Going RTW: Flight UA343 (LGA-DEN), United Airlines, First Class

Introduction & Trip Index

<AC Maple Leaf Lounge, LGA


There were only two reasons I was booked to fly United. First, American Airlines’ prices were pretty high when I was trying to book tickets with them between NYC to Colorado Springs, and I’d never flown a turbo prop plane, so I thought I might as well hitch the 40 minute ride flight between Denver & Colorado Springs and get a Dash 8-400 on my list of planes flown. The LGA-DEN segment was upgraded to First ahead of the flight due to my United status.

After going past TSA,  headed straight to the gate where the plane was already boarding. This was going to be a Boeing 757-200 flight, with the regular configuration. With the lack of entertainment of the plane, I was just going to sleep through most of the flight.

New York LaGuardia (LGA) – Denver (DEN)
Friday, May 10 2013
Depart: 06:55AM
Arrive: 08:48AM
Duration: 03hr57min
Distance flown: 1620 miles
Aircraft: Boeing B757-200
Seat: 1A (First)
Meal Service: Breakfast

The leather seat was going to be comfortable enough to doze off immediately, however, I waited to see the sights of an LGA take off. The cabin crew came by to serve pre-departure drinks. I went for some coffee to keep me awake, while some others in the cabin went for early morning Bloody Marys I think. Seth at The Wandering Aramean was going to be on the same flight, but he was almost one of the last people to get on the plane.

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After take off, the crew immediately began preparation for the breakfast meal service. They first around for drinks service, and I took some water (how boring!)

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Breakfast options were either a fruits and cereal plate, or a plate of omelette. I went with the eggs, and I was soon served a tray which had a Swiss cheese omelette, a quiche, a sausage patty, cherry tomato along with a bowl of fruits and strawberry yoghurt. For breads, croissants were offered.

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The rest of the flight was very uneventful, because of the lack of entertainment on the flight. My seatmate seemed to enjoy his drinks, so he kept the bloody mary glasses rolling, while I waited to arrive at DEN and read a book (no wifi you see!)

Once in Denver, where we arrived about 30 minutes ahead of schedule, I found my way to the United customer care desk, to be able to standby on an earlier flight to Colorado Springs.

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Ajay Awtaney is the Founder and Editor of Live From A Lounge (LFAL), a pioneering digital platform renowned for publishing news and views about aviation, hotels, passenger experience, loyalty programs, travel trends and frequent travel tips for the Global Indian. He is considered the Indian authority on business travel, luxury travel, frequent flyer miles, loyalty credit cards and travel for Indians around the globe. Ajay is a frequent contributor and commentator on the media as well, including ET Now, BBC, CNBC TV18, NDTV, Conde Nast Traveller and many other outlets.

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Comments

  1. Well, Justsaying, if its a choice between a drive along the coast past Stinson and a coffee and pastry at Point Reye Station, perhaps watching right whales by the light house, or standing in TSA queues, and then earing poor food, why are you not at the airport? though a RWT would be nice, but not on UA.

    • it was a figure of speech but since I do live here the top spot is most definitely the Marin Headlands drive……then Muir Woods……then the hike between Cliff House and Seacliff………and all are free………..well Muir Woods is if you get there early……….and we haven’t even started driving yet…………..

  2. sad…..very sad indeed……..why would anyone want to fly when this is first class? let’s see where can I drive from Marin?

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