Perspectives.

Airlines.

This year has seen most of our l/h travel on AA [26,917 miles] instead of BA [9,370 miles], so it was ‘interesting’ to return to the fold, as it were, and see how we felt about it. I do accept that the A380 is a nice aircraft, but sadly the usual hard product deficiencies in CW were evident. Apart from the lack of anywhere to put anything except on the dining table, unless you have a window seat, I find the seat quite uncomfortable in both vertical and horizontal modes. The BA food was ‘acceptable’, but no more than that, and the abbreviated Dinner on the eastbound sector was particularly annoying. The CC were ‘OK’, if unmemorable. On balance, I still prefer AA Business for TATL. The CE seating for the X-Channel hop is survivable for the 40 minutes it usually takes, but the leg-room is minimal and the lack of the middle seat hardly compensates for a very 'Economy' product.

Airports.

LHR was working very well on the 2 occasions we used it [outbound and inbound]. We had the expected good First bag-drop: Security and Immigration were also quick and easy, and even the shuttle train to and from T5C was largely uncrowded. BA FLounge perfectly acceptable in all respects.

LGW was in another traditional mess due to the imminent re-arrangements of airlines, but apart from layout inconveniences worked fairly well [with the notable exception of the baggage delays on our outbound leg]. BA "FLounge" not very impressive, but that will hopefully change next year with the move to the new facilities in South..

IAD remains one of my favourite airports, despite the fairly poor TSA experience, and most BA aspects were well up to standard. BA Lounge very good.

JER is still a nice little airport, and generally runs smoothly [weather permitting]. Lounge adequate for a short stay.

Ground Transportation.

National Express is now our favoured way of getting between LGW and LHR. £87 for 2 pax, round trip on a Flex ticket is good value, the seats are comfortable, the service frequent and the journey time is effectively the same as if you booked a taxi. Pick-up and Drop-off points are convenient, although the LGW drop-off a little less so: I’m sure it was right by the Terminal the last time we used it.

Avis/BA for US car rental is now my first choice, based on cost, convenience, reliability and standard of vehicles - and of course more Avios! Joining Avis Preferred offers several advantages, especially quick collection - I noticed later that I had been sent an email telling me the details of the vehicle and where it was located: I assume I could have just got in and driven away?

Hotels.

Sofitel LHR. Only for the convenience of being attached to T5, and the “Top Secret” deal we got. Otherwise it’s just another box with box-like rooms in it.

Embassy Suites. I have staggered to Hilton Honors Gold, but I’m not sure why I bother. Two free bottles of water are still given to Silver members anyway! We probably don’t stay often enough to derive benefit from “Free Nights” using Points. The only reason we stay fairly loyal is that many Hilton properties in the USA have smoking suites.

Old Town Alexandria.

This was our 21st visit there, which must say something! Over the years we have acquired a circle of friends, which helps makes it seem very much like home. It’s a good base if you have a car, with good road links in all directions, and equally sits right on the Metro if you want to go into D.C. YMMV, but it certainly suits us. And they do take Public Safety very seriously …





Reason for Editing:









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Last edited by T8191; Oct 3, 16 at 1:39 pm


Reason: typos







































Sep 19, 16, 1:24 pm





#4


bafan





Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver

Posts: 2,019



That curry on the outbound looked good. Think I've had it before myself - far preferable to nuked beef.


You didn't fancy the tapas plate instead of the afternoon tea tho ?

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Sep 19, 16, 1:24 pm





#5


crazy8534





Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, BA Amex Prem, Fairmont Premier

Posts: 2,033



Another enjoyable TR, T8191.


Your IAD arrival guidance has previously saved me a considerable time in immigration queues so I am grateful for that!

The BA lounge there is a real gem, especially the shower room with 'rain shower'.

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Sep 19, 16, 1:38 pm





#6


stu1985





Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, AF Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin

Posts: 2,843



Another great report Uncle T. Those salad starters look very lame indeed! The lounge at IAD looks nice though - I would like being able to people watch from up above

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Sep 19, 16, 1:45 pm





#7


Hilde





Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Oslo
Programs: BAEC

Posts: 184



Thanks for an interesting and well-written trip report!

I really like the IAD lounge too.

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Sep 19, 16, 2:22 pm





#8


T8191



FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster


Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!

Posts: 27,598

Quote:

Originally Posted by bafan


That curry on the outbound looked good. Think I've had it before myself - far preferable to nuked beef.


You didn't fancy the tapas plate instead of the afternoon tea tho ?
I would have gone for Tapas if it had been an option! Perhaps on other US routes? From what I read here on FT, IAD seems to very 2nd Division on the catering aspects compared with, say, NYC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy8534


Another enjoyable TR, T8191.


Your IAD arrival guidance has previously saved me a considerable time in immigration queues so I am grateful for that!

The BA lounge there is a real gem, especially the shower room with 'rain shower'.
Glad to have helped, Sir! That's what TRs are supposed to be, at least in part. I think, over the years, we have managed to micro-manage IAD Arrival to the nth degree


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Sep 19, 16, 2:55 pm





#9


flatlander





Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA EP 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon

Posts: 5,163



Thanks for the well-written trip report.

Quote:


and the pillow was [as always] barely adequate for head support


Did you inflate the seat's headrest under the pillow? Personally I have found this makes a big difference as the pillow is indeed, on its own, quite insufficient. This action is not documented anywhere I can see, other than some comments on FT.

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Sep 19, 16, 2:57 pm





#10


martin102





Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BA Gold. Flying Blue, Radisson, Accor

Posts: 190



The salad does not really look that appetising at all. Looks like it's stick to AA

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Sep 19, 16, 2:59 pm





#11


BahrainLad





Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.

Posts: 7,864



BA Club catering is pathetic.

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Sep 19, 16, 3:01 pm





#12


offerendum










Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some

Posts: 6,995

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahrainLad


BA Club catering is pathetic.
Not always, but many times.....

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Sep 19, 16, 3:08 pm





#13


KeaneJohn









Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT

Posts: 1,777



Welcome back Uncle T, great trip report as usual. I always love your reports and wait with anticipation for your reviews.


I get the impression that this jouney was a bit meh compared to your last one. The salads don't look that great.


I do remember with fondness my 2 years in Jersey and guessing what are they going to be doing with chicken today for the in flight meal and how many bottles of monopole could I consume in flight.. The airport teams there were usually great though.


What do you think of Embassy Suites ? I tend to like them due to the managers reception and breakfasts and the larger rooms.


Its my turn this weekend flying to JFK then down to CUN and back via MIA in a couple of weeks. Had a bit of a nightmare with the hotel and BA Holidays but that is now sorted and looking forward to it a lot as it will be my first Club World experience for 15 years.


Glad you are home and wait with anticipation for your next TR.

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Sep 19, 16, 3:50 pm





#14


T8191



FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster


Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!

Posts: 27,598

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatlander


Thanks for the well-written trip report.

Did you inflate the seat's headrest under the pillow? Personally I have found this makes a big difference as the pillow is indeed, on its own, quite insufficient. This action is not documented anywhere I can see, other than some comments on FT.
Good point, should have mentioned that ... and indeed, on this occasion I forgot to do it! Aren't those various buttons difficult to operate, let alone see [without glasses] what they're supposed to do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeaneJohn


Welcome back Uncle T, great trip report as usual. I always love your reports and wait with anticipation for your reviews.

I get the impression that this jouney was a bit meh compared to your last one.


The salads don't look that great. ...


What do you think of Embassy Suites ? I tend to like them due to the managers reception and breakfasts and the larger rooms.


Glad you are home and wait with anticipation for your next TR.
Thanks for your support!!


As my PHX/ANC also observed, I am getting heartily sick of Salad + Salad no matter how well one/both might be executed, so BA and AA are equally meh in that respect! As to BA CW, I guess I've got a bit jaded with the overall experience, which always seems less than it should be from almost every angle on every holiday.

[Hotel Review bit]

Manager's Receptions and Breakfasts can be very variable depending on location and Hilton brand. The ANC Homewood Suites Reception was outstanding - essentially a free 3-course meal most days and a perfectly acceptable self-serve Breakfast offer. PHX Homewood Suites Breakfasts were OK too, but with a lesser evening Reception offer.


On this occasion the Embassy Suites Breakfast was definitely good ... self-serve Egg/Sauté Spuds/Hash/Sausage and Bacon/Waffles AND a short order cook station as well. OTOH, their Reception food offering was pathetic: a free Bar 1730-1930 was nice, but nothing to eat except Crisps/Chips or Crudités and dips, except one day when they added some 'US cheese' cubes to the equation. Our Suite was fine in most respects - good soundproofing, large bed and general furnishings, but only a small under-counter fridge, a microwave and a coffee machine [with paper cups!]. Any form of self-catering, apart from Pot Noodle, was off the agenda
[/Hotel review ]


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Sep 21, 16, 12:42 pm





#15


Calchas



FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club


Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London

Posts: 16,626



Nice report as always.


You might want to copy and paste your "Perspectives" into a ba.com complaint ...

https://www.britishairways.com/trave...m/public/en_gb


The choiceless tomato salad starter is really a disgrace. I thought they had restored the starter options at the beginning of September, they did for me.

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