Oneworld Megado Day One: American Airlines JFK-LHR First Class and British Airways in London
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The first ever Oneworld Megado began yesterday with a quick jaunt across the pond from JFK-LHR aboard one of American Airlines’ flagship 777-200’s.
American Airlines really rolled out the red carpet for attendees making it quite possibly the best customer service I’ve ever gotten in an airport. Upon arrival I was welcomed numerous times and escorted through security. The lines weren’t bad at all, but it was nice to have an entourage. The reps taking me through had even done their research and knew I was a Delta fan, so they promised that by the time I was done with American Airlines on this trip I’d be a convert. I’m still waiting on that, but it was good to hear.
Next we had cocktails on the terminal bridge outside of the Admiral’s Club while reps from Finnair touted all the reasons we should fly them: namely that they’re one of the longest-running airlines (since 1923) though their fleet is one of the youngest with an average plane age of 6 years, Helsinki is a no-hassle airport for connections, and since Helsinki is so far north and a hub, they have relatively short flights. Plus the airline operates four saunas at the airport—45 euros entry but free for Finnair Platinum elite members!
Before I officially changed my citizenship to Finnish (and the friendly Finnair rep convinced me to fly their airline this summer for a Baltic trip I’m planning), we boarded the plane. I had won a charity auction to get one of the Flagship First Class seats — one of only 16 at the front of the 777-200.
And surprise! Who should coincidentally be on the plane but legendary travel expert Peter Greenberg—my buddy The Frugal Travel Guy and I couldn’t resist a photo op.
When we got to the airport, Oneworld rolled out the VIP treatment, though frankly I was just excited that our bags were off the plane within minutes.
BA Headquarters
I personally asked if they were going to bring back the 100,000 mile bonus with Chase and he successfully dodged the question, which I fully expected. Though it wasn’t a firm no, so take that for what it’s worth.
The Heritage Centre
Then we headed for the last stop of the day: a quick visit to BA’s arrival lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5, where we were greeted with glasses of Taittinger and Bollinger rosé, and shown tricked-out arrivals lounge cabanas with suit pressing closets and infinity-edge bathtubs.
We fly American Airlines from LHR-DFW later today and meet with the American Airlines and Hyatt Gold Passport people, so stay tuned for more updates from that, as well as tours of Boeing on Thursday and Cathay Pacific and the Qantas while in Los Angeles on Friday. You can follow my up-to-the-minute updates on twitter @thepointsguy as well.
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