Jaunted

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What You Need To Know About British Airways' New Mixed Fleet

How to identify BA's mixed fleet cabin crew: they smile

You may remember the saga. First we were die hard British Airways haters. Then a flight to Vegas changed all that. It was our first experience of BA’s new mixed fleet (in operation for a year now) and boy, did it make a difference. We were entranced. Was it a one off? We prayed not.

Our return flight from Vegas had just as nice a crew (a full review on that another time). But we wanted to wait until we’d taken a couple more flights until we declared an official crush on the new mixed fleet. Now, though, since our trip to Budapest last weekend, we've seen enough to declare ourselves: British Airways appears to have transformed under the mixed fleet crews.

Staff are friendly, smiley. They give the impression of wanting to help you. They give the impression that they are happy to be on board, and that they actually like each other. They are as far away from the dour crew of old as Rick Perry was from knowing his government agencies. They are great. So because they’re great, we’ve got the lowdown on them. Here’s your mixed fleet 101.

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The Day Pigs Flew and British Airways Rocked a Long-Haul Flight

You might remember our surprise (understatement: we nearly had a stroke with shock) when we flew British Airways from Heathrow to Vegas on Christmas Eve, and were confronted, instead of the usual sullen frowns and can’t-do mentality, by smiles, extra booze, cheery greetings and an atmosphere that didn’t send us screaming for the emergency exit handle.

Back then, we told you about the crew, and promised more on the flight later. Sorry about that&3151;it’s taken three weeks to process the shock of a pleasant BA flight. But anyways. Did the flight-our first longhaul in BA economy for a couple of years-live up to the crew? Let’s see.

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Is This the Most Spectacular Flight in the USA?

A snow-covered part of the Grand Canyon

”Why are you flying to Albuquerque?” were the words on most people’s lips last week when we told them we were cutting short a trip to Vegas to hit New Mexico.

Why Albuquerque? Well, to start with, for the flight—one of the most spectacular ones we’ve ever been on.

From Las Vegas to Albuquerque we were looking south, and got a prime view of the snow-covered high desert, mountains and miniscule trees poking out of the snow. All very beautiful, except we heard the pilot announce that “on the left, you’ll see the Grand Canyon.”

So on the way back, we swapped sides to face north, and were greeted by snow-covered mountains, snow-covered plains…and then, yeah, the Grand Canyon. We flew pretty much all the way along the Grand Canyon—from 40,000 feet we picked out the famous South Rim, less famous North Rim and, we think, possibly the West Rim, too (though we didn’t see the Skywalk).

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Transatlantic Time Hop: Skipping the New Year on British Airways

Comedy hats and smiles. Two things you don't normally expect to see British Airways staff wearing

When we told people last week we were flying British Airways from Las Vegas to London overnight on New Year’s Eve, they were aghast. Why weren’t we partying? Why were we flying alone? Why were we leaving Vegas on the best night to be in Vegas?

We told them they were wrong on several counts. First, NYE in Vegas is horrendo, period. Second, after the Christmas Eve mini party we experienced on our flight out, we suspected the return journey could actually be fun. Thirdly—since there are few things we enjoy less than forced festivity—the idea of spending NYE at 40,000ft watching crappy movies was highly appealing.

And fourth, we coolly assumed we’d fly past loads of fireworks and cross so many timezones that we’d witness the year turning about six times before we reached London.

So how was it?

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Is British Airways' Christmas Gift to Everyone Flight Attendants Who Actually Smile?

Oh hai Christmas flight attendants, you look fun! You also look like you're in the wrong uniform. That nail varnish, lipstick, smiley faces, santa hats indicative of a fun disposition...you belong on Virgin Atlantic, right?

Wrong, because, and you may need to sit down for this, we snapped this on our Christmas Eve flight from London-Heathrow to Las Vegas on British Airways. Yes, BA of the grouchy staff who fling inedible food at you and snap if you dare to ask for so much as an extra glass of water. But these British Airways FAs were different—oh so different. In fact, they were the highlight of the flight.

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Shocker! Virgin Atlantic's Economy Food is Actually Pretty Decent

You may remember we told you a little while back about a rather underwhelming experience in Virgin Atlantic's economy class from London to Vegas. Luckily, we're pleased to report the food was much, much better.

First, a bit of background. This member of Jaunted is not a fan of airline food—even in business class. We were also seriously unimpressed with the meals consumed in premium economy a couple of years back, with the exception of a recent excellent Full English Breakfast. Alas, we still didn't have much hope for economy.

But what do you know...for economy, it was actually very decent.

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Last-Minute Upgrading at the Gate is Not for the Faint of Heart

Every frequent flyer worth his or her salt has a history of how-I-got-my-upgrade stories. We've got another one to throw on the pile, but it's also a cautionary tale for the next time you think you can swing a comfy seat at the very last minute.

Picture this: it's morning in Las Vegas and after a few days of taking care of business in Sin City and enjoying the nightlife, we've not slept and are facing three flights over a span of 20 hours to reach Southeast Asia, all in Economy. On top of it, we've got to spend at least a solid three hours working on our laptop on the flights. What to do?

Using the check-in kiosk as Las Vegas-McCarran, United popped up a sweet offer: Upgrade to Business Class for an extra $619? We'd already upgraded to Economy Plus for one leg, and were impatient to check in, so we turned down the offer and zipped through security to the gate. By then, the upgrade was looking pretty good and since United hadn't asked for any miles in addition to the money, it became a serious option. It's not like we'd have many United MileagePlus miles to offer anyway; we're not huge United flyers in general (though we do love us some Star Alliance).

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Virgin Atlantic Doesn't Always Bring the Sexy Back to Economy Class

Some things, sometimes, we take for granted when we travel longhaul. That we will over-indulge on sub-par food. That we will overimbibe so that we snore a little when we finally drop off. And that we will inevitably be sat next to an armrest grabber with an aversion to showers. But at least we will catch up on all the movies we meant to see over the past couple of months on our on-demand seatback TV.

So far, so predictable. Until we boarded our 10.5-hour flight from London-Gatwick to Las Vegas last week and realized that, yes, there were seatback TVs, but no, they were not on demand. There were 10 channels, with each one continually screening the same film on repeat. There were also about four music channels.

How very 1998! In this day and age, if you’re going to subject yourself to the indignities of patdowns, immigration lines and flatulent neighbors, the very least an airline can do is take your mind off it with your own TV set. But who was the culprit? Useless Continental? Snooty British Airways? Please-don’t-let-my-booking-be-with-them US Airways?

No, it was Virgin Atlantic.

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Spirit Airlines' Sleaziest Ads Yet Bring Out the Strippermobile

Strippermobiles. Yes, these are a thing, moving trucks that have been retrofitted with clear plexi windows, to show off the fleshy goods pole dancing inside. Usually Strippermobiles are found in Las Vegas, advertising various strip and fully nude clubs more effectively than billboards. Today, however, one is cruising Sin City on behalf of an airline—Spirit Airlines, to be precise.

Because one crass sale wasn't enough this week, Spirit has launched this in-your-face campaign in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles to advertise their $9 Club fares between the two cities.

Our favorite sign being held by the bikini babes? It's got to be "I'll go both ways for $18." Get it? Roundtrip. Now for more photos:

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Five Golf Courses Easily Accessible to Both Fairways and Runways

If you’re looking for something to do between flights—and you always travel with your clubs—there might be a place convenient to both the fairways and the runways. Check out our picks for some of the best golf courses that are like only 10 miles from the airport or less:

· Colwood National Golf Club - PDX
There’s four courses that are within a short cab ride from Portland International Airport, but the easiest to access is Colwood National Golf Club. It’s so close to the airport—as well as the Air National Guard Station—that there are places where you can see the planes taxi and take off.

It’s a full 18-hole course, and this summer playing all the holes will set you back around $30. There are a lot of red-eye flights out of PDX back to the east coast—and beyond—so we recommend hitting up one of their twilight specials before heading to the airport. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays it's just $9 to play 8-holes as long as you begin after 3:00pm.

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The Five Best Airport Bars for Toasting St. Patrick's Day

Being stuck at the airport on St. Patrick’s Day is definitely not the best way to celebrate the holiday. However, we’re pretty sure you can find some fellow travelers eager to toast to the Irish this week at airports across the globe. So pull up a stool, belly up to the bar, and order a pint of Guinness at one of our picks for the five best airport bars to celebrate all things green::

· Corcoran's Irish Pub at LAS
Lady Luck meets the Luck o’ The Irish at Las Vegas-McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. You’ll need to take a break from the terminal slot machines—like you have any money leftover anyway—to check out Corcoran's Irish Pub between gates C1 and C2. Expect the usual not-that-authentic recreation of a neighborhood pub, but that’s exactly what we want to experience this Thursday. Just take it easy with those Irish Car Bomb shots, as you don’t want to be turned away before boarding.

· Fionn MacCool’s at YYZ
Canada’s largest airport Toronto-Pearson will be celebrating the season this week with their version of an Irish Pub right within Terminal 3. The place has only been around for a year or so, but they promise to fill you up with both Irish inspired food and beverage. Get something to go along with your liquid lunch like a Guinness Steak and Mushroom Crock, but we’re sure they have a burger if you’re not that into the Irish food offerings this week.

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Some Reflections on the Oddities of Las Vegas-McCarran Airport

Little known fact about Las Vegas's McCarran Airport: it was founded by George Crockett, a descendant of Davy Crockett, who originally named it Alamo Airport in his ancestor's honor. Other little known fact about LAS: it's the only airport where we've ever seen someone get turned away at the gate for being too drunk to board a plane—and that's happened twice.

Drinking is as much a part of the modern commercial aviation experience as ignoring the flight attendant's safety instructions, because your only job as a passenger is to get to your seat and pass out. Imagine being too drunk for that. In the morning.

So naturally we were thrilled to learn that they're opening liquor stores on the premises, adding to the elegant ethos already provided by the 1,000+ slot machines scattered around the terminals. It's a little weird to think of gambling in an airport when there are casinos within a couple minutes' drive. But we suppose that there's always one more quarter that could be left behind, since the money you bring to Vegas stays in Vegas.

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