Blowin’ in the wind: American Airlines AA55 Manchester to Chicago O’Hare

Blowin’ in the wind – American Airlines AA55 Manchester to Chicago O’Hare

Index:

• Don’t go you go anywhere else that’s remotely different?
• To Manchester Airport, British Airways Terraces Lounge
• American Airlines AA55 Manchester Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport
• Automated Processing Chaos
• Crowne Plaza O’Hare
• Intstawalk: State Street Chicago
• Hyatt Regency O’Hare
• A wind of change
• Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5, British Airways Terraces First Lounge
• British Airways BA9294 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow
• British Airways Arrivals Lounge London Heathrow
• Virgin Trains London Euston to Birmingham New Street
• The Answer My Friend Is Blowin’ in the wind…

Up, up the stairs…

AA55  Manchester Airport T3 to Chicago O’Hare T5
American Airlines, sold as BA1501
Seat 12J Main Cabin Extra, Boeing 767-300ER
3,826 miles flown, 3,812+3,812 Avios Earned, 35 Tier Points Earned

After heading up the stairs, I was welcomed aboard, and directed to the correct alise to my seat.

These AA 767-300ERs – the more I fly them, the more I wish AA had the guts to do something serious with the before the 787s arrive and integrate in to the fleet. And not just at the front of the plane, but at the back – considering the only IFE is audio and a big screen.

Still, arriving at my seat – at least there it was an extra space seat. AA couldn’t manage that last time thanks to an equipment swap.

Boarding took its time, with a fullish flight today to Chicago. We were sent off late, and soon begun our taxi around Manchester Airport, passing local traffic.

A Condor 767 out of the paint shop.

Thomson Boeing 787 Dreamliner on taxi.

Soon, it was our turn to line up and taxi off into the autumn skies.

A swift take off, and soon our 767-300ER airborne, climbing into the autumn skies, beginning its long track over the Atlantic and towards Chicago.

Inital clibmout

Crossing Liverpool

Out over the Irish Sea

Service begun reasonably quickly as we crossed the Irish Sea and Ireland, with offerings of drink made initially…

Regular readers will know this coke will have nothing in it.

Food followed, with a choice of Chicken or Pasta. So, Chicken it was. A tray appeared which contained many delights.

The tray

Chicken and potato wedges… A bit inspired. 

Prezel Roll and cheese

The main meal unwrapped.

Well – this is a little bit different, if experimental. The wedges weren’t overly bad or overly soft, whilst the chicken wasn’t dried out. The salad was fresh thankfully and the pretzel bread was mostly soft enough to eat, rather than use as a baton.

With the meal service done and dusted, the flight attendants were keen to have blinds down – mainly so people can see the big screens.

Sigh. Not my preferred position to be in, but for the “greater good” I suppose. I just prefer an view of the world, rather than whatever is loaded on the big screen in-flight entertainment system.

The cabin darkened. Sigh. Beautiful daytime out front, and we’re in the dark.

I surcame to sleep and crashed for a few hours, before waking up and being in the mood to work.

I took the time to work on a presentation for FTU Amsterdam, flipping between slide decks I was working on

(In the end, this slide deck didn’t make it out to the real world). Diet Cola helped.

Towards the end of the flight, a flight attendant came up to me, and thanked me for my custom – with an offer of an American Airlines Amenity Kit.

I’ve noticed over the past few months when flying AA/BA in Economy that Emeralds are getting a lot better treatement down the back – be it with amenity kits or drinks and such. It’s nice to see airlines actually care about elite frequent flyers.

As we closed in on Chicago, it was time for a pre-arrival snack – which was a Deep Dish Pizza. A nice thought – it was shame the dough was tough as hell to break through.

Pizza

Tough as well to break though…

With the snack service over and done with, light begun entering the cabin again

That or Business class had its Samsung Galaxy Tablets taken from them, and they needed something to do. That and the US welcome video was play.

Light also began to fill the Main Cabin Extra cabin too.

Hello engine… long time, no see.

The cabin as the plane begun its decent.

With decent in full progress, the cabin was cleared down and was prepared for landing. As opposed to a Lake Michigan approach, our plane had been sent further north for an approach via Milwaukee. A bit different to say the least.

Time to land!

With a low cloud level, our plane gingerly made its approach into Chicago O’Hare, approaching via the hotel district in Rosemont, and landing with a bump.

With a reasonably long taxi back to the gates over at Terminal 5, all there was to do was watch and wait whilst we taxied in

Austrian Airlines Beoing 757-300ER on finals

United dominating Terminal 5

Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i

Our plane finally found a home at M2 – the far end of Terminal 5, and came to a stand there. With that, it was a case of every man and dog wanting to get off the plane.

I thanked the crew, and headed off myself into the chaos of an afternoon at Chicago O’Hare.

Overall: Not a lot special with this flight. Some tired equipment doesn’t help when crossing the pond. However, it got me across safely. I just you didn’t need a pick-axe to eat that pizza with….

Next: Automated Passport Chaos.

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