obs
Mar 16, 05, 8:01 am
:(
Outbound on 19/2/2005, Wife plus 2 children
Got to the airport no problem as had spent the night before at LGW Hilton. we took a short walk into the South terminal, followed by a trip on the connecting shuttles to the North terminal.
On arrival walked to the club check in desk, passing a very long WT queue, and were checked in within 5 minutes. Check in was fast, efficient, and the lady on the desk was polite and helpful.
We then went throught passport control and I started walking towards the terraces. I was stopped unfortuantely by the wife, who decided it would be a great idea to spend 40 minutes walking around the shopping area. Finally after she had bought a few items, we all walked towards the BA lounge where I could lick my financial wounds. :(
Once in the lounge it was nice to be able to relax with a drink. There is a small play room, (Unfortunately with no lock on the door), so the kids went in there leaving the rest of the longe in tranquility. The LGW lounge is in my opinion one of the best in the network. The staff were helpful, it has good views and there was a reasonable amount of snacks on offer.
After 40 minutes got a call that our flight was boarding. We then walked to the boarding gate which was some 10 minutes away.
At the gate, even though I had been assured it was to be a BA plane, it was a relief to see this confirmed. I had heard about all the dreaded charter flight stories from the previous weeks.
Boarded and were directed to the last row of NCW. The plane had been dusked recently and looking at the seats they did not appear new, but they were tidy and comfortable. Prior to take off we were offered Champagne (Heidsieck), I took a glass in the hope of nodding off somewhre over the Atlantic. About 30 minutes into the flight the staff came around with the in flight menu and to take our orders.
The meal was fine nothing to fancy. I had a salad to start, follwed by Chicken and a chocolate dessert.
90 minutes before landing we were offered more food but I was asleep and missed it.
On landing there was the usual collect your bags, give them back again, then go and collect them again thing. Suprisingly it did not take too long and we were driving out of the airport 70 minutes later.
Return trip
.
Arrived TPA 1430 hrs for 1925 flight. No one at the BA desk, however a few passengers were already waiting for check in. There was a sign saying check in would open at 1515 hrs which I thought was quite early.
We walked around the shopping area at TPA which took 5 minutes. The shopping area was very small, for those of you that have done florida via MCO, prepare to be dissapointed. We then had a Sandwich and proceeded to check in at 1515 hrs. On arrival check had started. Only 1 member of staff for Club meant we were waiting for 20 minutes to get checked in and we were third in the queue.
After getting rid of the bags went through the task of clearing security. This took some time due to hold ups with passengers and prams etc. Once throught went straight to gate 79 where the lounge was located. Once in the lounge we relaxed for a few hours. The lounge was tidy but had a very limited selection of snacks, none of which were plentiful.
Got the call to board and took the 3 minute walk to gate 90. I was pleasantly suprised to fing a separate boarding queue for club passengers as we did not have this at LGW. We were on the plane in a few minutes and sat down again with champagne on offer.
Flight departed on time and staff came around with the menu after 30 minutes. I again ordered salad, followed by chicken Korma with yoghurt, sounds awful but was very nice. After the meal I watched a film before reclining and going to sleep.
About 70 minutes prior to landing we were given breakfast. I had fruit salad and toast. They then served bacon rolls. I then drank loads of coffeee to wake me up for the journey home.
On landing we glided through arrivals and collected our bags. The wife wanted to get home so we passed the arrivals lounge at the Meredien without stopping.
All in all not to bad an experience, but in future I think flying to MCO would be better for me personally.
Outbound on 19/2/2005, Wife plus 2 children
Got to the airport no problem as had spent the night before at LGW Hilton. we took a short walk into the South terminal, followed by a trip on the connecting shuttles to the North terminal.
On arrival walked to the club check in desk, passing a very long WT queue, and were checked in within 5 minutes. Check in was fast, efficient, and the lady on the desk was polite and helpful.
We then went throught passport control and I started walking towards the terraces. I was stopped unfortuantely by the wife, who decided it would be a great idea to spend 40 minutes walking around the shopping area. Finally after she had bought a few items, we all walked towards the BA lounge where I could lick my financial wounds. :(
Once in the lounge it was nice to be able to relax with a drink. There is a small play room, (Unfortunately with no lock on the door), so the kids went in there leaving the rest of the longe in tranquility. The LGW lounge is in my opinion one of the best in the network. The staff were helpful, it has good views and there was a reasonable amount of snacks on offer.
After 40 minutes got a call that our flight was boarding. We then walked to the boarding gate which was some 10 minutes away.
At the gate, even though I had been assured it was to be a BA plane, it was a relief to see this confirmed. I had heard about all the dreaded charter flight stories from the previous weeks.
Boarded and were directed to the last row of NCW. The plane had been dusked recently and looking at the seats they did not appear new, but they were tidy and comfortable. Prior to take off we were offered Champagne (Heidsieck), I took a glass in the hope of nodding off somewhre over the Atlantic. About 30 minutes into the flight the staff came around with the in flight menu and to take our orders.
The meal was fine nothing to fancy. I had a salad to start, follwed by Chicken and a chocolate dessert.
90 minutes before landing we were offered more food but I was asleep and missed it.
On landing there was the usual collect your bags, give them back again, then go and collect them again thing. Suprisingly it did not take too long and we were driving out of the airport 70 minutes later.
Return trip
.
Arrived TPA 1430 hrs for 1925 flight. No one at the BA desk, however a few passengers were already waiting for check in. There was a sign saying check in would open at 1515 hrs which I thought was quite early.
We walked around the shopping area at TPA which took 5 minutes. The shopping area was very small, for those of you that have done florida via MCO, prepare to be dissapointed. We then had a Sandwich and proceeded to check in at 1515 hrs. On arrival check had started. Only 1 member of staff for Club meant we were waiting for 20 minutes to get checked in and we were third in the queue.
After getting rid of the bags went through the task of clearing security. This took some time due to hold ups with passengers and prams etc. Once throught went straight to gate 79 where the lounge was located. Once in the lounge we relaxed for a few hours. The lounge was tidy but had a very limited selection of snacks, none of which were plentiful.
Got the call to board and took the 3 minute walk to gate 90. I was pleasantly suprised to fing a separate boarding queue for club passengers as we did not have this at LGW. We were on the plane in a few minutes and sat down again with champagne on offer.
Flight departed on time and staff came around with the menu after 30 minutes. I again ordered salad, followed by chicken Korma with yoghurt, sounds awful but was very nice. After the meal I watched a film before reclining and going to sleep.
About 70 minutes prior to landing we were given breakfast. I had fruit salad and toast. They then served bacon rolls. I then drank loads of coffeee to wake me up for the journey home.
On landing we glided through arrivals and collected our bags. The wife wanted to get home so we passed the arrivals lounge at the Meredien without stopping.
All in all not to bad an experience, but in future I think flying to MCO would be better for me personally.