duncan417
Nov 7, 04, 3:50 am
LHR-BKK
Thursday 4th November 2004
Check in was at Terminal 4 Zone D. It only appeared to be for business and first class passengers so I don’t know where the economy pax were checking in. It was a check in for several different Oneworld flights and despite the 4 open desks there was a wait of around 15mins before we hit the front of the queue. Disappointed to discover we weren’t in the pre-allocated seats upstairs, but rather in 25 J&K downstairs. I guess we’ll have to wait a bit longer to experience the upper cabin in 747,(fingers crossed for the return).
Next it was on to fast track security, which didn’t really live up to its name. Im sure it would have been quicker to use the normal queues as there were several security points open due to just how busy the airport was, a concept which didn’t appear to have made it across to fast track where there was just one checkpoint operating.
So far it has to be said that our experience of priority business class treatment was not living up to expectations, but maybe the lounge would change that. Qantas at LHR use the BA lounges of which there are two available to non status J class ticket holders. As our flight would be departing from Gate 10 we used the lounge almost immediately opposite. The lounge was moderately sized but with enough room for the passengers using it and some spare chairs. Food is in the way of a self serve buffet of seemingly never ending supply of sandwiches, and selection of other bagged snacks such as pretzels, twiglets, and cake. There is a reasonably well stocked bar where you can help yourself to whatever takes your fancy. Whilst the lounge was not exactly amazing it was certainly a tranquil escape from the chaos of the main terminal.
Before long it was almost time to board so we made our way to the gate, which as I mentioned was handily placed immediately opposite the lounge. The gates in terminal 4 always strike me as a little odd as they seem to be placed in the middle of a shopping centre! Its not that there are a few shops in the vicinity of the gate, rather that the gate is totally surrounded by them. So combine shoppers, fellow passengers for our flight, and a host of people wandered up and down the terminal looking for their own gates and you have a recipe for disaster. Add to this a PA system that is woefully inadequate and there is just no way that boarding is going to be civilized. Once boarding started, (possibly announced over the PA but the first anyone at the gate knew was when staff removed the barriers to the gate!) a mass of people just surged forward. The member of staff guarding the first/business class gate took one look at Mrs duncan417 and directed us toward the back of the economy queue. A polite word from me pointing to our BPs soon resolved that problem. Next time Mrs duncan417 will have to make more of an effort to look the part!
Once on the aircraft we were offered pre flight champagne, orange juice, or water, (no prizes for guessing which option we chose!). Those with jackets were asked if they would like them hung up in the closet. We just sat back with our bubbly and watched the hordes of people seated down the back board, feeling glad we were not joining them.
Being a flight from London to Sydney we had the relatively new ‘Skybed’ business seat. Its not horizontal flat bed like BA’s but rather a lie flat at an angle one. The angle isn’t to steep, though I did find it easier to sleep with a slight Z shape to the bed. There are lots of fine tuning controls to enable you to position it just how you want, and even a massage button which applies wave of pressure down your back and is pretty relaxing. I think the best thing about the seat is that they are housed in a kind of cocoon shell which means that no matter how much the guy in front reclines his seat it never changes your personal space, which makes the generous pitch feel even better.
Our flight was due to depart at 21:45 and we took off pretty much on time. Being such a late start the crew were straight round with the starters as soon as we were cruising. Orders were taken for the main course and we were addressed by name. The food is served on china plates and the cutlery CAA approved plastic. The water and wine were kept topped up throughout dinner by very attentive FA’s, who even offered us tea when noticing that we had both woken up several hours into the ‘enforced’ sleep period that separated dinner and breakfast.
About an hour and a half before landing in Bangkok breakfast was served. This was pre-ordered by filling in a kind of room service card before take-off, (to enable them to let you sleep a bit longer before waking you). One tip for those of you facing these cards for the first time is that if you want milk with your tea there are a couple of boxes below the one for tea to let you choose the type of milk you want. Forget to tick one of these, (or like me not realize the significance!) and you will get it black. A problem soon solved by asking for some from the previously mentioned FA’s.
Not long after breakfast is finished the descent into Bangkok began, completed with a landing so gentle you barely realized you were on the ground! In fact the most memorable thing about it was the un-fenced golf course between the take-off and landing runways! Surely there are some safety and security issues there!
Just a few minutes later we were off the plane and looking for the lounge...
Thursday 4th November 2004
Check in was at Terminal 4 Zone D. It only appeared to be for business and first class passengers so I don’t know where the economy pax were checking in. It was a check in for several different Oneworld flights and despite the 4 open desks there was a wait of around 15mins before we hit the front of the queue. Disappointed to discover we weren’t in the pre-allocated seats upstairs, but rather in 25 J&K downstairs. I guess we’ll have to wait a bit longer to experience the upper cabin in 747,(fingers crossed for the return).
Next it was on to fast track security, which didn’t really live up to its name. Im sure it would have been quicker to use the normal queues as there were several security points open due to just how busy the airport was, a concept which didn’t appear to have made it across to fast track where there was just one checkpoint operating.
So far it has to be said that our experience of priority business class treatment was not living up to expectations, but maybe the lounge would change that. Qantas at LHR use the BA lounges of which there are two available to non status J class ticket holders. As our flight would be departing from Gate 10 we used the lounge almost immediately opposite. The lounge was moderately sized but with enough room for the passengers using it and some spare chairs. Food is in the way of a self serve buffet of seemingly never ending supply of sandwiches, and selection of other bagged snacks such as pretzels, twiglets, and cake. There is a reasonably well stocked bar where you can help yourself to whatever takes your fancy. Whilst the lounge was not exactly amazing it was certainly a tranquil escape from the chaos of the main terminal.
Before long it was almost time to board so we made our way to the gate, which as I mentioned was handily placed immediately opposite the lounge. The gates in terminal 4 always strike me as a little odd as they seem to be placed in the middle of a shopping centre! Its not that there are a few shops in the vicinity of the gate, rather that the gate is totally surrounded by them. So combine shoppers, fellow passengers for our flight, and a host of people wandered up and down the terminal looking for their own gates and you have a recipe for disaster. Add to this a PA system that is woefully inadequate and there is just no way that boarding is going to be civilized. Once boarding started, (possibly announced over the PA but the first anyone at the gate knew was when staff removed the barriers to the gate!) a mass of people just surged forward. The member of staff guarding the first/business class gate took one look at Mrs duncan417 and directed us toward the back of the economy queue. A polite word from me pointing to our BPs soon resolved that problem. Next time Mrs duncan417 will have to make more of an effort to look the part!
Once on the aircraft we were offered pre flight champagne, orange juice, or water, (no prizes for guessing which option we chose!). Those with jackets were asked if they would like them hung up in the closet. We just sat back with our bubbly and watched the hordes of people seated down the back board, feeling glad we were not joining them.
Being a flight from London to Sydney we had the relatively new ‘Skybed’ business seat. Its not horizontal flat bed like BA’s but rather a lie flat at an angle one. The angle isn’t to steep, though I did find it easier to sleep with a slight Z shape to the bed. There are lots of fine tuning controls to enable you to position it just how you want, and even a massage button which applies wave of pressure down your back and is pretty relaxing. I think the best thing about the seat is that they are housed in a kind of cocoon shell which means that no matter how much the guy in front reclines his seat it never changes your personal space, which makes the generous pitch feel even better.
Our flight was due to depart at 21:45 and we took off pretty much on time. Being such a late start the crew were straight round with the starters as soon as we were cruising. Orders were taken for the main course and we were addressed by name. The food is served on china plates and the cutlery CAA approved plastic. The water and wine were kept topped up throughout dinner by very attentive FA’s, who even offered us tea when noticing that we had both woken up several hours into the ‘enforced’ sleep period that separated dinner and breakfast.
About an hour and a half before landing in Bangkok breakfast was served. This was pre-ordered by filling in a kind of room service card before take-off, (to enable them to let you sleep a bit longer before waking you). One tip for those of you facing these cards for the first time is that if you want milk with your tea there are a couple of boxes below the one for tea to let you choose the type of milk you want. Forget to tick one of these, (or like me not realize the significance!) and you will get it black. A problem soon solved by asking for some from the previously mentioned FA’s.
Not long after breakfast is finished the descent into Bangkok began, completed with a landing so gentle you barely realized you were on the ground! In fact the most memorable thing about it was the un-fenced golf course between the take-off and landing runways! Surely there are some safety and security issues there!
Just a few minutes later we were off the plane and looking for the lounge...