(Ok a quick sidebar before you read this….the first day is consumed with flying…I promise it’ll get more interesting….)
My flight pattern is Cleveland to Dallas to Santiago Chile as we will spend 1 night in Santiago. This is a required overnight to allow for all passengers to arrive in Santiago before we start making our way towards the Antarctica Peninsula.
Being the day after Thanksgiving, I was concerned about busy travel but it was quite the opposite as the airports were not over crowded. I arrived at 11 a.m. for my 1:30 p.m. flight and both check-in and security were completed in about 30 minutes. I don’t mind just sitting, observing people and waiting for my boarding time. After clearing security, I wander my way through the terminal, just watching and even peeking into various stores. I am in no rush now….
My flight departed on time so that was a huge relief as the most nerve inducing part of this whole trip is worrying about the flights being on time and getting to the ship. The flight from Cleveland to Dallas is roughly a 3 hour flight. With the on time departure and clear skies, we arrived in Dallas Fort Worth Airport for a 4 hour layover. I know some travelers want a tighter connection so they don’t spend half of their life in the airports. Not me, 3-4 hours are my preferred connections. Anyways, I had to take the SkyTrain from the domestic concourse A to the international concourse D. It was easy to find and navigate with only had 4 stops before I arrived at the concourse. I still had plenty of time before my next flight so I found a BW3 restaurant to watch a little bit of the Black Friday football game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
My family always decorates for Christmas as soon as the women are done Black Friday shopping. I am sad that I am missing that this year (technically, we put up the tree on Thanksgiving but it’s not the same) and it’s a little weird traveling on Black Friday instead of decorating…
My next flight from Dallas to Santiago Chile also departed on time so I am super relieved now! This flight is an overnight flight of about 10 hours so I am trying to be prepared mentally for a long journey. This was my first time traveling in Premium Economy (American Airlines) and it was much more comfortable than traditional economy. Quite a bit more legroom, upgraded meal service, nice headphones, sleep mask, socks, lotions and great service. The meals were served with real silverware and cloth napkins; the alfredo pasta and fresh fruit were very good. I relax by working some crossword puzzles, reading a golf magazine and watching some movies. I actually slept on the plane which isn’t something I am used to doing. All in all, a very comfortable flight…that is until we try to land amongst the fjords of Chile in the early morning fog……
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