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Heathrow to Atlanta, Virgin, Upper Class
12 APRIL 2017 So, you may recall that Virgin had an amazing one-route-one-day sale way back in November last year. If you don't, it was £1096 rtn in Upper to Chicago. I decided to bite the bullet, but for my dates, there were no direct flights (and in fact, the direct route has been dropped - a real shame.) and given that I am now an anxious flyer I wanted to fly on a more modern plane internally in the US. So that meant flying via Atlanta. It turned out to be quite fortuitous as it's a nice long flight, changing at Atlanta was a breeze, and it would lead to my first ever US domestic flight! There were to be some dramas with the booking on the way - I posted about them here, and at one point I started booking BA flights instead as VS were annoying me so much. It all started... (plays dreamy harp music)... ...when I asked my friend if she would be willing to go to Chicago. Unfortunately, by this time the super cheap fare had disappeared, but still, I had made a commitment, so that was that. Second issue: two days after my booking, the connecting flight no longer appeared on the VS website. Strangely, I could book it on the DL internet site. So, booking made, carefully ensuring that we were on the same flight, the booking was confirmed. Nothing more to do, except call VS and DL to link the bookings. Easy. A few months later, I received an email from DELTA regarding my pals booking. There had been a schedule change on the inbound flight, and the connection was no longer valid. Not to worry, they have reprotected my pal. ATL-JFK-LHR all on Delta. I log into Virgin to see my booking, Virgin have an alert to advise of a schedule change, but I have to call them to change. There now begins what I hesitatingly call a nightmare. I don't like hyperbole (I've told you that a million times!!!) but my goodness VS tested my patience. They couldn't help with the DL booking. And DL couldn't help with my booking. There was a schedule change because DL realised they could get more revenue from other passengers (honestly, that's what VS told me.) They eventually, after about 90 minutes of phone calls (75 of those minutes being on hold) got us back on the same flights. Only for, at regular intervals, the bookings to revert to the initial, now unworkable connection, and for DL to action a re-route, with VS playing catch up. Each time I called, I was told that the bookings were not linked. Each time I called, I asked could the bookings be linked. Each time I called, I was told that the bookings were now linked. The bookings were never linked. I even checked BA direct flights as by this point I thought about cutting my losses, and just going to the dark side. Then, a brainwave. While at the Clubhouse for a trip to Boston, I approached the desk there and explained the situation. In about three minutes they sorted both flights, and give me a printed itinerary for each booking. About a month before the flight departed, I received another ntoification of a schedule change - yes - I was back on the unworkable connection at Atlanta. Shouting at Virgin over Twitter, they assured me that there was an error on the website (!!!) and I was definitely on the same connection as my friend. I decided not to look at my booking after that. What was interesting is that DL were always more proactive with my friends booking than Virgin were with mine, even though we were all on the same flight. Online check-in opened and while mobile boarding passes were not available, I was able to collect a paper one at the airport. I tend to stay over at the Ibis Styles these days as it avoids very early journeys to Heathrow from the other side of London. The Ibis was fine as usual, and the next morning we jumped in an Uber to T3. I always love the Virgin side of T3 - it's a very welcoming sight! Check-in was fairly quick - I don't know what it is but I always end up behind seriously slow passengers at the Upper Class bag drop. This wasn't really an issue today as we were there early, to enjoy all the Clubhouse had to offer. Also as usual, security was quick. Virgin's private security channel is really amazing and a feather in their cap. Doddled through the duty free maze, and ended up at the steps. It's always interesting to see the Clubhouse through other passengers eyes, especially when you explain that all the F&B is complimentary.
We had a lovely breakfast, and then sat down by the windows overlooking American Airlines apology!
We were checked on regularly and the overall atmosphere was busy, yet still sedate.
The building work where the library used to be is finished, and it is now more dining tables, but feels like a natural extension.
We left the Clubhouse on the first flight call as I wanted to maximise the time on the plane, and to avail of the priority boarding. Well, you've got to! I was somewhat dismayed to discover we'd be on an A340-600, much preferring the seats on the A330 and 787. However, my memory must have been playing tricks on me, as the seats were very comfortable. Welcome drinks were served (water for me) and if I recall there were 250 pax on board. Upper was full.
At take off I spied at tiny FlyBe Dash8 next to a 747. Flybe have started flights from Heathrow to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Service was lovely, and I went to the bar which was quite busy and had some nice chats with other passengers. Two of them were flying Virgin for the first time and were really impressed, having previously been Delta fans. That was nice to hear, and I could see why they felt like this: the crew were lovely, and nothing was too much trouble.
I had a burger at the bar later, and then a scone, before going back to my seat to watch the end of Bad Moms. So, it was a happy Sealink and friend who arrived in Atlanta, slightly full of trepidation at my first US connecting flight, and of course, my first domestic flight. US Customs was a breeze, (I have Global Entry) but that wasn't working properly; so a very friendly customs agent helped me. I found everyone in Atlanta Airport to be friendly - I had been advised on the plane that I would notice a difference compared to New York and Boston. On to the DL lounge for our connecting flight to the Chicago - a simply fantastic city.
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Crystal Palace in London has some lovely pubs. Last week a real pea-souper sent me scurrying to the warm and welcoming Westow House. #Westow #Crystal Palace
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From Wick to Edinburgh
Little flights within the UK still tend to be very expensive now that we have experience of ‘low cost’ airlines. So getting a Wick - Edinburgh flight for £59 was not to be sniffed at. This one hour flight, which is operated six days a week by Loganair, (marketed by FlyBE) removes the need for an 8 hour train journey, and a 6am start! Wick Airport is a delight to use. Or should I say, Wick John O’ Groats Airport after its rebrand. This pic was taken five years ago and the airport is unchanged. This time however, the airport was packed - so that’s about 50 passengers… as a Loganair charter to Aberdeen was about to leave. When you arrive at the airport there is a bell to press at the check in desk for attention. I was advised that I couldn’t check my luggage through to London (booo!) but I was expecting that anyway. So it was just time to wait… The flight that operates the BA6896 also operates the BA6895 from Edinburgh to Wick, and that arrived on time where it was refuelled. This aircraft looks far squatter than the usual Saab 340’s that Loganair used to fly on this route, and the ‘plane actually comes from Suckling Airways (bought by Loganair two years ago.). It was actually quite a comfortable plane, with 31 seats, of which 15 were booked today. The Saab parked up beside in readiness for the charter to Aberdeen. Boarding commenced and I was in Seat 4A, I took a quick pic of the row to show the decent legroom offered. It was a clear day so the views were lovely… …until we hit a bank of cloud at Edinburgh (no pic). Despite being marketed by FlyBE, Loganair cling on to an inflight service, which, on a one hour flight at lunchtime is pretty basic, but a nice touch. Also, they still provide one suitcase free of charge, unlike FlyBE ‘mainline’. So an uneventful flight, and a massive saving in travel time compared to my usual traipses to the north of Scotland!
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Crystal Palace Transmitter. I like this pic as it makes the transmitter look like its in the middle of the countryside rather than Travelcard Zone 3! – View on Path.
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This is one of the statues in Crystal Palace Park. Looking beautiful as ever!
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Every Sunday at the lovely Grape & Grain in Crystal Palace, you can enjoy music every Sunday and Monday. On Sundays there's a Jazz with regularly changing artistes, however I have to say that I love it when the Sax Pastilles are playing.
On Monday it's the Big Beer Band (http://www.bigbeerband.org/) with their 17 piece swing band. The picture above is The Big Beer Band
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The rural feel of this area is enhanced on the walk to the station, where the vegetation appears to be winning the battle for space!
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I'm taking a break from posting holiday snaps, and want to share some pics of a lovely, relatively unspoilt area of London: Sydenham Hill. This picture is Fountain Drive, at sunset.
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The area around Sydenham Hill Station doesn't feel like London, let alone "Zone 3"!
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A glimpse into Sydenham Hill Wood: one of the last remnants of the Great North Wood that covered this part of London, and which gives us the local area name "Norwood"
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