***IPHONE 5S camera alert*** Not the quality you would except from such an esteemed reporter as myself.
It was an excellent trip. In fact, we both agreed it was one of the most entertaining and fun weekends we've ever had. Sometimes it just clicks and everything falls into place for that seamless non-stop, never forced yet action packed weekend with a buddy. Somethings where planned and booked in advance and the rest just happened spontaneously in a perfect way!
Preamble
Basically, we ended up flying to New York from Stockholm to purchase diamonds, just over a weekend. Some friends questioned our sanity, however when we showed them the math, cue lot's of "oooh, aaah, wow, I had no idea"...
Diamonds (and precious metals) are I would say criminally expensive in Sweden compared to most places, and especially New York's Diamond District, even without connections or an established relationship with the retailers on 47th Street. So when I overhead his lady talking to my wife about them looking at Diamonds and a setting in Stockholm I asked what type of stone etc. Within a few seconds it was obvious to me that even with flights (coach) and hotels to NY and the District, the savings would be in the thousands of USD compared to buying retail in Stockholm. Quick research online proved my point so I sent a spreadsheet over to her man and within days he conceded and said "let's go to New York then".
We found a suitable weekend in mid April with dirt cheap flights on the BA website, allowing codeshare on the AA 777-300 but still earning the full points to BA Exec Club. Hotel we wanted the Andaz 5th Ave. as I had one last GP Diamond Suite Upgrade to burn, however there was no eligible suite availability. The Grand Hyatt around the corner was also a lot cheaper so for 2 nights barely spending any time in the room it was an easy choice.
Further, which of course was part of the plan, The Rangers had a home game in The Stanley Cup Play-offs that same Saturday. YES! Bucket list item check. I've been to quite a few Rangers games over the years but had not yet managed to see a play-off game.
Tickets bought via one of the second hand marketplaces. They cost a fortune, but it was worth it:
Additionally, we're not what you would define as primary friends. Meaning, it is my wife and his fiancee that are close friends so we tend to hang out as couples. None the less we've always enjoyed our company and tend to have fruitful discussions, debates and civilised arguing. He's a formidable opponent and a sharp lawyer (they talk a lot, and usually eloquently also).
Despite some differing views and opinions with the big one being decriminalizing drug use, we both very much agree that the current GOP candidates line-up is straight from the mad house.
This trip would be the first time we'd spend more than a few hours together without the ladies. Sure, we've sat in the sauna solving the worlds problems or raced down some slopes, but never a pro-longed period of time. To be exact Friday 6:30 am until Monday 2pm.
The trip:
BA ARN-LHR Friday morning Airbus 320
BA LHR-JFK Friday afternoon (op. by AA) Boeing 777-300
BA JFK-LHR Sunday evening Boeing 747-400
BA LHR-ARN Monday morning Airbus 319
Flight 1: ARN-LHR seat 11a Coach
We met at ARN T2 an hour before the flight. Quick visit to the 3rd party lounge which is a bit drab, but food has improved this year so we had a light breakfast and coffee before boarding our 2 hour hop to London.
I secured an exit for for us free of charge due to BA Gold/OWEmerald status. Both of us rested our eyes and skipped the sandwich, but had a coffee later. When we arrived to LHR T5 I could see through the windows that the queues for UK border control where stretching around big parts of T5A. I am guessing hours to get through. Luckily, we had a connection and from T3 which means a pleasant bus journey without queuing but great plane spotting.
T3 Flight connections was empty so already around 9am BST we arrived at the AA transfer desk for some formalities and an AA issued BP. Now the fun would begin. I had informed my friend that we had quite a few lounges to chose from at T3, and all of them serve decent Champagne (and other stuff). He's not a frequent traveler like us, but he liked the concept of "going to lots of different lounges for establishing by way of drinking which has the best champagne".
Quick walk through some T3 shops to the BA First (OWE) lounge to check if any Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle was available. It was not... some half decent wines out which of I sampled a few.
We settled for a glass of Tattinger and I tried the very average Eggs Benedict. Friend beginning to realise I wasn't lying. Day drinking begins now. We toasted and congratulated ourselves on our success and the imminent weekend of good times.
BA T3 F Lounge...
I told him that the Cathay F Lounge a floor up around the corner is a much more pleasant space, with excellent views of the tarmac. He obliged.
Checking into the CX F lounge could not be more pleasant. The agents are lovely, smiling and appear genuinely happy when you are happy.
We settled in the armchairs by the window. View is outstanding.
We decided it was time to raise another glass and congratulate ourselves on our continued success.
They tend to have good soups in the Cathay Lounges, and this one was no exception. We ordered a bowl each of the non-beef variety.
It went down really well with the Veuve.
An hour or so passed, and we both agreed this is an excellent way to start a trip to New York. In fact, we congratulated ourselves again. I then proceeded to try the beef variety of the noodle soup. Delicious.
The CX F lounge at LHR T3.
Flight would begin boarding soon, and as usual with American it was gate 45 something 2 miles away... quick visit to the restroom before a shot of Espresso to fire up a spark and get the bowels going. We both where in an excellent mood, looking forward to settling back on the plane despite not being seated in business or first.
It is an Espresso.
Not our machine, but same model and carrier.
Lot's of people at the gate, but quite civilised, even the lice! AA have boarding figured out. Not like BA or SK which is mayhem. Strictly by groups and non-eligible's are sent back with no mercy. Bravo AA.
The gate...
Flight 2: LHR-JFK seat 15A Main Cabin Extra
Now, I have to say MCE on AA is excellent value if you can select these seats free of charge, which I can as OWE. Lot's of space, superb IFE. Seat gets a bit hard after a few hours and service was absolutely atrocious. I mean we had the rudest dude ever. He appeared to hate his job and customers with a passion. Regardless of that, it was a decent flight. Considering this sector cost us around 1400USD or so...
15a MCE on the AA Flagship 777-300
15a view
An hour or two into the flight service began. Let the show begin! They rolled out a cart with caviar and... oh wait that was on LH.
Beer to drink as the wines on offer where undrinkable. We congratulated ourselves on our success, despite being in the predicament of not having any champagne!
Food was some Pasta dish. Edible, but tiny. Not a problem after the stuffing in the T3 lounges...
Next part shortly...