First Class on British Airways

Spoilt. First Class on British Airways, after years of collecting I finally indulged by using my frequent flyer points to upgrade and experience what its like to travel in upper class. Here I am with champagne in hand, warm nuts, pillow placed behinds my head, 30000 feet on a 747 jet to London from Moscow.

It's just a 3 hour 30 minute flight but at least a chance I can indulge in this captive  time in the air. Its not everyday one gets these sort if pleasures. My seat is reclined, a double aspect window, semi-private seat to stretch in. Big screen with video on demand. Powering my mobile while I write this. Take off your shoes and and stretch.

The dinner service starts with caviar with blinis and Russian Standard Imperial vodka, followed by my choice of seared Scottish king scallop with broad bean puree and crispy porchetta from the menu. The main dish a roasted Herefordshire fillet of beef and braised beef pie with artichoke barigoule (slow roasted and topped with bacon and vegetables) and crispy Iberico ham, a delicous glass of wine, and finally ending with a sweet desert. At this altitude, I'm as near to heaven as can be while alive.

The tiny first class bathroom is clean and sparkling, with full length mirror to make sure you look perfect when you arrive. In first you get dedicated magazines not seen behind the curtain. Even the inflight duty free has more options, and of course, higher price tags too.

A short flight it was, but very comfortable and excellent taste of first class onboard British Airways. Definitely a mile-high experience.

Riding the Moscow Metro

Possibly the grandest interiors of any public transport system in the world! With over 9 million passengers per day it is busier than New York City  and London combined.

Lit with chandeliers from end to end, lined with marble and decorate reliefs, one can't help but be impressed by its grand and opulent interior, a posh transport underground for the masses.

There are no English signs inside so have your itinerary ready beforehand or learn to read Cyrillic, use a Russian-English plan while you moving inside a Metro train (an English only plan are of no help). It's important to know that colours in the underground's signs don't necessarily correspond to the ones on the maps, it's less confusing to refer to the numbers, e.g. line 3 is line 3 whatever color is on the sign.

The Moscow Metro is relatively cheap, a single trip  costs just 26 RUB (as of 2012). Tickets are sold at manned booths within the stations or ticket vending machines. Buy a multi-trip card for 5, 10, 20 or 60 trips (10 at 200 RUB) which is valid for 45 days.

The most interesting stations in terms of decor are Komsomolskaya and Novoslobodskaya on the ring line, Kropotkinskaya on the red line, and Mayakovskaya on the green line. The last one is also one of the deepest; this allowed it to be used as a makeshift assembly hall for a Party meeting marking the anniversary of the Revolution during the Nazi bombardments in the winter of 1941.

I must admit I was intimidated to enter, the number of people moving along quickly, the lack of signs recognizable due to different characters on signs (not English, or Latin alphabet), but somehow I managed, slowly. Inside there is a high presence of security, but in crowded places like this its best to keep an eye on things, but it is the interiors which will most likely distract you from looking where your going.

Russian-English Metro Map

Links:
Moscow Metro
Moscow Metro Russian/English Map

Garden Ring Hotel - Moscow - Russia

An elegant hotel just 2km from Red Square and the Kremlin and only steps away from the Moscow Metro. Great sized rooms, a bed that really delivers a great night sleep, 5 star breakfasts with plenty of options (if you don't see what you like, they make it for you), and superior service.

The Garden Ring Hotel also offers a spa and pool. Finnish and herbal saunas, hammam and shower of experiences, salt aroma-steam and a swimming pool are excellent and a great way to unwind after a long day walking around what really is a large city to explore.

The location is ideal for business travellers and tourists, with an excellent Metro and Underground system, getting around is fast and efficient.

Possibly one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.

Check Prices and Reviews:
Garden Ring Hotel - Moscow
Garden Ring Hotel - Search hotels and read reviews at Tripadvisor
Garden Ring Hotel - Venere.com

Fastest trains in Russia

Sapsan, the fastest trains in Russia, travelling at up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and a total length of 250 metres (820 ft) for each ten-car train, connecting St Petersburg and Moscow in just over 3.5 hours.

Known as the "Peregrine Falcon" in Russian (Сапсан), the train is part of the Siemens Valero family of trains, and can carry up to 600 passengers.

Sapsan set records for the fastest train in Russia on 7 May 2009, travelling at 290 km/hour (180 mph), but the High-Speed line was built for speeds up to 330 km/h (205 mph).

The ride is smooth, seats comfortable and spacious. Depending on the class of travel, you may be offered a meal and some drinks. I traveled in first (a personal treat), though on observation seats in business and economy are both of equal quality, and there is a snack bar and catering for purchase on-board.

My 6:45am train from Saint Petersburg arrived in  Moscow  on time at 10:40am, I barely noticed we were flying on the ground. For such a short journey, save yourself some rubles and don't travel in first, splurge instead on a nice hotel.

First for Moscow - Goodbye BMI - Welcome to Oneworld - Wifi Onboard - Dreamliner in Economy

British Airways is the first airline to offer a first-class service between the UK and Moscow, a flight that takes just four hours. I'll get the chance to experience it personally on a return fight in July thanks to my collection of Avios (Airmiles) - a first for me too!

The takeover of BMI is now completed and approved by the European Commission, acquired by IAG (International Airlines Group), parent company of British Airways and Iberia. This means the group will gain 42 slots at London Heathrow, 14 of which will become routes to Scottish destinations and 2 slots leased to Transaero for flights to Moscow.

Oneworld alliance has a new member airline, AirBerlin. This ahead of the opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt airport on June 3, 2012. The first two flights to simultaneously take off from the parallel runways on June 3rd are AirBerlin and Lufthansa, and will also mark the closing of Berlin Schonefeld and Tegel airports. The new airport has a six track rail station under the terminal building operating an Airport Express to the city centre. Just makes you want to return to the buzzing city of Berlin.

Thai Airways is set to take delivery of six superjumbo A380 aircraft, equipped with On Air's in-flight connectivity services and wifi. It's a long haul to Bangkok and ability to text or email will be a great way to stay connected on route, but how much will it cost?

The new B787 Dreamliner may offer more space in economy, but it all depends on who you fly with. Japan's ANA (All Nippin Airways) will be your best option offering a configuration of 2-4-2 (eight across). A competitive airline industry and a way to keep prices down, Qatar Airlines managed to change the configuration to 3-3-3 (nine across) which will add 120 more economy passengers than ANA airlines, which means other airlines are sure to follow, not great for passengers but good for keeping airlines profitable.

More news to follow, visit Joe Journeys to discover the latest destinations and arrivals.