24Chromium

I'll be there. Hoping to meet some fellow Rennlisters there too.

TRAKCAR

I wish, couldn't make it this year.

Mech33

I wanted to make it... got close to booking it. I ended up signing up for some dirt rally driving instead.

Chris3963

I am doing Camp 4 in Finland the first week of Feb.

MoeGt3

Im on the waiting list for Jan and Feb. If I get a spot on any of the days, I will be packing my bags and flying in

24Chromium

Boarding soon. Killing time here in the departure lounge. 1st time flying British Airways. The first class lounge is tiny here in SFO. Only now found out the plane is the double decker A380. 1st time flying in one of those too! Next stop, London. Then on to Helsinki.

24Chromium

Weather in Finland looks great! Note the times for sunrise and sunset.

24Chromium

Me: I'd like a window seat, please.

Woman at the counter: I'm sorry, there aren't any available. Would you like an isle seat?

Me: Sure.

Woman at the counter: I can add it to the notes that you'd like a window seat.

Me: Yes, that would be great.

(Just prior to boarding) Man at the lounge: Sir, we have a window seat for you.

Me: Awesome, thank you.

Seat guru: No window.

Apparently, window seat has a broad definition.

24Chromium

There is a window! You just can't look out of it while seated.

Spyerx

have fun!!! let's see lots of pics.

BA is meh... as good (or bad) as most of the american carriers. business class services (J class right?) is a bit better than most of the us carriers...

But hell, it's a seat, it lays flat, you'll get good rest and that's a quiet part of the cabin.

Assume you're transferring through heathrow, at least you'll get the fast pass thing through immigration. Ugh that airport blows.

Once you get up there nothing to look at! go for a walk if you're bored. 380 is HUGE.

Chris3963

The really great thing about flying BA into London and then on to Europe is that you do not have to change terminals which is a real pain in the *** at Heathrow. You are straight into Terminal 5, thru transit and then to the lounge to wait for your flight. The BA 1st Class lounge in T5 is quite good. They do a great English breakfast.

Also, if you are in transit, you don't have to clear customs/immigration in Heathrow. Only once you touch down in Europe. Are you flying straight into Kittila from Heathrow or connecting thru Helsinki?

The forecast is for -20C/-4F for Tuesday. That's COLD. I am hoping it's not that cold for my trip in 2 weeks time.

24Chromium

I've never seen a 150ml can of Coke before. The mini-sized Jack Daniels bottle towers over it!



Still have to change terminals. Arrived in T5, had to transfer to T3. Not so bad. Thankfully I've got a layover of about 3 hours.

About 2 hours before landing, I heard the scariest announcement: "Is there a medical doctor aboard the plane?" Turns out, the distressed passenger was in my section, just a couple of rows back. We had to remain seated upon landing while the paramedics came upstairs to attend to him.

Ducati1199

Agree it is tiny and can get a little cramped on full flights but I much prefer that and then direct access onto the plane - no walking or bus trips to the plane - than sitting in the enormous lounge/s at LHR with a million people in them.
BA always my go to carrier but I do think they've let others catch up and some of the equip on the older 747-400's is a little shabby (good, solid first world problems!!!) I flew back last time on Virgin to see the difference and wasn't that impressed either - I actually prefer the cocoon pods on the BA flights. Of course Emirates 1st class is the way to go!!
Enjoy the trip - that is bloody cold!!

24Chromium

As seen in the BA in-flight magazine. Which, coincidentally, is titled "high life". Maybe they liked the symmetry. Or maybe it's because BA has announced they will soon have fights out of San Jose.



My home is walking distance to this establishment, and I've been known to patronize it. You know what they say... no matter where you go, there you are! LOL

24Chromium

Finally arrived in Helsinki. Finding the Hilton airport hotel was a little confusing. Chalk it up to poor signage. So, I walk outside. It's around 11:30 PM. I'm thinking there is a shuttle bus to the hotel. Turns out, it's just a short walk from the terminal. It's gently snowing. Within 3 minutes of wandering around, suddenly my hands are screaming in pain. It's that cold. At the low last night was only -12 C. I put my gloves on and think about Kittila being -35 C.

Now it's just a short hop (~1-1/2 hour) up to Kittila. Burr!