There is now an exit passport check after security, which is different than it was two years ago--perhaps American was using a different terminal then. This wheelchair attendant is very nice and funny. He also suffered an injury to his leg and was talking to my wife about it.

We have a bus gate, which is only a problem because there was no space on the hi-lift for me, so I am riding the bus while my wife goes ahead. I am on what is probably the last bus, so I have a feeling our carry-ons are probably going to be stowed back above row 40. :p (Edited to add--I was thankfully wrong, and my bags are only one row back.)

There is a guy on the bus with a cool hat with a two-foot-long feather in it. I hope he wears it the whole flight, or I fear for that feather.

This is a new seat for me, 17C. There's not as much space as in the emergency exit row, but I like there not being three across in this section.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...535488055c.jpg

The LRB is a great inflight read.

Dinner at Dos Palillos looked excellent so will add that to the list.

Accor Arena was also packed out for the Simone Biles Show so has seen some action of late.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a59ad6304.jpeg

I have a suspicion that Vueling booted you out of first row, because it counts as exit, and wheelchair pax cannot be seated in an exit.

The Brasserie Rosie looks good, prices also decent. I have put it on my list for when I am next in Paris.

The service on this flight was good.

I chose the pasta dish for lunch. The cheese sauce for the tortellini was rich and creamy. This was one of the better meals I have had in economy (of course, that is a low bar). My wife got the chicken, and she reports that it was horrible. The flight attendant did another pass of the drink cart shortly after the meal was served.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...53adad0853.jpg
I started watching The Sympathizer and dozed off for a few hours. Shortly after I awoke, the ice cream appeared. No sundae, but pretty good.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ff71adc951.jpg
I decided to power through the series and almost finished it during this eight-hour flight. It is a faithful and interesting take on the novel.

With around an hour and a half to go, we received the snack. A Hot Pocket-like item seems to be the go-to for BA and AA. The beef wasn't bad but would have been better without the corn.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6b510bd852.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bc336b4f66.jpg
We landed on time and parked at Gate 45, essentially as far as possible from border control. We waited until everyone else disembarked and met the wheelchair on the jetbridge. It took us at least 15 minutes to reach the immigration area.

This was the first time I've seen a line for JFK Global Entry. Whether it was due to improper use of the kiosks or some malfunction, multiple people were sent to another line by the TSA agent. He waved us through, and now we are weaving through holiday weekend traffic on the way home.

And that concludes this report. Thanks for reading along, and happy and safe travels to all!

Wow, that must have been spectacular to witness in person!

I didn't think about that because Row 1 passengers aren't given a briefing, etc. on US airlines in my experience, but you're right, Row 1 is probably one of the exit routes.

It's kind of in between. There's no briefing, because there's always crew seated to open the door, but at the same time, you can't have bags on the floor etc.

True. At least she wasn't booted from Row 1 on BA (and more importantly, not from Row 1 on AA on the flights home after she broke her leg)!

Highly recommend:

Sagardi Argenteria

Carrer de l'Argenteria, 62, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Slightly different in Barcelona as it is inspired mainly from the Basque part of Spain.

Agreed, also the guest could say, I understand you dont know when the room will be ready, can we leave a contact number where you could let me know ?