Destination New York, USA

There is something special about New York! No matter how many times I visit, I always get an adrenalin-filled rush when I arrive. The city fizzes with energy. You can almost taste the “can-do attitude” in the air. Americans are proud of their national identity. They know who they are and that is infectious. 

Long ago I ticked off the sights. My first visit as a young girl felt like I had walked into a movie set. The tall granite buildings, the yellow taxis, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and the views from the top of the Empire State Building which had seemed another world  away when I saw them on the TV, had spun to life in front of my own eyes. New York was a far cry from London. Things always seemed bigger and better and more exciting. I was hooked. New York had caught me up in its spin and l did not want to get off.

Fifth Avenue

Over the years the things that I loved on my first visit still thrill me. However, the Big Apple has kept reinventing itself, changing more radically than most cities I regularly travel to. Areas become gentrified and quickly touted as the new trendy neighbourhoods. The shows on Broadway are constantly being refreshed. Restaurants come and go. What is hot one week maybe not the next. 

This time I was told Asian fusion was the cuisine of the moment. I would not attempt to recommend restaurants here. No sooner than I would have written this post, there would be something newer and glitzier being hailed as the must-go to spot. 

With globalisation, most brands found in Britain’s big cities can be now found across the pond, even Pret A Mangers are littered all over Manhattan. While some institutions that have the city’s DNA in their walls may go unchanged, others have had makeovers to bring them crash bang into the 21^st century.

Central Park

But, here is the thing: New York’s constant metamorphosis only adds to its allure. The thrill of walking around this melting pot of cultures is still there even after all the trips. 

Of course, if it is your first time in the city you will want to hop on a tour bus and see the fabled landmarks and take a look at the new 9/11 museum that pays homage to the worst day in New York’s history. But the best way to get around is walking. You can marvel at the architecture and you are sure to discover something new each time you are in town.  

I love the incredible number of parks scattered through the city, so you will always find somewhere to sit and recharge the batteries while you people watch. Central Park, for me, still has a romantic feel and I can saunter around there for hours.

Totally relaxed, I was in the mood for some retail therapy. I headed for Century 21, at Lincoln Square on Broadway (between 66^th and 67^th), the well-known discount store. It can be extremely hit and miss. If you are lucky you may find some interesting little numbers from designers such as Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu. You should go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.  

It was not my lucky day. After mooching around in some small boutiques I found on the Upper West Side, it was on to the chic Upper East Side where you get a sense of classic New York. Designer stores such as Prada and Barneys New York which attracts sophisticated fashionistas and celebrities, line Madison Avenue. Though nowadays, there are some high street stalwarts in between. 

A stroll along Fifth Avenue tempted me to pop into two legendary department stores: Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. 

Flatiron Building

I also picked out a few neighbourhoods that I wanted to visit. For cutting-edge fashion, it had to be the cobblestoned streets of the Meat Packing District. The Flatiron District, named after the amazing wedge-shaped 1900s Flatiron Building, is the place for design aficionados to head for. Greenwich Village with Washington Square Park at its heart, oozes charm and is a haunt for old-time jazz clubs, bars  delis and restaurants.

SoHo and TriBeCa are full of the fashion-conscious taking in the high-end boutiques and galleries. It is always buzzing, especially on a Saturday. It is a great place for brunch.

Full of zest and zeal and with my thigh muscles thoroughly toned, it was sadly, time to return to London.

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

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

When I fly with BA I feel as if my holiday as been extended until I reach Heathrow as you are so pampered. Club World offers the perfect combination of exemplary service, good food and wine and amazing comfort. You can relax in the private departure lounge and even fit in an Elemis treatment before you leave for London

I stayed at the Sofitel New York. This midtown hotel is a few paces from 5^th Avenue and a few minutes’ walk from Times Square. Rates from $339 per night. Prices are subject to change. For more information and the best rates visit www.sofitel.com

  

Travelling to New York – BA jet set style

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. 

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.

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

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 change. For more information and the best rates visit www.sofitel.com