Unventful trip up to T3 at Manchester; not used this one before but much the same T2, if smaller. We had done OLCI so headed for bag drop. Unfortunately, the AA person mumbled and neither myself nor Mrs H could understand what he was saying but eventually we achieved the requisite level of communication and were waved towards the bag drop; bags were dropped.
We had paid for express security (thinking BH saturday, might be busy) but to be honest the queue was not that big, and the express bit somewhat spoiled by a member of the airport ground staff asking us to move whilst she went through the system first.
Nice coffee as Costa, then called for boarding at about 9:15 for a 9:50 take off.
Boarding went smoothly, and soon we were in 18B and 18C - exit row extra legroom ($25 each, each way). Loads of leg room, but seat cushion very hard. The blanket sorted that out. Seat a little narrow with the table in the arm, but we are both slim so not big problem. But it does make you appreciate the width of the purple PE.
No seat back TV on the AA 757, but we had Kindles so we were not too bothered.
A meal was served at about 11 - which surprised us somewhat as being a little early. The main course was okay, but why oh why do they persist with a "salad" - a tomato (cherry of course, no gravy) and a few lettuce leaves. The pot of dressing is almost as big as the salad.
Din't try the coffee, kept to the diet coke.
The flight was smooth and uneventful; a snack served an hour before landing with a drinks run half way through the flight.
The cabin crew were "brisk" as they are wont to be from other side of the pond.
Landed at JFK on schedule and got though immigration in about 15 minutes. We were "invited" to go through a US residents counter. Just to checked I pointed out were we not US nationals, to which the agent intimated she didn't really care and did I want to enter the country or not?
Baggage reclaim. Took another hour. Checked with the AA rep who said that 2 aircraft had come on together and things were a little busy. We then spotted a " helpful" member of staff who was whipping the cases off the belt as soon they came into view and stacking them neatly, out of sight of most people waiting around the belt.
So, got the cases and on to the customs check. Checked okay.
Quick call to Carmel Limo and off we were to Manhattan.
So AA? Got us there on time and in reasonable comfort. On balance happy to trade off the convenience of MAN against the better cabin experience of VS via LHR.
Stephen.
