but 1 seat occupied, not nearly as private as our "charter" last year. Cabin pics, including some from a previous flight.
As we settled into our suites, time for a glass of Gosset Grand Millésime Brut 2004.
And dates and Arabic coffee.
The current EY First Amenity kit. Meh.
Our Chef Alex taking dinner orders.
Once in the air, time for a movie.
Our A345 came with Wifi and cell service. I bought the 24 hour Wifi pass for $21.95. Speed varied during the flight but on average slightly slower than an average domestic gogo flight.
Time for a cocktail.
Johnny Blue for Jr.
And Showtime.
For wine, I went mostly with an old standby, the outstading 2010 William Fevre Grand Cru Les Bougros. The Pea and Mint soup.
Our raspberry palate cleanser.
For my main, the Rib eye with mixed veggies. With nearly a full cabin and only two bottles of the 2006 Chateau du Tertre 5e Grand Cru Classé Margaux, I missed out on that one. None of the other reds I tried did anything for me... the 2011 Xanadu Margaret River Shiraz or the 2012 Fattori Valpolicella.
Completely stuffed at this point, I went with simply vanilla ice cream. Not sure about the grape garnish.
Soon after, time for bed and a great 5 hours sleep. Pic from earlier.
At about T-2.5 hours, time for a delicious breakfast.
And Arabic mint tea.
Cool live cockpit camera showing our approach.
Another excellent Etihad flight... 13 hours tonight went by very quickly helped by a very attentive crew.
Washington-Abu Dhabi
A340-500
9:50P-7:55P +1
November 2, 2014
Departed 11/12
Seats 2DG
At around T-50, one of the lounge attendants stop by to tell us that the door to the jet bridge was open and we could board at our leisure. Another nice feature of the IAD lounge is direct board from the lounge. With all but 1 seat occupied, not nearly as private as our "charter" last year. Cabin pics, including some from a previous flight.
As we settled into our suites, time for a glass of Gosset Grand Millésime Brut 2004.
And dates and Arabic coffee.
The current EY First Amenity kit. Meh.
Our Chef Alex taking dinner orders.
Once in the air, time for a movie.
Our A345 came with Wifi and cell service. I bought the 24 hour Wifi pass for $21.95. Speed varied during the flight but on average slightly slower than an average domestic gogo flight.
Time for a cocktail.
Johnny Blue for Jr.
And Showtime.
For wine, I went mostly with an old standby, the outstading 2010 William Fevre Grand Cru Les Bougros. The Pea and Mint soup.
Our raspberry palate cleanser.
For my main, the Rib eye with mixed veggies. With nearly a full cabin and only two bottles of the 2006 Chateau du Tertre 5e Grand Cru Classé Margaux, I missed out on that one. None of the other reds I tried did anything for me... the 2011 Xanadu Margaret River Shiraz or the 2012 Fattori Valpolicella.
Completely stuffed at this point, I went with simply vanilla ice cream. Not sure about the grape garnish.
Soon after, time for bed and a great 5 hours sleep. Pic from earlier.
At about T-2.5 hours, time for a delicious breakfast.
And Arabic mint tea.
Cool live cockpit camera showing our approach.
Another excellent Etihad flight... 13 hours tonight went by very quickly helped by a very attentive crew.
Last edited by SFO777; Nov 3, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Nov 3, 2014, 8:13 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,598
Thank you HangukStyle.
Have to agree elitetraveler. Hard to believe how far AA catering has fallen since 9/1.
Thanks steveman518.
We're looking forward to our week in Nepal. Thank you thetravelingRedhead.
LOL. Thanks agp423.
We're looking forward to our week in Nepal. Thank you thetravelingRedhead.
LOL. Thanks agp423.
Nov 3, 2014, 9:12 am
#10
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
The ease of obtaining Etihad F is the biggest gift our AA miles have given us in the last year. It's fun to relive my recent trip thru your pictures. I've got another booked in 2015.
I really enjoyed Kathmandu, far more than I expected. I look forward to your impression of the town.
I really enjoyed Kathmandu, far more than I expected. I look forward to your impression of the town.
Nov 3, 2014, 9:55 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: LONDON
Programs: CX DM, BA G4L, QR PLT, EK PLT, Hyatt CourtesyC, HH DM, SQ PPS, BonvoyTit, UK, VS, UA, DL, AA
Posts: 1,715
How were the crew? I've heard very mixed reviews and for that reason, very apprehensive to try flying EY over CX or LH.
