Trip Reports - Lagos, Nigeria

Just completed a 10-day trip. It is not as bad as it is made out to be, though this in not really a tourist destination. The client I was in country for provided a very good security service which included a protocol service to get me through immigration and customs hassle-free, and also an armed escort to and from the airport. There was an assigned driver for daily use in Lagos. I was lodged at http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/2770/fiche_hotel.shtml Nice place and well run. Very polite staff.

The biggest complaint I have about the whole trip is that the limo driver from LHR to LGW was a no-show. I wound up taking a cab, which is not a cheap fare. The limo was part of the ticket. :td: to British Airways on this one.

Z

hopefully you sent BA the receipt!

hopefully you sent BA the receipt!

The fare will be adjusted. They also got an ...-chewing from me.

When I came out of immigration/customs at LHR and noticed the driver wasn't there I went to the BA courtesy desk. They told me they could do nothing, but gave me a phone number to call. They said the limo is arranged through "British Airways Holidays" [their travel subsidiary] and not "British Airways". I asked to use thier phone to place the call. They said "no".

I used a public phone with my credit card to call BA Holidays. They said the driver waited for me. This was nonsense. I fast tracked through immigration and was one of the first to get my luggage and clear customs. Plus, the flight arrived early. I don't believe the driver ever showed. BA told me it would cost about 50 pounds to go from LHR to LGW by cab. More bullcrap, the cab fare was 150 pounds.

On trips like this where BA requires a connection LHR-LGW they should provide a one night stopover option for free, or for $1, like Singapore Airlines does. Most disappointing. :td:

Also, their lounge in Lagos is run down. The other lounges look better. This wasn't the case before.

I think I'll switch over to Air France, they have a Petroleum Club for travelers like me, which appears to be a better service.

Z

Sorry to hear about your transportation problems. IMO, you should never have to make the Heathrow-Gatwick connection without at least an overnight accomodation, as you suggested. Why did BA make you change airports anyway? Does BA not fly from LHR to your hometown?

How did you like Lagos?

Having never been to Lagos, waht was it like? Other than the high security for foreigners?

...Why did BA make you change airports anyway? Does BA not fly from LHR to your hometown?

That is correct. The route is IAH-LGW-LHR-LOS, return is the converse. The LGW-LHR is a standard practice. Plain and simple, they blew it.

Z

How did you like Lagos?
Having never been to Lagos, what was it like? Other than the high security for foreigners?

I found the Nigerians I was working with to be great. The service in the Sofitel was also very good. All were very courteous. These are nice people, and I look forward to going back. Lagos is split up between a mainland portion and island portions. The islands are Victoria and Ikoyi. The islands are where most of the foreign businesses are located. Lagos is very crowded, and the traiffic has to be the most congested in the world, even more so than Bangkok.

The security concerns are a bit overdone, and I think the picture that is painted of Nigeria is exagerrated. The concern is anti-crime, not anti-terrorism. Nevertheless, a good time can be had for the adventurous type provided caution is exercised. Mainland Lagos is not for the weak.

Z

Nigerai? Holiday? :eek: :eek: :eek:

Nigerai? Holiday? :eek: :eek: :eek:

The posts indicate it was a business trip. No? ;)

Z

That is correct. The route is IAH-LGW-LHR-LOS, return is the converse. The LGW-LHR is a standard practice. Plain and simple, they blew it.

Z

I know it's an extra flight, but surely it's better for you to fly IAH-ORD-LHR-LOS, rather than put up with the car park that is the M25 on many days???

I know it's an extra flight, but surely it's better for you to fly IAH-ORD-LHR-LOS, rather than put up with the car park that is the M25 on many days???
The total elapsed time for the complete itinerary may actually be less through ORD most days.

Well I was very livid to read your report about the limo not showing up. You paid a lot of money to get the ticket and the service. I wish that I were the British Airlines customer service agent as I would have gone the extra mile to set you up with a limo. Not only would I have set up a limo I would have given you vouchers to use to eat something while waiting. It amazes me that the agent was not helpful.Very upsetting I should say.

Don't they have a 'scheduled charter' IAH-LOS nowadays? Ever done that flight before? I bet that World Airways DC-10 (or MD-11?) isn't as nice as flying BA though...

Well I am based in LGW for some of the time and day trip to Nigeria several times a year as well as stop there. Some times Lagos, sometimes Port Harcourt.

I have to say that the cab fare was somewhat excessive. That trip should have been about half that price at most. Did you mean 150 USD? I hope that you have the receipt as you have been well and truely done if that was the fare.

Better luck next time, ask me for advice about LGW and LHR connections if you ever have to do it again. I have even run a couple of FTers between the two and had a good chat on the journey in my car.

Happy landings..

Wondering if you noticed a lot of Internet cafes in Lagos with shady individuals furtively hunched over the keyboards ;)

I recently visited Douala (just down the coast from Lagos) and I used Air France biz class. It was very nice. I also had no problems in Africa and the "security alerts" were way overdone. There were some Houston oil boys on my flight. I would think that AF is a natural choice over BA since you don't have to change airports in Paris. Lufthansa might be another choice.

...I would think that AF is a natural choice over BA since you don't have to change airports in Paris...

Yes, I think Air France gets my patronage next time. In the past there was no lounge for them in the airport, so business travelers preferred BA. That's no longer the case, as there are shared premium lounges now that actually look cleaner then the BA one. Speaking of things French, the Sofitel in Lagos is a decent hotel, best in Lagos so I am told.

I had heard the AF also provides for a free overnight in Paris, and they have this special Petroleum Club status for those of us in the 'bidness. With the free overnight in Paris, you can catch me at http://www.aviationclubdefrance.com/home_uk.html :)

Z