The Cathay Pacific, American Airlines Lounges… and a five-hour delay
More Pleasure, More Business.
In this divided trip report
Part One: The Pleasure
- Part 1
- Two o’clock in the morning. I love this time of day. Honestly.
- The Cathay Pacific, American Airlines Lounges… and a five-hour delay
- AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare International (Premium Economy)
- Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- A photographer’s paradise? The Central Camera Company
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Airplane Art Extra: From the Balcony of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Back to the Bunny, British Airways Lounge
- BA294 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow (World Traveller Plus)
- Wait. My Bag is Re-Flighted???
- Part 2
Let’s lounge hop!
Time for the first lounge stop of the day – the Cathay Pacific Lounge, Terminal 3. For those wondering, I’m using my British Airways Silver card to help me hop around.
I was welcomed, my boarding pass scanned, and admitted to the lounge. With that, I headed in.
My first stop – was of course – the noodle bar to order some Dim Sum and noodles
Because after this morning’s travel experience, Momma needs noodles.
Thankfully, the Cathay Pacific lounge does what it does- and does it well – so within 5 minutes I had my noodles and dim sum with me.
The tray – Dan dan noodles (Top left), Wonton Noodle (Top Right) and a Dim Sum selection (centre bottom)
It might not be as cute as the little bun in a steamer – but it does the job.
Breakfast was served.
There were self-service items as well – which was of high quality – in the lounge.
The lounge itself was quiet first thing in the morning. Which is welcome to see.
I sat back and watched some of the traffic arrive in, whilst not caring about much in the world.
They see me tuggin’, they see me hatin’ – British Airways Airbus A380
Is this turning into an A380 parade? – Thai Airways Airbus A380
Seemingly so – Qantas Airbus A380
The whales went to the gate in two by two, Hurrah, Hurrah!
Delta Airbus A330-300
Other aircraft do fly in seems – Delta Airbus A330 and Ethiopian Airbus A350-900
Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600
Until 7 am came. Normally, this is my cue to switch to American Airlines lounge to prepare for travel. However at 7 am on the dot, a delay was posted by the AA app – with 08:45 now posted to depart at midday the earliest.
OH CRAP. Not a delay I wanted
With new swear words coming out of my mouth, I packed up my trash and headed to the American Airlines lounge to work out what the hell was going on.
Arriving at the lounge – it seemed the staff were well prepared. A maintenance issue with our plane was preventing it from going anywhere fast.
Whilst the app was offering changes, the ground staff recommended staying on the AA87.
Well, that’s a bit of a p**ser.
Annoying, but what can you do.
Rather than wander back to the Cathay Pacific lounge, I decided to base myself in the AA Lounge in case there were any last minute changes posted.
Sadly, those hoped last-minute changes got worse – so my body did the only thing it wanted to do – fall asleep.
Well, there’s a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 doing it’s thing too.
The rest in the lounge was fitful – but I woke up around 10:30ish. Checking the delay, it started rolling – never a good sign
Breakfast and general options
Eventually at 11:30 a declaration of a plane swap was made, with us due to pushing back at around 13:00 local time. By this time, the food had been switched over to the lunch option.
Even a little prosecco couldn’t help the day.
It’s rude to take it out on the staff – it isn’t their fault – but thanks to this – I had lost a full day in Chicago. A 13:00 departure would be at best a 16:00 landing – and allowing or customs, 17:00 out.
And that being optimistic.
It didn’t help that what would be operating BA295 to Chicago would be a plane that I took a lot of pictures of before – G-BYGC. Or the plane in the BOAC Livery.
Oh for giddy aunt’s sake. You cannot make this up.
At 12:20, the announcement for boarding for AA87 was finally made. I made my way out and headed to Gate 26.
Upon entering the gate lounge, I was directed for extra security. In other words – a full rifle through my bag. I wasn’t angry or anything – what else can one do at this stage of the game. It was easier to comply and have my bags searched.
With the search done quickly and helpfully, I was on my way – with the replacement plane at the gate accepting passengers
Heading to the departure gate, an American Airlines employee was busy giving out pamphlets. What did they contain
Oh yes – welcome to the joy of EC261/2004
That would have to wait. I had a plane to catch.
NEXT: AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare
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