US Airways 605: PHX-YYC

This will probably be my last flight on US Airways. Ever. 

Not because US Airways sucks. Not because they;'re a US based carrier, but because they’re merging with US airways and I probably won’t be around to fly them again before the merger, which is seemingly taking forever to complete.

Tail N677AW will be taking me from PHX to YYC today. A 10-year-old A320-200 that started it’s career with the now defunct American West Airlines, transferred to the soon to be defunct US Airways and will eventually end up with American Airlines. Interestingly, upon entering the aircraft, I noticed a decal of the airlines that eventually formed to make US Airways - America West, Pacific Southwest, Piedmonts, and Allegheny.

N677AW was slightly late incoming from it’s previously flight so the pre-flight drink only consisted of water. I’m very pleased with the crew’s handling of the slightly late departure. The crew, very cognizant of the delay, was able to herd passengers on board in the quickly and efficient manner. 

After an efficient boarding process, a short taxi, and then takeoff, first drinks were served alongside warm nuts. Meal options for this flight were a chicken with white sauce and a ravioli dish. I asked for the chicken.

When the meal was served, I though to myself that of course it would come with rice! Although Look at that nice burned crust on top of the rice and see how the sauce browns around the edges? US Airways slash American aren’t winning any aesthetic points here. 

To my surprise, the rice wasn’t too dry or crunchy and actually did not stick the plate. The chicken itself was dry and the beans made were so overbuild that I definitely lost nutrients putting them into my body. 

Although the meal itself was lackluster, the service was stellar and my small breakfast and light lunch I had earlier in the day made it so I was still very hungry after the entree, so in a !!BLOG FIRST!!,  I ordered a second meal.

As I type aboard the flight after the 2nd meal, yes I feel fat. I feel too full, and there is a tinge of regret in my thought process, however, I chose the ravioli as a second meal and it really should have been my first choice. 

The ravioli, more specifically, the artichoke ravioli, was delicious. Nice and cheesy and mouse, with no dry bits. I thoroughly enjoyed every fat increasing bite. Not only did my 2nd meal really satiate my appetite but it also came with a pretzel bun. Yum, I love pretzel buns and not some white bread crap my first tray came with.

Finishing the meal off with a freshly baked cookie :)

A few more notes from the meal:

- The provided vinaigrette, although labeled Balsamic should really be ‘Balsamic’, When you list balsamic ingredient last before xanthan gum, then you’ve really killed the credibility of the dressing.No hints of balsamic were in the dressing. Sorry, but it was more of a sour vinegar ranch dressing. 

- When asking for my second meal, the FA hesitated and made it abundantly clear that one should not expect a second meal, but because J was not full, it would be okay as enough meals were loaded. 

Overall, apart from the bumpy flight, the service was excellent and I enjoyed the flight up to Calgary.

Ciao,  US airways.

United Airlines 378: YVR-SFO

My first inflight hamburger!

UA378 from Vancouver to San Francisco, just under 2 hours aboard a plane jane, A320-200. No menu provided on this flight as seems normal for a mainline UA flight in a narrow body plane. 

After takeoff, nuts were served alongside my usual sparkling water. I will have to say the water service on the flight was excellent, my water glass never went empty for long. I wouldn’t be surprised if my seat mate and I went through their stock of sparkling water. No complaints. 

The other meal choice was a grilled chicken, which would have been the nice healthy options - oh well. 

The tray looked pretty damn good, that is until I realized my burger was fully stuck to the plate! After some attempted non-invasive surgery with my knife and fork, I was able to free the burger with minimal damage from the plate and begin to eat it. Overall, greasy, definitely not good for my health but still delicious and made better when halfway through the burger, I realized there was onion and lettuce that I could add to the toppings. That soft pretzel bun tunneled my vision to the central plate and only until the burger was gone, did my peripheral vision return. 

On the side of the plate was a country potato salad and to finish a nice warm, freshly baked, chocolate chip cookie.