CMK10

Background
One year. That's how long it takes to be employed by the Ford Motor Company before you earn paid vacation. On November 21st of this year, I completed my one year anniversary and I decided to reward myself with the traditional gift of paper. Boarding pass paper! Stamps on my passport pages (which are made of paper, please work with me here). But where to go? And how to get there? And why am I speaking in all questions? That was what needed to be answered. Eventually, after a little research I decided I would hit Eastern Europe and see the city of Prague that everyone I know (save one ex-girlfriend who was probably crazy anyway) says wonderful things about. Checking the map, I noticed that Vienna was right next door and as I do love fried veal and beer, I decided swinging by there was only natural. Then I glanced at my mileage balances and noticed I had over 100,000 DL miles that were looking at me saying “we're not Sky Pesos, prove those nay-saying Flyertalkers wrong and cash us in on International Business at the Low Rate!”. And cash them in I did! Eventually I put the following together:

December 5: US Y 25K Award RDU-LGA-IAD
December 5: DL J 100K Award: KLM, IAD-AMS-PRG
December 8: CO Y 12.K Award: Lufthansa, PRG-MUC-VIE
December 10: DL J 100K Award: Air France, VIE-CDG
December 11: DL J 100K Award, Air France: CDG-IAD
December 11: US Y 25K Award: IAD-CLT-RDU

This trip was going to be a first for me as for the vast majority of it, I would be alone. People at work thought I was crazy, family members thought I was crazy, hell my dog thought I was crazy (in her own special way) but I don't know anyone else with a week off and 132,500 miles sitting around so solo I went. Luckily, fellow Flyertalker Top of Climb chose to cross the channel to see me during my Paris Stopover giving me a chance to finally talk to say more than “one ticket to your museum, please”.

Ok I think that's enough backstory, now onto what you really came here for, pictures and brief travel descriptions!

US 3570 RDU-LGA 0859-1030 CRJ-200
US 4653 LGA-IAD 1205-1405 Saab-340

Amazingly, despite being very excited I had no trouble sleeping the night before and buoyed by excitement I parked my car at my parent's house and bummed a ride off my Dad. In fact, I was so excited, my angsty 15 year old sister even quipped “are you ALWAYS this talkative in the morning?”.



After a short drive we had reached RDU and I was awarded with my first of many Christmas tree sightings of the trip:




Now that's a routing!

Once I was through security (including a trip through my beloved Nude-E-Scope) I headed to the RDU Skyclub. Unfortunately, it took a little longer than it should have to say “I'm flying International Business today, just not from here ” but eventually I was let in. I say luckily because this is one of the nicer Skyclubs (smaller markets always seem to have the best lounges) AND AND AND they had hot oatmeal!





Finally fortified, I headed to the gate to board the CRJ-200 up to LGA. It would actually be possible during the flight to see IAD and wave to it as we flew north, I love going out of my way!



So after pushing back and getting to the runway, we did something that made my stomach drop. We parked, and the engines shut off. The pilot came on to explain that since we left the gate (he said that so many times that I didn't believe him) an ATC hold had started for LGA. Apparently there was morning fog that stubbornly refused to lift (“give it Viagra” I say!) and LGA was down to 35 movements an hour. We were told there would be an “update” in 45 minutes. So this meant I was sitting in 1F panicking. “Why didn't you fly via CLT, Charles? Was getting a new line for your Flight Memory REALLY this important? Why didn't you fly nonstop to DCA? Why didn't you suck it up and pay 37.5K UA miles for the nonstop? Also, why are you talking to yourself?” and many more questions (punctuated with choice four letter words) went through my head. Finally, the engines started up! We were going!!!!!...Right back to the gate because the flight canceled. We sat on the ground for two hours to make no progress.



And if THAT wasn't fun enough, the gate agent (pictured here) couldn't attach the jetway. It took her literally thirty minutes, which means I missed the next US flight I could have gotten on.

As if that wasn't enough, there were no rampers to get our bags and the agent refused to let me off the jetway until I got it. So I informed her I was going to stand in the lip still technically inside it and as I was off first, she had to rebook me first. So I stood there and we shouted back and forth until I was rebooked on the 1:42 PM United nonstop to Dulles.



So things were off to the best start since the 2007 San Francisco Giants started the year by going 1 and 7. And now I had to kill another two hours at RDU and I really didn't want to play the “YES YOU HAVE TO LET ME IN!!!” Game anymore.. I ended up treating myself to an excellent lunch of Shrimp and Grits at the 42nd Street Oyster Bar, a place I'd always wanted to try, so things weren't THAT bad. Eventually it came time for my next flight and thankfully, United stood tall for me and we even got to leave early!

CMK10

UA 3757 RDU-IAD 1342-1445 CRJ-700



Yeah RDU has the red carpet, be jealous.



Finally, FINALLY I'm airborne, only 5 hours after I was scheduled to be.



For any Durhamites, you can pick out Southpoint Mall there in the picture as well as South and West Durham. Thankfully, this flight passed smoothly with a full beverage service (rare for UA RDU-IAD flights) and an interesting seatmate. I showed him how to work a Sudoku puzzle and even explained to him what Flyertalk is. Maybe he's reading this? If so, I say “hello!”.



You have no idea (none, whatsoever) how relieved I was to see this view. I was really not relishing the idea of showing up late for an international flight and throwing myself on the mercy of the AF agents at IAD. And I was here only 40 or so minutes after I planned on being and as my original LGA-IAD flight got delayed too, I beat them. Alls well that ends well I say, no where can I find a stiff drink?



I'd like to point out that this is my LEAST favorite part of flying an RJ...waiting for the gate checked bag.



Thanks CRJ-700! That old scheme is quite becoming on you!





A rare exit from the secure area at IAD for me. Oh and this is probably a good time to inform everyone that I am obsessed with taking pictures of any sign welcoming me or thanking me on my travels.







So while checking in (at the gorgeous IAD landside terminal that I literally cannot fall in love with anymore (and yes that is NOT how you use literally but whatevs)) I noticed this odd feature where you could take a survey as you were being checked in. The buttons made such a satisfying “BEEP!” that I got really into it and finished it. Thankfully, the agent was actually quite friendly (even if he called the city I was going to “Prag”) and I gave him high marks.



Ahh, the “good” terminal. I never get to use it and it was such a relief not to be in the cesspool that United uses. In fact, can I once again say “you have no idea” as to how good it was? Thank you!



For a bonus point, find CMK10's head in the above picture!







Does an extensive newspaper selection makeup for the lounge only having cold food? I don't think so. In fact, I think any international business class lounge (particularly one of a non-US airline) should have hot food. Still, the IAD AF lounge was nice, it was quiet, the liquor selection top notch (which means they had Glenlivet, I don't really notice or care about anything else if I have my beloved scotch), friendly and competent agents and a shower (and nice bathroom) so I'm going to go with two thumbs up, but they're not “way up”, if you catch my drift.

CMK10

KLM 652 IAD-AMS 1810-0745 (+1) A-330
KLM 1355 AMS-PRG 1200-1330 Fokker-70







International travel. International PREMIUM cabin travel. On a foreign airline. And I entered the plane the way I should have, slightly toasted. Not so much so that I couldn't function, but like a good engine, I was well lubricated shall we say.

However, I would like to say that as nice as the above seats and cabin were, it did feel a bit like I was back in the mid-2000s. Close proximity to neighbor, older style recline-y seat, no where near full flat layout etc. This just meant that the crew would have to do a lot to make up for it. Oh and I promise I'm really not that arrogant, I've just come to expect a lot from non-US airlines.





No comb? That's lame!





Takeoff! And annoyingly, there was a huge tailwind so we were going to be an hour early. Not good news when you already have a 4 plus hour layover and you want as much sleep (and you know, food and drinks) as possible. But still, better than another ground delay, I've had my fill of those today.



Speaking of it feeling like 2003, how about this old, clunky, badly focused IFE screen? The remote was also problematic as due to its wiring, the select and up buttons ended up being pressed together unless you used a very delicate touch which meant I kept selecting my movie in French instead of English.



I'm so confused!



Now we're talking, hot nuts and a scotch. Though this ranks as the weirdest glass I've drank scotch out of (though I've had wine out of coffee mugs, but that's another story).



Here we have the appetizer which is:

As good as it was, the plastic salad bowl ticked me off a bit. Also, the salad tasted awful to me, but that may just be because I'm really picky when it comes to my vegetables. However, the seafood was excellent and I liked the mayonnaise in the cucumber, nice touch that.



Meat and potatoes. Can you go wrong with that? Allow me to answer: no, no you can't. This was:

Also on offer was:


Annoyingly, despite the menu claiming there would be a blueberry cheesecake, we instead received this fruit and cheese plate. Granted, it was quite good, but I don't like when the printed word lies to me.

So after that and watching “Wag the Dog” then the first half of “Contagion” I reclined my seat as far as it would go (not as far as I like in case you forgot my complaints earlier) and caught about two hours of sleep. Not much, but as my brother always points out, I'm quite good at running on little sleep. And despite having eaten plenty, I was ready for breakfast! Afterall, these meals won't photograph themselves now will they?



I asked the flight attendant which of the dishes he recommended (either a danish or a “strata” (?)) and he said he liked the danish so with it I went. And it was actually quite good, though I've never understood the European practice of cold cuts and cheese for breakfast. But that's probably because I associate them with sandwiches for lunch.

So time for the KLM verdict and I'd say that outside of the seat and the old IFE system, it is highly positive. Meals were great, alcohol selection good (though I only tried Port, none of the other wines), service top notch and friendly and the A-330 was very nice. This was actually my first 330 ride and while I may prefer 4 engines 4 long haul, I can't knock the plane.





You know you're flying high-class when there's product in the bathroom!





Oh goody we're here an hour early. Super. Grand. I will just go kill 5 hours instead of 4 while wondering if my body clock will ever be the same again.

CMK10

I'd like to mention that I haven't used AMS since 2001 (which using math skills was ten years ago) and I was very impressed. There was a lot of shopping but it was subtler than LGW or LHR and there were more open spaces and airy areas than FRA or the older CDG terminals. It was quite a pleasant place to transfer. And luckily, KLM has a pair of very nice Business Class lounges. Far better than what I would find with Air France later in the trip.





They're so trustworthy with their booze in Europe, I love it!





Hot food was on offer including those addicting pancakes as well as cereal, fruit, yogurt, cold cuts and plenty of nibbles. Plus the shower they offered was quite nice (minus the weird “soap/shampoo” combination liquid they offered).



So after the sunrise (my favorite of favorite things to photograph) I headed down into the concourse to walk to the European flight side of the terminal. Along the way I was amazed at the free entertainment choices there were:







You too can start a tulip bubble!



After a passport stamp (first one in the new book!) I arrived at the European side lounge which wasn't as nice as the one by the trans-Ocean gates but it was still better than anywhere I could visit in the US of A. Luckily, passing five hours wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be (hell it took me a half hour just to figure out what time it was in Durham!) and I was able to make the leisurely stroll to my gate.









Gate lice: it's not just for America!

CMK10

An aircraft worth riding a bus to and standing out in the cold wind for, the elusive Fokker-70! My second in a row new aircraft! Exclamation marks barely convey my excitement!





Not my favorite part of European Business Class, but at least the seat next to me was empty. In fact, of the two rows in Business there were only four total people were in attendance today (and that includes your humble narrator). During boarding there was even a moment every Flyertalker dreams about. A late boarding passenger tried to stash his bag above row 2 and the flight attendant, God bless her, came out and informed him they were for Business Class passengers only and the bag had to go in the back with him. She even stood her ground when he argued, good on her.





Meal time!





Not bad for a one hour flight, right? The menu (a nice touch) declares that this is:

The flight attendant even kept trying to force more beer on me, but by this point I was so confused about where/when/who it/I was I had to decline. I ended up really enjoying KLM on both the long and the short haul flight and was already glad I'd spent the 100,000 miles. Oh and even gladder I didn't choose to fly IAD-JFK-PRG on DL which was offered.

CMK10

Prague
If you're only here for the airplanes (and who could blame you?) feel free to skip ahead, but I wouldn't be doing justice to a wonderful city if I didn't share some pictures of it with you. Firstly, here is my hotel, the 3* Best Western Hotel Pav. A steal at 44 Euros a night and also a very comfortable hotel that was centrally located and had helpful staff working.







I'd also like to suggest that if you have any interest in history, please read up on Operation Anthropoid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Anthropoid). The below museum and shrine to the partisans (who can be called without any hyperbole brave, heroic men) was one of the highlights of my trip.







Next up, the Czech Military Museum. A very extensive collection (though oddly, only half of it captioned in English) and free!









Prague is one of those rare cities that are beautiful in any weather. Which was good as my next day dawned cold, overcast and rainy.



Can't go to Prague without seeing Prague Castle!



Get this...Charles on the Charles [Bridge]!









St. Vitrus Cathedral, very very impressive (even for a “Chosen Person” such as myself)



I'd also like to suggest to any art lovers that the Lokowitz Collection must be seen. It's one of the largest private collections in Europe and the audio tour that's included in the price is comprehensive and informative.





Not to brag but, I climbed that (Petrin Tower in Petrin Park, designed similarly to the Eiffel Tower).

CMK10

Soviet Influence perhaps?





Christmas Market by Old Town Hall had the most impressive tree I saw all week, and that's saying something!





Dinner was at U Medvidku which provided an excellent Czech style pub dinner.





That half a roast duck, potatoes, cabbage, bread and two beers cost me about $20. I love the Czech Republic!

Lufthansa 1691 PRG-MUC 1300-1400 ARJ-85
Lufthansa 2330 MUC-VIE 1525-1630 EMB-195

For me, there's no better experience than going somewhere new and not wanting to leave, even though leaving involves airplanes. Prague gave me that feeling. I loved the feel of it, all the spires, the narrow streets, the old trams, the people, how far my money went, drinking beer with every meal and the fact that I never felt unsafe. Sadly, after a Metro Ride and a bus ride I was back at PRG, which incidentally is a very decent airport.







Despite having more flights between the two of them, LH check in is handled by OS.









Creepy OS woman who wouldn't take her eyes off me. Doesn't that M on the side of your face hurt?





Dual air-stairs boarding! Annoyingly, despite having 14F, when I boarded there was a woman in my seat. I indicated it was mine and she mimed that she didn't understand English and pointed to the middle. I said “oh no, I'm sitting in the window, please move” and with a quick sigh she did. Score one for the Visting Team!



Odd that this plane is in 3-3 configuration.



40 minute flight with a free chocolate bar? Ja vol! There was also a full beverage service. Hey US airlines who claim “this flight is too short for me to get up and give you a drink so hahaha you don't get one”, Lufthansa is officially cooler than you.



In case you were wondering that an “aeroplane” looks like.

CMK10

It's weird for me to be sitting behind the wing, and even weirder to be sitting under the wing!



At MUC, big planes get jetways, little planes get bus gates. Oh well, at least it meant I technically was on German soil for a few minutes. This was actually my first time using MUC and I wasn't sure what I'd think of it. Luckily, I found it to be a very easy place to connect it. Also, I knew that my Red Carpet Club card was going to grant me access to the LH C Lounge but I was afraid the agent wouldn't know that. I steeled myself for a big argument (like I had at RDU) but this woman glanced at it, smiled and welcomed me. Ahhh Europe, maybe I won't leave you.







The lounge was good and the offerings better. Delicious pretzels, plenty of beer, potato salad, turkey sausage (the only odd choice I thought), snacks, cookies, soda, alcohol and comfortable seating. It made me wish I had a longer layover.









I'm still laughing over the idea of “funk service”. As in where you take your “Jungle Boogie” when it doesn't work anymore. Apparently it translates as “Wireless”.





I ended up with an exit row on this flight and apparently in Germany they take their exit rows very seriously. My seatmate and I were not allowed to use the coathooks on the ground nor were we allowed to stow any luggage under the seat in front of us. Thankfully, the Flight Attendannts conveyed this with a smile and even put my briefcase overhead for me.







This is service on a 50 minute flight. 50 minutes! I couldn't get over it. Also, pretty appropriate book for me to be reading, am I right?

CMK10

Vienna
Once again, time for a description of the city I visited. Sadly, I ended up being a little disappointed in Vienna. Maybe it was because I'd just come from Prague, a city I'd change my Facebook status to “Married to” I loved it so much. But Vienna? That was more of an “It's Complicated”. Sure it was clean, safe, had great public transport and there was a lot to see. But the whole city seemed to me like a very 1980's style dedication to excess. There was so much Greco-Roman influence, so many gold statues and huge, grandiose buildings that it got a little old after a while. Also, it was expensive! A Diet Coke and a pastry at my neighborhood bakery set me back 4 Euros and don't get me started on the restaurant that charged me 1 Euro per roll! Grr. Anyway, I still liked it and I was still glad I went, but I won't be encouraging people to see it the way I have been with Prague.



The room at the 4* Holiday Inn Vienna. A nice hotel, though one that wanted 15 Euro for a continental breakfast.









Opera House, sadly closed to tours the day I was there.







Hofburg Palace complex, definitely worth seeing, though every part of it was...wait for it...expensive.



The Imperial Library, a great building, but they were out of the latest Grisham book!





Historians will note the Neue Berg, famous for being the place where Hitler declared Austria had been absorbed into Greater Germany.







One of the best museums I've been to, well worth it.



Just look at all that art!



No Big Ben, but there is Parliament!



City Hall



Volksgarden. One of my big issues with Vienna was I couldn't shake the feeling that its best seen in the Summer. Everything felt like it was lying dormant, waiting to blossom and be beautiful.

Once again I managed to forgo my fear of heights to see the city from way up. This time I went to the Prater Amusement Park and rode their famous ferris wheel. Said wheel is featured in The Third Man and The Living Daylights, among other films.







Anyone who's seen The Third Man will get my reference to calling the people down there ants.

CMK10

Now that's a dinner!

I'd also like to recommend the Austrian Military Museum. I love military museums and this one was very impressive. It had a helpful audio tour and a very extensive collection. Though they did an expected job of glossing over World War II and their unfortunate role in it.







The car that started World War I!



Like Prague, one of the best ways to see Vienna is from a tram (or Badher-Bhan). The D line rides past many of the gorgeous historic buildings and gives you a chance to do some quick sightseeing. Plus it's fast and cheap and the older style ones with wood seats are particularly fun.

Air France VIE-CDG 1535-1740 A-321

Unlike PRG, VIE is a dump and I mean a Dump . In fact, it has the sad distinction of having a nicer train station than terminal, observe:







What did amuse me was to pass from landside to airside you put your boarding pass to a scanner and it opened up a subway station like turnstyle to let you in. Individual screening checkpoints were at each gate (which was very annoying as I ended up in a long line). Once past the turnstyle you were dumped into a, surprise surprise, shopping area that would make Heathrow proud. In fact, said shopping area was horribly confusing and I couldn't find the OS C Lounge that my Business Class ticket granted me access to. I had to ask an OS agent who couldn't seem to understand what I wanted and kept saying “Senator Lounge! Senator Lounge!” and jabbing with her finger.







Despite the odd color choice at the lounge, I was impressed by it. They had computers, tarmac views, and a decent food spread including a hot option (some noodle/ham casserole). Plus, where else can you find Coke Zero in a glass bottle? I was a little annoyed (warning: nerd alert) that the AF BP printed onto KL Stock as I like my boarding passes to represent the airline I was flying, but KL handles AF/KL/AZ check in at VIE so I was stuck with it.



Just like the rest of VIE the gate areas were nothing to write home about and the security process agonizingly slow but at least we were on time today as as soon as I arrived in Paris I actually had someone to do things with! Hurrah!

CMK10

There was blessedly more legroom on the AF aircraft today. Also, said aircraft was delivered on November 23rd of this year making it the newest plane I've ever flown. It didn't smell new though, such a disappointment.







So having been so impressed by KLM, and this being a longer flight (1.5 hours vs 1 hour) I was expecting a lot from Air France. And boy was I EVER disappointed. Where do I start? Let's see, one beverage service, drinks in a plastic cup, and this sorry excuse for a meal. In fact, it's so small, I can't even call it a meal, let's call it a mea.





That's supposed to be some cold vegetable salad (maybe?), an apple tart and a tiny chocolate mousse dessert. What is the opposite of blown away? Because that's what I was. And no Flight Attendants in the aisle except to pick up trash? If I wanted to stay in the US and fly crappy US carriers I would have! I DEMAND A BETTER CLASS OF FLIGHT!!!!11!!!one!!!









I liked the feature at CDG telling you when your bags would arrive, what I liked even more is that my bag (the 11th off) beat the expectation!

Paris

Like I mentioned earlier, noted Flyertalk Top of Climb flew down from London just to see me! Well, and to buy a tacky souvenir, but I think at least 65% of it was to see me. Some of you may remember him from his report:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...cx-ba-f-j.html

In fact, I got a whole two paragraphs in that report for introducing him to Biscoff cookies (thanks, Delta!). On this trip, I brought him an entire pack (about two dozen) from the Skyclub at RDU who were so kind to support our habits.

So once we were united we bopped over to the Hilton CDG which ended up being the nicest hotel I visited on this trip. There the lounge was open and champagne was flow'n (written as such to ryhme with open, sorry English sticklers!).





Putting an Hhonors Gold in a room with no shower curtain? DEVALUATION! DEEEEEEEEEEVALUATION!!!!





Chicken wings and nuggets at the lounge? In Paris? As in Paris, FRANCE? I was confused!



The best part of the hotel was the literal one block walk to a train station so we could get right into the heart of Paris. Luckily, the helpful front desk staff explained to us where to go and where to get off downtown. She asked me what we wanted to do and I said “take photographs and eat dinner”. I thought it was a good description.

Anyone mind if I rant for a minute? Good. So a roundtrip to Paris costs 18,20 Euros. And this time my point isn't that that's expensive (which it is) but about the ticket machines at the station. They don't take bills (who has at least 11 coins clinking around in their pocket?) and they couldn't read either of our credit cards. And T of C had one of those fancy European chip things and THE MACHINE WOULD NOT WORK. Why did it not want my money? I mean, if it wasn't for me, the machine would be speaking German right now. Anyway, rant over, we got on the train and everything worked out.



A man got on the train and played the accordion to us all, now THAT'S an introduction to France!



Not to brag but that is hands down the best photograph I've ever taken.





So after walking as far away from the restaurants with English menus as we could, we found ourselves in a large alley somewhere on the Left Bank. We cased the eateries and found one that looked sufficiently French and dined. It was wonderful! We split a bottle of Rosé and I got to eat my first ever dish of steak tartar (something I'd wanted to try for a long time). Dinner was excellent (and reasonably priced) and the company was even better. In fact, I'd like to thank T of C again. You see, I'm a talker. I always have been. But this week I talked less than I ever had in my life. My conversation was limited to ordering food or paying for a ticket and even when I met people who spoke English, they didn't want to make friends (I would have apologized for the Iraq War and everything, I swear!). So with T of C around I was able to talk again. And talk we did! In fact, we talked so much and laughed so loud (thanks, alcohol!) that we scared a table of French women away from us. Shame too, I was just about to charm them with my “Hey baby, if you ever wanted to rent a Ford Focus in North Carolina, then your dream is about to come true!” pick up line.

Sadly, after a wonderful evening it was time to turn in for we both had flights the next day.

CMK10

Air France 28 CDG-IAD 1050-1310

Despite missing my phone, the English language, Flyertalk, my Pontiac, my dog, my family and my friends, I really did not want to leave. It wasn't just that I had adventures and experiences in exotic places. It was the whole thrill of the vacation. I was unreachable unless I chose to contact someone. No one knew who I was or my story, I was completely alone while being surrounded by people. I was eating veal and drinking beer daily, waltzing around 14th Century churches and having my very German last name pronounced correctly! But, it was time to go.



After breakfast at the lounge (quite good, eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, yogurt, juice and coffee) we waited out from for the shuttle. The driver defied rules (AND the map in his van!) and dropped us right at Terminal 2E. What a guy!





Air France has Business Class checkin behind a wall of plants. You know, just in case a video game style shoot out breaks out.



A line? For shame!



Luckily there were no roof collapses today and I managed to get through passport control quickly. However, once I got through I was confronted with a cluster of people trying to get access to the Monorail which takes you to the E Satellite Gates. Before I had time to wonder what was going on, several members of the French Army brandishing FA-MAS Submachine Guns and Border Police blowing whistles and screaming in French pushed us away from the area against the opposite wall. Eventually, that wasn't good enough and we were herded against the flow of people coming up from the busses that drop you at 2E to the lower level. Eventually, we were let through. It turned out some idiot left his bag unattended and they reacted as such. I must say, I've never had a machine gun leveled at me and it was not a very enjoyable experience.





After that I desperately needed lounge access. Sadly, unlike KLM (and yes I WILL continue to compare the two airlines and AF will rarely win) the AF J lounge was not very impressive. Nothing but cold snacks (many of them PACKAGED (The Horror!)) and the whole room felt uninviting. Low ceilings, no variety of furniture, poor signage, too few agents for too many passengers etc. etc. I ended up leaving about two minutes after arriving (though not without consuming my third and fourth croissant of the day!).



Now a note about CDG. I hate Terminal 2D, hate hate hate it. And 2E landside was not very impressive. However, 2F where I arrived the day before and the 2E Satellite are actually quite nice. Plenty of large windows, high ceilings, an abundance of natural light, and a decent amount of places to shop without being too obstructive about it. Clearing security hadn't been a problem either (though it's a LONG escalator ride up from the monorail station).





Today would be my second A-380 ride but my first in a premium cabin. It would also be the first time I sat on an upper deck in 11 long years. Also, that time was on a South African 747-400 that configured its upper deck in a bone crushing 3-3 Y layout. And it was awful. Thankfully, today would erase those memories.







I'd heard bad things about the AF J cabin from everyone from my Dad to noted Flyertalk Trip Report writer SR 103 . However, I ended up being very impressed. Maybe it was the comfortable 2-2-2 layout on the 380 but I had no issues with it. It may not have gone full flat but it beat the KL seat and I was able to get in and out quite easily. Plus I had plenty of room for my legs under the seat in front of me (which I did not have on UA and to a lesser extent, AA). The tray table was big and I liked the electronic controls.





Still thrills me. And yes I know, you can see my full name and my DL FF# number in that picture but I don't have any miles left for you to steal so don't even bother trying.







A very nice amenity kit today too, I love the case and they have a comb!Plus, now I have a bag for my shoes, should the need for one arise.



Takeoff camera? I'll drink to that!

CMK10

Now that's the way to get things started! Big menu, delicious scotch, l'amusee bouche (fun name if there ever was one) and crispy snack crackers. Sure, I don't like that said crackers were served in that box, but at least they tasted good.



My very French appetizer, which was all quite good. Well, I assume the foie gras was good, I have never developed a taste for it and it still sickens me. The menu describes this as:



A very impressive main course too. Though let me ask, what am I supposed to do with the cheese? Do I eat it after I eat my meat and potatoes? With my meat and potatoes? On top of my meat and potatoes? I was confused!

Also on offer was:


A very subtle dessert (Shortbread and choclate parfait and lemon meringue shortbread ) and a nice glass of Port rounded out my meal.

Sadly, my camera ran out of batteries at this point. Trust me, I'm already kicking myself for only bringing four extra with me. After that meal I reclined my seat and slept for three hours in a very comfortable position. I was very impressed with this J seat and in fact, it may be the best one I've flown in. I also liked the IFE which had plenty of movies and TV shows (I watched “Submarine” and then “The Fugitive” plus an episode of “The Sopranos”) and was very impressed by their Classic Rock CD Collection. Though their electronic music selection was pretty bad.

The second meal was cold (boo!) and featured:

The fresh fruit was a bowl of orange slices (classy) and everything else was pretty small. I remember being disappointed by the Y meal when I flew CDG-JFK last year and now I was disappointed by the J meal. Luckily, this was the only negative against AF on this flight. The crew was great and kept drinks flowing and they were very friendly and helpful.

Annoyingly, this time the winds from last week were against us and we arrived an hour late. Further annoying was the whole clearing immigration thing at Dulles. I walked off the plane at a very brisk pace thinking (hehehe I'm going to beat all these slow walking suckers) only to end up walking onto a mobile lounge. Luckily I positioned myself at the front of it so I managed to get off and get to a CBP agent without delay. But still, having to stand in the lounge and wait for it to fill up, then trundle across the airport at a glacial pace seems far more suited for 1971 than 2011. Oh and I got flagged to get the contents of my bag dumped all over the table by CBP. Still, jokes on them as it was 6 days worth of dirty clothes and the only thing dangerous I had, was my love for America.

US 2623 IAD-CLT 1959-2133 CRJ-900
US 1550 CLT-RDU 2240-2333 A-321



The US Check in machine was kind enough to rebook me for free on the 4 PM flight to Charlotte so I started planning on arriving home early. Which was good as it was already getting to be my European bedtime and I was running low on energy.



I'd never been to the Z Gates (or Z'Gates as I call them) at Dulles before and I ended up being really impressed. But as it turned out, I would be there far longer than I expected. The inbound aircraft had a bird strike and while they originally thought they could fix it, by 4:30 PM they canceled the flight and dumped me back onto my original itinerary.



Et tu, Mesa?





Here' s a laugh. I'll believe that there is going to be a new C/D Concourse when I see one with my own two eyes!



I ended up sitting at the IAD C17 Red Carpet Club for a while (across from a guy who was trying to win the Elton John look-a-like contest). Just a minor note of annoyance, once again there was no one upstairs to check people into the Club so we all had to wait to show our credentials to the two agents working the customer service desk downstairs. Of course, when I got there, both agents were helping customers so in line I stood while the passenger in front of me hemmed and hawed over whether she wanted 7C or 21B on her flight to SMF. Also, you want to know how classy the RCC is? Let me show you!





Next was Dinner at Gordon Biersch and watching the contents of the DEN flight spill out across the corridor as no mere gate could hold them! It's one of my least favorite parts of IAD (and trust me, I have a lot of least favorite parts of IAD). But finally everything was going to go right, right? WRONG! I got back to the Z gates and noticed no plane, and a line in front of the desk. I shouted “you've gotta be (expletive)ing kidding me!” when I saw:



Oh I was mad. I was mad as fire in fact (to borrow a phrase from my backwoods born boss). I got even more mad when they tried to convince me they had a very nice flight at 5:30 AM the next day. No. Freaking. Way. Eventually, I managed to wrangle a taxi voucher to DCA and a rebooking on the last non-stop to RDU from there. Oh and I was really mad at the following from US Airways: one of the agents, despite this plane being canceled because it broke and having a gate full of people who'd been waiting for 7 hours, kept shouting “no meal vouchers! No meal vouchers for anyone!”. Now that's the way to make up for a bad situation, by refusing to feed us despite your admission that this flight was canceled for m/x and the plane you tried to find to replace it with also went tech.

US 3981 DCA-RDU 2205-2309 CRJ-200
A $59 cab ride later (tip NOT included as I was reminded several time) and I was at DCA. Sure, I like DCA better than IAD and I was going to be getting home at the same time tonight I'd had planned on, by I was tired and not in a good mood. I'd been at IAD for six hours (clearing security three times) and gotten no where.





The US Club at DCA is nice, but despite numerous flights at 10 PM or afterward, it closed at 9.



Still, at least they have the good airport chairs at Gate 35A. And at this point, I probably could have slept on concrete.

CMK10

Thankfully, this last flight was as smooth as silk. The flight was empty, I slept the whole way and even got in a little early. After a short ride I was home.



That picture of all my airplane loot will close us out except for a few last thoughts. I had a really wonderful time on this trip. I loved Prague, liked Vienna, had a blast in Paris and ate heartily in all cities. I ended up coming in about $75 under budget, all my hotels were fine, and minus US Airways, every flight was near to on time. For a trip that started with a near heart attack, everything else was an unqualified success. I must admit I had been worried I wouldn't be able to handle it, the loneliness, the language barrier, the time off work, but it went far better than I dared to expect.

Basically, I can't wait until I build my mileage balances back up so I can do this all over again. Oh and if you got this far, thanks for reading, it means a lot to me. Feel free to post any comments or questions.

aw

Thanks for sharing this candid and amusing trip report. I agree with you about your observations on VIE airport and the city. When I was there I was not really "captivated" by it. It was nice but it did not "wow" me. As for the airport, I couldn't believe that this was a Western European one. The whole place felt chaotic, busy and disorganized. Don't get me started on the red OS uniforms from head to toe.

Judging by your trip it seems that the inflight service for intra-European flights on KL in J has improved a bit. AF longhaul in J on the other hand went south. The cheese plate used to have a better presentation and selection. As for dessert, do FA's still bring the cart with a selection of fruits, sorbets and pastries? The size of the desserts used to be more generous.