I have finally gotten a chance to sit down and file this report. This was a business class award on AA/BA to Prague and Munich. Both very wonderful cities.

7Sep AA1531
MD 80
BDL-ORD
12:37-1:45

I arrived at the airport about one hour prior to departure. Check-in was very quick in the first class line. My bag was given an AA Priority Bag tag and when I inquired if BA would recognize this in PRG, they said they should. We know how it turned out of course, one the last to come out.

Anyway, boarding started 20 mins prior for the full flight and I was immediately offered a pre-flight drink. The flight would be only 1:59 at 35,000 ft. Lunch was a bit slow in arriving, especially since both choices were cold; turkey and cheese croisant or shrimp on lettuce. We landed about 15 mins. early after an uneventful flight.

I went to the Admirals club, receive my two free drink coupons, and used the shower facilities. I knew I had a very long day ahead of me and it would be a while before I was able to take one. I highly recommend everyone try and do this, if possible. I met a Scottish woman who arrived from Manchester to live in Tampa for the winter. She said she was escaping live for six months. I was jealous. I can only escape for 10 days!

AA 66
767-200
6:50P-8:50A

I checked in at the gate to try and get an aisle seat and was given an "operational" upgrade to First Class due to the full flight. YEAH! I enjoyed my pre-flight champagne and given a choice of newspapers. Our flight would be 7:03 at 37,000 ft. We taxied for 25 to the absolute furthest runway, one I never took off from before at ORD, past all of the hangers. The meal service was superb, too much food to document here, but everything was over and done within two hours of taking off. I settled in to my sleeper seat (not the new style, but the older sheepskin, which is just fine for me). About 1 hour prior to landing, I opted for the continental breakfast.

Upon landing, we taxied to a standalone gate-no jetway- and was bused to the main terminal. Which was just fine with me because we all know it can be a long walk in Terminal 3 to Immigration. I went to the Terminal Transfer Bus area and THERE WAS NO LINE. It took about 20 mins. from exiting the aircraft to arriving at Terminal One. I went to the BA Business Class lounge and waited for my flight to Prague to be called.

BA 856
767-200
LHR-PRG
10:55-1:50

The flight was oversold, but didn't want to wait for the next flight 6 hours later.

Boarding was a bit chaotic. The aircraft looked like it was the first 767 to roll off the assembly line. The interior was VERY worn and shabby, expecially the lav. However, the quick and efficient service by the F/A's more than made up for the atmosphere. The flight was 1:30 at 39,000 ft. Business Class on BA inter-Europe is very cramped as the seats have the same pitcha and width as coach. But still grateful I wasn't sitting in the back.

Prague is an absolute magical city and I hightly recommend a visit. Very cheap too! Only 33 cents for a liter of beer! I had too many to count.

12 Sep
Euro-City Train from Prague to Munich.
6:59A-1:03P
The train left promptly, as most European trains do. I bought a first class ticket for $53 (If I bought the ticket in the states, it would have been double the cost!)for the 6 hour ride, the second class ticket was only $20, but thought it would be nice to treat myself. I only had one other gentleman in the compartment with me, which was nice. I had lunch in the dining car, which was quite tasty, if a bit expensive.

Munich is also a very nice city. I was there for the kickoff of Oktoberfest, which was quite an experience. I never saw so many drunk people at 2:00 in the afternoon!

17 SEP
BA 949
MUC-LHR
767-200
12:05P- 1:00P

Took the 30 minute train from downtown Munich to the airport. It was a long walk to where BA was, had to ask as there were no signs as to which terminal the airlines are in anywhere in the airport. Check-in was quick. Same question about whether the BA priority bag tag would be recongnized by AA and same result, again one of the last to come out at ORD.

Anyway, the flight left 5 mins. late, but arrived right on time. The service was just as good as the other BA flight, but it looked as if the aircraft was newer than the last. When we arrived at T1, I was greeted by an AA rep who took me by private van to AA. What a great service! I guess they do this for all premium pax. I went to the Admirals Club and then proceed to my next flight.

AA 47
LHR-ORD
777-200
2:35-5:00

Boarding was half completed by the time I arrived at the gate, no upgrade on this flight, which is fine as it is a day flight. The 777 is great airplane. Nice and spacious. It was a 7:53 min flight over at 31,000 feet. The service was just OK, the F/A's seemed to be pre-occupied by something else, perhaps because it was a full flight, but it seemed like it would have taken an act of God to get even one of them to crack a smile.

Dinner started about 45 mins. after takeoff. The food on this flight was marginal, at best. The salad was virtually non-existant. I can't imagine anyone paying full C fare of about $6200 for food like that. I guess you really are paying for the comfort, but is it still really worth it?

We landed right on time and then the fun really began. Customs took FOREVER. I always get in the line where people can't read; they get in the wrong line. To make matters worse, I appeared it was the inspector's first day on the job, and he took one person for the other inspectors' three. It didn't matter too much anyone, because my bag hadn't yet appeared on the carousel since the priority bag tag didn't work. They really should develope some sort of a univeral OneWorld Priority bag tag recognizable by everyone.

Anyway, I took the dreaded tram to the AA terminal and went to the Admirals Club to wait for my flight to BDL (No shower this time).

AA 1180
ORD-BDL
737-800
6:44p-9:56

Boarding began 5 mins. prior to our departure time as the flight arrived late from SEA. We pushed backat 7:00, and was even offered a pre-flight drink, even though boarding was rushed. Seems like you never get a pre-flight drink at ORD even if the flight is one time. Flight time was 1:37 at 37,000 ft. Don't remember too much about this flight as I was extremely tired. I nibbled at my dinner, which looked a lot better than the Int'l flight. Wish I had this instead. We landed a few mins. late. Bags came out 15 mins. later. They broke the handle on my suitcase, but was too tired to file a claim.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip.
I am not to experienced at these trip reports, so if anyone wants bit more info, please let me know.

Mike