Sipping my glass of Taittinger champagne and munching a
beautifully arranged plate of fruit, as we headed into the clouds, I watched
the spectacular views of London and the River Thames slowly disappear.
This is the life! About an hour ago I had arrived at
London City Airport. This airport is such a pleasure to use. Having only one
runway and handling only European flights with the exception of the British
Airways service to JFK, New York, it is never overcrowded.
Another major plus of the BA JFK service is that check-in
closes 20 minutes before departure (or 15 minutes if you only have carry-on
luggage) so you don’t have to spend hours hanging around the airport.
After dropping my bag and rapidly passing through security,
I was welcomed by a friendly BA staff member into a small intimate lounge.
Reminiscent of an exclusive private club, a scrumptious buffet breakfast
awaited. After a cup of coffee and a hearty helping of smoked salmon, it was
time to join the travelling cognoscenti and board BA001 to JFK.
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| Preparing for take-off |
Having the same flight number as the old Concorde, you
expect this flight to be something special. Actually, its expectations are far
exceeded. Boarding was quick and easy. The lounge opens on to the runway and
within minutes you are in your seat and up in the air. It really is like flying
on a private jet. There are only 32 seats on the A318 which are configured in a
traditional 2-2.
Many were filled with men and women in suits furiously
working away at their laptops, iPads and mobiles. Email, text messages and the
internet can be accessed on your mobile phone during the flight with BA’s OnAir
service, exclusive to Club World London City. (You'll require an international
roaming contract.)
There were plenty of other passengers taking time out from
their busy schedules to relax with an aperitif and appetiser for the short
flight to Shannon airport. This is the stop that makes this flight unique.
There is a facility here which allows passengers deal with all
the US Customs and Immigration formalities and arrive in JFK as a domestic
passenger. Luxury may mean lots of different things to people, but if you have
ever stood in line for 90 minutes at JFK waiting to go through immigration
being dealt with by a brusque official,
you will understand when I say that not having to go through New York passport
control is my definition.
The security questions were conducted in the most cordial
manner. You identified your luggage on a small screen. Within minutes the whole
process was over. It was all so civilised. We were only on the ground for
a short while and with the plane refuelled we were on our way.
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| The plane's seats recline into flat beds |
The
plane's seats recline into 183cm (6ft) flat beds and some passengers make
full use of the time to catch up on some sleep, but I was too fascinated to try
to sleep. Over a glass of bubbly, I chatted to my next door
neighbour, an interesting well-travelled man who was going to New York for a
meeting at the UN. I also
chatted to a couple of women who were travelling for business. For a
flight that is mainly full of business people, there is an unexpected intimacy.
Service throughout the flight is excellent. With BA, you
always know your are in safe hands. The cabin crew always go that extra mile to
ensure you have a great flight. It is the lovely little touches such as always
addressing you by your name that make all the difference.
Lunch was a delightful affair. BA has certainly discovered
the secrets of what flavours work at a high altitude. Several of their dishes are
bursting with umami, which I am told, is known as the fifth taste (the others
are: sweet, salty, bitter and sour) and was identified in Japan. It has a
pleasant savoury taste and is found naturally in foods such as tomatoes and
mackerel.
My choice was a selection of canapés which included, you
guessed it, mackerel and tomatoes. The grilled king prawns that I had with
saffron dill korma, mustard rice and stuffed baby aubergine for the main course
was sublime.
The wine list was tempting, but after good champagne, which
I hasten to add tastes divine regardless whether you are on the ground or in
the air, common sense prevailed.
(By the way, I have on good authority that champagne is
supposed to be one of the wines least affected by the air, even if the fizz
disappears quicker than on the ground. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you
the solution to that dilemma.)
There is also a selection of desserts ranging from the
healthy to the naughty but nice. Men seem to gravitate towards the warm sticky
toffee pudding. The chocolates, served with coffee, are hard for anybody to
resist.
After lunch, it was time to make use of the iPad provided
and catch up on a couple of movies. The seven hours or so flashed by really
quickly. Before I knew where I was an afternoon tea of mouth-watering
sandwiches and pastries was being served.
New York’s fabled skyline was soon in view and I felt the
same excitement as I had so many times arriving in this city. This time,
however, it was straight from plane to taxi. Instead of feeling frazzled, I was
thoroughly relaxed ready for that rush of adrenaline that the city that never
sleeps never fails to provide.
Travelling on this sensational service from London City to
New York spoils you for anything else. It was such an amazing experience. Would
I do it again? In a heartbeat!
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
London City
British Airways operates an exclusive 32-seat all-business class jet service from London City to New York 11 times a week
Fares start from £2,250.19 return including taxes and charges
To book or for more information visit www.ba.com/New York or call 0844 4930787
Heathrow
British Airways operates several daily services from London Heathrow to New York
British Airways operates an exclusive 32-seat all-business class jet service from London City to New York 11 times a week
Fares start from £2,250.19 return including taxes and charges
To book or for more information visit www.ba.com/New York or call 0844 4930787
Heathrow
British Airways operates several daily services from London Heathrow to New York
Fares start from £566 return including taxes and charges
To book or for more information and other airports visit www.ba.com/newyork or call 0844 4930787
Hotel Sofitel New York
Rates from $299 per night. Prices are subject to
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