//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: The flight to London 
// Story: A Summer Trip to London 
// by Hourglass 
//------------------------------//

Finally the layover was over. It was 1:30 PM in the afternoon in New York and the whole group was now rushing to Gate 7 A in Terminal 4, they were all now getting excited for finally taking off for London. The gate was opening to let the passengers that had just come from the trip before off the plane.

"I wonder what kind of plane this is? Its really big." Fluttershy gasped as she saw the very big jetliner outside on the tarmac.

"Go ahead and ask Micro Chips," Twilight advised. "I think he knows more about these things than I do."

Fluttershy walked up to the ultra-geeky nerd of a boy and asked the question. "Micro, what kind of plane is that which we are about to get on?"

Micro Chips as you may have guessed started a complete report about the specific type of plane that they were getting on. "Of course Fluttershy. Let me use my cerebral and neurotic intelligence to explain; The Boeing 747 is a jet airliner. It is made by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Boeing 747 has more than one aisle, which means it is a wide-body aircraft. The 400 passenger version can accommodate 416 passengers in a typical three-class layout, 524 passengers in a typical two-class layout, or 660 passengers in a high density one-class configuration. The newest version of the aircraft, the 747-8, is in production and received certification in 2011. The one we shall be traveling in is a three-class layout. I've checked the tickets and we are all going to be flying in second class." 

Fluttershy's mouth was wide open, she was surprised to know how much Micro Chips knew about the plane. She told about the information to twilight. "I told you that he knows about a lot of things." She sighed.

"BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHT 5678 TO LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT WILL BOARD AT THIS TIME. ALL PASSENGERS SHOULD REPORT TO GATE 7 A AT THIS TIME." The airport announcement echoed through the whole terminal.

"Here we go everyone, on to the plane to London. Can't wait ta see what it's like out there." Applejack spoke as she boarded. They all walked down the long tunnel bridge to the plane, once on board they all made it to their assigned seats.

"I finally get to have my window seat for this part of the trip!" Snails exclaimed happily as he sat down. "THIS IS GONNA BE AWESOME!"

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both liked the new seating arrangement. "We get to sit next to the snack bar Tiara, isn't that great?" Silver Spoon remarked.

"We can order vanilla ice cream to eat during the flight," Diamond Tiara chuckled. "What a jackpot."

The three boys all settled down in there seats for the flight, it was going to be a long trip ahead of them. "I won't be sleeping at this moment in time, I want to see the great Atlantic Ocean when we soar above it at 30'000 feet." Micro Chips exclaimed.

"I am going to listen to some rock music over my mp3 player, it will help me relax and think about where we are going." Flash Sentry yawned as he got it out of his pocket.

"I just hope that I will be able to be more connected with nature when I see the ocean below us, rad isn't it dudes?" Sandalwood stated.

The Mane 7 all sat down and went about their own activities. "I do hope that once we get there I will be able to read some Sherlock Holmes." Twilight perked up.

"I just wanna spend time with y'all once we get there, and try some British food too." Applejack said.

"Tourist attractions and fun stuff is on me when we get there. We be like 'THIS IS SO EXCITING!'." Pinkie Pie rollicked.

"Wembly Stadium soccer is on me, I can't wait to see Arsenal beat West Ham United! It's gonna be so awesome!" Rainbow Dash yelled in epicness.

"As for me, I would love to see the animals in Regents Park, the London zoo, and the Sea Life Aquarium." Fluttershy whispered."

"I just want to see some fashion trends in the West End as well as visiting Madame Tussands. It will be a capital experience." Rarity chirped.

"But as for me. Just being there with all of you will be great." Sunset spoke as she put her arms on the shoulders of Twilight and Applejack who were sitting on either side of her.

It was 2:25 PM and the plane now left the airport behind. It taxied out to the runway and became very swift in movement, it took off into the air with a roar of the jet engines. Outside the windows as the plane was ascending the whole group could see the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the distance before they disappeared behind the clouds as the plane made its ascent to 30'000 feet. Before long they could see the Atlantic Ocean below them sprawling out all around.

at 3:50 PM New York time, Snips and Snails decided to go and buy some goldfish from the snack bar. "They should be selling it here." Snips reasoned.

"And sprite as well as cheez-its should be here too." Snails retorted. 

They both saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon ordering four vanilla ice creams (two for each of them). "Are you sure that you will eat both of those?" Snails asked.

"We have ordered what we have ordered Snails. We will eat it both at different times." Diamond Tiara grunted when Snails asked. Snips handed the person behind the counter some money and asked for cheez-its, sprite, and goldfish. 

"See you when we get back." Silver Spoon waved as Snips and Snails headed back to their seats.

At 7:45 New York time the plane started to go into a descending motion. It was dark outside the airplane as the sun slipped below the horizon, the stars came out to brighten the night. "I do so love the night." Vice Principal Luna sighed as she gazed out the window. The plane continued eastward as it began to slowly go down below the clouds as its decent continued. After flying through the clouds for an hour the clouds went away as the plane went below them, a huge network of city lights could be seen below them as the plane kept descending.

The Captain came on over the PA system. "Ladies and Gentlemen, in just 13 minutes we will be landing at London Heathrow International. We all hope that you have enjoyed flying with us and that you will all come back soon with us again. We will be parking at Terminal 3 when we stop, it is the International Flight Terminal for flights that come from different nations. Once you have left the plane, please go directly to the Foreign Transfer and Customs center to be cleared for entrance to England. Once you've done that you may proceed to retrieve your luggage, and you may then make your way into London. Thank you for flying with us and welcome to London."

The plane finally reached the terminal gate at 10:30 PM New York time. They all had to change their watches and clocks to London time (UTC) which was 3:30 AM in the morning, they were all glad to be off the plane.

"Now students. Let's get over to the Customs department and get cleared so we can get our luggage and head into London." Principal Celestia spoke.

"ALL RIGHT, LONDON HERE WE COME!!!" The whole group shouted as they headed to the Foreign Transfer and Customs center (which was spelled out as 'centre' since it was Great Britian)...