dendleju

Several queries:
My parents have agreed to travel to Dallas for Xmas
My father smokes/gets irate very quickly when things do not go according to plan(is nearly 77)
Thus, he insists on a direct flight (looks like only available now from LHR) instead of the Bristol via Newark to Dallas which would be closer to home in Devon, avoid busy London airport.
So.....
1. Are there any hotels joined to LHR terminal as with Meridian at LGW? Money no problem.
2.Which terminal for Am Airlines?
3. Does Am Airlines have a service where they can get extra help? Dad is fit and would not countenance a wheelchair but a person to escort them thru check in/security at LHR and ease the way and an electric cart to meet them in Dallas and help them navigate customs etc(we did this in LHR this summer my 7 yr old got very sick, it was great since we jumped the queues and the guy knew where to take us, took the guess work and stress out of the routine!)
Any other tips to make things as easy as possible
4.Also, where to get travel insurance?
THANKS

ira

Hi d,

>where to get travel insurance?

try www.insuremytrip.com

ira

PS,

He is going to have to get used to the idea that he won't be able to smoke for about 12 hr.

Poconolady

There is a Yotel in Heathrow in terminal 4 ( no transferring from airport to hotel, etc.) check out the hotels website at yotel.com. Rooms (pods) can be rented by the hour. They are available with twin and double bed sized configurations.
If you contact American AIrlines directly they will be able to request a Senior Pick Up with a motorized cart at the gate in Dallas, to be put onto your computer records in your reservation.

flanneruk

There are no hotels imediately adjacent to T3, which is where American Airlines fly from. Getting to T3 from the dozens of hotels near the T1-T3 complex is a painful, paid for, bus jorney on the Hopper, to which there's no easy alternative. How's he getting to the airport?

There's a hotel connected to T4, from where there's a free train to a few hundred yards from T3, and a hotel connected by a bridge to T5, from where BA flies to Dallas.

flanneruk

Apart from the Yotel, there's a proper Hilton connected to T4. It and the Sofitel at T5 are the only hotels physically connected to the airport.

Gretchen

I can't remember if Dallas has electric carts or only wheel chairs. I think it might be the latter. Someone else may be able to confirm or deny, if it will make a difference.

hetismij

TBH going direct is much better for him. Going via another US airport involves going through immigration, then collecting your baggage and going through customs before you can get your onward flight within the US.
Make sure when you book the tickets that you state that some assistance is required. Maybe you could get him to try nicotine patches to help him with the long cigarette free period.

LJ

This all sounds like a nightmare in the making...if, as you state, money is no object, have you considered booking a flight yourself to go and meet them in Devon and guide them over to your home in Dallas? If you truly want to make this a good Christmas for all concerned it might be worth it...

I only offer this solution because it is the one our family relies on to get my sister's Mother-in-law (age 78)from her home in Canada down to Dallas each year.

Jeff801

Have you considered business class tickets? If they take the later flights, AA 79 and AA 78, they will be on a 767, which has no first class and seats that are as comfortable as those on a 777. (The chief advantage of the 777, other than its greater speed, used to be a 3rd lavatory in business class, but this has been eliminated in the new seating configuration.)Seats 2/A/B are near the lavatory and have plenty of overhead and floor storage.

Business class international will also provide access to the Admirals Club at LHR and DFW. Failing that, consider day passes for the club.

Business class will also get them fast lane security at LHR. There is also a priority security line at DFW, but it seems to me to have limited advantages. OTOH, it was very easy to get special assistance for an older couple when it was needed about two weeks ago. (One of them was in a wheelchair.)

Several of the hotels near LHR have executive floors. Your parents could have breakfast there, and the concierge at any of them will order a car service which will take them directly to T3. The cost, including tip, should be about 15 pounds.