Round The World and other travels

Flight Log 4: AA2455

San Francisco (SFO) - Los Angeles (LAX)

We had booked Economy tickets for this short hop, but Bruce had been able to inform me earlier in the trip that upgrades had been confirmed for both of us. It was therefore pleasing to be able to take up temporary residence in 3A, which was actually in the front row of the cabin. Bruce was behind me in 4A; unlike so many other passengers encountered in our respective flight histories, we were grateful enough for the upgrade and saw no need to ask other passengers to swap around just for our benefit. It was after all, so we were informed, a 56-minute flight.

And it was clearly a busy one, but the departure process was commendably efficient. Doors were closed at 1304; two minutes later the jetty had been detached and we were moving. Nine minutes after that we were airborne, briefly climbing out from the left runway over the ocean before making a left turn.

One of the flight attendants took drinks orders, addressing me by name. I had sparkling wine and ice water, along with a bag of snack mix. A TV programme was shown on the overhead LCD screens. I was offered drinks top-ups and additional nibbles, but declined both.

In due course we made a wonderfully clear approach to LAX, initially over Malibu and Santa Monica, from where the Getty Museum was visible. We then headed inland, passing close to Century City and Hollywood. The views of Downtown LA were fantastic as we executed a turn to line up with the westerly runway, but I failed to spot the Westin Bonaventure that had featured in our original Planes, Trains & Automobiles trip. I saw Long Beach in the distance, easily identifiable by its giant cranes, but couldn't pick out the Queen Mary.

We passed right over the Avis depot where I'd picked up my rental car just over a week before, then touched down at our transit point, LAX. A pair of Qantas A380s provided a moment of interest during the taxi.

Date: Sat 30 Nov 2013

Aircraft: Boeing 737-800

Scheduled dep: 1250

Actual departure: 1306

Scheduled arrival: 1415

Actual arrival: 1420

Cabin: First Class  (upgrade)

Seat: 3A

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