So here I was again, on the return portion of a great trip.
It seems every time I fly Emirates, their service seems to get better.
The flight from DAR-DXB was no different than my inbound flights. Courteous crew, a decent inflight system (though the ICE is better), and a smooth flight.
DXB-LHR proved even better, but then, Business Class (upgrade with miles) has a service that you'd expect to be even more pleasant. The lounge at DXB Airport was pretty decent, with an unlimited supply of various food from appetizers, curries, rice, desserts, drinks and more throughout. The main dishes varied with the time of day, and spending well over 14 hours at the airport gave me a chance to see what they had to offer.
Shower facilities, internet access, a business center, courtesy phones, tv programs and comfortable sofas are offered in both the lounges located either adjacent to Gate 22 or Gate 9, however the former is a slightly bigger and more elegant place.
After the extended stay-over at the airport, it was time to board the 8 hour flight to London in their Boeing 777. The seats on board were pretty comfortable, and as always, passengers in both Business and First are offered some refreshments prior to take off. The menu cards, which I find extremely pleasing, and which are offered to all passengers on the flight, is a great way to let the passengers know what to expect during the journey, meal wise. There is plenty of time to make a decision prior to meal service, unlike other airlines where making an on-the-spot decision without truly knowing the entire menu, could be a little disappointing in some ways.
I opted to try the pan fried duck - it seemed extremely interesting. I have tried duck before, and I recall the first time it was an event in itself. Duck does not taste like poultry such as chicken or turkey, but it seems to be a cross between the former two and red meat. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of rare meat so I had to return the duck in exchange for a healthier option (indicated on the card) of chicken. That was too bad since my alternative would have been the fish and prawns, but they ran out of it.
Dessert was really elegant, as was the appetizer prior to the main meal.
The cabin crew were extremely courteous, pleasant, and overall, anyone wishing to travel in style, I would highly recommend Emirates at anytime, no matter what class of service they are in.
The entertainment system, ICE, was up-to-date with recent movies and the latest sitcoms, shows, etc.
Arrivals into London Airport was efficient, unlike my previous experience with the immigration. This time a real gentleman was at the desk, and with relevant questions and a pleasant attitude, it made flying to the United Kingdom a pleasure again, rather than feeling like a label that cried "possible alert: name is Mohammed; he is Muslim."
There was the option of using the lounge once again on arrival, but it was time to get home as the chauffeur service was on hand for Fast Track passengers.
In about three weeks, it's back to flying with British Airways, and based on my last flight with them, I do look forward to their services yet again.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Leaving Dar, It's Impressions
The trip to Dar in Nov 2007 is now down memory lane, but it would be impossible to not mention what impression the growing city left me with!
With a little bit more exploration around the city and its surroundings, Dar es Salaam has truly gained momentum in its endeavor to become a major metropolis in East Africa. The major downfall is the city infrastructure, common amongst all cities and towns where the it was not meant to expect such a rapid growth. The roads are small, single lane trails within the city which poses a quagmire of sorts during peak hours. However, it will be no surprise that within a few years from now, the single lane roads that currently have two way directions are likely to become a nightmare as they change to one way, double lanes, in order to accommodate the increased flow of traffic through the bottleneck streets. It could follow the idea of Britain where many small streets have had no alternative but to shift to only a single direction for the same purpose.
I noticed many older buildings have been torn down to rubble in order to accommodate their successors who will occupy the same spot with all their glory, as each one tries to outdo another with their modern, yet tasteless, architecture. Some newer buildings have been fitted with ugly exteriors, but many have tried to live up to the millenniums expectations with a splash of odd colors and strange decors. As you drive along the famous coastline that once housed grassy surfaces alongside threatening cliffs, Oyster Bay presents itself to be lucrative to developers and property hoagers alike. With the exception of one tower that hosts about ten floors, and which was fully furnished with furniture from IKEA until the governments belly exploded with anger by power hungry executives, and which now remains haunted at night with vacant rooms visible from the main road, many houses along Ocean Drive are quaint and more pleasant, facing the crashing waves and endless waters of the Indian Ocean. I can only imagine the breathtaking views of the morning sun as it slowly ascends to start a new day on the Eastern shore. The starlit nights are even more exuberant as they stretch thousands of miles to meet the ocean in the spectrum of the horizon.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, there seems to be an endless possibility of starting any sort of business in the hopes of succeeding, provided the right mindset is used in order to do so. Computer parts and supplies are rampant and aggressive; cell phones shops and stalls boast the latest technology of yesteryear; phone card stores look empty but contain much of the prized possessions of the refill scratch cards needed to make calls; fast-food restaurants dot the streets for those taking a break from the intense scorching summer heat; elegant dining places are also flourishing with boastful cuisine; auto part shops are a guarantee on almost any street; currency exchange bureaus try and outdo one another with detailed chalk boards bragging their exchange rates outside their main entrances; tourist gift shops are stuffed with goodies that haven’t changed much in time; internet cafes are popular since many do not own personal computers; and open air fruit & vegetable markets are selectively located while their vendors are unsuspectingly competing against each other as their customers haggle to get the cheapest groceries from their own neighbors. Depending on the business and in many cases almost any business, it is a myriad of several opportunities that can establish loyal customers and prove fruitful in many ways.
Overall, it is certainly a charming cityits own right.
With a little bit more exploration around the city and its surroundings, Dar es Salaam has truly gained momentum in its endeavor to become a major metropolis in East Africa. The major downfall is the city infrastructure, common amongst all cities and towns where the it was not meant to expect such a rapid growth. The roads are small, single lane trails within the city which poses a quagmire of sorts during peak hours. However, it will be no surprise that within a few years from now, the single lane roads that currently have two way directions are likely to become a nightmare as they change to one way, double lanes, in order to accommodate the increased flow of traffic through the bottleneck streets. It could follow the idea of Britain where many small streets have had no alternative but to shift to only a single direction for the same purpose.
I noticed many older buildings have been torn down to rubble in order to accommodate their successors who will occupy the same spot with all their glory, as each one tries to outdo another with their modern, yet tasteless, architecture. Some newer buildings have been fitted with ugly exteriors, but many have tried to live up to the millenniums expectations with a splash of odd colors and strange decors. As you drive along the famous coastline that once housed grassy surfaces alongside threatening cliffs, Oyster Bay presents itself to be lucrative to developers and property hoagers alike. With the exception of one tower that hosts about ten floors, and which was fully furnished with furniture from IKEA until the governments belly exploded with anger by power hungry executives, and which now remains haunted at night with vacant rooms visible from the main road, many houses along Ocean Drive are quaint and more pleasant, facing the crashing waves and endless waters of the Indian Ocean. I can only imagine the breathtaking views of the morning sun as it slowly ascends to start a new day on the Eastern shore. The starlit nights are even more exuberant as they stretch thousands of miles to meet the ocean in the spectrum of the horizon.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, there seems to be an endless possibility of starting any sort of business in the hopes of succeeding, provided the right mindset is used in order to do so. Computer parts and supplies are rampant and aggressive; cell phones shops and stalls boast the latest technology of yesteryear; phone card stores look empty but contain much of the prized possessions of the refill scratch cards needed to make calls; fast-food restaurants dot the streets for those taking a break from the intense scorching summer heat; elegant dining places are also flourishing with boastful cuisine; auto part shops are a guarantee on almost any street; currency exchange bureaus try and outdo one another with detailed chalk boards bragging their exchange rates outside their main entrances; tourist gift shops are stuffed with goodies that haven’t changed much in time; internet cafes are popular since many do not own personal computers; and open air fruit & vegetable markets are selectively located while their vendors are unsuspectingly competing against each other as their customers haggle to get the cheapest groceries from their own neighbors. Depending on the business and in many cases almost any business, it is a myriad of several opportunities that can establish loyal customers and prove fruitful in many ways.
Overall, it is certainly a charming cityits own right.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Emirates' Website & Destinations...
Just a quick update on my previous post on the website of Emirates Airlines.
They have recently done a major over-haul on the site, and it is certainly spectacular and very user-friendly. Infact, their online price quote reflects an easier way to select your fare matched with preferred dates - a feature many airlines now offer, and one that was not available for EK passengers up until a couple of weeks ago. All within reach of your finger tips.
Furthermore, their Toronto service just began recently, and their non-stop flights to Houston and São Paulo is one heck of an amazing growth! Personally, I intend to fly their first A380 flight, but as of now, I do not have the details as to between what cities it will operate.
For the moment, I shall be flying them shortly again, this time perhaps on business class, so watch out for a blogging with their upgraded services soon. This time, I hope my bags arrive without anyone taking them off the belt! Until then, enjoy your travels!
They have recently done a major over-haul on the site, and it is certainly spectacular and very user-friendly. Infact, their online price quote reflects an easier way to select your fare matched with preferred dates - a feature many airlines now offer, and one that was not available for EK passengers up until a couple of weeks ago. All within reach of your finger tips.
Furthermore, their Toronto service just began recently, and their non-stop flights to Houston and São Paulo is one heck of an amazing growth! Personally, I intend to fly their first A380 flight, but as of now, I do not have the details as to between what cities it will operate.
For the moment, I shall be flying them shortly again, this time perhaps on business class, so watch out for a blogging with their upgraded services soon. This time, I hope my bags arrive without anyone taking them off the belt! Until then, enjoy your travels!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Dar es Salaam
It's 7pm. Living in the city has its merits, and one of them is in the evening. The moment you leave your home and walk the streets, depending on the area and the wind direction, a beautiful aroma wafts through the concrete pavements and uneven roads. The spicy mixture of bbq grilled chicken, beef kebabs, and the likes can literally induce hunger even after a meal.
The small metropolis of Dar es Salaam is known for the amazing local cuisine which comprises mostly of BBQ food. Most restaurants have their precious grills on the city's sidewalks, as plastic tables and chairs dot the entrance to their heavenly kitchens. During the day time, enjoying fried beef kebabs along with a 'mix' of potatoes, lentils dumplings, and coconut chutney is the norm, together with a steaming cup of spiced tea.
Aside from the food, and on another note, the city that was known for its paltry buildings and ancient structures is slowly evolving as the skyline changes. Taller buildings are now cropping in place, although they lack the architecural design or color to complement the modern era as in other parts of the world. Due to the design of the city, not much expansion can be done within the city center itself and what used to seem as long distances back in the days, having lived in the West for many years, everything seems much closer around the city. In fact, it is no surprise that a 20 minute walk is enough to move from one end to the other of the city center itself. The disadvantge of having such huge (new) buildings within a stones throw of each other is the immense dust that flies across the dotted skyline as they are constructed mostly of stone and cement. Overlooking the negatives, it is certainly much needed space as the city gets overcrowded.
As far as technology, and ofcourse we include the business conglomerates and rich people in their safe havens that extend towards Oyster Bay and beyond, even the street hawkers and farmers seem to be on a roll with cell phones buzzing in their pockets as they stop their carts and baskets to answer demanding calls. This is as far as technology goes. Internet Cafes sprawl on various streets but speeds are ungratefully slow even though they register 100mbps on the flashing icon in your system tray. I was surprised that the cafes are almost full, especially in the evenings when the peak time reaches its climax as the cafes advertise competetive prices for their customers who are getting used to tapping information of the world from semi-private stalls.
Overall, the lifestyle here is extremely laid back. Work usually begins around 9am and runs through to about 1pm. A two hour lunch & nap is almost mandatory as the afternoon wears on with shops opening around 3pm and closing a little after 5 or 530. As the summer heat intensifies over the next few weeks, it is a city that leaves much to the imagination, and that imagination is now flourishing as we complete the decade mark of the next century.
It is a city that is truly a mixture in the global world; the new blends in with the unrelenting old, but with a hint of apology and politeness, people seem to be adjusting their lifestyle. I would not be surprised if food delivery from these restaurants begins in the next 5 years, but as of now, it's a luxury which is far below a cell phone, or as they call it here: a mobile phone.
The small metropolis of Dar es Salaam is known for the amazing local cuisine which comprises mostly of BBQ food. Most restaurants have their precious grills on the city's sidewalks, as plastic tables and chairs dot the entrance to their heavenly kitchens. During the day time, enjoying fried beef kebabs along with a 'mix' of potatoes, lentils dumplings, and coconut chutney is the norm, together with a steaming cup of spiced tea.
Aside from the food, and on another note, the city that was known for its paltry buildings and ancient structures is slowly evolving as the skyline changes. Taller buildings are now cropping in place, although they lack the architecural design or color to complement the modern era as in other parts of the world. Due to the design of the city, not much expansion can be done within the city center itself and what used to seem as long distances back in the days, having lived in the West for many years, everything seems much closer around the city. In fact, it is no surprise that a 20 minute walk is enough to move from one end to the other of the city center itself. The disadvantge of having such huge (new) buildings within a stones throw of each other is the immense dust that flies across the dotted skyline as they are constructed mostly of stone and cement. Overlooking the negatives, it is certainly much needed space as the city gets overcrowded.
As far as technology, and ofcourse we include the business conglomerates and rich people in their safe havens that extend towards Oyster Bay and beyond, even the street hawkers and farmers seem to be on a roll with cell phones buzzing in their pockets as they stop their carts and baskets to answer demanding calls. This is as far as technology goes. Internet Cafes sprawl on various streets but speeds are ungratefully slow even though they register 100mbps on the flashing icon in your system tray. I was surprised that the cafes are almost full, especially in the evenings when the peak time reaches its climax as the cafes advertise competetive prices for their customers who are getting used to tapping information of the world from semi-private stalls.
Overall, the lifestyle here is extremely laid back. Work usually begins around 9am and runs through to about 1pm. A two hour lunch & nap is almost mandatory as the afternoon wears on with shops opening around 3pm and closing a little after 5 or 530. As the summer heat intensifies over the next few weeks, it is a city that leaves much to the imagination, and that imagination is now flourishing as we complete the decade mark of the next century.
It is a city that is truly a mixture in the global world; the new blends in with the unrelenting old, but with a hint of apology and politeness, people seem to be adjusting their lifestyle. I would not be surprised if food delivery from these restaurants begins in the next 5 years, but as of now, it's a luxury which is far below a cell phone, or as they call it here: a mobile phone.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Emirates
So my trip started off on a sour note. I missed my flight from LON-DXB but luckily, there was another flight in 2 hours - made it on the dreaded standby list.
The 10pm flight to Dubai was full - but despite the capacity of the flight, it was superb! Their inflight entertainment system, ICE, was installed on this aircraft and comparably, maybe just a bit better than British Airways.
The interior cabin was much better - brighter and the light made it seem spacious and comfortable. Their meals were amazing. Emirates has stepped up a notch with their service and plating, all too pleasing for the eye. No doubt their food and the concept of their meal selection is outstanding, cannot complain about anything yet.
I have heard some negative remarks on Emirates, but hey - when looking at the overall impression, I think it is by far one of the best services out there, and good value for your money.
My arrival was hassle free - with the exception of a surprise visa fee payment of US$100.00 for US Citizens now entering Tanzania. This is up by $50.00 effective September 2007. The process for visa is slow, but the friendly staff compensated for the long wait. I was very impressed with the courteous services of ground staff much to my surprise.
With the unfortunate event of having my suitcase taken by another passenger and returned to the airport 4 hours later, everything was smooth. Piece of advise: please check your bag tag label and name before taking your suitcase! :)
The 10pm flight to Dubai was full - but despite the capacity of the flight, it was superb! Their inflight entertainment system, ICE, was installed on this aircraft and comparably, maybe just a bit better than British Airways.
The interior cabin was much better - brighter and the light made it seem spacious and comfortable. Their meals were amazing. Emirates has stepped up a notch with their service and plating, all too pleasing for the eye. No doubt their food and the concept of their meal selection is outstanding, cannot complain about anything yet.
I have heard some negative remarks on Emirates, but hey - when looking at the overall impression, I think it is by far one of the best services out there, and good value for your money.
My arrival was hassle free - with the exception of a surprise visa fee payment of US$100.00 for US Citizens now entering Tanzania. This is up by $50.00 effective September 2007. The process for visa is slow, but the friendly staff compensated for the long wait. I was very impressed with the courteous services of ground staff much to my surprise.
With the unfortunate event of having my suitcase taken by another passenger and returned to the airport 4 hours later, everything was smooth. Piece of advise: please check your bag tag label and name before taking your suitcase! :)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
East Africa
So an unexpected trip now switches gear to travelling on Emirates Airlines. I chose Emirates not only because it was cheaper than British Airways, but the loyalty programme enhances reasons to do so. That, and the overall expectations of Emirates in itself is something that is worth looking forward to.
Their website has become exceptionally detailed with information of interest to anyone choosing to fly them, or considering their services. It is of particular interest to know that the website can be a little tricky to navigate, however, over time it seems to work well with the information they wish to provide EXCEPT for their booking system online which tends to get tedious should you wish to "change your search criteria". Unlike British Airways and Kenya Airways websites with fare information, Emirates seems restrictive.
Stay tuned - tomorrow's flight experience to Dubai and Dar es Salaam will be posted after arrival. :)
Emirates Logo courtesy of www.emirates.com
Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Oft Talked About - My Views of Nando
Sooo... I have heard about this place from so many. From Dubai, to London, Tanzania (pause for this one please), South Africa, and Canada! The raved reviews were just that - good food, great chicken. And it lived up its expectations.
Six of us went for a much anticipated, and delayed, iftar at Nando's today (West Harrow). The ambiance was so beautiful and earthy, it felt like you were whisked away to a North African country. Their menu leaves your mouth watering... er no.. dripping.. at a rate of a faulty faucet.
Everything there, or almost, is chicken of course, but they are known for their sauces that seem to have a kick if you opt for the most spiciest of them all. Overall, I'd rate it a 4 out of 5, which is pretty good in my books!
Like I mentioned before, the atompshere was pleasant - earthen pots decked out around the restaurant, carefully placed. Miniature 'alcoves' making you feel like you belong, and chairs and tables that depict hand crafted elegance sporting a rough look, while the floors seemed they were made out of red clay, layed out to withstand the shuffle of the packed dining halls.
Must visit!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Hold On To Your Seat
I forgot to mention something of utmost importance as well during a flight.
My seat was the last row, window. Usually, that seat/row is almost always empty as passengers prefer leaving the aircraft sooner. Not this time, it turns out someone else had the same brain as I did.
So here I am, sitting next to a real gentleman, BUT, a seat hogger for sure! As polite as he was, the chap didn't leave me with much room to make it as comfortable as it could have been. His right arm overtook my entire left armrest, and then some. His elbow wasn't too far from poking my arms which made me push away more towards the window. Any more nudging, and I'd be hanging on the side of a B747 with the engine thrust, jet stream, and wind pushing me in a horizontal direction as my mouth bubbles open like a pregnant frog.
So I settle down to watch a decent movie, but his underside of the arm kept pushing all sorts of buttons that was related to my screen - ugh! But here's the annoying part.
The last three rows were divided 2-4-2, and we both were on the right side of the '2' seat section. His wife was opposite on the aisle in the 4 section, with THREE, yes THREE empty seats next to her.
Go figure!
My seat was the last row, window. Usually, that seat/row is almost always empty as passengers prefer leaving the aircraft sooner. Not this time, it turns out someone else had the same brain as I did.
So here I am, sitting next to a real gentleman, BUT, a seat hogger for sure! As polite as he was, the chap didn't leave me with much room to make it as comfortable as it could have been. His right arm overtook my entire left armrest, and then some. His elbow wasn't too far from poking my arms which made me push away more towards the window. Any more nudging, and I'd be hanging on the side of a B747 with the engine thrust, jet stream, and wind pushing me in a horizontal direction as my mouth bubbles open like a pregnant frog.
So I settle down to watch a decent movie, but his underside of the arm kept pushing all sorts of buttons that was related to my screen - ugh! But here's the annoying part.
The last three rows were divided 2-4-2, and we both were on the right side of the '2' seat section. His wife was opposite on the aisle in the 4 section, with THREE, yes THREE empty seats next to her.
Go figure!
UK Immigration
Ok so the flight lands on time, a very smooth landing, but what happens next wasn't so smooth after all.
The immigration control at Heathrow Terminal 4 leaves a lot to be desired. The gentleman I got was a brain dead (rear ended) who probably couldn't tell what hit him. While I had come to visit my relatives for the occasion of Eid, my intent to visit my mother was also apparent with my extended stay since she could not make it to London in November, but in December. So it would have been prudent of me to stay for 2 months as opposed to flying back and forth and spending an extra $600.00 for a flight.
Anyway, so he asks me why I am here, and if I had any money. Sure I did, I told him - $2.00 in my wallet. Then he aks how will I support myself if I had no job - but I told him I had my business for over 4 years, and our family had enough to sustain me, at least my father did. What's it to him? After much questioning, as if I was a damn terrorist, he says I was not allowed to enter the UK again for a 'considerable amount of time'.
He sounded like he was the father of all immigration rules, laws, and constituitions. Who the hell are you to tell me when to visit my relatives & family? And what if I was well off and didn't need to work for the rest of my life? Would that be an automatic bar to the United Kingdom?
The immigration control at Heathrow Terminal 4 leaves a lot to be desired. The gentleman I got was a brain dead (rear ended) who probably couldn't tell what hit him. While I had come to visit my relatives for the occasion of Eid, my intent to visit my mother was also apparent with my extended stay since she could not make it to London in November, but in December. So it would have been prudent of me to stay for 2 months as opposed to flying back and forth and spending an extra $600.00 for a flight.
Anyway, so he asks me why I am here, and if I had any money. Sure I did, I told him - $2.00 in my wallet. Then he aks how will I support myself if I had no job - but I told him I had my business for over 4 years, and our family had enough to sustain me, at least my father did. What's it to him? After much questioning, as if I was a damn terrorist, he says I was not allowed to enter the UK again for a 'considerable amount of time'.
He sounded like he was the father of all immigration rules, laws, and constituitions. Who the hell are you to tell me when to visit my relatives & family? And what if I was well off and didn't need to work for the rest of my life? Would that be an automatic bar to the United Kingdom?
British Airways
Another trip to one of my favorite cities: London! This time, I had a choice of taking Air Canada versus British Airways. AC was cheaper by over $100.00, but inflight service is of importance to me so I chose the non stop JFK-LHR on BA. Based on my last flight on AC, I doubt I'd be flying them again anytime soon.
The check-in, security, and boarding went very smooth. While the aircraft was a tad bit outdated (B747), the interior was pleasant and clean. Every seat had their own inflight system, which is of course pretty much standard these days.
Their IFE was much more advanced and had some of the latest movies around - uncomparable to AC.
The food - while the Muslim meal was a tad bit bland, it was interesting. A brunch menu consisted of baked fish with spinach - but the side dish of rice pilaf was BLAH (and overcooked). Again, comparing it to my previous trip in June - it was ahead of the game.
The flight crew were very helpful, polite, courteous. It was overall, a pleasant trip, and one I would always consider taking with British Airways.
The check-in, security, and boarding went very smooth. While the aircraft was a tad bit outdated (B747), the interior was pleasant and clean. Every seat had their own inflight system, which is of course pretty much standard these days.
Their IFE was much more advanced and had some of the latest movies around - uncomparable to AC.
The food - while the Muslim meal was a tad bit bland, it was interesting. A brunch menu consisted of baked fish with spinach - but the side dish of rice pilaf was BLAH (and overcooked). Again, comparing it to my previous trip in June - it was ahead of the game.
The flight crew were very helpful, polite, courteous. It was overall, a pleasant trip, and one I would always consider taking with British Airways.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Meeting Paula Deen & husband Michael
Meeting Paula Deen was the highlight of a Summer Food Show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. The show consisted of several hundred food manufacturers and distributors - from all over the world, many who gave out free samples for potential customers. They meant it when they said to come with an empty stomach! Mouth watering cheese from France & various other countries, different kinds of olives from the Middle East & Europe, exceptional quality Olive Oil from the Mediterranean, delectable desserts, delicious Thai & Singapore cuisine, the most new & innovative food products, and the list goes on.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Using a Blog
Ok so I am getting used to this blog. I'm not one to constantly update stuff like this but I know that 20 years later, I'll look back and wonder if all these things really happened.
Right now I am watching Hell's Kitchen. Everyone thinks that the chef is very rude and arrogant. That he is - but I think if you were to define the word "hell" it wouldn't be pretty either! Or the show should be called 'Heaven's Kitchen'. No kidding.
I am going to assume many know about this show, which is why you are reading this part of the post, so I will continue with today's episode and won't refer to the past. Personally, I think Melissa should be kicked off. She has been a pain to the other contestants in this episode, and if I were the chef, I wouldn't wait - out she'd go before the main event! The pic above is courtesy of MSNBC.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Air Canada P3 - Return
I was NOT looking to return on Air Canada. Unfortunately, I did not have a feasible choice, or I would have ended up paying twice the amount for a return on another carrier.
Because I extended my stay in London, and the day I chose to do so was a weekend, thus highly booked flights, my choice was quite limited to only one flight. An 8:30 am return flight from Heathrow on an Airbus that took me back 20 years in time.
As I entered the aircraft, I was dismayed at the entertainment system again. This was echoed out loud by the passenger who sat next to me. The TV screens were located in the center of the aircraft. The controls were located in the gallery - so you either watched what was on at the time, or browsed through their inflight magazine, or maybe stared at the emergency card and scrutinised the emergency procedures for the Airbus. I chose to sleep because of lack of it. Even then, I cannot sleep on board flights, so it was a feeble attempt to do so on my part. One of the movies they showed was Austin Powers - The Spy who shagged me. A 1999 film in the year 2007.
Since the aircraft was headed Westbound, it meant a longer flight - could anything be more disappointing?
Yes, the food! This time I changed my meal from a Muslim to an Asian vegetarian. All I remember is the vegetable couscous and oatmeal flan with some sort of pudding.
Bottomline - while their customer service is good, their inflight system is the worst I have seen on any airline in the recent past.
Because I extended my stay in London, and the day I chose to do so was a weekend, thus highly booked flights, my choice was quite limited to only one flight. An 8:30 am return flight from Heathrow on an Airbus that took me back 20 years in time.
As I entered the aircraft, I was dismayed at the entertainment system again. This was echoed out loud by the passenger who sat next to me. The TV screens were located in the center of the aircraft. The controls were located in the gallery - so you either watched what was on at the time, or browsed through their inflight magazine, or maybe stared at the emergency card and scrutinised the emergency procedures for the Airbus. I chose to sleep because of lack of it. Even then, I cannot sleep on board flights, so it was a feeble attempt to do so on my part. One of the movies they showed was Austin Powers - The Spy who shagged me. A 1999 film in the year 2007.
Since the aircraft was headed Westbound, it meant a longer flight - could anything be more disappointing?
Yes, the food! This time I changed my meal from a Muslim to an Asian vegetarian. All I remember is the vegetable couscous and oatmeal flan with some sort of pudding.
Bottomline - while their customer service is good, their inflight system is the worst I have seen on any airline in the recent past.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Air Canada P2
Being a Muslim, I ordered a Muslim meal. So much for that! It had nothing to do with 'muslim' since logically when you order such a meal, 'halaal' would be the primary reason to do so. I could have ordered a gluten free, asian vegetarian, or just plain vegetarian and it would have been just as well.
The food was compromised of a dry chick pea curry, plain unsalted rice, and a salad that looked like the chef's may just have thought of the meal prior to boarding. I think hospital food is much more appealing. The breakfast just before arrival was a simple bowl of fruit, some orange juice, and coffee. Uneventful, unexciting. Both Air Canada's inflight system and meals leave a lot to be desired. Having worked for various airlines for over 12 years, inflight meals and the likes are very crucial to a passenger's money. It's not just about the transportation anymore.
Comparably, airlines such as Continental, Emirates, and Virgin, all three of which I have flown, are far superior in their inflight experiences.
The food was compromised of a dry chick pea curry, plain unsalted rice, and a salad that looked like the chef's may just have thought of the meal prior to boarding. I think hospital food is much more appealing. The breakfast just before arrival was a simple bowl of fruit, some orange juice, and coffee. Uneventful, unexciting. Both Air Canada's inflight system and meals leave a lot to be desired. Having worked for various airlines for over 12 years, inflight meals and the likes are very crucial to a passenger's money. It's not just about the transportation anymore.
Comparably, airlines such as Continental, Emirates, and Virgin, all three of which I have flown, are far superior in their inflight experiences.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Air Canada P1
I left New York for London, UK yesterday, 3rd June. It was a sudden trip, based on unfortunate circumstances, but one that sealed family bonds that went broken for years.
The flight from New York LaGuardia was not too bad. Air Canada seemed to have made a good impression at first, even though we were delayed by a few minutes but the cabin crew were very pleasant and accommodating.
Toronto Pearson Airport was amazing. The architecture is beautifully done. Modern and sleek - an airpot you cannot get lost in despite its size due to the plentiful signs all over. Impressive.
We arrived on time in Toronto, but the walk towards the main terminal was long. since I was an international passenger, I was one of only three who had to detour and avoid customs. After entering the departure lounge, I was pleasantly happy with the availability of wireless internet access, free, and without hesitation, I bought a doughnut and coffee from Tim Hortons and sat down for my link to the outside world.
The flight from Toronto to London began boarding a little behind schedule. We were boarding their newest addition to the fleet - the Boeing 777. I was seated by the window in the second-last row. If you ever need some space to yourself on a flight that is not filled to capacity, the last row on smaller aircraft or the last two on bigger ones are usually reserved for cabin crew. You can ask for these seats only if they are not highly restricted.
While the airplane was new, their inflight entertainment system left much to be desired. You could barely do much since several items did not work. You could watch movies and some TV. Their movie selection was lousy - a flash back to what you are likely to have watched or seen not too long ago. Again, credit must be given where it's due - so I must say the cabin crew were extremely helpful, polite, and courteous.
We took off after a bit of taxing, again nothing out of the ordinary, and most settled in for a quick 6.5 hour flight. Dinner was served about an hour after take-off. This is where I would think twice about flying Air Canada.
I'll write more later :).
The flight from New York LaGuardia was not too bad. Air Canada seemed to have made a good impression at first, even though we were delayed by a few minutes but the cabin crew were very pleasant and accommodating.
Toronto Pearson Airport was amazing. The architecture is beautifully done. Modern and sleek - an airpot you cannot get lost in despite its size due to the plentiful signs all over. Impressive.
We arrived on time in Toronto, but the walk towards the main terminal was long. since I was an international passenger, I was one of only three who had to detour and avoid customs. After entering the departure lounge, I was pleasantly happy with the availability of wireless internet access, free, and without hesitation, I bought a doughnut and coffee from Tim Hortons and sat down for my link to the outside world.
The flight from Toronto to London began boarding a little behind schedule. We were boarding their newest addition to the fleet - the Boeing 777. I was seated by the window in the second-last row. If you ever need some space to yourself on a flight that is not filled to capacity, the last row on smaller aircraft or the last two on bigger ones are usually reserved for cabin crew. You can ask for these seats only if they are not highly restricted.
While the airplane was new, their inflight entertainment system left much to be desired. You could barely do much since several items did not work. You could watch movies and some TV. Their movie selection was lousy - a flash back to what you are likely to have watched or seen not too long ago. Again, credit must be given where it's due - so I must say the cabin crew were extremely helpful, polite, and courteous.
We took off after a bit of taxing, again nothing out of the ordinary, and most settled in for a quick 6.5 hour flight. Dinner was served about an hour after take-off. This is where I would think twice about flying Air Canada.
I'll write more later :).
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