14 Hour Layover in London and 6 Hours in Moline, IL

As the final part of my trip, I scheduled a 14 hour layover in London (stops less than 24 hours don’t count as your free stopover), 2 hour stop at O’Hare, and a 32 minute layover in Moline, IL (MLI).  The London layover was great because I could leave the airport, see a friend, and enjoy London just before the Olympic games started.  The Moline layover was the only way to fly to Denver.  It wasn’t the same aircraft for both segments, so there was a serious chance I would miss my connection (I’ve flown tight connections before on the same plane, making it impossible to miss your next flight).

Olympics Greater

London was great! After reading The Economist, I was expecting long lines at every point in the airport. There was no line at customs and LHR was packed with friendly volunteers to point you on your way. 

London

What is it?

London was putting on their best for the world.  Everything was lit up, there was a large public art display, and most people were exceptionally friendly.  I really enjoyed walking along the river at night.  There was some much happening, great places to eat, and brilliant sights.  There were also dozens of the Olympic statues painted in different ways scattered about town.  The mascot was ugly, but some artists did great work despite the handicap.

Sunset by Arsenal's Emirates Stadium

Lottery Fund Public Art

The blue Tube line doesn’t run 24 hours, so don’t plan on taking the Tube for a very early departure. We decided to play it safe and take a cab; all the horrors of LHR were supposedly in full effect and a minimum of 2 hours was needed. The check in and security line the next morning was miniscule.  We made it from to cab to the Star Alliance lounge (showers, wifi, and a decent breakfast spread) in less than 20 minutes.  This might be the first time The Economist was wrong. I doubt the speedy LHR experience or The Economist being wrong will be repeated soon.

Star Alliance Lounge at LHR

The flight from LHR to ORD on a United Airlines 767 was pleasant.  We booked (yes, my friend still wanted to sit next to me after a week of travelling together) the second exit row on the plane and had plenty of space.  Breakfast was a tasty waffle (adding a pound of sugar to it helped) and I settled in attempting to watch a movie and fall asleep.  Neither activity went well.  After a quick sandwich before landing, we were at O’Hare.  My friend was heading into Chicago and we parted ways.  

Seat 21A on a United Airlines 767 from London

United Airlines Coach 767 Breakfast From London

I saw a departures board and it seemed like every United Express flight was delayed.  I went to the United Club to get some help going to Denver, but a direct flight was cancelled and there were no seats through connection points.  I was left to cross my fingers that my ORD-MLI would arrive in time to catch the MLI-DEN flight.  I missed it by 15 minutes.  After 6 hours of killing time (free wifi, walking the terminal, starting a fire, etc.) the last flight out started boarding and I was heading home. A fast trip that felt interminable at times had come to a close.

Empty Terminal at Moline, IL

My E170 to Denver

Good Morning From IAD

Sunrise is a pretty time to be at the airport, stop for a moment and enjoy it sometime.

Sunrise at IAD

Salzburg and Vienna to London on Austrian Airlines

The friend I was travelling with wanted to have a Von Trapp style experience while in Austria so we took the train to Salzburg.  It’s about a two hour trip from Vienna and $75 each way.  Our train out was delayed over an hour, so don’t plan on punctuality.  Salzburg has a quaint old town with expensive hotels.  Luckily there is a Crowne Plaza and HolidayInn less than a 10 minute walk away.  The Holiday Inn had a friendly staff, recently renovated rooms, flakey free wifi, and gave a nice platinum welcome gift of a bottle of Austrian wine.  The price was right too.

Salzburg and the Funicular, Take It, Don't Walk

Nice Park

More Nice Parks

Salzburg’s highlight real includes the castle at the top of the bluffs (take the funicular railway), a lovely park on the other side of the river, Die Weisse (best food and best beer on the trip), and the old town with shops, restaurants, churches, and the Mozart house (and a NORDSEE).  This can all be done in a day with an overnight stay as to not feel rushed and enjoy an evening in town.

Die Weisse Was Amazing

NORDSEE Also Good

After two full days, we went back to Vienna to catch a flight to London.  We took the CAT, City Airport Train, to Vienna Airport and were able to check in and check out bags at the train station (the train ride is about half the price of a taxi to the airport).  The train was comfortable and we glided to the airport with ease, went through a fast security lane, had our passports stamped by customs, and settled in at the Austrian Airlines lounge.

Check In Desks at City Airport Train Station in Vienna

CAT to VIE

Austrian Airlines recently opened a newly renovated terminal at Vienna International Airport with a new check in area, new lounges, and new gate areas.  The lounge had plenty of seating, fast wifi, good drinks selection, and tasty food.  I also checked out the Priority Pass lounge (thank you Palladium card) which didn’t have a view and had similar food.

Austrian Airlines Lounge at Vienna Airport

Priority Pass Lounge at Vienna Airport

Boarding for the flight to LHR was delayed for no obvious reason and no information was given.  Once boarding started I was first down the jet bridge (Star Gold status perk) and settled into my own row.  About a dozen Austrian Olympians were on the flight.  I talked briefly with a swimmer, so I checked “talk with an Olympian” off my London to do list.  The flight boarded and departed quickly. 

VIE to LHR Flight Map

The cabin crew was very friendly and started the service quickly.  I had a soda and half a sandwich (it had an odd taste, but was free).  The flight went smoothly and we quickly arrived at LHR (The Economist makes time fly).  On approach we went up the Thames and saw all the classic London sights.  I was prepared for a long queue at customs, but there was no wait at all.  Further, the arrivals hall was full of helpful and cheery volunteers, a great experience at LHR, especially since I read about nightmarish conditions leading up to the games.  We were able to get a fast start to out 14 hour layover in London and we walked to the Tube station and headed to the Arsenal station.

Austrian Airlines Coach Meal in Europe

Doing the Lost in Translation Thing

Full review of the Park Hyatt Tokyo to follow.

My Lost in Translation Moment

UK Departure Taxes Pinching BA

British Airways must be feeling the pinch from the UK's crazy high departure taxes.  They have started to organize political action to repeal the tax burden with their (and 30 other travel related organizations) website: afairtaxonflying.org/.  They even emailed international Executive Club members to spread the word.  I think they have a valid complaint because they are being priced out of the long haul connection market and must be hurting. I know I'm avoiding London stop overs if possible.

United Degrading Lifetime Benefits

As recently as 9 months ago, United Airlines gave lifetime Red Carpet club access to two million mile flyers.  Now they give an iPod or a golf club.  Lifetime 1K is gone and replaced with lifetime Premier Platinum.  My Dad was about 125,000 miles short of the two million mark when the merger happened and missed out big time.  He had his sights set on lifetime lounge membership.

United Is Devaluing Their Brand and Most Loyal Customers

Hilton Vienna and Wien

I love Vienna.  It is my favorite capital in Europe (Lisbon is a close second). My first trip to Wien was three years ago and I’ve been telling everyone to go since.  Vienna (or Wien as local signage says) has a great old town and many beautiful sights.  The city was the seat of power for the Holy Roman and Austrian Empires.  It is also a great walking town with a tram and subways system when you don’t want to.  The architecture is great, people friendly, and street food second to none.

My first time to Vienna I stayed at the Hilton Vienna Danube on a points stretcher award.  That hotel is not remotely close to the city.  This time my friend and I were staying at the Hilton Vienna downtown.  It is a great location.  One block from subway and tram stops just off the ringstrasse and next to Stadtpark.  The rooms are normal size by US standards and large by European.  Even with just Hilton silver status, we were upgrade to a suite. 

Hilton Vienna Suite

Hilton Vienna Suite

The room rate included breakfast and the hotel has a very nice spread (Sunday is more of a proper Sunday brunch set up).  The service was good, coffee better, and food great.  There was also a large Asian spread available.  It was all very nicely done and allowed us to start our day off right (and caffeinated).

Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the emperor and the royal family.  It is magnificent (more subdued than Versailles) and still restrained.  The tour is great and runs about an hour.  Another hour can be spent touring the grounds around the place.  It is easy to get to with its own subway stop, but arrive early as the lines grow very quickly.

Schönbrunn Palace

The Treasury Museum is stunning.  It puts the crown jewels in the Tower of London to shame really.  On display are the trappings of 1,000 years of empire. You have to see the collection for yourself.  It is truly awe-inspiring and well worth the visit.

I like a good tram ride, especially as a way to explore a city.  Vienna has a special tourist tram that runs in summer around the rinstrasse (it's the yellow one, can't miss it).  For EUR2 (it does not accept normal tram tickets) you get an audio tram tour of the city.  The regular tram system is extensive and a great way to explore Wien.  Some of the best food in town is found at tram and subway stops too.

Tram in Vienna

Tram Stop Food, Yum

My friend participated in equestrian events as a kid and said we had to take a tour of Spanish Riding School.  There are no shows in the summer so the tour was the only option.  It lasts about an hour and shows the stables, where you can get very close to the horses, the arena, and other areas.  Our tour guide was friendly and funny.  After the tour, we lucked out because the horses in town (most are send to a farm in the mountains over summer) were let in the arena to play around.  This was a free show open to anyone passing by.  I was able to watch from the royal box; a truly unique experience.

Spanish Riding School as Viewed From the Royal Box

Vienna is great and everyone should spend a few days there.  Saltsburg is great too, but only a day trip, as I was soon to find out.