To get to Washington, DC for the RBG remembrance, I could have taken a nonstop trip from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles. But I flew via San Francisco and Newark instead. Wait, what? Allow me to explain my circuitous routing on United Airlines and offer a brief trip report of my outbound journey to DC.
My Circuitous United Airlines Washington, DC Trip
I had an errand to run in New York and since last week, California residents no longer must quarantine for 14-days. While I could not get everything on one ticket, I made the extra stop in San Francisco in order to secure an upgrade on my last-minute ticket and enjoy a 787-10 for the cross-country journey.
Arriving at LAX around 5:30am, the airport was mostly deserted. I did not allow time for the United Club, instead proceeding straight to my gate.
The flight up to SFO was uneventful, with first class about half full and a very chipper and friendly flight attendant named Jill who took care of the cabin, offering pre-departure beverages and several refills during the short flight up north.
It was a beautiful day for flying and I took my usual F seat (window seat on the starboard side) in order to look down on Apple’s circular headquarters in Cupertino.
We had a rough landing in SFO, which the first officer proudly took credit for, telling the cabin, “I’m a Navy man and we land hard.”
My layover was short, though I did use the time to check on the United Club, which I’ll highlight in a separate post.
The San Francisco – Newark flight was about 2/3 full up front and quite empty in the back. I settled into my seat, hoping for a flight as productive as my last day trip. No sleep, no movies, no internet. Just concentration. Admittedly I ended up napping for about an hour.
You can see that my seat, 5A, was missing a window. I’ll avoid that seat next time, though the single window still provided sufficient natural light.
Breakfast choices were a sausage and kale frittata with mushrooms or French Toast. As the cabin was not full and PremiumPlus was empty (same meals), I ended up enjoying both…and thought both were tasty.
Beyond my brief nap, it was a very productive flight and the flight attendants were diligent about keeping glasses full and passing the snack basket. Lavatories were clean (I guess that is now a given…).
Arrival into Newark:
Airport restaurants have re-opened:
A big positive to connecting in Newark was the chance to fly into Washington National (DCA) instead of Dulles. I love flying DCA not just because it is more convenient but for the views on arrival.
Indeed, they did not disappoint, with views of Manhattan on the way out and Washington Harbor and an Air Force One mock-up during our final approach.
National Airport is one of my favorite in the country, with a beautiful central terminal. It was off to the Metro and into the city…
In your picture, the Air Force 1 near the Washington Harbor, is a full scale mock up – I thought it looked odd with the “short” runway.
Bummer.
Joint Base Andrews is ~ 11 miles east of the National Habor (where the mock up is located).
I just want to say thanks for making the journey to honor Justice Ginsberg. Any photos?
Tomorrow! I got some great pictures.
United is flying to Cairo ?
Since when ??
If anyone actually ever wanted one, official Illy coffee paper cups are available for sale on their website and will set you back about 25 cents with a lid, in case you wanted to replicate this catering experience at home. Just jam your knees against your desk and think of it as the new flight simulator.
Any idea what the unmarked 747 in SFO is all about.
It’s a Kalitta 747 at LAX.
Cool. Missing travel. Lots of info on the Air Force one mock-up available on the internet
LOL
Matthew, thanks for your blog. As a datapoint, I recently took a ultra longhaul flight in Polaris and the toilets were filthy.
Is that a stroopwafel in their snack bag?? On my last KLM flight I raided the snack basket before landing and took 10 with me. I didn’t realize United had them too.
They do! And I actually prefer them to the ones KLM has.
More nutritional value in consuming the wrapper, plus you avoid the 18g of sugar in each piece.
I’ll save my wrappers for you. You and I will be like Jack Sprat and his wife.
RIP RBG
McConnell is Machiavelli reincarnated. Truly, no morals or ethics whatsoever. Keep going down this path, and President Biden will add 1) 2 minimum justices, 2) no more filibuster, 3) DC/PR as new states.
You’ve been warned, Republican destroyers of democracy…your move.
You’re giving the Democrats too much credit…they talk a good game but then turn out to be feckless cowards when they need to act…
This time is different…one SCOTUS seat stolen is one thing, this second one is beyond the pale
Clean Trifect sweep (most likely outcome 11/3) means it is effing on come swearing-in day
UC-NYC, it’s either one or none. Two stolen seats? If Garland was stolen, that means this seat should be Trump’s to appoint. If Garland’s seat was not stolen becuase it was an election year, then only this seat is stolen if the GOP pushes a nominee through and Biden wins. So what is it?
In reality, neither seat is stolen. President’s can appoint justices with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Republican majority in the Senate is becuase the GOP vowed to block liberal justice and install conservative justices. They are just keeping thier promises.
You know Schumer woudl do the same thing if he was majority leader, so enough with the outrage.
False equivalency – the Republicans did it, the Dems have done nothing. Schumer has more honor in his pinky than McConnell in his entire turtle shell body.
There will be hell to pay for Republicans jamming this through…they have been warned.
Hi! I am flying United Cincinnati OH to Denver then to Flagstaff AZ. I am buying my seats before the trip, what side of the plane provides the best views? Thanks for your advice!
I’d say choose the F side.
I LIKE united services is very good very nice I travel from Cairo to Washington in 7/2/2020 and return back in 3/8/2020 Washington Cairo
Thanks
BOGHDADY