Adventures of Heathrow

This week was my first trip out of the UK for the summer, and I will just say it wasn’t easy! My family and I were going to Toronto for a Wedding but also wanted to make a holiday out of the trip. 

With everything happening with Heathrow and airlines, flights have been delayed and cancelled for many people over the past couple month. And unfortunately I was naive thinking it wouldn’t affect me…but it did. 

Round one: 

My flight to Toronto was around at 5pm which meant we had plenty of time as we arrived at the airport around 1pm. I managed to get up reasonably well and get in a workout, and pack all before the taxi came to pick us up. 

When we got to Heathrow it was still pretty empty so we thought it would be a breeze getting through check in and baggage. However, as soon as our checkout desk number was presented in the board it became a little bit busier. After waiting in line for a little bit over 45 minutes we made the front of the queue but we came into a bit of a pickle when our passports were scanned in.

My brother and mother were checked in but my visa wasn’t coming through! We waited over an hour calling through to the Canadian embassy and checking whether I could even make the flight but there was no good news. Time was ticking so my family made the decision to go through without me and I would stay behind and wait until my visa would be valid for the flight. 

6 hours went past, still waiting at the same check in desk but there was not much anyone could do from our end thus the best option was to send me home and put me on the waiting list for the next flight.

With all my luggage and a cloud over my head I made my way back home via tube. I got home, and reapplied for a visa and my CANarrive pass, just hoping it would work tomorrow. 

Second round: 

The next day I got up early and printed off all my new document but with very little confidence because I would make the flight as I had heard no other news since the past day. 

I headed off with my luggage for the second time and popped back on the tube to make it hours before the next flight.

As I arrived in Heathrow I had butterflies in my stomach as I walked over to the check in desks. As I waited in line I could see the time of tick past and my chances of making it to my family become slimmer. As I made it to the front, the crew was so helpful and got me a ticket to enter security and duty free. Only catch is I could only take my suitcase if I put it in as hand luggage. My bag was small enough luckily but not my products which meant I had to throw away all my liquids before getting past security.

 Phew… first stage complete!

Got through security with no problems. And entered duty free with hours of time to spare. First stop was Starbucks for a large iced coffee. Then I walked around going through the shops trying to distract myself from the worry of making the flight. Quick stop for some new products and a buy in JD for a new bikini. 

At 11:30 I was getting nervous so waited in the customer service queue to check my status. No new news. Next stop was to collect my lunch for the flight- sushi of course! 

Back in the queue again at 12pm and after a long wait I made it- I got a ticket! There I was at the gate, relieved and happy to have a ticket after 24 hours of chaos. 

The rest of the trip was a breeze compared to the journey to getting on the plane. I tucked away my bag under my chair with all my new purchases from duty free and sat back to enjoy 7 hours of movies. Little did I know it wasn’t that easy- with a 2 hour delay. 

After the delay, the plane took off and 7.5 hours later I reached Toronto! All together it was an adventure that I won’t forget for a while. Comment below if you have had any crazy holiday stories so far this summer. 

Love, 

Aria 

XO