As I mentioned in my last post yesterday is what I call a "staging day" for a trip. I checked out of the hotel and took the metro ("subway") directly to the airport. Lisbon decided to tease me with a bright sunny day so when I got to the airport I decided to sit outside at a sidewalk bistro/cafe (yes, they have one even at the airport). Since I had a few hours to hang out until the official checkin time at the airport hotel, I enjoyed a few hours more of the Lisbon "vibe." Checked into the hotel and chilled with the plan to go to bed early.
After a half-marathon of watching "Who's Line is it Anyway?", I went to bed around 8:30pm because I had a 0700 am flight the next morning. I went to bed, but of course I couldn't get to sleep. After a restless night, I woke up for good at 0300 and got moving at 0500. I was at the airport through security by 0530. For a person that does NOT like mornings, this ain't easy, but ya do what ya gotta do. Boarded by British Airways flight at 0620 and had a fairly boring 3 hour flight to Heathrow.
And, miracles upon miracles, I deplaned, transferred from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 by bus, went through security again and was at a lounge in just over 30 minutes. This never happens to me at Heathrow (which I do not like at all), but here I am.
So the tally for this trip is 7 (seven) airlines, American, Japan, Malaysian, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, and British Airways. This group makes up most of the One World Alliance and I certainly have developed some favorites, and some not so favorite.
A benefit of being an upper tier member of the One World Alliance is that I can go to any of the partner's airport lounges. Since there are about 6 lounges with 5 minutes of each other here at Heathrow, so far I've checked out Cathay Pacific, American and now Qantas. I may also check out the British Airlines. Of course, this is all for research for my blog so that I can pass along my findings to you, my discriminating audience (except you Chip),
Well, my next blog should be written when I've crossed the pond and then can say - I have flown around the world.
Until next time, be safe, be kind and catch you on the flip side.
