Our travels started on October 5th with a quick 33-minute flight from Traverse City to Detroit. I wrestled with adding this exoense to our tab instead of driving down, but the ease and convenience won me over pretty quickly. After an interesting night in a sub-par hotel that had none of the amenities that were listed on the website, we headed to the International terminal late that next morning to check our bags and head through security. On the first leg we were flying American Airlines, First Class to Philadelphia. Here’s when I got my first big lesson….do not spend the money for First Class on a 90-minute flight that has no in-flight entertainment screen, no working First Class lavatory, and snacks that were barely a notch above the mini pretzels they usually serve. The only perk we could see was free drinks, but with that short of a flight you can barely finish two if you’re lucky. I made a stong mental note that the more expensive seats should only be purchased for the long haul flights on the itinerary. In my defense, I used a travel agent to book the tickets, and they booked First or Business for each flight.
We did have some great humor, however, when 3 people in the airport and on the plane stopped Jeff to tell him how much they liked his shirt. It was his favorite one that reads, “I used to be retired, now I’m working for my wife!” One lady said she liked it so much she had to take a picture of it!
Once we arrived in Philly we were directed to the brand new Flagship Lounge for Business Class passengers. Once you scan your boarding pass the subway style doors swing open and a monitor says, “Welcome Heidi Robin.” Mine worked perfectly, but alas Jeff’s wouldn’t scan, so he had to get an attendant to let him in LOL!
We were immediately greeted with complimentary champagne and directed to the large, cozy seating area. In the back of the lounge was a fairly extensive buffet of food and a well-stocked bar. Seeing as how we had almost a 5-hour layover these perks did NOT go unappreciated!! After sampling several of the food and beverage options and relaxing, it was time to head to the gate.
We had done our research on the “pods” that you are seated in when you fly business class, ( they call them suites), but looking at pictures and reading reviews online did NOT do it justice. A lay-flat seat, pillow, blanket, slippers, BOSCH headphones, TV remote, eye mask, slippers, earplugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion, and wipes, all neatly packaged and waiting for us in our suites! It was overwhelming. DEFINITELY a case of “you get what you pay for!” And then there was the food choices for a late dinner if you wanted. I had the filet and Jeff had the salmon. Very good quality!!!
The only negative of this part of the journey was that during the remainder of the nealy 7-hour flight, neither Jeff nor I could sleep well. (He fid doze some, I really didn’t). Needless to say, this put us at a pretty big disadvantage for our 2nd long day of travel from Heathrow to Edinburgh, but I ‘ll save that for the next blog! Overall it was an amazing experience and I had a pretty good jolt when I realized that we get to repeat that experience 3 MORE TIMES on this trip!! Tomorrow I’ll compose my day 2 thoughts…but be advised the content will be heavily influenced by my sleep-deprived state!!
Carpe Diem...seizing life's adventures 