After a short stay in Anaheim, it was time for our internal flights within the USA to take us to two other great cities!
Flight: UA 1490 (TED)
Route: LAX to LAS
Date: September 25, 2006
Aircraft: Airbus A320 Rego unknown (
Seat Number: 5D
EDT: 5:47pm
Scheduled arrival time: 7:00am
We arrived at LAX after a shuttle bus from Anaheim a couple of hours in advance. After check in we made our way through security. Shoes off, belt off and everything out of pockets. I passed! After clearing here, we took ourselves to Gate 71B. After waiting here for a short time, we looked around and noticed that there weren’t many passengers here for a flight which left so soon. I decided to check the screens and found out that our departure gate had moved.
Boarding as announced so we made our way into the aircraft. All passengers on board, seat belts fastened and push back was made at 5:38pm. Flight attendants disappeared as the safety procedures were conducted on little flip-down screens.
Leg room was ample. I believe that this was due to the fact we were sitting in economy plus!
Headphones of all different colours were found in the seat pockets in front of us, along with the in-flight magazine and safety instructions card.
We lined up on 24L and started a 25 second roll, out over the ocean. We made a series of left hand turns before making our way to Las Vegas.
Shortly after, flight attendants came around serving drinks. I opted for the ‘Unique blend of Starbucks’ coffee. Margaritas, wine and beer were available to purchase for $5.
After a short 43 minute flight over the desert, we landed smoothly at Las Vegas and headed towards gate D43. I was surprised that after we departed the plane, we found slot machines in the airport arrival/departure lounges! Welcome to Vegas!!
The flight was great and the flight attendants were fast and efficient. I guess they had to be for such a short flight.
Now it was off to the New York New York hotel for our short stay in Vegas before our flight to Seattle.
Flight:
Route: LAS to SEA
Date: September 27, 2006
Aircraft: Airbus A319 N814AW
Seat Number: 1D (First class)
EDT: 11:26am
Scheduled arrival time: 2:00pm
After a great stay in Vegas, it’s off to Seattle! After the shuttle took us from our hotel to the airport, we made our way to America West departures. We lined up for E-ticket check in but for some unknown reason, it couldn’t find our booking. After asking a check in agent for help, she called us over and assisted us. Thankfully, she found our booking and asked us if we wanted to upgrade to First Class for an additional $100 per passenger. Having never flown First Class before, we jumped at the chance.
With boarding passes in hand, we made our way to security. I looked down at my boarding pass to discover that I had the lovely SSSS printed. My friend made her way through the first class line at security quite quickly where I had to line up for what seemed like eternity in the additional security line.
Shoes came off, carry-on bags scanned and each passenger had to stand in a special scanner machine which I had never seen before. An electronic voice told each passenger when to move forward to be scanned. About 4 powerful jets of air came from the top and sides. I passed. We had to collect our shoes and make our way to a TSA agent who thoroughly searched through our carry-on baggage. I passed again!
We made our way to Gate A14 and waited for the announcement to board. My name was called over the PA system and I was asked to move back a row so a couple could sit together. Seeing I was also with a friend, I politely declined as it would mean that we wouldn’t be sitting together.
First class passengers were invited to board so we made our way down to the aircraft. Not only was it my first time in first class, it was my first time in an A319. All passengers were seated. The aircraft load was about 50% so we were ready to depart a few minutes early. We had an on time departure as we made our way to Seattle.
After take off, the flight attendant came around offering us unlimited amounts of drinks and light snacks from a basket. After we had finished, she came around and offered us more.
Meanwhile, my friend and I challenged ourselves to a game of Cranium which was displayed on the small screens on the bulkhead. Quiz questions were asked and we guessed some, especially those about American history! We scored evenly.
After Cranium I decided to take a few pictures outside the windows. I saw a few mountains and one which looked like a volcano!
We arrived at Seattle at 1:43pm, a little earlier than scheduled which is always nice. We made our way to arrival Gate A3 and deplaned through the front left hand door.
I enjoyed the flight. I guess I was expecting a little more in First Class then what was offered. The economy passengers were offered the same snacks and drinks as we were (but not unlimited). The only difference was the size of the seats with more leg room. It was a nice experience though.
In Seattle, we visited the Boeing Tour up at Everett which took us to the 777 assembly line. We also drove past Boeing Field and I saw this beast without her dress! Is she ever going to be painted?
We also attended the Seattle Mariners Vs Texas Rangers baseball game which was fantastic! Sadly, the Mariners lost by 1 run.
From SEA we took the Amtrak bus up to YVR for 4 days. This included a day trip to Whistler and a scenic flight over the village and nearby glaciers.
Airline: Whistler Air
Aircraft: C-GEND
Aircraft Type: De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter
Flight duration: 30 minutes
Flight: AS524
Route: SEA to LAX
Date: October 4, 2006
Aircraft: Boeing 737-400 N767AS
Seat Number: 12F
EDT: 1:00pm
Actual Departure time: 1:55pm
It’s time to go home. We had to catch a flight from SEA to LAX to catch our flight home to Australia on QF176. See trip report here: QF 176 LAX BNE - The Return Journey (+pics) (by Safs Oct 7 2006 in Trip Reports)
We go to the airport a couple of hours in advance to check in. Rather than heading to E-ticket check in, we made our way to the special assistance area as we wanted to check our luggage all the way through to BNE rather than having to collect our suitcases in LAX and check them in again. Because my suitcase weighed 31 kilograms (68 pounds) I was delighted that my bag was tagged all the way through due to the fact that QF and AZ have an interline agreement with each other. I was glad I did not have to pay any extra $$ for excess baggage!
We made our way passed security and headed towards the gate. I picked up Burger King on the way as I was feeling a little hungry.
Our scheduled boarding time had passed and our aircraft was not at the gate so I rechecked the departures board to see that our plane is delayed due to the late arrival of the operating aircraft. For a scheduled departure of 1:00pm, we finally departed at 1:55pm on the aircraft pictured below.
Flight attendants performed the safety procedures manually. The first class flight attendant read the instructions and the front economy flight attendant demonstrated to both the first class and economy section, rushing back and forth.
After a 32 second roll on runway 34R, we were finally on our way to LAX. We flew over Boeing and saw the Concorde and 747-100 which I didn’t get a chance to visit. We made a series of left turns which positioned ourselves towards California.
Flight attendants were efficient. We were offered two rounds of drinks with garlic pretzels. Boy they were strong!
Leg room was adequate and I was comfortable for the entire flight.
The actual flight was uneventful. We passed over some wonderful scenery below and at 4:34pm, we touched down at LAX and arrived at Terminal 3.
After deplaning, we had a 7 hour layover in LAX before our flight to BNE on QF that night. See trip report here: QF 176 LAX BNE - The Return Journey (+pics) (by Safs Oct 7 2006 in Trip Reports)
One of these birds will take me home that evening.
Alaska Airlines was great! The flight attendants always smiled and the service was fantastic.
So that’s my internal flights within the USA. All were unique and different, but I was happy with the overall service provided.
San747 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 4936 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 8414 times:
Nice report... I like the pics a lot! Thanks for sharing...
Quoting Safs (Thread starter): I was surprised that after we departed the plane, we found slot machines in the airport arrival/departure lounges! Welcome to Vegas!!
I noticed that too when I flew into Vegas for the first time (I had been there before, but only by car, I had never been in the airport)! We exited our CRJ-900, went up the stairs into the concourse, and it's full of slots! I didn't expect to see them, but I knew I was in Vegas...
UAL757 From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 803 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 8339 times:
Usair320 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 991 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 8322 times:
Nice rport. Glad to see US-West is serving Cape cod chips as US-East does.
Quoting Safs (Thread starter): My friend made her way through the first class line at security quite quickly where I had to line up for what seemed like eternity in the additional security line.
The nice thing about the Anchorage airport is that even if you get the SSSS and your MVP or first class then you wait in the first class line with a little pass so that they know you need to get the SSSS deal. That way you still get the short lines.
boy it sounds like your leading up to the climax where don't pass
Quoting Safs (Thread starter): The only difference was the size of the seats with more leg room. It was a nice experience though.
Its funny how American First class is a big seat with more recline. Yet no food. Then over in Europe its the same seat (...yes it is a little better, but still) but the food always seems to be there, and its quality food for such short flights.
Quoting Safs (Thread starter): Alaska Airlines was great! The flight attendants always smiled and the service was fantastic.
VERY GLAD you enjoyed AS!!
~Cheers-
~~Kyle H.
to some people the sky is the limit, to aviation enthusiasts, its home!
Thepilot From Canada, joined Jan 2010, 5 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 8152 times:
Great report! Nice pictures of Mt. Saint Helens too (the Volcano). Safeco field is very nice, and I also saw the new 747 at BFI. Thank you for sharing.
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1750 posts, RR: 26 Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 7800 times:
Great report and nice pictures! I flew to LAS in March for the first time and found it to be a very nice airport. I haven't yet flown Alaska Airlines but they sound good!
AAden From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 832 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 7768 times:
I belive the volcano was mt saint helens! great report
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Reply 10, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 7617 times:
Quoting Safs (Thread starter): I was surprised that after we departed the plane, we found slot machines in the airport arrival/departure lounges!
Those slot machines which, by the way, are located all over the terminal, bring in a ton of revenue to the airport (I read $18 million a year, and that was ten years ago)!
The mountain in the picture you have directly under the picture of Mount St. Helens appears to be Mount Rainier, which is in northern California. On that routing you probably also passed over close to Crater Lake, located in southern Oregon:
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
Lemurs From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1439 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 7455 times:
Quoting Tom in NO (Reply 10): The mountain in the picture you have directly under the picture of Mount St. Helens appears to be Mount Rainier, which is in northern California. On that routing you probably also passed over close to Crater Lake, located in southern Oregon:
Unless there is a different volcano Mr. Rainier in California that I never heard of, the only Mt. Rainier I know of is the one that is a hundred fifty miles away from Seattle, and is definitely in Washington.
That said, the picture below St. Helens is not Mt. Rainier in Washington, so you might be right. Mt. Rainier never has that little ice pack on it. If I had to guess though, I would say that is Mt. Hood, which is in northern Oregon. It has a similarly pointy/craggy shape, unlike Rainier and Adams which are more flattened at their peaks.
There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those who understand binary, and those that don't.
HikesWithEyes From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 816 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 7321 times:
Quoting Tom in NO (Reply 10): The mountain in the picture you have directly under the picture of Mount St. Helens appears to be Mount Rainier, which is in northern California. On that routing you probably also passed over close to Crater Lake, located in southern
Quoting Lemurs (Reply 11): If I had to guess though, I would say that is Mt. Hood, which is in northern Oregon
The second mountain is indeed Mt. Hood.
Too bad you can't see the Timberline Lodge,or Jack Nicholson.
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Reply 13, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 7233 times:
Quoting Lemurs (Reply 11): Unless there is a different volcano Mr. Rainier in California
My bad.....meant to say Mount Shasta.
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
FCYTravis From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 1191 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 7134 times:
Quoting Safs (Thread starter): I enjoyed the flight. I guess I was expecting a little more in First Class then what was offered. The economy passengers were offered the same snacks and drinks as we were (but not unlimited). The only difference was the size of the seats with more leg room. It was a nice experience though.
One slight correction - econ pax on US don't get the same upgraded snack basket snacks (shortbread, chips, nuts) you got up front. They just get pretzels.
US Airways domestic First Class is nothing to write home about, but on the short-haul legs like LAS-SEA, that's pretty much all you get up front on most domestic airlines anymore. US only offers First Class meals on flights of more than three hours.
Basically, the majority of people flying in US First Class are up there for free - Dividend Miles Preferred flyers like myself get unlimited complimentary upgrades. It's a nice perk for the FFers but not really a full-on super-nice First Class product.
USAir A321 service now departing for SFO with fuel stops in CAK, COS and RNO. Enjoy your flight.
Safs From Australia, joined Dec 2005, 199 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (6 years 7 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 6767 times:
Quoting FCYTravis (Reply 14): One slight correction - econ pax on US don't get the same upgraded snack basket snacks (shortbread, chips, nuts) you got up front. They just get pretzels.
ER757 From Cayman Islands, joined May 2005, 2228 posts, RR: 8 Reply 16, posted (6 years 7 months 20 hours ago) and read 6620 times:
Quoting Tom in NO (Reply 10): The mountain in the picture you have directly under the picture of Mount St. Helens appears to be Mount Rainier, which is in northern California.
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