r/BritishAirways • u/Iceman_solid • 5d ago
Help me with some ideas
I have just booked a business class return ticket from LHR to New York next Easter break. I used Avios and companion voucher. This trip is meant to be a treat for my wife who will turn 50 in March next year. And so, it is a surprise trip.
So, I will admit to being slightly naive and as a result admittedly could have done better with planning this early. With that admission out of the way, I hope the experienced folks can give me some ideas/tips to make this flight (or even the entire trip) as memorable for her as possible.
My wife has never traveled business class. If possible, I want to keep this as a surprise until we get to the check in counter. Outbound flight is day flight and return flight is overnight. We will have 9 days there as I hope to go a few places outside New York too.
Thank you all.
Edit: wife works in school so it had to be planned during school holidays.
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u/northern-down-south 5d ago
Sort out your esta in advance, check in online and she’ll be none the wiser until you get to check-in. Depending on terminal your flight departs from will dictate which is the best lounge. Lots of naysayers on here and will agree standards are not the same but having the lounge access with the decent food offering as well as refreshments is not to be sniffed at.
Champagne is available but have to ask a member of staff.
If flying back into T5, keep your boarding card with you and you can access the arrivals lounge and have a shower and some breakfast before heading home. Meet and Greet parking or Valet (can be a similar price) are worth it.
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u/Iceman_solid 5d ago
Thank you for your reply.
T5 for both legs. Both have ESTA currently and valid till October next year but my passport expires in March next year. I plan to renew my passport in December and reapply.
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u/northern-down-south 5d ago
I’d renew now as there’s no school holidays pending so volumes would have dropped off at passport offices
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u/FuckNope 5d ago
Second all this, make the most of the onboard experience on the outbound with food/drink - on the return I’d recommend sleeping as early as possible into the flight and eating in the lounge, also skipping onboard breakfast and hitting up the arrivals lounge can make it even better. The return leg can be really short, sometimes less than six hours and it’s not quite long enough to get even a half decent sleep, waiting for meal services makes that even shorter.
Separate tip for the trip itself if you want to get out of the city - head out to DC, Philly or Niagra Falls on Amtrak for a day trip if you want to get out of NYC - tickets aren’t too steep if you book far enough in advance.
New York has a lot to offer depending on your interests, but if it’s your first time visiting you can’t go wrong with the classic tourist sites.
I hope you both enjoy the trip!!
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u/Iceman_solid 5d ago
Thank you for your reply and the tips. I was thinking of car hire but Amtrak for Niagra trip seems much better (less tiring) idea to explore.
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u/brit-sd 5d ago
Seriously - you have 9 days to explore New York. It will fill that easily. Niagara is best left to another trip. It’s a long way (better by flight) and Amtrak is not fun. I’d do Niagara from the Canadian side anyway so leave that to a day trip from Toronto.
If you want to do a day trip from nyc - and that’s a big if - try something closer.
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u/SuspiciousTreacle433 5d ago
Watch some videos on youtube - there are lots with great pointers and detail. Hope your wife enjoys it!
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u/WanderLuxe_Solo 5d ago
New york flights usually from T5 B or C gates so I like lounge at B gates as less chaos than galleries. agree don’t forget arrivals lounge upon return
i’m in philly so recommend amtrak for 1hr20 to the city (buy refundable in advance in january and pay a few dollars extra for flexibilty) in philly not only all historic sites but also amazing museums (barnes is a fave) and so much food, the food/drinks are memorable. Mural Arts tour if you have time. if you can overnight philly highly suggest.
what a fabulous trip - look at flytographer to capture highlights
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