FlyingKangaroo From Australia, joined Apr 2004, 532 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2630 times:
Hi there!
This is a real self-gloss thread, but I can't help myself. My mum and I have decided to go to LA and San Francisco for our Christmas Holiday! And to make it even better, we're flying SQ20 SIN-LAX direct! I know this isn't the longest flight, but at 16 hours, it's long enough for me! We've booked seats 18A & C on the A345, are these good seats? On SQ1 SFO-SIN via. HKG we've got 12H & K (upper deck!)
On a more serious note, is it possible to do airport tours of SFO (the ones where you go round the apron)? I guess all the 9/11 security measures mean that there isn't? Also, how long should we give ourselves for check-in and security at SFO? Flight is at 11.45pm (or something like that)
Also, why do SQ serve breakfast on the SIN-LAX flight? We get dinner, refreshment, and breakfast. Could someone explain?!
Bartond From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 788 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2612 times:
Good for you. That should be a great trip. I've never done the LA thing but San Francisco is incredible! And the SFO airport is really large but be careful if you've got a rental car and give yourself PLENTY of time to get to the gate and check in. As nice as that airport is, I think it's a logistical nightmare.
SafetyDude From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 3795 posts, RR: 16 Reply 2, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2581 times:
On a more serious note, is it possible to do airport tours of SFO (the ones where you go round the apron)?
No.
Also, how long should we give ourselves for check-in and security at SFO? Flight is at 11.45pm (or something like that)
I would suggest checking-in between 2.5-3 hours prior to departure.
Also, why do SQ serve breakfast on the SIN-LAX flight? We get dinner, refreshment, and breakfast. Could someone explain?!
One meal is served after take-off (dinner, I believe), one mid-flight (breakfast, I believe), and a refreshment would be the meal prior to landing.
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2958 posts, RR: 30 Reply 6, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2467 times:
I'm really happy for you buddy. And whenever that time will be, welcome to San Francisco. It's a truly amazing city, I should know, I live there . I'm sure you will have a great vacation. If you want some info on the city itself feel free to contact me through e-mail (see profile).
Aeroflot777
Elwood64151 From United States of America, joined Feb 2002, 2477 posts, RR: 7 Reply 7, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2458 times:
But what is 16.05 LA time in your own local time? I imagine that's early morning, isn't it?
Anyway, enjoy your trip, and welcome in advance to the US-of-A! If you're going to be seeing San Fran and LA, you might as well take a day and see San Diego and Las Vegas. After all, this country is so big and SF/LA encompass only a small part of it.
The worst is, most of what you'll see is part of our great Southwestern Desert. You won't see the magnificent pine forests of the Rockies or the desiduous (sp?) forests of the east coast. Nor will you be blessed with views of our wonderful Gulf beaches or the stellar open-sky beauty of the great plains.
Still, see all that you can. There is always something to see or do, and lots of people who would love to take you there (for a reasonable fee)!
Of course, one day I do hope to come and see the natural beauty of your country, as well! Can I stay at your place?!?
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it in summer school.
Ourboeing From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 474 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2386 times:
FlyingKangaroo,
I have been on that flight twice and Singapore Airlines is the best out there. My flight back to LAX was through Tokyo. So it was SIN-NRT-LAX on a 747-400. But it was almost a couple of years ago. The highlight of that flight was that when we were about to touchdown in NRT we had to abort landing due to a little airplane on the runway and man I tell you, it was scary but a lot of fun. I was sitting by the wing and could hear the engines turned on full throttle. I have flown HKG-LAX and yes it is a long flight. We had strong tail winds and made it in an hour and a half earlier than our actual arrival time.
Then again Cathay 747-400 was a nice ride as well
BTW: My longest flight has been Air Canada A340-313 from DEL-YYZ last month and it was 15 hours long.
GuyBetsy1 From Canada, joined Aug 2001, 832 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2310 times:
Are you starting and ending in SIN? Or Australia? Don't know if you're in Oz or not to begin with.
BE prepared, however, to be photographed and fingerprinted upon your arrival in the USA. New INS rules apply effetive October 2004. Now everyone (except Canada - for now), will have to endure the above procedures when you arrive at LAX.
StarCruiser From United States of America, joined May 2004, 301 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 2181 times:
I'm heading to SFO again next month (was just there at the beginning of August) and one thing not to miss is a ride on the cable cars and the historic streetcars which are painted in the liveries of many US cities. There are also some streetcars from Milan. Sometimes I just like to get on and ride to the end of the line, walk around a bit and then head back the other way. You can see a lot of the city for very little expense. If you have time I am sure you and your mum would love to tour the wine country just north of the city. That way you can cross the Golden Gate Bridge, a marvel in itself. The concierge at your hotel will be able to help you choose the best tours.
We don't have many unique cities in the USA, but San Francisco is one of them. It is truly an international city with people from everywhere. While San Francisco is easy to move about on public transportation, Los Angeles is a nightmare. Plan to spend more time in San Francisco. Someday come back and see New York, Chicago, Washington and New Orleans.
StevenUhl777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 1997 times:
Someday come back and see New York, Chicago, Washington and New Orleans.
Sure...throw in Boston, Orlando, Miami, Denver and Hawaii as well...but make sure you get up to see Seattle, Portland, and the entire Pacific Northwest...it has probably the best scenery in the country! The Oregon coast, trust me! This country is so huge and so diverse that you would have to take hundreds of trips here to see everything worthwhile.
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2958 posts, RR: 30 Reply 14, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1897 times:
Personally, I hate Las Vegas. That is one city I think is terribly overrated!!! The city itself is horrible, small. Its really hard to breathe during the summer. The only thing that makes it interesting the the bunch of hotels around it. I think that the Grand Hyatt Shanghai or the newly built hotel in the UAE in Dubai, is WAY more amazing. Las Vegas is meant for gambling and for gambling only. The only reason there are so many amazing shows there is that companies see the amount of people traveling to Las Vegas, and therefore decided to make some money. And guess what, it worked. I wonder why... But the city itself is horrible.
But again that's my personal opinion.
Aeroflot777
GREATANSETT From Australia, joined Aug 2003, 506 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1892 times:
Actually I have done a similar trip in 2002 and it was fantastic but the downside is all the security. Anyway I'm going to the Sydney Opera House now, see you tomorrow.
Mdsh00 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 4101 posts, RR: 9 Reply 16, posted (8 years 10 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 1857 times:
I think that the Grand Hyatt Shanghai or the newly built hotel in the UAE in Dubai, is WAY more amazing.
Yuck. In my opinion, only the outside of the hotel in Dubai looks nice. The colors in the main lobby were so tacky that it made me sick. Emirates Towers are much more classy.
Flying Kangaroo,
Hope you enjoy your trip! I must warn you though, Southern California will NOT be scorching hot in the winter, and there might be more rain this year because of El Nino. Some things to see...The Getty Museum, Hollywood & Vine, 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills (although I've come to hate that place ), and Griffith Park. You can contact me if you have any questions about things to do in SoCal. I do think you should check out LAS, but it will be quite cold when you go.
"Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change."
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2958 posts, RR: 30 Reply 17, posted (8 years 10 months 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 1613 times:
Mdsh00,
On that, my friend, I agree with you. But my main point was that anything and I mean anything, probably even a holiday inn in oakland, CA looks better than Las Vegas. Everything is soo fake in Las Vegas. You can like totally see the city is made for tourism.
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