Extended MHD Leg Three: LHR-YYZ 12 April 2001
AC 857 Boeing 747-400 J class Seat 6A (Upper Cabin)

After a good night’s sleep, I caught the Hotel Hoppa and made my way back to Heathrow Airport. I had previously confirmed my upgrade (on the only AC flight to YYZ that day that had any upgrades available), so check-in was a breeze. The agent tagged my bags with the spiffy dayglo “Priority” tag, printed my boarding pass and gave me the MLL invitation (which apparently you need at LHR).

After checking in, I walked over to the AC ticket counter to pick up and pay for my MHD reservations tickets. While the ticket agent was very helpful, and also surprised at the fare, he suggested I wait until I get to Toronto…he would have to re-price the fare in pounds. Unfortunately, I took his advice, which in retrospect was a bad idea. (Some of you in the AC forum may have read about my experience in YYZ with “Paul” the ticket agent and his supervisor “Mary”.)

Breezed through the fastrack security line towards the MLL. I relaxed a while at the MLL, eventually making my way down to the gate for boarding. Full flight by the looks of it. I certainly enjoy being able to board “at my leisure”.

As this was my first trip in the upper cabin, I took a window seat. The storage bin next to the seat is a nice feature, although some water had leaked from somewhere into my bin and I couldn’t store anything there. My seatmate in 6B had flown to LHR that morning for a business meeting and was doing the turnaround. He slept all the way.

Champagne and juice service before takeoff. No menus available for the meal service, but the choices were dictated to me: chicken, salmon, or a vegetable pasta. I opted for the chicken, as I am uncomfortable eating fish on an airplane based on my experiences in the former Soviet Union in this regard.

I chose a red Chateau Grimard 1996 wine, and there were two whites available as well. After the meal there was dessert service (I had a delicious pear mousse cake), cheese and port (I passed), and coffee. Halfway through the flight they served ice cream (no cookies), and sandwiches before landing.

I chose to watch “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” on my movie screen, as the other choices didn’t really thrill me. Enjoyable movie.

Earlier on in this post I mentioned that my seatmate slept for the whole journey. That made it somewhat of a challenge getting out of, and back into, my seat, without making contact with other seats. Unfortunately the fellow in 5A in front of me must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed – in getting back into my seat I had to hold onto the corner of his seat back to steady myself. He tore a piece out of me quite soundly, verbally. “Don’t EVER touch my seat like that again.” Any tips on how to maneuver back into a window seat are appreciated!