Wally's off to Barcelona in Business Class
 

Just arrived at MCO for my flight to JFK in First, and then on to Barcelona in Business Class. I used 90,000 miles with American Airlines for the flight and paid around $40 in cash.

It took about five minutes to get through security in Orlando. I didn't take off the belt--no problem. Empty water bottle was no problem, either.

I brought a 3-prong plug for the lap-top computer. Finding electrical outlets at the airport can be difficult. Perhaps I'll make some friends this way.

Looks like both flights go out of Terminal 7 at JFK. Is that where the Admirals Club and my two free drinks are waiting for me?

I received my $600 government stimulus check last week. That will help with the Euro sticker shock.

Did you see on the news last night how the truckers blocked the main freeway going through Barcelona in protest of high fuel prices? Maybe I'll take the train from the airport to downtown.

I called DirecTV and they are turning off my satellite dish for the summer. (If you have a HDTV and an antenna, you can pick up the local stations just as good as Cable/Satellite can provide--assuming you have a signal) That saves me $190 for two months.

I should arrive at JFK around 2:30 p.m. My flight out of JFK is at 7:00 p.m. tonight. The Terminal 7 Lounge was sure a bargain last March. $10 an hour and free food and drinks. South African Airlines were using that same lounge.

<i>Looks like both flights go out of Terminal 7 at JFK. Is that where the Admirals Club and my two free drinks are waiting for me?</i>

No. You're flying on Iberia. AA operates out of T8.

I believe however you can get access to the BA lounge at T7 if you're flying in business class, subject to the pacifying the BA lounge guardians.

I must say, American did a great job! I got though JFK without going through security again, and the flights were fantastic. They like their warm nuts in First Class, don't they. I still have to laugh when they wedge the cart door when the pilot goes to the toilet. Is it really necessay.

My only complaint was that at the lounge at JFK, I couln't use my lap-top on the Internet. They said I had to pay. They did have four computers in the lounge that were available for free, but please, on a business class ticket, let them use their own computer.

The seats were fine--angle flat. The food was just as good as British Airways, but BA still has more comfortable seats with their no angle flat.

No turbulence on the flight so the fasten seatbelt sign was off most of the time. They reminded everyone that we would be landing soon in Barcelona so one should use the toilets at this time. I stood by the toilet next to the cockpit for five minutes (had no idea this guy would take so long) and no one said anything. They do pick up those portable tv monitors very early.

I had to wait for a good 45 minutes at the baggage claim in Barcelona. That is where I heard how bad economy was. 30 inch pitch, $6 for a beer or wine, or 4 euros. No individual tv monitor.

They served a cold breakfast before landing in Barcelona. Corn Flakes in Business Class. I was still full from dinner so I didn't mind.

I took the train into the city for 2.65 Euros and walked to my hostel. It is a little chilly here, maybe President Bush could send a little more global warming.

Reporting from Barcelona.

Is it the Barcelona subway (not train) that you took? When I was in BCN in Feb, the subway station was still under construction and was closed (I think they were bussing pax who needed the subway).

I took the Aerobus instead to Placa Catalunya.

please report on all the places you eat!! i loved barcelona. i can suggest cap pep, cal majo, and vineria del cal.

&Iuml; am back in Barcelona after spending a week at the nude city in France, Cap D&Aacute;gde. The train was 1 1-2 hours late. Due to the strong Euro and weak dollar, I am dining at cheaper restaurants. If you want to save money, check out the Doner Kabab restaurants in Europe. Just purchased a bottle of wine in Barcelona for 1.60 Euros. They were selling beer on the beach for 2 euros a can, and in France they still fill my liter water bottle for 1 euro.