2024 Tuesday Aug 20

Travel to Zurich via Washington’s Dulles Airport

It’s Richard’s birthday! We were up early and headed to Roanoke Airport with plenty of time to check luggage and clear the TSA check. In fact, we beat the United employees to work, so some wait time was in order.

There is no Relive video for today.

Roanoke to Washington Dulles was a United small plane with many business travelers. Richard was surprised when the flight attendant announced that a very important person was traveling on his birthday. When we deplaned, she again wished him happy birthday and gave him a snack box with hummus no less!
IAD still uses these white people-movers in some locations. We remembered riding one 50 years ago with Ronald Reagan.
United Airline’s Polaris Lounge at IAD allows international business class travelers to relax. With a five-hour layover and an early morning, we were ready to do just that.
The first stop was lunch in the lounge dining room. We were the first ones in very close to noon. They prepare appetizers, entrees, and dessert if you want it, all gratis to lounge patrons. Portions are smaller but adequate, and the food is a far cry from what you would get elsewhere in the airport. We had scallops, salad, chicken, and salmon.

Our flight to Zurich was delayed slightly and had numerous problems (is there a doctor on board?) causing service to be a bit slow. No problems for us—we had dinner and then had a couple of hours rest before waking up early for arrival before 8 am in Zurich.

5 Responses

  1. Happy Birthday Richard! So cool that the flight attendant helped him celebrate – and even knew what he likes for lunch!
    Happy to hear you are now in Zurich and I look forward to traveling with you via your fantastic photos! Have a wonderful time.
    P.S. Just have to add that I treated myself to breakfast at C&S this morning, and in walks Lani! With her sister! So surprised to see her there. I didn’t even know she had a sister.

    1. How fun that you run into more folks at C&S!
      We’ve moved on to Lucerne now and will be posting Zurich pictures today. The weather has been wonderful and sunny so far. Lots to see and do!

  2. Happy Birthday brother!!! Glad you are on your way. I’m busy navigating Alaska. Very rainy! No northern lights yet

  3. Happy belated birthday to Richard! How nice of the flight attendant to wish him and give him hummus 🙂 Here’s to many more!