This is the start of a series of reviews of my trip to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The following links will become clickable after each review becomes available:

• British Airways Premium Economy – London Heathrow to Las Vegas
• New York, New York Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
• Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Anaheim, Los Angeles
• Universal Studios Hollywood, VIP Experience
• American Airlines Economy – Los Angeles to San Francisco
• Villa Florence Hotel, San Francisco
• Alcatraz Tour, San Francisco 
• House of Nanking Chinese Restaurant, San Francisco
• British Airways Lounge San Francisco Airport
• British Airways Club World – San Francisco to London
• London Heathrow Airside Transfer T5 to T3

London Heathrow Terminal 5 opened in 2008, the main building in the complex is the largest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom. I have to say that when I’m in the terminal, it doesn’t feel like I’m standing in an architectural wonder. The best thing about flying from T5 is the sci-fi world of T5 Business Parking!

T5 business parking provides self-driving, Minority Report style, pods, that drive you to the Terminal. I also noticed that the pod would take me somewhere else, but now I can’t remember where that was. Below is a promotional/instructional video that shows how the pods work:

I really enjoyed the pod ride and it made an interesting start to the holiday. I’m sure kids would really love it. Plus there’s no waiting around in the rain for a bus that stops every 50 metres to let passengers on – who then dump their heavy cases on top of yours. Just a private four-minute ride to the terminal.

You can book via the official website here. The car park works on number/licence plate recognition and so will ask for the plate when you book. If you don’t know what that will be, then just enter a series of XXXXXX and later, when you know the plate, you can go online and update your booking.

Note that T5 parking didn’t offer me any incentives to publicise the service and I paid my own parking.