The Black Cat and the Bermuda Triangle

[UpInTheAir:)]

Eeyore seems to like drinks and deserts.. looks like an excellent travelling companion

 

[blackcat20]

Eeyore seems to like drinks and deserts.. looks like an excellent travelling companion

He really does....

 

[blackcat20]

Bermuda to New York


AA1443 737-800 Seat 3A

We booked a cab for 8am, and by 7.55 we were on the road to the airport. We had checked in online so it was a quick visit to the priority desk to get our boarding passes. Interestingly they couldn't ticket our JFK-LAX leg even though it was booked as a connection. US customs and immigration was taken care of (with a rather chatty officer), then we headed towards the gate for a hot drink and snack, not knowing we were to get breakfast on board.



Our plane was another older 738, so only a main screen for entertainment. After takeoff we asked if there was any champagne on board. The answer was 'yes, but it's not cold'. No problems. Our lovely FA produced a large bottle and a hand grenade for us to choose from; being ambitious I chose the larger bottle. Breakfast was cereal, cinnamon scrolls and a fruit tub. No eggs to be seen.




The view of Bermuda as we left was lovely, though a little cloudy. And unfortunately the seat belt sign was on for a majority of the flight despite it being rather smooth.




And to top it off, we were given the hand grenade to take with us!



I find it interesting that they call it champagne when it's actually sparkling made in the champagne method...

 

[love_the_life]

I can't see the attachments but am really enjoying the vicarious experience. Thanks.

Added 8.27pm

Thanks for fixing the pics. Thought it might have been my computer.

 

[blackcat20]

I can't see the attachments but am really enjoying the vicarious experience. Thanks.

Should be fixed now.

 

[Pushka]

I can't see the attachments but am really enjoying the vicarious experience. Thanks.

We expect to see TR's of your trips Madame.

Gosh, so many flights blackcat!

 

[love_the_life]

Who you callin' Madame? It's Mademoiselle :mrgreen:

 

[blackcat20]

New York City!
We caught the JFK air train one stop, then called the hotel shuttle to collect us. The hotel was suitable, though nothing fancy, and located next to the cities Sanitation Department (think lots and lots of garbage trucks). We were only there for a quick overnight anyway.


With only one afternoon in the Big Apple, there was no time to waste. We caught the local bus (I think the Q10) then the subway into the city. First stop: Katz's Deli. I asked the gentleman behind the counter which sanga he recommended, tried the pastrami, and ordered. Boy was it big! Rather over priced at $20, so something I'd only do once, but it was yum.




Then we did a slow wander up Broadway, popping in and out of shops, until we reached the Flat Iron district. I really love that building.




I also spotted along the way the most ginormous Peanut Butter cups...




We hung out in Eaterly for a while, enjoying a coffee (or cold chocolate in my case) and gasping over all the fresh cheeses and produce.




And before long it was time for our dinner stop: Momofuku Noodle Bar. This place has been on my list for quite a while, and it did not disappoint. We timed our arrival well, getting a seat straight away, when within minutes there was a crowd waiting for their turn. Momofuku ramen: A+.




And before I knew it, my time in the city was over. Back onto the train to the shuttle pick-up stop, and collected again by the hotel bus. A little wind down with our AA-provided bubbles, then bed. We had a big day ahead of us.

 

[boomy]

View attachment 36990

I find it interesting that they call it champagne when it's actually sparkling made in the champagne method...

They call it Champenoise... I like this word
How was it?

 

[blackcat20]

They call it Champenoise... I like this word
How was it?

Drinkable, but had nothing on a good glass of Bollinger.

 

[boomy]

Drinkable, but had nothing on a good glass of Bollinger.

Sounds similar to the sparkling on QF Dom J, not bad but not very good.

 

[JohnM]

Sounds similar to the sparkling on QF Dom J, not bad but not very good.

I think the QF DomJ offering is vile - a real letdown by QF standards :evil:.

 

[boomy]

I think the QF DomJ offering is vile - a real letdown by QF standards :evil:.

I have to agree, although I'm not impressed by the current Int J standards either. I remember the wines used to be better a few years ago.

 

[love_the_life]

Lordy that was a big sandwich! I was impressed by all those mushrooms - can just imagine them in dishes! I suppose you could call the visit to NYC a whistlestop.

 

[TomVexille]

Lordy that was a big sandwich! I was impressed by all those mushrooms - can just imagine them in dishes! I suppose you could call the visit to NYC a whistlestop.

I believe it was actually a layover

 

[rogerkambah]

I think the QF DomJ offering is vile - a real letdown by QF standards :evil:.

I've had a Grant Burge sparkler in DomJ, which wasn't too bad, but something I was offered a couple of months back in DomY was absolutely awful. Luckily it was a short flight to get to the SYD Flounge.

 

[JohnM]

I've had a Grant Burge sparkler in DomJ, which wasn't too bad, but something I was offered a couple of months back in DomY was absolutely awful. Luckily it was a short flight to get to the SYD Flounge.

It was the Grant Burge that I was referring to! YMMV.

 

[ellen10]

Great trip report and love the photos.

 

[blackcat20]

New York to Los Angeles Part 1

This was the big one, the flight I was most looking forward to. In order to maximise the experience we were up before 7 and on the 7.30 shuttle to the airport. Inside the terminal door, I spotted the first class check-in, which is a short row of desks shielded from view with a frosted glass wall. There was an attendant at the entrance who checked that we were entitled to use the facility. And then we encountered our first hiccup.


The woman checking us in advises that there had been an equipment change. Cue first panic. But we were assured that one A321T had been subbed for another, however we had 'lost our seats'. She produced boarding passes for row 8. But we're in first, we declared. No, she replied, you have upgraded from coach to business. Cue panic number two. We assured her we had in fact booked business, and fortunately she was willing to look into it. A few minutes tapping away and she had found the problem, put us back in F and even given us back our original seats.




Through security and then it was time for the Flagship Lounge! We were greeted warmly at the Admirals Club desk, then directed to the door of the Flagship Lounge where access was granted with a swipe card.




Inside we were again welcomed, given a rundown, the sent in to relax for an hour or so before our flight.




But first. A glass of bubbles was need to sooth the nerves after almost being downgraded to J.




The lounge has a decent spread of alcohol, including a good range of spirits. The food isn't fabulous, but there are scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, toast and bagels. Enough to satisfy the stomach in anticipation of the onboard meal. I finished off with a baileys on ice; my go to drink on this trip when I've had enough wine.

 

[PLANT]

Part 2 part 2..... You in the air? Where is part 2