Trip Reports – Page 4 – Benjamin J Travel

Delta A330-300 on Tarmac at Barcelona El Part Airport Economy Class Review Delta Announces New Service From New York JFK to Lagos, Nigeria

Trip Report: Delta A330 Economy Class | Barcelona to New York JFK

11 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] After a nice extended weekend in Barcelona, it was time to head back home. We’d flown Air France on the outbound journey and had a less than great experience. I wasn’t quite ready to go home after such a short visit to Barcelona but alas it was back to work. As part of our super cheap SkyTeam fare we scored for this trip, our return flight was aboard Delta’s A330…

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Trip Report: Air France A340 Economy Class | Minneapolis to Paris

Trip Report: Air France A340 Economy Class | Minneapolis to Paris

9 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] After traveling in the comfort of Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and American Airlines Business Class to Greece and Italy two weeks before, it was time to back get to basics for an extended weekend in Barcelona. We had snagged a super cheap SkyTeam flight. It was time for a ride in Economy Class aboard the Air France A340! Our trip started with a Delta flight from Dallas to Minneapolis for our…

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Lounge Review Escape Lounge MSP Airport

Lounge Review: Escape Lounge at MSP Airport

8 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] With a decently long layover before our Air France flight to Paris, we had some time to pass at the Minneapolis airport. MSP is a pretty nice airport in itself and probably my favorite US Delta hub. We decided to have some lounge time at he Escape Lounge which is located on the upper or Mezzanine level of the terminal, right at the entrance to Concourse E. We gained…

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Trip Report: American Airlines’ Brand New 787-9 Premium Economy

7 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 51 comments

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] I had the pleasure of flying aboard American Airline’s inaugural domestic 787-9 flight this week from Dallas to Los Angeles, as well as the return to Dallas on the same aircract. Sitting in the 787-9 Premium Economy cabin, I was fortunate enough to be one of the first passengers to try American’s Premium Economy seat. American was not only launching a new aircraft type with 787-9, but it’s also the first…

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Good Morning from American Airlines’ Inaugural Domestic 787-9 Flight!

6 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 6 comments

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Good morning travelers and #avgeeks! I’m currently on board the inaugural domestic 787-9 Flight with American Airlines’. This is American’ first “official’ scheduled 787-9 flight although technically they flew an ETOPs certification flight earlier this month. Not only is it exciting that American is launching a new aircraft type today but the 787-9 is the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. On this DFW to LAX flight, I’m…

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777-300ER Business Class Post-Christmas Giveaway: $50 USD American Airlines Gift Card

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Business Class | London to Chicago

2 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 9 comments

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Making the trek home from our wonderful holiday in Italy and Greece, I was looking forward to our flight home. I love American’s 777-300ER Business Class seat. It is one of the best airline hard products out there right now. Soft product (customer service-wise) can be hit-or-miss on American Airlines unfortunately, so I try to moderate my expectations. I’m incredibly loyal to American Airlines but I have to be…

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Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge 747 Queen of The Skies

Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge | London Heathrow

19 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 4 comments

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] To be honest, I often feel a bit disappointed with some airlines’ arrival lounges. They aren’t usually as nice as the departure lounges you often see airside. Well thanks to the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge, my faith in the arrivals lounge has been restored.. We had just arrived from Detroit on VS 108 aboard Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class product. Our flight had been quite the pleasure but even after a delightful flight, I crave the…

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Virgin Atlantic A330 Upper Class VS 108 Detroit to London - Virgin Group

Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A330 Upper Class | Detroit to London Heathrow

18 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 22 comments

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.64″] With high expectations of the Virgin Atlantic’s A330 Upper Class product, I was awaiting this trip for the last six months. Our Virgin Atlantic flight was part of a greater itinerary that ultimately took us to Greece and Italy. Unfortunately Virgin Atlantic doesn’t fly to Dallas so we took a Delta flight from Dallas to Detroit which we were able to wrap into a single…

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Trip Report: Reviewing Blu Express | Santorini to Rome Blog Review Airline Review

Trip Report: Reviewing Blu Express | Santorini to Rome

12 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.64″] Seeking a nonstop and inexpensive flight between Santorini and Rome, we ultimately booked well in advance 2 seats on Blu Express, a sister airline of Blu Panorama. This flight was reasonably priced at €90 per person one-way plus €40 for two checked bags. All in we were toughly at €230 for the two of us. Our other options were more expensive or involved a connection….

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Lufthansa 747-8 Business Class

Trip Report: Lufthansa 747-8 Business Class | Frankfurt to Washington

9 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] I’ve long been longing to fly aboard the 747-8 as well as Lufthansa Business Class. I’m not as acquainted to as many product so some fancier bloggers so I have some catching up to do! Most of all, I was was looking forward to being onboard the upper deck of the 747-8, the most modern version of the Queen of the Skies! I had booked an award ticket with United…

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Delta Sky Club DFW

Lounge Review: Delta Sky Club DFW

7 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Located in the sleepy Terminal E at DFW, the Delta Sky Club DFW is located at the very end of the Delta gates. Terminal E is still under a complete rennovation so the Delta Sky Club DFW has moved around in recent years. I’m not an incredibly frequent flyer of Delta these days but I do have access thanks to my American Express Platinum card. But for this particular journey,…

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Air New Zealand 777-300ER Economy Class

Trip Report: Air New Zealand 777-300 Economy Class | Los Angeles to London

1 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 9 comments

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Taking the unconventional routing from Dallas to London via LAX, I was excited for my first flight aboard Air New Zealand, even if it’s in Economy! I had snagged a pretty cheap flight for under $400 USD one-way from LAX to London Heathrow. This route is “fifth-freedom” route for Air New Zealand, and a popular one! I had arrived on a separate American Airlines flight from Dallas so I…

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British Airways CityFlyer Economy Class

Trip Report: British Airways CityFlyer Economy Class | London City to Frankfurt

30 August, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

As part of my return journey from London to Dallas, I flew British Airways’ CityFlyer service from London City Airport to Frankfurt. I had booked a Business Class journey from Frankfurt to Dallas via Washington IAD. I couldn’t get the segment from London to Frankfurt to tag onto my Lufthansa booking so I used the British Airways flight to position from London to Frankfurt. I redeemed 4,500 BA Avios points for the short journey which was a fantastic deal. The…

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Trip Report: American Airlines A319 Business Class | Mérida to Dallas

Trip Report: American Airlines A319 Business Class | Mérida to Dallas

8 August, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”||2px|”] After a very lovely extended weekend in Mérida and the surrounding Yucatan region, it was time to head back home to Dallas. The flight from Mérida to Dallas is a short hop of less than 2.5 hours, a wee bit shorter than the flight between Dallas and Cancun. This particular route is operated by American Airlines…

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Budapest Premium Airport Lounge

Lounge Review: Budapest Premium Airport Lounge

19 July, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Flying aboard Club Europe from Budapest to London Heathrow, we were provided access to the Budapest Premium Airport Lounge, which is located very near the British Airways gates. We didn’t have a lot of time to spend here but I wanted to grab a quick bite and check some emails before departure. The Budapest Premium Airport Lounge is in the non-Schengen zone. You’ll the head up a staircase to the…

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Lounge Review: Caral VIP Lounge | Mérida Airport

9 July, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] It’s no secret that the Mérida airport is a small one. For a city of over a million inhabitants, I am a little surprised at the petite nature of this Yucatan gateway. But nonetheless, there are two full air lounges at MID, although both landslide. As a Priority Pass holder, I received access for myself and Chris to visit the Caral VIP Lounge. The other lounge in the Mérida airport is…

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Vienna Airport Tarmac

Trip Report: Austrian Airlines Economy Class | Krakow to Vienna & Vienna to Budapest

5 July, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] In one trip we managed to experience every airline alliance. OneWorld: British Airways. SkyTeam: Czech Airlines. Star Alliance: LOT Polish and Austrian Airlines. It was quite the camping of experience. We flew a mixture of Business Class and Economy Class. Towards the end of trip, it was time to experience Austrian Airlines. Our two segments that day included Krakow to Vienna aboard a Bombardier Q400 and Vienna to Budapest board…

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Trip Report: Czech Airlines Economy Class | Budapest to Prague

28 June, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] I’ve never flow Spirit Airlines in the US but it’s everyone’s favorite airline brand to hate. After flying Czech Airlines Economy Class, I think I can imagine that this is how people often feel when they fly Spirit. And it’s not a compliment. Traffic was extra light so we arrived at the Budapest Airport a little over 2 hours before departures. I wanted to have some time explore a lounge plus…

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Lounge Review: British Airways Galleries Club | London Heathrow Terminal 3

Lounge Review: British Airways Galleries Club | London Heathrow Terminal 3

26 June, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] This review covers the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge at London Heathrow Airport in Terminal 3. There are several Galleries Clubs at LHR. Please check BA.com for a full directory. After a nice, long transatlantic flight from Dallas to London aboard British Airways in Club World Business Class, we arrived at LHR’s Terminal 5. While British Airways is the exclusive operator of flights at Terminal 5, they are also operate…

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New Lounges for the Priority Pass Network (Including Sleeping Cabins in Paris!) Priority Pass ERSTE Prague Airport Lounge

Lounge Review: ERSTE Premium Lounge | Prague Airport

24 June, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” custom_width_px=”960px” use_custom_gutter=”off” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Continuing on our journey through Central and Eastern Europe, we were headed form Prague to Krakow via Warsaw on LOT Polish. After a sour check-in experience with Czech Airlines earlier in the week, the quick check-in at PRG and LOT Polish was a nice change. We checked our bags and cleared security in about 5 minutes. We…

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