First off, please excuse me in that I do not have all details about several flights. I remember most of the flight details, but things more specific than that kind of blur away... Also, sorry that I don't have pictures...
My sister went to India on May 11, since her school ended before mine did. Because my school ended at the end of May, my mom and I went to India on May 29. My mother wanted to stay in India longer than I did, so she decided to stay until August 2. My sister and I returned on July 1. So I went to India with my mom, and came back with my sister.
Here is the full route of this trip:
ATL-DCA-JFK-FRA-SIN-BLR (Bangalore, India)
So here it is:
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ATL-DCA
May 29, 2004
Delta Air Lines 750
MD-88
Departure: 1:30 PM
Arrival: 3:11 PM
Seat: 14E and 14F
Check In
My dad dropped my mom and I off at curbside in ATL. It felt so good to know that I was travelling somewhere shortly. It's just that feeling. After parking the car, my dad returned, and we hauled our four check in bags and two carry on bags to the counter. I made sure we got the seats I had requested months ago. I got them! After checking in the bags, and putting them through the annoying TSA belt, we said good bye to my father and left for Washington, DC.
Airport Browsing/Flight
I don't remember from where our flight departed but I think it was in the C gates or D gates. Both of those are narrow, long, and are really disgusting. My mom and I didn't browse so much as insulting this concourse.
Boarding commenced, and we hauled our carry on bags into line. A Delta agent greeted us, scanned the tickets, and invited us in the aircraft. While walking in, I saw first class. Man, those seats look real cheap! Maybe it's because the MD-88 is old, but...
Our coach seats were very nice. They were towards the beginnning of the cabin well in front of the wing. Pushback was right on time. No IFE was available, and I just stared out the window for the entire flight. My mother snoozed a bit.
The normal pretzel and drink service came, and I took up on some Coke.
Before landing, a Flight Attendant came on the PA and announced that due to a security restriction, it is not permissible to be out of a seat for the last 30 minutes of flight.
Soon, we were flying over the Potomac River for a nice landing at Washington-Reagan airport.
Washington Reagan Airport
This Airport didn't come off as a large airport, but it was very nice. I loved the scenery, and I spent much of our one hour halt pointing out sights in the city, such as the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial. I think we saw some of the Smithsonian as well.
DCA-JFK
May 29, 2004
Delta Air Lines/ACA 6155
Dornier 328JET
Departure: 4:40 PM
Arrival: 5:50 PM
Seat: 7B and 7C
When this plane pulled up to the gate (which didn't have an aerobridge), my mom wondered if that thing could get off the ground. She thought it looked like a bug. Nevertheless, we boarded the plane, and sat down in the comfortable seats. The seats were arranged 1-2. I thought that was nice. Due to security restrictions, no passenger was allowed to get up the entire flight. The pilot said that if anyone were to get up, the plane must land at an alternate airport. He said it in a pretty grave tone, which I thought was useless.
This flight was the most beautiful in the world. I loved it so much. The Atlantic just sparkled like crystals, and I saw the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel road. The flight took us over some of Long Island, and I think we flew over the Howard Beach/Coney Island area. Just before landing, I could see our Singapore AIrlines 747-400 sitting on a ramp spot.
JFK
Now here's an airport for ya! We got off at Terminal 3, and I decided to give my mom a pleasant tour of the airport (as well as any visible skyscrapers of New York City). So we took the Air Train once around the airport. This was an excellent view. Because ATL doesnt have nearly as much international traffic as JFK, I saw my first LOT plane, and several other airlines were my first. The Old TWA Terminal 5 looked abysmal since it is shut down. Before long, we were at Terminal 4.
T4 is awesome. I loved it. The building is very glassy, and since it is slightly elevated, we could see a lot of the distant planes. My mom and I ate at this Pizza place (new york with out new york pizza!?!?!) and then went past security. There were a LOT of Indians!!!! I figured this is becuase the Air India plane and the Kuwait Airways plane leaves at similar times. After batting through security, I went to the gate.
From here on, SIngapore Airlines never failed to satisfy me. The plane monopolized the nearest gate (gate 3). I sat down on the bench just in time to see the huge 744 pull up right infront of me.
JFK-SIN
May 29, 2004
Singapore Airlines 25
B747-400
Departure: 9:45 PM
Arrival (in Singapore): 6:30 AM
Seat: 34AB and 53AB
the best flight in the world
Boarding started, and I get ready to see the first Singapore Girl of my life. My mom thought their sarongs were very spectacular, and I thought the same.
After we sat down on our seats, I turned my head to look out the window to see - nothing but a wall. THis was a row without a window. After curses were said, and finding out it was a full flight, I sat down.
Thankfully, this flight had Wisemen on it. This system is the best system in the world. I dont' think you need a window to enjoy a flight if it has Wisemen. The special Asian Vegetarian meals we ordered came, and it was the best airfood I've ever had. Not only was it good, it was filling. They handed out menus, and I dutifully kept them. Before long, we were approaching Frankfurt. Frankfurt Airport is terrible. At least, the part that I saw. The bathrooms were dirty, the halls were dirty, little shopping, etc. Teh only redeeming quality was the view of the ramp. And one man who works for LH.
This man changed our seats from the horrible plugged window to one of the best seats in coach. I think 53AB is the best now. It is near the galley, so you can stop by for a drink at anytime. And the wind is not plugged! After reboarding and take off, we were served lunch. Once, again, excellent service, with a smile, and they seemed to actually care. Their chili sauce was damn good, and i took a pack of it with every bit of food. I think that most US Majors can't come close to SQ. The Singapore Girls did not seem robotic in anyway at all. They chatted with us frequently. After taking in a few movies and playing Nintendo, I decided to ask for some postcards. I got six of them (i needed 3...), and there were two designs. Both commemorate the A345Leadership slogan. I think this was over the black sea.
India looked marvelous from above. I think it was turbulent up there, as well. After cutting though the Bay of Bangal and over flying Phuket and Penang, we were over Johur Bahru, just North of Singapore. Landing at Changi was smooth, and I realized I just completed my first 747-400 flight. I've been on the 742 and 743 many times before...
Singapore Changi Airport
This is the best airport in the world. I loved it so much. It was so much wider than ATL, and the monorail between T1 and T2 was amazing. The food places were nice too. There were plenty of lounges and sleeping chairs.
My mom and I went into the city/country of Singapore, and it was amazing. I think SIngapore is one of the best places in the world. People were very friendly, and no one tried to rob or cheat us. THey cared about our business. We went to Little India, downtown, and Sentosa before catching the MRT back to Changi.
SIN-BLR (Bangalore, India)
May 31, 2004
Singapore Airlines 430
B777-200ER
Departure: 98:55PM
Arrival 20:25 PM
Seat: 34AB
the best flight in the world
This plane also had Wisemen 3000. For a four and a half our flight, that was a nice touch! Once again, excellent F/As who really cared. The footrests were nice as well. I slept a bit on this flight, but I do remember we were served a meal on it. I believe that was good, but I was partially asleep...
After landing in India, We passed customs and my uncle for another trip.
I must say that I have to give SQ five stars and more for these flights. I know they used to be much better, and they've cut costs so much, but they still surpass all the US majors and European carriers.
The return trip will come later![/u]