LHR-BOS-ORD-SAN-LHR on BA and AA: Snow, Lobsters and Aircraft Carriers

[yflyer]

Although there were no seatback IFE screens, the plane was well equipped with wifi and streaming audio and video, as well as A/C power. With those, I did not miss the IFE seat back screens.





Using wifi, movies were available, although these were paid movies-on-demand.





Very reasonable time-based wifi charges, with a range of plans available. Any airline which implements a data volume-based plan has lost the plot (Are you listening, SQ?), time-based plans are the way to go.





Different wifi plans for mobile and desktop devices.





On your desktop, the wifi even includes an “Airshow” window! Very cool…

[yflyer]

Today’s 738 had the Boeing Sky Interior (BSI), with blue fabric seats, with leather headrests and no in-seat video.





Although (or maybe because) this was an older product, this was one of the more spacious and comfortable 738’s that I had been on, with extra legroom in many rows, labeled “main cabin extra”, which I did not have to pay extra to select online (FF seat selection perks?).







Row 7 bulkhead seat…first row of Y.

[yflyer]

The next morning, I flew AA from Boston to Chicago.

It was an early morning 9am departure. The priority check-in area was fairly quiet when I arrived at 7.45am for my flight, AA1435, BOS-ORD, a 3 hour sector operated by a 738.



I spent a few minutes in the AA Admirals Club before heading to the gate.

Rocking chairs in the terminal…

[yflyer]

Great food pics, yflyer!! I can almost taste them.

Thanks, CarbonMan! I think there is a business opportunity for some tech entrepreneur to come up with a "click to order" button next to pictures of food posted on the internet...one click and someone delivers that dish (Or a local equivalent...) to your address in an hour...

[CarbonMan]

Great food pics, yflyer!! I can almost taste them.

[yflyer]

Lobster looks good.

And fried chicken in a lounge!

Enjoying the food and everything else so far - thanks, yflyer!

Thanks, jhm!

Yes, the lobster was great!

The fried chicken may have been the only outstanding feature of the Marriott Long Wharf Lounge...wine and liquor in the lounge was charged to your room bill. Wonder if this practice is common among US Marriott properties.

[jhm]

Lobster looks good.

And fried chicken in a lounge!

Enjoying the food and everything else so far - thanks, yflyer!

[yflyer]

You didn't use Über?!?

I used Uber a lot on this trip. It was my primary means of getting around. One of the few rides I did not use Uber for was the ride from Boston Airport to my hotel, mainly because the taxi rank was right outside the terminal door, and because BOS isn't too far from downtown.

Actually, it was their ridiculously low priced wine list that I mentioned.

Now that you mentioned it, I did have a very satisfying glass of Melville Chardonnay from Santa Barbara, CA, together with my monkfish at Legal Crossing!

[HUGE AL]

I caught a taxi from the airport for the short drive into downtown Boston...

You didn't use Über?!?

...as HUGE AL pointed out, a very interesting list of cocktails…

Actually, it was their ridiculously low priced wine list that I mentioned.

[yflyer]

Just had a chance to digest your report - fantastic stuff as usual !

Thanks, SQflyergirl!

Yes, "digest" is probably the right word to use!

Planes...lounge...food...hotel reviews all in 1 TR, just how I like them.

Thanks, icn.sg! And that's how I like to write them!

What's the deal with having all window shades drawn shut when the aircraft is on the grown? I've never come across this on other airlines before. Doesn't it take more effort for the crew to shut them than to leave the shades up?

I heard some airlines ask passengers to shut the window shades before deplaning, to keep the planes cooler in summer. No idea if the reverse applies in winter. But it was really disconcerting taking off with all the shades closed. I am too used to SQ where everything has to be open for take-off and landing.

You seem to be a regular concert goer. This is probably way off topic, but how would rate the acoustics in the Boston Symphonic Hall vs our Esplanade Concert? Hall?

Yes, I go to the Esplanade Concert Hall quite frequently! The acoustics we have there are world class -- among the best in the world for any kind of acoustic music, especially classical. We are spoilt here in Singapore -- the SSO gets to play in a wonderful hall, and visiting orchestras get to sound their best too.

The Boston Symphony Hall is a historical building with the traditional rectangular "shoe box" design that also has superb acoustics. I was sitting in one of the cheap seats at the rear of the hall, so I didn't hear the hall at its best, but it was still a very rich, resonant and well rounded sound. Even from so far back, the soloist's cello tone came through very clearly and beautifully.

[icn.sg]

Planes...lounge...food...hotel reviews all in 1 TR, just how I like them.

What's the deal with having all window shades drawn shut when the aircraft is on the grown? I've never come across this on other airlines before. Doesn't it take more effort for the crew to shut them than to leave the shades up?

You seem to be a regular concert goer. This is probably way off topic, but how would rate the acoustics in the Boston Symphonic Hall vs our Esplanade Concert? Hall?

[SQflyergirl]

Just had a chance to digest your report - fantastic stuff as usual !

[yflyer]

Superb trip report with fantastic photos.As if i am there on the same trip .Well done and thank you for sharing.

Thanks, dengilo!

[dengilo]

Superb trip report with fantastic photos.As if i am there on the same trip .Well done and thank you for sharing.

[yflyer]

The next day, I checked out of the Hilton early in the morning and headed to BOS for my flight to Chicago for a brief one night stay, before heading to San Diego.

To be continued!