Landing in London on Christmas evening aboard British Airways’ A380 set the stage for what would be a week of contrasts in one of the world’s most historic cities. Having experienced both the A380 and returning on the 787 (which I’m typing from now), I can definitively say the 787 offers a superior Business Class experience. Best part? The entire Business Class journey was booked using points – you can read about how I managed this in my detailed article here: How I Scored a [normally] $7,000 Business Class Ticket for FREE Using Points ✈️💺💸. Pro tip: The $40 inflight internet on both legs proved reasonable for staying connected across the pond.
The Historic Highlights
While London’s Christmas displays might not compete with some global destinations, the city’s true magic lies in its history. The Tower of London stands as a must-visit, offering an intimate glimpse into Britain’s past. Kensington Palace provides a more personal royal experience, though like many historic sites, photo restrictions in certain areas might frustrate the modern digital documentarian.
A word on Windsor Castle: While historically significant, the long drive and museum-like atmosphere might not justify the journey for time-constrained visitors. The strict no-photo policy is particularly disappointing, and the overall experience feels too curated and museum-like. While the castle holds undeniable historical importance, the experience left me with a “meh” impression – nothing particularly mindblowing for the effort required to visit.
Transportation: A Mixed Bag
London’s infrastructure presents some unique challenges for the tech-savvy traveler. The Tube’s payment system requires fares both entering and exiting – a departure from many global systems. More notably, London’s road infrastructure struggles to handle modern traffic volumes, leading to significant delays. Word of caution: Skip the bus tours for this reason.
Ride-sharing comes with its own quirks – Heathrow charges Uber drivers for pickups, adding to transportation costs. Another peculiarity: the notable absence of trash cans in the Tube stations, which feels strangely inconvenient for such a major transit system.
Entertainment & Dining
The unexpected highlight of the trip? “Back to the Future” at the Adelphi Theatre. The production showcases some of the most impressive special effects in modern theater. While the soundtrack might not stick with you, the technical execution absolutely will.
Dining proved hit-or-miss. Surprisingly, our best meal came from a fast-food burger joint on the first night. We also tried the famous Savoy Grill, but found the food extremely lacking for the price point – I’d recommend skipping it and saving your money. While the Savoy Hotel itself is worth visiting for its historic ambiance, the grill’s offerings were disappointing. This continues my underwhelming experiences with Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, none of which have lived up to the hype. The British approach to portions provides an interesting cultural contrast – case in point: McDonald’s “large” soda weighs in at 16oz compared to America’s 32oz offering.
Tech Infrastructure
For the tech-conscious traveler, London presents some interesting contrasts to major US cities:
- Payment systems are generally contactless and efficient – which is helpful
- Mobile connectivity significantly lags behind US standards, with even a local Data SIM delivering notably slower speeds than typical US 5G service – and compared to other European Countries.
- Airport security procedures (particularly at Terminal 5) feel needlessly complex – did not see a Fast Track lane
- While not tech, the bathrooms were clean everywhere, which was amazing compared to the USA and some other EU countries.
Worth The Trip?
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, history buff, or somewhere in between, London is definitely worth visiting at least once. While it’s not a destination that leaves me immediately planning to return, it offers enough unique experiences to justify the journey – just perhaps not everything you might expect from a leading global city.
Pro Tips:
- Consider Business Class for long-haul comfort – the 787 particularly shines
- Skip the bus tours and opt for targeted historical site visits
- Don’t miss West End shows – the production value rivals Broadway
- Set realistic expectations for food portions and service standards – service was great – food was good at the places you least expect
- Pack for cold, damp weather that can limit spontaneous exploration
