ps....EARPLUGS
(sometimes I find magazines the best reading bet..then I can pitch 'em at the end of the flight)
It's great reading your post...brings back all that "first time" excitement!!

DEGAS...Said it all!!! Will you post from London or do we have to wait to hear your lovely voice til you return???

If the Dietdoctor has to bring his patients with him, as Donna suggested... it might be a very crowded flight, indeed. :) :)

What do they need a Dietdoctor there for, they are all skinny in England aren't they?
:D

Everyone has such good advice! I try not to ever eat airplane food and I never use the pillow or blanket.
I do drink all the juice in the morning with coffee to help me manage to stumble off the plane and wander around distractedly, wondering where our luggage is and why is it always the last piece to come off the plane, regardless of when it goes on the plane!
Then I think that Customs will reject me for sure, no one with eyes that red can come into their country !
And why can I not hear when I get off an airplane?? The Customs man is always soft spoken and I am never sure of what he says, but how many times can I say, Pardon? without their thinking I am deaf and not safe to let loose in their country.
You will have a lovely time I am sure..please do post a trip report and let us know how you did on the plane :)

Actually, Ron, on an evening flight like that they usually do dim the lights. They will serve dinner, clear up, and then most people will either watch a movie or try to sleep. But an eye mask is a good idea because the person next to you may want to have their reading light on. The bottom line is, you just never know, so it's best to be prepared for various possibilities. And hang on to your perspective (you're going to London, after all!) and your sense of humor!

I am, as usual, overwhelmed with the kindness and information dispensed on this Forum. So many great tips and things I (and even my frequent flyer friends) never thought of! I stand (actually sit) in awe of all my new friends among the Fodorites!

As a result of the advice I have recieved here, I have accomplished the following: I called British Airlines and did prearrange an aisle seat on the 777. They would not book for the bulkhead seats preflight...but I will beg and bribe to try and get one. (grin)

I have secured ear plugs and eye blinds - the eye blinds are from my office manager and she assures me they are not pink or baby blue. (wink)

I checked the onflight movies on the BA web site and, to my amazement, they are all in theatres now. Interestingly, on the flight TO London, most are British productions; on the flight home, they are Hollywood. Interesting mix!

I have rethought my packing. I was going to try and get everything in a carry-on but, with the BA poundage restrictions, I have decided to check a bag and carry on just my digital toys.

Also, I have transfered "Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson onto my MP3 player. The audiobook should be a nice distraction should I be stuck with screaming kids or other of the inflight horrors described here.

Again, thanks to everyone! I will try and find an Internet connection while there and post an ongoing commentary - "Stranger in a Strange Land" - for it will certainly be so!

I will be staying on Cromwell Road which, again as I learned here, is walking distance to a number of landmarks and parks. I will STAY AWAKE the first day and do a lot of walking.

Again, many thanks to all. I have learned so much from all your experiences.

Ron

Ron - look forward to reading your updates. Enjoy your trip!

Nobody seems to have pointed out that our voltage here is 240 v/50Hz and that we use square,3 pinned plugs.You can get plug adaptors here but you'll need to bring stuff that has dual voltage electrics.
Also you'll need to bring a tri-band cell phone as US phones don't work here;or rent one while you're here.
And please,please, avoid the use of the words "Quaint" and "Cute".They don't have anything like the same meaning here,being viewed as condescending. Also,"Please" and "Thank you" go a very long way here.(My wife is American.Ask her!).
Trust the black Taxis to take you exactly where you want to go,but watch the meter.
Do go to the V&A museum(in South Kensington).
Have a good time (and look BOTH ways when you cross the road;it's the only way to make sure that you get it right).
Alan.

Ron:

Thanks for posting this!! I, too, will be taking my first trans-Atlantic flight (for my trip to England, France, Italy) in late Sept. (29 days from today to be exact!) and, like you, I've been wondering what to expect.

Thanks for being the one to ask this "dumb" question! :)

Have a wonderful time on your trip!

Jennie :)

Three absolutely fundamental rules:

1. When on an escalator, whether connecting with the Tube or with the Heathrow Express train, the RIGHT side is for standing. The LEFT is for passing. We are currently about to pass into law the proposal for instant execution of any tourist standing on the left of an escalator (natives so doing will be executed very slowly)

2. When getting onto a Tube or train platform, DO NOT, stand at the entrance. As the phrase goes "move down the platform"

3. When on a Tube, do NOT stand in the doorway.

Follow these three rules and you will become the most popular visitor of the year.

On the first day, spend as much time in the sunlight as possible. This should help cut down on jetlag.

Though this is a debateable issue, I also suggest you discuss with your doctor the possible use of Sonata, a very short acting sleeping pill which should be out of your system a few hours after taking it and not leave you with a hungover feeling. The astronaughts use this medication to sleep. Of course, you should first try this medication before your trip to make sure it agrees with you.