Today I‘m on my way to Washington for the day. The last time I visited Washington was probably before most of my students were even born!

Getting to Laguardia

To get to Laguardia airport from my mid-town Manhattan hotel, I first take an F train to Roosvelt Avenue. From there I connect to the complimentary Q70 shuttle bus to the airport. The journey door to door takes 40 minutes.

At the Airport

I‘m flying with Delta again today, which recently opened its new terminal at Laguardia. Construction is not completely finished, but it‘s a very nice terminal building with enough seating and some great ramp views – even if the traffic tends to get a bit monotonous after a while.

There is a fast track for security for Sky Priority passengers.

There is also a Delta Airlines lounge. However, from what I understand, the only way to access the lounge is if you have a Delta Airlines American Express credit card. So, despite my Air France Platinum status, I may not enter. I‘m not quite sure I fully understand the purpose of such a policy. But it makes no difference, because luckily there is a Starbuck‘s just around the corner with two plain bagels and a cappuccino with my name on them!

Today‘s flight is operated by an Embraer E-175.

Boarding

Boarding is very disciplined in the US. Or at least a lot more disciplined than in Europe. First there is a boarding call for passengers with children and other impediments, followed by a call for active service military staff, and then passengers with Sky Priority.

The Cabin

I‘m seated on the window seat on 1D. Coming from Europe, the biggest noticeable difference is that even on such a puny little aircraft there is a dedicated Business Class seat. Leg space is great and the seat is very comfortable. The only complaint is that the plane smells of old wet socks.

The Crew & Service

There is already a small bottle of water when I reach my seat. The crew seem friendly enough. Except perhaps, that they have a tendency for brainless, superficial banter with the passengers. I suspect that’s an American thing that I don’t need to understand.

The airport is very busy. As we taxi out, the captain informs us that we’re number 13 in the departure sequence, and when we finally turn to line up on the runway for take-off, there are another 15 aircraft behind us!

The Meal

The flight time is 35 minutes. The service consists of a small snack from a basket and a choice of drink. I choose a lemon coconut biscuit, which the cabin crew inform me is a great choice “if you like coconut and lemon, like…”. I mean, who would chose something they don’t like in the first place?

Another thing I’ve noticed on this trip is that the Americans love ice in their drinks. What ever you order, I’d say the ratio of ice to drink is about 90% to 10%. To drink I have ice with some Ginger Ale.

Arrival

The approach into Washington is rather nifty and brings us in right over the city on the downwind. We land more or less on time at 11h.

Getting into Washington

Washington has just got to have the funkiest public transport ever! I don’t know who designed the stations but they really are just so cool. They look like something from an eighties Futureworld film.

Conclusion

The smell of wet old socks aside, I rather liked this flight with Delta. I can see why the Americans tend to get a bit upset when they’re flying in Europe, where hardly any operators have a dedicated Business Class cabin. The crew were very friendly and welcoming, but I wish they wouldn’t lay it on so thick interacting with the passengers.