British Airways To Vancouver

[dartagnon]

Due to fly from Heathrow to Vancouver with British Airways in July and a work colleague assures me that they operate a complimentary service regarding food and drinks. Is he at the wind up?

[dzug2]

No - BA have a very good food/drinks service on long haul flights, including in economy, all included in the fare

[grasscarp]

Definitely complimentary. I have flown this sector en route to Seattle.

[dartagnon]

Thanks for that.
Grass.. you might be able to give me some advice please.
It's actually my son who is going to Vancouver as part of his medical studies and he's then going to Seattle for a week as a tourist. Is there anything he should know or be aware of while in ether of these two cities?
Any pieces of advice from other AB'ers would be appreciated

[jno]

er... it rains all the time?

Well not all the time, I think you get Tuesdays off. But a brolly might be an idea.

Scheduled airlines generally provide free food and drink on lang-haul flights.

[Chipchopper]

I've don that trip a few times and they keep you well fed and watered,so don't miss out by falling asleep!

[237SJ]

Nothing to be aware of that I can think. Both cities are nice. I particularly like Seattle. Pike Street Market`s a "must" if he gets the time and a ferry trip to Bainbridge Island is nice. There`s a nice harbourside pub there for lunch or you can hire bikes and cycle around (you need a credit card - they won`t take cash). In both Vancouver and Seattle you can take a seaplane ride.

[grasscarp]

Seattle is great for tourism. I recommend the space needle - good views. Take ferry out into Puget Sound - inexpensive and lovely trip. The fishermans wharf Market where the traders chuck the fish to one another. I heard that Seattle is the town in America where most Americans would like to live. I have no hesitation in recommending it for a visit. I have been there twice on business. My aunt used to live in Vancouver. Canada is a great country though I only have second hand knowledge.

[dartagnon]

Thanks everyone for the heads up. As he's a poor student his mum arranged all his flights and accommodation and she's booked him into the Travel Lodge at the base of the Space needle in Seattle, so he should be okay for sightseeing.
Once again thanks to everyone for the advice.

[spudqueen]

If he's going to Seattle USA then he will need to complete an ESTA http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/esta.html

[dartagnon]

Hi Spudqueen - I asked my son about this and he assures me that this ESTA form is only required if you enter America either by plane or ship and he doesn't need one as it's only a 45 minute bus journey across the border from Vancouver to Seattle. I hope he's right.
Does any one know if my son is correct?

[237SJ]

Yes, he`ll just have to fill out a paper form at the border. I`ve thought of another couple of things for Seattle - there is a great creperie by the fish market. If he`s out and about in the city and wants a cheap lunch, there is a really good food court in the Westlake shopping mall. You can bring back fish from the market to the UK (I checked with customs although it`s only 1K in weight).