Wake up, breakfast, coffee, chat with colleague, complain, discuss what we did during our layover, complain, coffee, get a second coffee to go that we also end up drinking at our table, chat more, leave tip, gossip, get tossed out of the hotel breakfast buffet area, complain and go back to our rooms to get ready for the flight.

An hour plus ride to the airport, from midtown Manhattan to the illustrious JFK International, at times one of the most chaotic airports in the world. A tightly controlled airfield with controllers infamous for ranting at blocked radio calls and confused readbacks, yet somehow managing traffic during stressful times, when sharp professionalism is required.

I remember the first few times I flew into JFK and how tense I was about being thrown into the deep. I barely had a grasp on the fast paced radio chatter and constant changes that would turn out to be standard for JFK. A profoundly new experience for someone only used to flying in Europe.

Fifteen years later, I have seen the best and worst JFK can throw at me: winter snowstorms with blocked runways and taxiways, blue skies with zero traffic, Atlantic gales, low fuel situations and everything in between. ATC was tight and fast, but always helpful. With experience, I have grown comfortable flying into New York any time of day or year.

Happy days.

Today promises to be an easy one. Blue skies for departure, a proper tailwind across the Atlantic and smooth conditions for arrival back in Europe. Our airplane is in good and serviceable condition, loading is finished and we are ready to go.

I finish my walk around inspection with quiet introspection, checking my Queen for unexpected leaks, damage or anything else that does not belong. At the same time, it feels like a personal acquaintance with my plane. We will depend on each other for the next seven hours across the deep, dark Atlantic Ocean.

Without even realising, I tap the engine cowling twice while inspecting engine number 1.

Fortune be on our side today, my girl.

An unspoken handshake before we cross the ocean together.