Thanks so much on the 767 update! BA was gracious enough to actually tell me which 767s were currently re-fitted on the ARN route in my date range, which went above and beyond from my perspective. As I get closer, I'll give them a ring to see if all is still on course. It won't be the end of the world if I lose this small pleasure on a 2 hour flight -- I have LHR-TLV-LHR-JFK to look forward to!

I always enjoy reading RTW TR, specially if they are in premium cabins, and they include pictures... I'm looking forward to this one...

Five Star Service on AA
 

I've just gotten off the phone with American Airlines Five Star service, and have purchased the transfer while I'm in LAX -- they take me from my arrival gate in T4 to the Tom Bradley terminal, through security, and into the lounge. For $125, I felt like this was the moment to give it a try. I'll make sure to report back on the experience!

This far ahead, that will change. There is only 1 out of 21 767 frames that will be refitted in the near future as it is at the heavy maintenance facility in Cardiff now. But, as you say, it is a 2 hour flight, but just keep an eye out.

HI vmsea. Sorry -- I missed this question a while back. 15K is the going rate for a OW RTW trip, or at least it was in December 2011. It is an amazing deal, and my guess is that they do it because (a) it's hard to fill F cabins with paying flyers, and (b) the RTW market is really aimed at leisure travelers (yes, business travelers to buy these, but they don't take all 16 segments, so the economics are not as bad for the airlines). To organize this trip, use the online booking tools at www.oneworld.com, www.staralliance.com, or www.skyteam.com. Then after you're finished playing with the itinerary, I advise calling up one of the alliance airline's RTW desks to book it properly. And make sure to book all segments without codeshares (so if flying Qantas, make sure you purchase the QF version rather than the BA version of the flight) -- this helps you adjust itineraries on the fly more easily with the carriers should travel problems arise!

BA first class
 

Hi Ben,
I will fly this month TLV-LHR-HKG-LHR-TLV on BA F/cl.
I also seated on 2K(most of the flights),so I don't think we will meet.
In another matter,you mentioned you checked and saw that on your flights LHR-TLV-LHR is the new first class,but after checking it,only 3 days before the flight you can know that.
S.

Thanks Skytel. I'm not going to worry too much about this -- life will go on if I miss a couple of legs in the new BA F:)

For everyone else, my first trip report will be published by Februray 20th!

Meet the Brookstone iPad case, my new favorite flight companion. It does triple duty as a handsome folio, a keyboard, and a video player. When IFE doesn't work, I'll be covered. First trip report due in 6 days... AA JFK-SFO!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/--c_0fEeq7gk/Tz...4_%2525205.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gCb7U2fPJGQ/Tz...4_%2525205.jpg

Wow, what a trip! I am insanely jealous and eagerly awaiting the TR. Enjoy your travels! :)

Trip Report 1 - JFK-LAX - AA177
 

Trip Report 1, JFK-SFO AA177, dinner flight

For those who haven't seen AA's JFK T8 branding, here are a couple photos:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4vKcQ5SeQBQ/Tz...6_%2525200.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jc1rwAGvHBc/Tz...2_17_15_59.jpg

Checkin took 90 seconds and was very pleasant at the Premium counter. The agent remarked at the complexity of the itinerary. I told her "not to worry, I'm not going to ask you to make any changes!" Security was very busy given the impending holiday weekend, but a line that seemed like it would take 90 minutes took only 20.

For those who are aware of AA's lounge access policy, tickets booked in First Class in A inventory (as opposed to F or Z) do not enable access to the lounges if they are only flying domestically on that sector. This applies to a RTW First Class ticket. Therefore, it was no surprise that the agents at both the International First Class Lounge and at the Admiral's Club in T8 both denied me access. Therefore, here is what it looks like to wait at the gate in T8:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LDX4TvEurpA/Tz...6_%2525200.jpg

I boarded on time, was greeted kindly, and able to take a couple cabin pictures because I was 15 seconds ahead of the next passenger (as is typical, the entrance line is filled with people with status, but as an actual First Class customer, I'm allowed to board first). The FA was incredibly warm and welcoming, and so I took the following pictures before and during boarding:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MGmTJysDDR0/Tz...6_%2525200.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4-JzIV-9J_w/Tz...6_%2525200.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F5iuSFCoaew/Tz...6_%2525200.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y5Kb3yQNsEw/Tz...6_%2525200.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xvgQErqh6CU/Tz...6_%2525201.jpg

Note that while we were boarding, the FA came around with a bottle of water for each passenger in the cabin, before offering any drinks service on the ground -- that was a very nice touch!

As those who know AA well, it is a very family-like company. It didn't surprise me when the FA offered to take my picture as a bon voyage to my RTW trip. And the captain joked with me about needing to pay a 50 cent entrance fee to use the lav while on the ground. He and I spoke for several minutes, as he was interested in my itinerary. he was both professional and in good humor.

Doors closed 6 minutes prior to departure time. Wheels up 10 minute later, allowing us to land in SFO 10 minutes early.

Throughout, the service was fantastic, and the food very competitive with UA's transcon meal service (and the CO service that has been in place for a long while). My favorite was the parmesan pepper welcome dish that tastes so much better than the nuts which were also available. The prosciutto appetizer was fine. The chateaubriand was delicious, and quite medium rare which was exactly what I was hoping for. I chose the Zinfandel / Merlot blend throughout the flight to handle the meats, and enjoyed it's subtly effervescent quality. I did skip dessert. That said, I had the chocolate chip baked-on-board cookie, which I think is the best chocolate chip cookie anywhere -- moist / chewy in the center, with a crunch on the outside, and served with a glass of milk. Unhappily for my waist, the FA offered me two more cookies.

See below for pictures of the menu and food:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yy9M9VhsWqs/Tz...6_%2525201.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PI3Pk2BSvQg/Tz...6_%2525201.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UxKtVg4gOP0/Tz...6_%2525202.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UunYtW4NGsA/Tz...6_%2525202.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fne4rgU46eM/Tz...6_%2525202.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Iq6yRw7mRQ/Tz...6_%2525202.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rswt84qQ_9g/Tz...6_%2525203.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D5hjnwEslb8/Tz...6_%2525203.jpg

AA's new Samsung tablet is phenomenal, in place of their prior IFE approach. I watched Footloose just for fun, because I was tired and knew I was going to sleep fairly soon. A picture of the tablet is below. After Footloose I started listening to the Glee concert, passed out, and woke up 45 minutes outside of SFO with the concert over.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ynkh3OU5hjM/Tz...6_%2525201.jpg

Terminal 2 at SFO is gorgeous by the way, but I will cover that in my next report :)

where is my A380???
 

Get ready flyboys and flygirls!!!

Give me all your LUV
 

Get ready jetsetters -- vintage will be featured on Qantas First within 7 days.

Wow! This is gone be great. Please take High-Res pictures so that we can see everything in the menus and details. ;)

Will do my best and will keep the menu in case it needs scanning!

prepare yourselves
 

Flyboys/girls, a lot will be coming your way in the next few days. Some highlights from the Pacific crossing: Celeb treatment at LAX, taking control in the A380 captain's seat, and hand exfoliation using Qantas' best inflight champagne and coarse sugar. I need to let the dust settle and jet fuel disperse first before I start this masterpiece...