San Francisco, here we come! We were so excited about our trip to the Golden Gate City that the long journey from London almost felt like a distant memory. But let’s rewind a little and talk about that eleven-hour flight!
The Flight Before Take-Off
Our British Airways flight was scheduled to depart at 10:40 AM, but the airport hustle and bustle had us arriving three hours earlier. Bag drop, security checks, and a leisurely breakfast in the British Airways lounge – it all takes time, especially when you’re flying long-haul.
Boarding began at 10:00 AM, and it seemed like an eternity for everyone to settle in. Our flight was packed, and the luggage was a bit delayed, adding to the pre-flight excitement. We eventually left the gate at 10:55 AM, only to join a queue of planes waiting for takeoff. Finally, we were airborne at 11:30 AM, fifty minutes behind schedule.
Hour One: Wi-Fi, Snacks, and a Little Boredom
Despite the sunny skies in London, our flight started with a bumpy ride for ten minutes before we soared above the clouds. We were thrilled to hear about the available onboard Wi-Fi – a first for us on a British Airways flight. However, the internet access wasn’t free. You had to buy a data package, and unfortunately, it was a bit pricey. Our decision to skip the Wi-Fi left us unable to tell you how good the connection actually was.
Thirty minutes into the flight, the crew handed out the first round of drinks and a small snack – pretzels. With it being lunchtime, the full bar service was open, and we were even offered red or white wine with our lunch. But even with all the perks, one question dominated our minds: “Are we there yet?” Mr. T, ever the impatient one, asked this question after a mere forty-one minutes!
Hour Two: Lunchtime
The second hour brought lunch service. We had pre-ordered our meals a couple of days before, and Mr. T opted for the low-calorie option, while I went with the standard fare. His choice consisted of a bean salad, steamed chicken, polenta, sauce, broccoli, a bread roll, margarine, and a fruit salad. Not too bad, but it did seem a bit underwhelming compared to my meal.
The standard meal offered chicken and mash or pasta with pesto. It came with a side salad, bread roll, butter, cheese and crackers, and a mango and passion fruit posset for dessert. Plus, a Graze box for snacking later.
It seems Mr. T wasn’t the only one who thought his low-calorie meal could use some improvement. I couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for him, even though my meal was quite delightful.
Hour Three: Settling In
With lunch service over, it was time to settle in and enjoy a movie or, if we were lucky, some shut-eye. It’s always a bit of a stretch to think you’ll actually get a good sleep on a plane, but we were hopeful!
We flew over Iceland after three and a half hours, treating us to breathtaking snow-covered landscapes. The crew also came around with another round of drinks: water and juice.
Hour Four to Six: Over Greenland
More stunning snow scenery greeted us as we flew over Greenland. For the next two hours, we were either glued to our screens or trying to sleep. Somewhere in the sixth hour, a round of ice cream appeared to keep us going.
Hour Seven to Nine: Movie Marathon
The next two hours were more of the same: movies and sleep. Eleven hours gives you plenty of time for a movie marathon! In the ninth hour, dinner was served. This time it was a folded pizza with either pepperoni or mozzarella and pesto filling, along with a pasta salad, followed by a flap jack. Mr. T, unfortunately, was served the same chicken dish as earlier. A clear sign that maybe he should have opted for the standard meal instead!
Hour Ten to Eleven: Landing Time
As we neared the end of our flight, it was time to fill out the customs declaration form. The crew had handed them out at the start of the flight, but we put it off until now. With our forms filled, we organized ourselves, packed our belongings, put on our shoes, and waited for the plane to land in San Francisco.
The Eleven-Hour Flight: A Recap
Two delicious meals, a selection of movies, and plenty of time to relax – that’s what an eleven-hour flight is all about. It was nothing like I expected, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to pass the time.
With a whole week of exploring San Francisco ahead of us, we were full of excitement and ready to make the most of our trip. We were finally in the Golden Gate City!
