JFK - LCY

JFK - LCY
10th August 2014
British Airways - BA2
Booked as AA 6332
GEUNB
A318
1900(L) - 0715(L)

Tried to check in online via the BA app, but i think when you’re flying on an American Airlines sharecode, this isn't possible - I know that i had a different booking reference for AA


i was hoping not for a repeat of the original flight out to the US. Apparently the other one of the 2 aircraft for this run is off having its annual maintenance meaning everyone has to get on this 1 flight - i’ve been getting quite used to not having someone sit next too me

Check in at JFK T8 is quick - this fight has its own check in desks, and around the corner from the riff raff :)

whizzed through that, then on to another experience of the TSA - now i’m not longer in the US, i can safely give “feedback” - its chaotic to say the least, albeit they have at least had a consistent approach at every airport. They really need to come to Glasgow and see how to do it without having huge queues.

Then on to the lounge - I’ve never really understood how they encourage you to drink as much alcohol as you can possibly take and stand up, then wonder why people try to open doors at FL360/become unruly

Quickly had a shower, not as good as the one’s at T5 LHR, but did the job. Shower 1 (the disabled one) has very poor water flow

Then it was onto “pre departure dinner” this was a new one on me - but basically its 2 for the price of 1 - stuff your face before the fight, the theory being you can go to sleep straight away and not be disturbed, but you can also eat on board… again
i plumped for eating once - after this trip and with all the cookies being handed out, my clothes seem to have shrunk :)

Everything about this service between LCY/JFK seems geared toward the business person, allowing for checkin happening at the last minute - last check in is 45 mins before dep, breakfast can be served 20 mins before landing, meaning the most is made of people's time i guess

anyway, i was knackered so shortly after departure, the seat was flat, the ear plugs were in and the eye shades were on and i was zonked. then about 30 mins later woke up, fell asleep, woke up - and that was how the night went. my next door neighbour was going on to a business meeting at 9 :(

arrival was quick, only 27 people on board, we all got on the bus, it moved forward about 50ft, and then we all got off again, elf and safety in’it. :)

I forgot about Border control - took about 20 mins to get through passport ocntrol, and unlike our friends across the pond, we don’t separate the non EU nationals from the EU nationals - 

Was going to use the chauffeur service to the Raddison Blu for the arrivals service, but immigration took so long, and then there was going to be a long wait to get the chauffeur service to the arrival hotel, i’d probably miss my flight to Helsinki - plus i discovered that i’d be able to use the Cathay pacific lounge at LHR T3, so just got on a tube/Heathrow Express train to Heathrow

Heathrow express apparently is one on the most expensive train rides to an airport in the world - 30 quid return for about 15 minutes of train journey - needless to say i didn’t pay that, i found a code :)

By now, my already depleted sense of humour, was non existent, so f**kwits who insisted an meandering along or using their mobiles and just stopping, plus a new trend - just stop in the middle of the corridor and leave your bags blocking the corridor, were dispatched - i had a plane to catch.

Up in to Cathay Pacific lounge or C3 as it seems to be signed, to be met by a Sarah, who sorted out a shower room - I thought the BA T5 ones were swanky - there were swanky plus - when i eventually get a house, i’m definitely fitting these rain head shower things - they’re amazing IMHO

so now at least smelling half decent, i wandered off to the lounge - it was practically empty and after the hustle and bustle of the terminal was a proverbial oasis of calm

Cathy Pacific Lounge

They even came and found me when it was time to board