TRIP REPORT: Indirect Travel Fun – Expect the Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected
Indirect Travel Fun

• How much is it this time???
• Early Morning National Express, Mid Moring Terminal 3
• Elegantly Lounging around Terminal 3 (Cathay Pacific and American Airlines Lounges)
• American Airlines AA99 London Heathrow to Chicago (Main Cabin Extra)
• Into the USA, Crowne Plaza O’Hare
• Hyatt Regency O’Hare
• Airplane Art Extra: From the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
• Chicago Classics: Mannys Deli and Cafeteria
• Bench Test and First Impressions: Canon EOS R50
• Rebuilding a Legacy: Central Camera, Chicago
• Chicago Classics: Peaquod’s Pizza
• Back to O’Hare, Swissport Lounge Chicago T5
• Finnair AY10 Chicago O’Hare to Helsinki Vantaa
• A quick ground-side visit, and an even quicker stop at the Finnair Lounge
• Finnair AY1337 to Helsinki Vantaa to London Heathrow
• The Unexpected Coach Home
• Expect the Unexpected

If there’s a term I’d use for this trip I’d use, I’m borrowing from Doctor Tiger Ninestine from Gerry Anderson & Christoper Burr’s Terrrahawks.

Expect the unexpected. 

It’s a term that applies quite well in life, but doubly so when accountants are in charge and cutbacks kick in, and we can see that with some airlines that are managing things, whilst others… not so well.

It adds to the colour of a trip, as well as informing choices. Because, as much as some airlines hate to admit it – you have a choice with whom you travel with. 

This trip was… needed. It was busy- but it provided a much-needed break after being at the keyboard for $deity how long. And sometimes that break doesn’t need to be a beach and nothing, or filled with experiences by the minute.

Sometimes it can be as simple as doing something a little bit different to the norm.

Of course, any thoughts of being relaxed evaporated the moment I sat in my office chair. A return to the maelstrom – to put it mildly.

Some one-liners to finish off this trip report.

National Express

Whilst it might have got me from A to B, it did it cost a lot more this time… although that could be laid at other things.

Cathay Pacific and American Airlines Lounges

The Cathay Pacific Lounge remains one of the best lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3. Whilst a little more utilitarian, the American Airlines lounge is passable a quieter waiting area.

American Airlines Long Haul Economy

Whilst the company might have been interesting, it was passable. Although the 787’s width doesn’t help itself to wide comfortable seats in Economy Class.

Crowne Plaza O’Hare

Things are improving to the point where this hotel is becoming more than passable as an airport hotel. There are better-value hotels in the area, but convenience works out well for this hotel.

Hyatt Regency O’Hare

Ups and downs. Ups and downs.

O’Hare Terminal 5 and that Swissport lounge

Whilst the terminal is still a building site, it’s improving slowly. It’s a shame the Swissport lounge in the terminal is a dump.

Finnair Long Haul Economy

Nice hard product. A shame the soft product lets it down.

Helsinki Airport

Wonderful for transferring. Awful for clearing security.

Finnair Short Haul Economy

Passable for the segment. Shame coffee is charged for.

And that’s your lot for Indirect Travel Fun. Some lessons learned, a lot of new experiences and games that make travel fun – and a reminder, it is entirely possible to make long haul economy class travel bearable.

But having things like airline status makes that experience a lot easier.

Up Next

It’s December. And if my timing is right, this trip report end-piece is going out on the 8th of December. Those who know will know what the 9th of December means to me.

So, please join me in “Older Yes, Wise, No – To Zurich with British Airways” as I kick my Elite Frequent Flyer renewal programme into high gear.

And yes, we’ll be doing it in our usual format of Snapshots and the main trip report.

As an aside – yes, it’s turning into a complete and utter omnishambles. And I haven’t even got off the sofa to get to the coach station yet…

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