New York and Barrie, Canada

EDI-LHR-JFK-LGA-YYZ-JFK-LHR-EDI





4 nights at the Holiday Inn, West 31st Street, NY, 9 nights in Barrie and 1 night at the Hilton JFK Hotel

Edinburgh – London Heathrow – British Airways - A321 – Economy

London Heathrow – New York JFK – British Airways - B747 – Club World

New York LGA – Toronto – American Eagle - Bombardier CJ 700 - Economy

Toronto – New York JFK – American Eagle - Bombardier CJ 700 – Business

New York – London Heathrow – British Airways - B747 – Traveller Plus

London Heathrow – Edinburgh – British Airways – B767 – Economy



Well this year I had initially decided not to travel away for the summer as I was building up my Avios for another solo trip for later in the year. However circumstances changed and I therefore made the decision to take my teenage son to New York along with Mrs P.

She had actually just recently spent a week there so there were many times I was able to spend some time on my own with my son whilst Mrs P went shopping or waited whilst we did a few of the mainly tourist attractions. I had nightmares that this may not be such a great plan but I am glad to report that although she used her American Express card it didn’t take a severe battering! Phew
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My son has always wanted to go to the Big Apple so I booked the flights on ba.com travelling out with British Airways in Club World (Business Class) to New York JFK and onwards to see a close relative in Barrie which is approximately an hour north of Toronto. That part we flew with American Eagle in economy from La Guardia, NY and the return journey was identical as the outbound.

For the AA/AE flights I had to book Business Class flights for the return as no economy was available. If I am being honest I only wanted to do the short flight in economy both ways as being such a short flight it wasn’t really worth the extra Avios. Saying that, as it turned out it was a nice, if short experience, but more about that later.

As folks will no doubt be aware when booking redemptions one has to be flexible and it did take some time looking for these reward flights. However perseverance does pay off and I was able to put the whole trip together albeit the NY-YYZ-NY flights were on a separate PNR.

The Hotels were booked on ba.com and I stayed at the Sofitel at London Heathrow Terminal 5 before flying onto New York the following morning. This is a nice hotel and is very convenient for those connecting the next day as it is attached to the terminal via a long set of corridors. It’s only about a 5 minute walk and all completely covered too.

So day 1, The flight was on a Saturday and although this was right in the middle of the summer holiday period I usually find it is not a bad day to travel outwards especially on the very early flights from LHR or the late afternoon ones. I was dropped off at Edinburgh by a friend and after a very painless check in we received our BP’s for both flights. This meant it was just a quick bag drop at the CW desk the following morning.

The Airport itself was moderately busy bit we used the Fast Track there which probably saved about a 10 minute wait. My wife is a OW Sapphire and I am just a Bronze Card holder with the British Airways Executive Club (OW Ruby) but we were travelling J the next day so we were through in no time at all. When it comes to the security checks I am a bit better prepared than say 6/7 years ago when I just left it until I got closer to the scanners. Now I have the proper plastic bags and the only ‘liquid’ I have is my lighter. (bad habit I know even though in mitigation I am a very light smoker and sometimes I can go a day or so without them)

I really must just cut them out altogether as at approaching the half century fast I am becoming more aware of it. Quite a few folks in my work have spoken of the vaporised cigarettes, the e – type ones if you know what I mean, and they all seemed to have been successful in using it as a nicotine replacement then finally ditching them. Apart from the health issues in the UK it is also VERY expensive at approx. £8 a packet!

Hence I like when I go to the Far East and on a recent jaunt to Hong Kong in February they are only about £1.60 a packet. also went to Japan last October and HKG on the way back so I convince Mrs P I am actually making a net saving on part of my trips. Of course she just shrugs her shoulders and I suppose it really is a pathetic excuse. ANY reason to go and fly then I will just go.

I don’t know why but I have always been fascinated by Aviation. It’s one of these things you just ‘get’ or don’t ‘get’ touring the world on different airlines, trying out different airports, lounges etc. Everyone to their own thing I say. I don’t like Football (Soccer), nor cricket and don’t really have many hobbies other than travel. Suits me fine and I suppose those who may be reading my TR will know exactly what I mean.

As I get that little bit older and wiser in some ways I am now trying to fly on other OW airlines rather than BA who are generally very good but trying different cabins and destinations is definitely something I have planned for the future as well as mixing in some trips with Star Alliance.

I do tend to deviate from TR’s so little stories and anecdotes but for now let’s go.

The Lounge at Edinburgh was just fine for an hour or so and it was just a routine domestic flight so I am not going to say much about that. I will say though that in the times I have used the EDI lounge (maybe about a dozen times in the last few years) the staff there are always very friendly and welcoming. It doesn’t have any windows though but has a nice ambience. There were some nice fresh sandwiches including Prawn, cheese, Ham etc. on white and brown breads and the crisps were well stocked as well as the Bar area.

Here are some actual shots from this flight on the way down for this trip. Mainly Clouds and some here may say why Clouds? Well if you are not aware BotB has a brilliant Cloud thread on the BA Forum which you can read about if you are interested. Some cracking photos and explanations of various weather systems etc.











The view of one of the many little islands on the Firth of Forth