Bonus: it wasn’t raining to speak of.
We had time to enjoy Cappuccinos in the SEA C Gates Alaska Lounge, reminding ourselves that in that lounge it was machine-made rather than made from scratch by a barista. Still not bad.
We each used one of our Alaska upgrades to fly SEA-PHL in first, and enjoyed pancakes (Kathy) and Shakshuka (Brian) for breakfast.
It was a pleasant 4 1/2 hour flight. The internet was out of order, but we could still access movies and TV shows.
PHL on only our second landing there has a dismal reputation but proved to be a pleasant surprise. First, our plane taxied to the gate in record time. Second, the jet bridge attached quickly and the door was opened promptly.
We had booked a night at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia Airport-Stadium Area. When we called the front desk for a shuttle, they sent us a message containing access to an app much like what Uber and Lyft offer. That’s a first for us and we hope more hotels utilize it.
We were whisked to the hotel and quickly checked in. Our credit card IHG Platinum status got us a 2 pm checkout. The hotel is somewhat circular and our 14th-floor room had plenty of room.
We dined on large and reasonably priced hamburgers washed down with Blue Margaritas in the deserted hotel restaurant. Our charming server, Heidi, told us the recipe included tequila, curaçao, and triple sec, totaling four ounces! We slept well.
This morning we went for a short walk down the somewhat dismal Penrose Avenue before retreating to the Holiday Inn.
We checked out just before 2pm, and found the PHL International Terminal (A) to be virtually deserted on a Sunday afternoon.
The signage is poor but we eventually found an AA Admirals Club to drop by.
The superior British Airways Lounge is adjacent to gate 14, where BA 66 boards at 6pm. It opens at 3:15 and we spent a pleasant couple of hours there before boarding our flight.
Warning: one unlabeled dressing contains blue cheese, to which Kathy is violently allergic. Fortunately she discovered it in time.
The wine selection included some Washington State vintages for a touch of home.
Our next stop is an early morning plane change at LHR and an ongoing flight to PRG (Prague).
Our Prague transfer service driver, David, has already advised us that Czechia (Czech Republic) immigration can be a slow procedure, and asked us to text him when we’re through that process. We’ll take it as it comes.
We already have our UK ETAs. The EU ETA will supposedly become a requirement “sometime” in 2025, but not yet, despite official confusion, or maybe it’s the wording.
We’re finally on board!
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