TRIP REPORT: Short and Sweet - Springing into Chicago

Springing to Chicago – Delayed Arrivals and Homeward

Well, another adventure to Chicago done and dusted (and other one on the horizon for October). Let’s sum up how things went on this trip on single sentences.

National Express: It got me from A to B on-time – even if the change fees were a little ouchie.

AA Check-in. If there’s a part of the AA premium experience that needs an overhaul quick – this is it. With a serious queue by 5:30 and the first class agents not willing to help the business class agents – they need to sort this out fast. And open check in a lot earlier (5:30 would be perfect).

Cathay Pacific Lounge Heathrow: I’ve gone on record multiple times that the Cathay Lounge is one of the best at Heathrow Airport. This visit proved nothing has changed in that regard

American Airlines Lounge Heathrow: Utilitarian, but passable. The catering improvements have been kept – a welcome sign.

AA87 London to Chicago – Whilst the AA soft product is good over the pond, the hard product is awful in the bulkhead rows. Sorry. Not a fan of the Dreamliner in this configuration

The Intercontinental Chicago – A constantly delivered service, and a decent location if you’re spending time near The Loop.

The Hyatt Regency O’Hare – A welcome change in the refurbishment of the property, and signs that things are being done constantly. A good sign of things to come hopefully

The British Airways Terraces Lounge (O’Hare). It’s a windowless box, If there is a lounge in the BA system that needs more than a little love…

BA296 Chicago to London – The passenger experience is slowly improving in Economy Class. Little steps, but welcome steps.

The changing passenger experience field is an interesting one to be part of (be it on the ground, in the air or even in a hotel), and these half-yearly checks show the ups and downs that some things and places have been through.

In this trip – it’s thankfully been more up than down. Which from my viewpoint is a welcome sign to see. Long may the upward trend continue.

And… that’s it from Springing into Chicago!

Up next: Well. There’s a lot. And I mean a lot (but not LOT Polish Airlines). And mainly short-haul trips with some interesting twists.

Starting Monday, I take a look back at AIX in Examining the new: To Aircraft Interiors Expo 18 with FlyBe. I’ll be asking various questions on the way – such as, are FlyBe Dash8’s passable? Is the Ibis Budget still painted in an odd shade of green? What is are the upcoming trends in seating? Why is my step count so high?
There’s plenty of Snapshots coming up paired with trips reports including:
- Lisbon for Eurovision 2018 (yes, I’m going.. and with a few people I should add!). It’ll feature Brussels Airlines, Portuguese Rail and Ryanair. Oh, and a hostel too…
- Amsterdam – A day trip, with a straight-out fight of Train (with Eurostar) verses Plane (with British Airways). Who will win in terms of times, passenger experience and… well.. anything else?
- Dublin – If I’m going back to Dublin, it must be time for some more Doughnuts on the Mount (with Aer Lingus)

And as for something long haul and premium? I’m keeping my eyes peeled. There are some interesting fares appearing, but nothing that’s grabbed my interest…

… Yet.

Thank you as always for reading!

Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.

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TRIP REPORT: Short and Sweet – Springing into Chicago

Springing to Chicago – Delayed Arrivals and Homeward

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