With 65,000,000 people traveling today (Christmas Eve) and presumably returning over the next few days, the equivalent of almost half our country's population will be on the roads and in the air this Holiday Season. As a frequent flyer and habitue of the busiest (and most dangerous) airports in the US, I wanted to write something humorous about the difficulties we will all encounter, but thought better of it. I mean, how many horror stories can you read about the 2005 vintage being served when you expressly asked for the 2004? Or that the dessert fork was missing from your silverware (so neatly wrapped in freshly pressed linen) and you were forced to use your salad fork to enjoy the creppes. It is hardships like this that can ruin a perfectly good flight - hardships I will not dwell on this season.
Instead, let me present an account of my typical flight - warts and all - so you know what to expect when traveling:
I love traveling to Spain on Iberia Airlines. I always arrive at JFK early so I can enjoy all the benefits of Business Class travel. The Iberia lounge has everything necessary for one to live in an airport - good food, snacks, bar and beverages - all for free. At boarding time the courteous staff finds me and hustles me past economy class ticket holders to the front of the line, where their in-flight counterparts welcome me to a seat in the front of the plane.
There, luxuriating in the lay-flat beds while watching first-run movies, I experience my idea of heaven. The fact that, again, a most courteous staff is there to pamper me - refilling my champagne glass without being asked, taking my jacket, fluffing my pillow - makes the intercontinental flight all too short. Three gourmet meals and a brief wine tasting later, and before I know it I'm being gently awakened with news our flight will land in Madrid in a few minutes.
Spain is beautiful anytime of year. I hear that there is also a city there named Madrid, but to me it is only an airport, albeit one of the most modern in the world, and possibly the largest. Invariably, my connecting flight is on the other side of it. From the International terminal to the Domestic one is two flights down the escalator, then an 18 minute train ride, then 2 flights back up on another escalator before a half mile walk to the gate. It is never a problem, though. If my plane was a bit late (unheard of) or security is so tight that slow lines threaten to prevent me from making my connecting flight, a quick phone call to Iberia's office has the flight held until I arrive. There I receive the same courteous service I've come to expect, and in a few brief hours I am being met in a distant airport - Barcelona, Bilbao, Galicia, Zaragoza - by local Iberia and Spanish Tourism representatives. A driver takes my bag, and I'm whisked off to a 4 or 5 star Hotel with time to refresh before the tour begins.
My return is as effortless as my arrival, reversing the legs of my journey until I am greeted by smiling customs agents back at JFK. International travel has never been easier! A quick "Welcome Back to the US, Sir" and I'm off to pick up my car and return home - well-rested and relaxed after another successful business trip. I love traveling to Spain on Iberia Airlines.
Iberia Airlines www.iberia.com Convenient flights to Spain
Merry Christmas Everyone!
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Comments: 32
there are really only 2 gourmet meals (plus a snack)
sometimes the customs agents don't smile as widely as others
once there was no one to walk me to my gate
You know - things that could really ruin a flight if you let them.
I just wanted everyone to know how difficult my life really can be!
he he he he
I hope you can stay long enough to make it worthwhile - then have a safe and less eventful journey home. Merry Christmas!
BTW - every word IS true - even the lay-flat beds.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Richard
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
Merry Christmas Video on Gather
http://www.gather.com/viewVideo.jsp?id=11821949021857119&nav=Namespace&memberId=8
(that was fun!)
I haven't had the privilege of flying Iberia since the days I depended on the lowest budget tix available (well, I still do, but back then I was under 25 and got student rates), but even then Iberia was the best og the airlines, service cheerful, food well abve average...and the airport, while still nice, apparently considerably smaller than now. I'd definitely choose Iberia again!
The US airlines are by far the worst I've experienced. And on Lufthansa, which some have said is better than averae, I experienced some of the surliest flight attendants ever! I'll never fly Lufthansa again and discourage others from even thinking about it!!! US airlines are less surly, but generally the most crowded (Korean Air sets the seats even closer together--but they are at least thinking abut average Korean rather than US size) and definitely wth the worst food.
Another observation: Food out of the airport kitchens in Kyiv, Frankfurt, Kimpo, Taipei, Barajas, Malaga, Nice, Paris...is consistentky much better, even on the same airlines, than food out of Kennedy, Philadelphia and O'Hare. Makes you wonder.
I wrote this to get me through it. Christmas is the anniversary of my mother's death, as it is for so many. And then I was blindsided by . . . something else . . . that was immediate and then over.
People are so kind. Did you see the video that Ruppert made for me?
http://www.gather.com/viewVideo.jsp?id=11821949021857119&nav=Namespace
And now I am fine - a little crazier maybe (is that possible?)
My uncle used to be in charge of one of the companies that made airline food - way back when - and the stories he would tell . . . make you want to pack a lunch!
Now - Iberia's food is excellent - wine too! I really did have myself a little wine tasting on my last trip to Spain in November.
Air France was good too. Last time I flew Air France the ticket clerk said "Please wait for a moment Mr Frisbie, my Supervisor would like to meet you." (!!) He came out, introduced himself and escorted me to the first class lounge - the only thing lacking was someone strewing rose petals in my path before my feet could touch the ground - TRULY AMAZING experience. I had a personal steward on my flight - and everyone wanted to know who I was. I still don't know quite how that happened, but I loved it!
It can be daunting to be traveling alone to strange airports, trying to make connections alone, but reassure him (and yourself) that thousands of people do it everyday with few being lost (baggage is an entirely different matter!)
My final advice - dress nicely - as in respectfully - with creased long pants, crisp shirt well groomed with a sports jacket - and EVERYONE will be interested in him and willing to help him. It's those scruffy ones that get left to their own devices.
While the article is few months old, please post it to my new group Air Travel . The information and your experience is still very relevant!
Some of my airline experiences are so otherworldly that they may never happen again. I mean - being greeted by the Air France Supervisor and escorted to the first class lounge was heavenly! Then, when the plane was called I was taken through another doorway that opened on the other side of the gate from all the folks waiting to board! One can only dream about Royal treatment like that. Thank you Air France. (and thank you Bonnie for the invite to post to your group!)