Chat thread – Tuesday 12th November

[Gordon]

Nico wrote:

Gordon wrote:

@yorkshireRich

see below a penciled in plan for Brazil,
I did say I was hoping for no internal flights,
But as we have only 2 weeks, driving is out of the question, I guess if you want to visit the main tourist attractions in a county as big as Brazil, you have no choice.

Fly into Rio de Janeiro (19/03/25) for around 5 days, visiting copacabana beach, Christ the redeemer etc, not decided on hotel yet, but a suite at the Grand Hyatt, the Sheridan or JW Marriot.

Visiting the Morro do pontal de sernambetiba,
An hour down the beach.

Flying to São Paulo for a few days not decided on hotel yet, but probably the Grand Hyatt, with a view of the Estaiada bridge, IC or the Sheraton.

Then flying to the Iguazu falls, made up of 275 separate water falls, (Kelly and Jeremy visited them in the latest “Race across the world” for around 4 days, visiting both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, also taking a trip over the falls in a helicopter.

Then back to Rio for one night, before the flight back to Blighty (02/04/25).
This is a rough guide, needs to be tweaked here and there, mainly how many days we plan at each location, so we can book the internal flights.

I will be carrying out further research, so if there’s anything in particular you needed to know, just ask, we are only carrying out trips to parts of South America at a time, instead of a grand tour, to give us time to plan it properly.

Was there this summer, if you like animals would strongly recommend to go to the pantanal, it is magical like the galapagos, but little out of the way.
Did not stop in sao paulo, only transited as all flights go through there, so can’t comment.
Iguazu is nice, argentina much bigger, can easily be done one day each, also to go through border best is line bus as they have a special immigration lane avoiding traffic jam!

Thanks for the tips, we were on a 3 week safari in September, so animals are not a priority on this trip, but we will still put all our options together, and finalise our plans, then go from there.

[Aston100]

Anyone have a positive opinion of flying in PE overnight to and/or from Kuala Lumpur on a 787?
13 hours non stop.

I don’t think the 787 has the latest PE seat does it?

Cash price is pretty decent for the dates I’m looking at in September 2025..

[NorthernLass]

I’ve done 11 hours GCM-LHR 3 times in PE. Didn’t sleep any worse than in CW so decided to save money and avios for daytime flights in higher cabins.

I would recommend booking a back row pair as you can recline whenever you want without worrying about disturbing the person behind you. Also you won’t have anyone grabbing the back of the seat when they get up to go to the loo. With the footrest extended I was quite comfortable, but I am rather short!

However, if travelling solo I would think twice about it as you will be VERY close to the stranger next to you!

I think I’ve been in both the old and new seats, the new ones were a bit better, I feel like the seat in front didn’t recline quite so near my face!

[Gordon]

Aston100 wrote:

Anyone have a positive opinion of flying in PE overnight to and/or from Kuala Lumpur on a 787?
13 hours non stop.

I don’t think the 787 has the latest PE seat does it?

Cash price is pretty decent for the dates I’m looking at in September 2025..

I’ve done a fair few in PE, on EVA, Thai & BA, longest was BKK return 11 hours out 13 hours back, got a few hours sleep, but nowhere near as if I was laying flat, I agree with the two pairs of seats either side at the back, we normally pick them. Apparently it’s the most profitable cabin by sq foot!

[MGW]

Really cannot believe that I cannot check in or select a seat again for the second trip running.
Last time it was the LHR to lud leg of my outbound EDI to LIS trip on an Avios booking.
This time it is the HKG to SYD leg of my EDI to SYD trip (in bis) trip. Stopped in HKG for 5 nights on the way out to catch UK with old friends and colleagues.
The HKG to SYD is on Qantas bit booked as a trip via BA.
BA app and website direct me to Qantas to check-in and the Qantas site and app direct me to BA.
Qantas claim that there is a schedule change (times were the same and I could spot no other differences) and I needed to get BA to reconfirm, which they did. Qantas site the aid I was checked in but I couldn’t select a seat or get a boarding card.
Qantas SM do not respond, spent a little while trying to get through on the phone (£50 worth) before wants cut me off. BA chat simply say that there is nothing they can do as it is kes than 24 hours to departure, of course it is that is when check-in opens.
Frankly I despair. It used to be easier travelling when we checked in at the airport and we’re allocated seats at that point!
I must not lose it at the airport tomorrow. I’ll be arriving early to try to sort this shit show out and enjoy Qantas’ lounge offering.

[Gordon]

@MGW – my original reply didn’t post?

My wife is flying to Paris lunchtime tomorrow, LHR T5, taking the granddaughters to Disney, she could not do either online and called CS this afternoon, and the agent said she cannot do anything on the system, so she will have to deal with this at the airport also, I guess there will be a lot of disgruntled passengers at the airport, this is far from satisfactory!

[Gordon]

MGW wrote:

Really cannot believe that I cannot check in or select a seat again for the second trip running.
Last time it was the LHR to lud leg of my outbound EDI to LIS trip on an Avios booking.
This time it is the HKG to SYD leg of my EDI to SYD trip (in bis) trip. Stopped in HKG for 5 nights on the way out to catch UK with old friends and colleagues.
The HKG to SYD is on Qantas bit booked as a trip via BA.
BA app and website direct me to Qantas to check-in and the Qantas site and app direct me to BA.
Qantas claim that there is a schedule change (times were the same and I could spot no other differences) and I needed to get BA to reconfirm, which they did. Qantas site the aid I was checked in but I couldn’t select a seat or get a boarding card.
Qantas SM do not respond, spent a little while trying to get through on the phone (£50 worth) before wants cut me off. BA chat simply say that there is nothing they can do as it is kes than 24 hours to departure, of course it is that is when check-in opens.
Frankly I despair. It used to be easier travelling when we checked in at the airport and we’re allocated seats at that point!
I must not lose it at the airport tomorrow. I’ll be arriving early to try to sort this shit show out and enjoy Qantas’ lounge offering.

My wife is flying to CDG tomorrow from LHR T5 taking the granddaughters to Disney, she could not do either, she called BA and the CS agent said she can’t do anything on the system, these issues are far from from satisfactory, she will be dealing with this at the airport tomorrow also, I guess there will be a long queue!

[TGLoyalty]

executiveclubber wrote:

NorthernLass wrote:

I may have to buy a bottle of something decent in T5 in a couple of weeks, in that case, and ask if the crew will chill it for me 🍾 😂

In my last flight in F, it was the same Lanson Noble. Lukewarm no less! I asked for champagne from Club instead. Great idea to bring your own bubbles 😂

Retails at about £170 a bottle and gets very good reviews. What’s the issue?

Lanson Black would be an upgrade on the stuff served in club

[MGW]

Gordon wrote:

@MGW – my original reply didn’t post?

My wife is flying to Paris lunchtime tomorrow, LHR T5, taking the granddaughters to Disney, she could not do either online and called CS this afternoon, and the agent said she cannot do anything on the system, so she will have to deal with this at the airport also, I guess there will be a lot of disgruntled passengers at the airport, this is far from satisfactory!

@Gordon in the nicest possible way I will take some small comfort from knowing that it is not just me. It must be hell travelling with young children and that uncertainty.
There does seem to be something systemically wrong with BA’s IT when even their own staff cannot make simple changes. That Qantas’ is as bad came as a surprise and their chat has not even responded in the 8 hours since is messaged them.
BA at least did. Not sure sending me the link to the ‘tell is how well we did’ survey was a great idea.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a smooth trip for your wife and daughters.

[qc]

@Gordon – a couple of suggestions of places to visit close to Rio are Buzios for the beach and the Portuguese colonial town of Paraty a UNESCO world heritage site.

[gordog01]

rams wrote:

BA login – get a weird error:
Sorry, we couldn’t log you in

anyone seen this before?

yes I get same error all day today

[Amy C]

@Gordon. I was there in May this year. Didn’t like Foz du Iguazu as a town, dreary place. However, the falls are possibly the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen and I’ve travelled very widely (and seen many falls). They are just spectacular. Stayed on both sides, two days on each. Had a fab driver who I received the details of from someone here and was excellent from the moment he picked me up from the airport until dropping me when I left. If you want his details do let me know. Enjoy planning your Brazil trip, I’ve a real soft spot for that country.

[Gordon]

qc wrote:

@Gordon – a couple of suggestions of places to visit close to Rio are Buzios for the beach and the Portuguese colonial town of Paraty a UNESCO world heritage site.

@qc – Thank you for the tip, appreciated.

[Gordon]

Amy C wrote:

@Gordon. I was there in May this year. Didn’t like Foz du Iguazu as a town, dreary place. However, the falls are possibly the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen and I’ve travelled very widely (and seen many falls). They are just spectacular. Stayed on both sides, two days on each. Had a fab driver who I received the details of from someone here and was excellent from the moment he picked me up from the airport until dropping me when I left. If you want his details do let me know. Enjoy planning your Brazil trip, I’ve a real soft spot for that country.

@Amy C – yes the falls do look spectacular, looking forward to the experience, I have looked at hotels in the area, and from what I was seeing, nothing really stands out, as you say dreary, I’m surprised there are not any mainstream hotel chains in the vicinity, given how popular the falls are! But I guess people only visit for a few days at most just to see them.

Yes I would very much appreciate it if you could forward the drivers details, it’s always good to have a recommendation, when you are in a foreign country, may I ask, did you use his services throughout the trip! Or did you just contact him if you needed a transfer here and there.

[Gordon]

MGW wrote:

Gordon wrote:

@MGW – my original reply didn’t post?

My wife is flying to Paris lunchtime tomorrow, LHR T5, taking the granddaughters to Disney, she could not do either online and called CS this afternoon, and the agent said she cannot do anything on the system, so she will have to deal with this at the airport also, I guess there will be a lot of disgruntled passengers at the airport, this is far from satisfactory!

@Gordon in the nicest possible way I will take some small comfort from knowing that it is not just me. It must be hell travelling with young children and that uncertainty.
There does seem to be something systemically wrong with BA’s IT when even their own staff cannot make simple changes. That Qantas’ is as bad came as a surprise and their chat has not even responded in the 8 hours since is messaged them.
BA at least did. Not sure sending me the link to the ‘tell is how well we did’ survey was a great idea.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a smooth trip for your wife and daughters.

@MGW – Thank you for your kind wishes, as I’ve mentioned a few times, my wife is not the best of flyers, but she seems to be quite resilient when she has the granddaughters in tow. I am remotely monitoring things the best I can,
I hope all goes well for you, at the airport this morning.

[AJA]

qc wrote:

@Gordon – a couple of suggestions of places to visit close to Rio are Buzios for the beach and the Portuguese colonial town of Paraty a UNESCO world heritage site.

Paraty is wonderful. The only downside about Paraty is that close to Rio is a relative term. It is a 4 hour journey by road.

I stayed at Pousada Literaria which was superb. One of the nicest hotel stays I’ve ever had. They couldn’t do enough for us including allowing us to go for a swim at midnight in their heated outdoor pool. They simply asked how many people and then left the required number of towels on one of the loungers. And they’d serve a wonderful breakfast at any time. BA could learn a thing or two from them in terms of what a brunch is. An oasis of calm right in the middle of the town. Wasn’t cheap by Paraty standards (1700 BRZ per night incl breakfast) but delightful.

[Nico]

One last thing on Rio, try to fly to/from SDU, it is basically in the middle of the city, we stayed there at the prodigy hotel (4* and reasonably priced), with amazing views on the sugar loaf and planes landing with it in the background.

[qc]

AJA wrote:

qc wrote:

@Gordon – a couple of suggestions of places to visit close to Rio are Buzios for the beach and the Portuguese colonial town of Paraty a UNESCO world heritage site.

Paraty is wonderful. The only downside about Paraty is that close to Rio is a relative term. It is a 4 hour journey by road.

I stayed at Pousada Literaria which was superb. One of the nicest hotel stays I’ve ever had. They couldn’t do enough for us including allowing us to go for a swim at midnight in their heated outdoor pool. They simply asked how many people and then left the required number of towels on one of the loungers. And they’d serve a wonderful breakfast at any time. BA could learn a thing or two from them in terms of what a brunch is. An oasis of calm right in the middle of the town. Wasn’t cheap by Paraty standards (1700 BRZ per night incl breakfast) but delightful.

Yes the Pousada Literaria is wonderful – we have stayed there twice. The worst thing about the drive to Paraty are all the speed cameras every couple of miles. We once stayed in Angra de Reis on the way. From Paraty we drove to São Paulo.