To Auckland NZ via LAX

In LAX now. Have to skip AA $1000 voucher offer to give up my spot since I am scheduled to meet friends in Auckland New Zealand on 3/5 morning. If sign up the offer, AA will ship me via Sydney and arrives 3/5 7 pm. Lol

I was offered $500 voucher at DCA due to overflow passengers from yesterday high wind, but I didn't take it. I was scared by AA that NZ now requires visa from US citizens without outbound flight tickets!!!! I resolved the issue with a ticket agent. Hope no problem at AKL. 

AA just increased the offer to $1300 plus hotel. Poor management of AA, 1st downsized to a smaller plane then waited for volunteers to give their spots for the vouchers. Save AA $ but wasted passages 1.5 hrs. However, AA fed me pretty well during the international flight, one chicken curry rice dinner, one scrambled egg breakfast, various snacks, 2 bailey's Irish cream, and one rum. Also 100+ of movies to selected from, but I ended up watching trailers most of time, and might have committed to 3 movies during the 13 hrs flight from LAX to AKL. I cannot complain the flights I paid $32 airport tax with 40000 frequent flyer miles. 

As you can see, I have only one 40 liter mid size backpack fitting in flight cabinet and a small bag fitting under flight seat and they weight total 7.5 kg (including a 1 kg sleeping bag), for my 3-month trip. 

I took good shots of DC and LA from my window seat. BTW, It took only 90 minutes via metro bus and trains from Reston to DCA airport.










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