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Our Main Vacation was taken in Western America (USA and Canada) in 1999. The full details can be found on our hoilday web site in the Pacific 1999 Section. The highlight of the trip was being upgraded on a trip to Vancouver in October 1999 to Executive First with Air Canada on one of their Airbus A340 (C-FTNP). |
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2 October 1999
Glasgow (GLA) to Vancouver (YVR), via London Heathrow (LHR) |
Our booked itinery was:-
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Glasgow
Manchester Toronto (T2) |
depart
arrive depart arrive |
09:40 (BST)
10:47 (BST) 11:55 (BST) 14:30 (ET) |
AC842 (Super Comfort Class)
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Toronto (T2)
| Vancouver
depart
| arrive
17:00 (ET)
| 18:50 (PT)
AC115 (Hospitality Class)
| |
Air Canada and British Midland had intended to put us on BD003 from Glasgow to Heathrow, but by the time we arrive at the airport, BD003 was already full. This gave our revised routing to Vancouver as:-
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Glasgow
London Heathrow (T1) |
depart
arrive |
10:30 (BST)
11:45 (BST) |
BA1479 (Super Shuttle)
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London Heathrow (T3)
| Vancouver
depart
| arrive
13:30 (BST)
| 15:20 (PT)
AC897 (Executive First)
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The incoming British Airways B757-236 - G-BIKC - that was to take us to London Heathrow arrived on stand at 09:42. The incoming Air Canada B767-233 from Toronto to Glasgow, that should have been taking us to Toronto, landed at 09:45. Boarding for BA1479 started at 10:15 through gate 19, with the G-BIKC being pushed-back at 10:36, taking off on Runway 23 at 10:45. The Air Canada flight - AC842 - was two aircraft back in the queue.
After circling once over Hemel Hempstead, G-BIKC landed at London Heathrow on Runway 26R. Leaving the BA B757 at 11:50 and following the flight connections signs, we made our way to Terminal 3. After a quick browse round the Duty Free, boarding of the Air Canada Airbus 340-313 - C-FTNP - at Gate 29 began at 13:00. Travelling in Executive First, drinks were served as we boarded. Pushback was at 13:55, and we made our way to runway 26L. Heathrow was busy as always, and eventually AC897 left the ground at 14:20.
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In the air, service was excellent. twenty minutes after take-off, menus were distributed, and we reset our watches to Pacific Time (PT). At 15:15 (BST); 07:15 (PT) we overflew Glasgow heading for Iceland. By 12:55 (PT) Stewart had watched Notting Hill twice, but was not able to get to grips with Tea with Mussolini, so went for a walk round the plane to stretch his legs. Later on fresh cookies and ice cream were served. After another viewing of Notting Hill, Stewart visited the flight deck. It is odd to see a flight deck without the expected control column. A joystick to the side is used to steering the aircraft. |
At 15:45 - C-FTNP - landed at Vancouver Airport on runway 26R. Clearance of immigration and customs was very efficient, and by 16:45 we were waiting for the transfer bus to our overnight accomadation.
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3 October 1999
Vancouver (YVR) to Portland (PDX) |
The flight schedule for today was:-
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Vancouver, B.C.
Portland, OR |
depart
arrive |
11:15 (PT)
12:30 (PT) | QX2109 |
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To serve our community by building outstanding airports for the 21st century Thank you. This fee is being used to pay for the cost of our recently constructed terminal and runway. Merci. Ce paiement sert à couvir le coût de notre nouvel aérogare et de notre nouvelle piste. |
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Take off was at 11:15 on Runway 26L from YVR, in De Havilland DHC-8-202 (Dash 8) - N374PH. 70 minutes later QX2109 landed on Runway 28L at Portland, OR.
Within 35 minutes, we had collected our bags, completed the formalities with Avis, and were on our way the the freeway, and Interstate-5 south. |
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9 October 1999
Portland (PDX) to Vancouver (YVR) |
We arrived at Portland International Airport at 14:00 where we deposited the car with Avis and checked-in for our flight to Vancouver. As with the southbound filght we used Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines. At 15:35 the incoming flight from Seattle arrived at Gate A1. Boarding of AS2018 commenced at 15:45. Another Horizon Air De Havilland DHC-8-202 (Dash-8) - N365PH - was provided for this flight. At 15:55 two passenger decided to get off since their travelling companions had not boarded! Pushback was at 16:05, take-off on runway 28L at 16:09. Although we were on the east side of the plane, there was too much cloud to see Mount St Helen's.
We landed on runway 26R at Vancouver International Airport at 17:07. Three minutes later we were on stand. The previous Saturday, on arrival from the UK it had taken 60 minutes from landing to getting outside the airport. This time it took just over 20 minutes. We elected to hire a stretch limo to downtown Vancouver. At C$32, it was only C$5 more than a taxi, and far more comfortable.
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15 October 1999
Calgary (YYC) to Glasgow (GLA), via Toronto (YYZ) |
Our booked itinery to Glasgow was:-
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Banff
Calgary |
depart
arrive |
08:30 (MT)
10:30 (MT) |
Bus with
Brewster Airport Service
|
Calgary
| Toronto (T2)
depart
| arrive
15:00 (MT)
| 20:40 (ET)
AC110 (Hospitality Class)
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Toronto (T2)
| Glasgow
depart
| arrive
21:30 (ET)
| 09:10 (BST)
AC842 (Super Comfort Class)
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The bus transfer was as expected. We arrived at Calgary Airport at 10:20, and checked in quite quickly. We were fortunate in being able to change our flight to Toronto, giving us a shorter wait at Calgary and a bit more time at Toronto. The
Air Canada
check-in agent was very helpful and changed our booking while we waited.
|
Calgary
Toronto (T2) |
depart
arrive |
12:15 (MT)
17:30 (ET) | AC120 (Hospitality Class) |
Our cases were checked through to Glasgow, and we received our Boarding Passes for both the Calgary/Toronto and the Toronto/Glasgow legs.
Air Canada
had scheduled a B767-233 for AC120. At 11:10 B767 C-GAUU arrived at Gate A14 from its previous duty. Boarding for AC120 commenced at 11:45. With pushback at 12:01, take-off was at 12:24 on Runway 34.
The approach to Toronto took us over east over the city before landing in a westerly direction on runway 24L at 17:26(ET) and arriving at gate 78 at 17:31. Having been re-routed on the way to Vancouver, this was the only sight we had of Toronto. We made our way across Terminal 2 to the the International Departure lounge to await our flight.
Refurbishment work was in progress in the International Departure lounge of Terminal 2 which meant had closed the restaurant, only the snack bar was open. Given the number of passengers who pass through during the evening and the number who were looking for refreshments, the proprietors were not very helpful, providing a very limited stock. Hopefully, by the time you read this the work will have been completed.
Another B767-233 - C-GAUY - was provided for flight AC842 to Glasgow, arriving on gate 104 from its previous duty at 20:35. As with our previous flight from Toronto to Glasgow in October 1998, we had booked Super Comfort class which the Executive Class (Club) seating at the front of the B767-233. This flight gave us a total of five different airports and our third different class of travel with Air Canada in three flights (London to Vancouver, Calgary to Toronto and Toronto to Glasgow).
Boarding commenced at 21:15, with push-back at 21:40. After making our way out to runway 24L, take-off was at 21:57. After take-off, the aircraft turned left over Lake Ontario, giving spectacular night views of the Toronto harbour, including the CN Tower and Skydome.
At 03:45 (BST) a hot meal arrived, a very nice beef dish. Whilst eating, looking out of the window (towards the North), the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) were clearly visible.
Dawn was observed at around 07:55 (BST), and was accompanied by breakfast. As the Scottish coast was sighted, at 08:50, the aircraft was approaching Glasgow Airport, landing on Runway 05 at 09:03. Five minutes later the engines were shut down at Gate 29.
