Fraser
Apr 5, 05, 6:36 pm
Imagestation Gallery (http://www.imagestation.com/member/join_signin_prompt.html?album_id=2128561165&rf=&ru=%2Falbum%2F%3Fid%3D2128561165)
Username: flyertalk
Password: flyertalk
Route: London Heathrow Terminal 4 - Washington Dulles
Airline: British Airways
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Seat: 62K/64B (Club World/Business Class)
Duration: Approx. 8 hours
Date: Thursday 24th March 2005
As usual the journey for want of a better word starts 24hrs before departure with the scurrying frenzy that is online check-in, for me this was even more rushed than usual as I was on a deadline having driven back from Gatwick however with 10minutes or so to spare I got home on time and reserved my seat of choice, 62K on the upper deck. I was to find later on that I had in fact been the first to check-in for the flight.
The following morning my brother drove me to the airport and leaving me at the far end of the departure ramp at Terminal 4. Surprisingly the journey was unhindered by bad traffic and I made a timely arrival. The terminal was not as busy as I had anticipated and I managed to reach the Club World check-in line without having to harass any small children! The line was short, only a couple of other teenagers and mothers ahead of me and within a couple of minutes I had boarding pass in hand and was passing effortlessly through the Fast Track security point.
Due to the popularity of the Molton Brown Travel Spa in Terminal 4 I always choose to make this my first port of call, and to my surprise the receptionist was able to offer me a choice of times for an appointment. I chose 2pm as it gave me the opportunity to go and board straight after the massage had ended. Afterwards I walked up to the top floor of the Lounge Pavilion where I got myself a Newcastle Brown Ale and watched aircraft landing on 27L from the corner of the busy lounge for a period of time.
http://img218.exs.cx/img218/3095/dsc01644sizeok5mf.jpg
http://img33.exs.cx/img33/1932/dsc01647sizeok4ib.jpg
Terraces Lounge in the Lounge Pavilion
I took a stroll down the many shops that occupy the central area of Terminal 4 and picked up a few essentials before admiring the Bentley Continental GT, the latest car available to win in the terminal. The second of the two lounge complexes at Gate 1 was close by so I chose to sit upstairs thanks to the good views over the apron. An A321, G-EUXC, was parked up awaiting departure to Brussels. Apologies for the poor reflection!
http://img33.exs.cx/img33/4396/dsc01648sizeok3tx.jpg
Airbus A321, G-EUXC
I also took some time to respond to an apparent last minute flurry of emails and gave both my liver and camera a workout in the lounge.
http://img29.exs.cx/img29/9269/dsc01649sizeok3md.jpg
Top floor of the Gate 1 Terraces Lounge
http://img29.exs.cx/img29/5805/dsc01650sizeok2ah.jpg
Combiz area on ground floor of Gate 1 Terraces
http://img160.exs.cx/img160/3540/dsc01652sizeok7ok.jpg
World Wine Bar on top floor of Gate 1 Terraces
Following my brief stay in the Gate 1 lounge I decided to begin the five minute or so stroll back towards the Lounge Pavilion in order to arrive on time for my appointment with my masseuse. I happened to notice that my face is still on the side of the TV display unit in Hamleys!
I arrived a little earlier than anticipated at the Molton Brown Spa so was offered a refreshing glass of water. After the several glasses of wine and cans of Newcastle this was most welcome. My masseuse, Geraldine introduced herself and she gave me the back massage as requested when making the appointment. Twenty or so minutes and a few less back knots later I felt thoroughly refreshed and ready to proceed to my boarding gate....no. 2! Back where I was some 30mins before! At least I was working off the alcohol....I think. At this stage I was wondering how much of the Club World improvements of February 1st would be implemented on this flight. I was eager to try the new squishier beds and see if there was any improvement on the service.
Approaching the gate all I could see was a large scrum and at this point I was hopeful that a priority boarding line would be properly enforced which more often than not is the case. Thankfully the waves of people parted and a line of no more than three people stood before me. I was welcomed aboard and took the short climb to the upper deck.
http://img160.exs.cx/img160/6568/dsc01654sizeok1js.jpg
Upper deck on G-BYGG
I was one of the first few people onboard and it didn't take long for me to notice that two 'improvements' were not in place. The beige privacy screens indicated this aircraft had not been able to make the overnight stop for new seatcovers although to be fair to the airline the fleet is being done from beginning of February through to November so perhaps I was being hopeful. My amenity kit was handed to me by Lynn, my upper deck FA, unfortunately a no-no in the new service as this was to be held back until after takeoff to allow more crew-passenger bonding! Whatever that means! To be honest it didn't bother me in the slightest and I began to take a few things from my seat for the period between boarding and pushback. I was interrupted by Paul, the upper deck purser who was making the boarding drinks round....now with champagne Well that is one out of three! At this stage I noticed the seat was slightly in the wrong configuration for takeoff so attempted to make it so. While I could get the lumbar support to function the recline itself did not, percussive maintenance failed and I thought I'd give it time to remedy itself.
Pushback was delayed thanks to one of those idiots that seems to get lost in the hinterland between check-in and the gate and they even left us with some bags to unload! The time was used effectively, handing out new style menus (2/4 ) and doing a second drinks round. Alas BA293 with a 3.05pm scheduled departure is one of the first to be affected by the daily 3pm runway change and today this meant a lengthy taxi across the landing runway to 27R. Takeoff was some 40mins late and it became apparent after the seat was indeed not going to budge, I made a quick note with the FAs and they attempted to fix it although with no success. This meant a quick transfer to the only available seat on the upper deck, 64B. The seat itself was fine, and yes did function although the lack of space to put music player, headphones, menu and lack of privacy would make this the inferior of the two in normal circumstances. Lynne, came around and took our orders for dinner, alas my first choice starter, a favourite from a few months back had run out, ironically had I stayed in 62K until after orders had been made I'd have scored it!
_____________________
STARTERS
Kiln-fired salmon, crayfish tails with wasabi and watercress dressing
or
Mozzarella cheese, Goat cheese and roast tomato timbale
Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette
MAIN
Duchy of Cornwall free-range pork sausages with creamed potato and roast red onion jus
Grilled prawns in coconut and coriander sauce served with cashew nut and shallot rice
Potato and truffle gnocchi with sauteed mushrooms, asparagus and cepe cream sauce
Duck confit, foie gras, baby Kenyan beans and shallot salad with bitter orange dressing
DESSERT
Chocolate and raspberry delice
English Stilton and Butler's Secret Cheese
_____________________
The inflight entertainment began after the news and usual Well Being guff that I ignore...the choice was pretty good although I opted for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason The first proper drinks round was taken and I opted for Kir Royale to accompany the beginnings of the movie and then chose to have the Pouilly-Fuisse 2002, Marie-Louise Parisot with my meal. I have to admit I am quite dreadful on having red wine with red meat and all that so felt a little daft asking for white, even if it was to wash down a glorified version of bangers and mash!
http://img21.exs.cx/img21/2029/dsc01656sizeok0mw.jpg
Kiln-fired salmon, crayfish tails with wasabi and watercress dressing
http://img206.exs.cx/img206/6914/dsc01657sizeok0cz.jpg
Duchy of Cornwall free-range pork sausages with creamed potato and roast red onion jus
http://img206.exs.cx/img206/8397/dsc01661sizeok2ce.jpg
Chocolate and raspberry delice
The food itself was served on Royal Doulton (3/5 improvements implemented) although there was still evidence of the tupperware-esque stuff from pre February 1st days! As I have come to expect in Club World the starter was superb, as was the dessert although the sausages were disappointing and I was left wishing I had gone with the prawns which I'd had before and with hindsight was the better of the two. Lynne kept my glass nicely topped up throughout the rest of the movie and by the time it was over I was ready to put the bed down for a few hours and my Bose QC2s and Cafe del Mar playlist on my Vaio pocket certainly helped me with the shuteye.
After I woke some two, perhaps three hours later we had just passed over the Canadian coast and it was time to get another Kir Royale and stretch my legs. I took the obligatory walk down to the back of steerage (I'm not going to pace up and down the upper deck a dozen times!) and before heading back upstairs. Afternoon tea was just about to be served although I was still quite full from the meal earlier but decided to take a little nibble.
_____________________
SNACKS
Sandwiches of Wensleydale cheese with carrot chutney and gammon ham with tomato and English mustard mayonnaise
or
Sandwiches of egg mayonnaise with cress and chicken Caesar
SWEETS
Fruit plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve
or
Flaked almond bakewell
DRINKS
Tea, ground coffee or decaffeinated ground coffee
Selection of herbal teas - peppermint, blackcurrant, apple or camomile and honey
_____________________
The presentation of sandwiches had a little left to be desired but it was no big deal, the sandwiches themselves were ok but nothing amazing and I left the bakewell alone for fear of spoiling my girlfriends supper. Around an hour out of DC I got into my routine of brushing teeth, applying deodrant basically attempting to smell more like a human again. After sitting down and putting all my clobber in the overhead locker I chatted with my seatmate for the descent and taxi to the gate where we were dispatched in traditional style into mobile lounges for the drive to immigration. Having been to IAD half a dozen or so times recently I had learnt the art of strategic positioning for speedy exit at immigration. While waiting for the rest of the lounge to fill up Amanda from BA Special Services introduced herself to me, quite why SS chose to deal with someone who was a fair way off 4000 tier points I am not sure but she told me about the weather (hey, we're British!) and told me about the status of the BA lounge which is currently under refurbishment.
After a short chat we were deposited in the immigration area which was surprisingly empty. A brief altercation between myself, another passenger and a INS official in a booth resulted in the angry female being escorted to the back of the line and a warm welcome from afforementioned official. This was followed by one of my biggest issues with BA premium travel....the joke that is priority handling Despite some of my bags recently arriving within a couple of minutes wearing a nice flourescent orange tag it seems more hit and miss than a blind marksman. I stood at the carousel for probably 30minutes waiting for my darned case to arrive and this was made more confusing by a number of airport employees who remove a lot of luggage from the belts at various points so several times I wasn't sure if I was standing waiting for my case while it was on the floor on the other side! In the end I just circled the carousel continuously!
Overall a solid flight, not out of this world and not god awful. Would have been nice to try the new squishy beds but it wasn't promised so can't complain
Username: flyertalk
Password: flyertalk
Route: London Heathrow Terminal 4 - Washington Dulles
Airline: British Airways
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Seat: 62K/64B (Club World/Business Class)
Duration: Approx. 8 hours
Date: Thursday 24th March 2005
As usual the journey for want of a better word starts 24hrs before departure with the scurrying frenzy that is online check-in, for me this was even more rushed than usual as I was on a deadline having driven back from Gatwick however with 10minutes or so to spare I got home on time and reserved my seat of choice, 62K on the upper deck. I was to find later on that I had in fact been the first to check-in for the flight.
The following morning my brother drove me to the airport and leaving me at the far end of the departure ramp at Terminal 4. Surprisingly the journey was unhindered by bad traffic and I made a timely arrival. The terminal was not as busy as I had anticipated and I managed to reach the Club World check-in line without having to harass any small children! The line was short, only a couple of other teenagers and mothers ahead of me and within a couple of minutes I had boarding pass in hand and was passing effortlessly through the Fast Track security point.
Due to the popularity of the Molton Brown Travel Spa in Terminal 4 I always choose to make this my first port of call, and to my surprise the receptionist was able to offer me a choice of times for an appointment. I chose 2pm as it gave me the opportunity to go and board straight after the massage had ended. Afterwards I walked up to the top floor of the Lounge Pavilion where I got myself a Newcastle Brown Ale and watched aircraft landing on 27L from the corner of the busy lounge for a period of time.
http://img218.exs.cx/img218/3095/dsc01644sizeok5mf.jpg
http://img33.exs.cx/img33/1932/dsc01647sizeok4ib.jpg
Terraces Lounge in the Lounge Pavilion
I took a stroll down the many shops that occupy the central area of Terminal 4 and picked up a few essentials before admiring the Bentley Continental GT, the latest car available to win in the terminal. The second of the two lounge complexes at Gate 1 was close by so I chose to sit upstairs thanks to the good views over the apron. An A321, G-EUXC, was parked up awaiting departure to Brussels. Apologies for the poor reflection!
http://img33.exs.cx/img33/4396/dsc01648sizeok3tx.jpg
Airbus A321, G-EUXC
I also took some time to respond to an apparent last minute flurry of emails and gave both my liver and camera a workout in the lounge.
http://img29.exs.cx/img29/9269/dsc01649sizeok3md.jpg
Top floor of the Gate 1 Terraces Lounge
http://img29.exs.cx/img29/5805/dsc01650sizeok2ah.jpg
Combiz area on ground floor of Gate 1 Terraces
http://img160.exs.cx/img160/3540/dsc01652sizeok7ok.jpg
World Wine Bar on top floor of Gate 1 Terraces
Following my brief stay in the Gate 1 lounge I decided to begin the five minute or so stroll back towards the Lounge Pavilion in order to arrive on time for my appointment with my masseuse. I happened to notice that my face is still on the side of the TV display unit in Hamleys!
I arrived a little earlier than anticipated at the Molton Brown Spa so was offered a refreshing glass of water. After the several glasses of wine and cans of Newcastle this was most welcome. My masseuse, Geraldine introduced herself and she gave me the back massage as requested when making the appointment. Twenty or so minutes and a few less back knots later I felt thoroughly refreshed and ready to proceed to my boarding gate....no. 2! Back where I was some 30mins before! At least I was working off the alcohol....I think. At this stage I was wondering how much of the Club World improvements of February 1st would be implemented on this flight. I was eager to try the new squishier beds and see if there was any improvement on the service.
Approaching the gate all I could see was a large scrum and at this point I was hopeful that a priority boarding line would be properly enforced which more often than not is the case. Thankfully the waves of people parted and a line of no more than three people stood before me. I was welcomed aboard and took the short climb to the upper deck.
http://img160.exs.cx/img160/6568/dsc01654sizeok1js.jpg
Upper deck on G-BYGG
I was one of the first few people onboard and it didn't take long for me to notice that two 'improvements' were not in place. The beige privacy screens indicated this aircraft had not been able to make the overnight stop for new seatcovers although to be fair to the airline the fleet is being done from beginning of February through to November so perhaps I was being hopeful. My amenity kit was handed to me by Lynn, my upper deck FA, unfortunately a no-no in the new service as this was to be held back until after takeoff to allow more crew-passenger bonding! Whatever that means! To be honest it didn't bother me in the slightest and I began to take a few things from my seat for the period between boarding and pushback. I was interrupted by Paul, the upper deck purser who was making the boarding drinks round....now with champagne Well that is one out of three! At this stage I noticed the seat was slightly in the wrong configuration for takeoff so attempted to make it so. While I could get the lumbar support to function the recline itself did not, percussive maintenance failed and I thought I'd give it time to remedy itself.
Pushback was delayed thanks to one of those idiots that seems to get lost in the hinterland between check-in and the gate and they even left us with some bags to unload! The time was used effectively, handing out new style menus (2/4 ) and doing a second drinks round. Alas BA293 with a 3.05pm scheduled departure is one of the first to be affected by the daily 3pm runway change and today this meant a lengthy taxi across the landing runway to 27R. Takeoff was some 40mins late and it became apparent after the seat was indeed not going to budge, I made a quick note with the FAs and they attempted to fix it although with no success. This meant a quick transfer to the only available seat on the upper deck, 64B. The seat itself was fine, and yes did function although the lack of space to put music player, headphones, menu and lack of privacy would make this the inferior of the two in normal circumstances. Lynne, came around and took our orders for dinner, alas my first choice starter, a favourite from a few months back had run out, ironically had I stayed in 62K until after orders had been made I'd have scored it!
_____________________
STARTERS
Kiln-fired salmon, crayfish tails with wasabi and watercress dressing
or
Mozzarella cheese, Goat cheese and roast tomato timbale
Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette
MAIN
Duchy of Cornwall free-range pork sausages with creamed potato and roast red onion jus
Grilled prawns in coconut and coriander sauce served with cashew nut and shallot rice
Potato and truffle gnocchi with sauteed mushrooms, asparagus and cepe cream sauce
Duck confit, foie gras, baby Kenyan beans and shallot salad with bitter orange dressing
DESSERT
Chocolate and raspberry delice
English Stilton and Butler's Secret Cheese
_____________________
The inflight entertainment began after the news and usual Well Being guff that I ignore...the choice was pretty good although I opted for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason The first proper drinks round was taken and I opted for Kir Royale to accompany the beginnings of the movie and then chose to have the Pouilly-Fuisse 2002, Marie-Louise Parisot with my meal. I have to admit I am quite dreadful on having red wine with red meat and all that so felt a little daft asking for white, even if it was to wash down a glorified version of bangers and mash!
http://img21.exs.cx/img21/2029/dsc01656sizeok0mw.jpg
Kiln-fired salmon, crayfish tails with wasabi and watercress dressing
http://img206.exs.cx/img206/6914/dsc01657sizeok0cz.jpg
Duchy of Cornwall free-range pork sausages with creamed potato and roast red onion jus
http://img206.exs.cx/img206/8397/dsc01661sizeok2ce.jpg
Chocolate and raspberry delice
The food itself was served on Royal Doulton (3/5 improvements implemented) although there was still evidence of the tupperware-esque stuff from pre February 1st days! As I have come to expect in Club World the starter was superb, as was the dessert although the sausages were disappointing and I was left wishing I had gone with the prawns which I'd had before and with hindsight was the better of the two. Lynne kept my glass nicely topped up throughout the rest of the movie and by the time it was over I was ready to put the bed down for a few hours and my Bose QC2s and Cafe del Mar playlist on my Vaio pocket certainly helped me with the shuteye.
After I woke some two, perhaps three hours later we had just passed over the Canadian coast and it was time to get another Kir Royale and stretch my legs. I took the obligatory walk down to the back of steerage (I'm not going to pace up and down the upper deck a dozen times!) and before heading back upstairs. Afternoon tea was just about to be served although I was still quite full from the meal earlier but decided to take a little nibble.
_____________________
SNACKS
Sandwiches of Wensleydale cheese with carrot chutney and gammon ham with tomato and English mustard mayonnaise
or
Sandwiches of egg mayonnaise with cress and chicken Caesar
SWEETS
Fruit plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve
or
Flaked almond bakewell
DRINKS
Tea, ground coffee or decaffeinated ground coffee
Selection of herbal teas - peppermint, blackcurrant, apple or camomile and honey
_____________________
The presentation of sandwiches had a little left to be desired but it was no big deal, the sandwiches themselves were ok but nothing amazing and I left the bakewell alone for fear of spoiling my girlfriends supper. Around an hour out of DC I got into my routine of brushing teeth, applying deodrant basically attempting to smell more like a human again. After sitting down and putting all my clobber in the overhead locker I chatted with my seatmate for the descent and taxi to the gate where we were dispatched in traditional style into mobile lounges for the drive to immigration. Having been to IAD half a dozen or so times recently I had learnt the art of strategic positioning for speedy exit at immigration. While waiting for the rest of the lounge to fill up Amanda from BA Special Services introduced herself to me, quite why SS chose to deal with someone who was a fair way off 4000 tier points I am not sure but she told me about the weather (hey, we're British!) and told me about the status of the BA lounge which is currently under refurbishment.
After a short chat we were deposited in the immigration area which was surprisingly empty. A brief altercation between myself, another passenger and a INS official in a booth resulted in the angry female being escorted to the back of the line and a warm welcome from afforementioned official. This was followed by one of my biggest issues with BA premium travel....the joke that is priority handling Despite some of my bags recently arriving within a couple of minutes wearing a nice flourescent orange tag it seems more hit and miss than a blind marksman. I stood at the carousel for probably 30minutes waiting for my darned case to arrive and this was made more confusing by a number of airport employees who remove a lot of luggage from the belts at various points so several times I wasn't sure if I was standing waiting for my case while it was on the floor on the other side! In the end I just circled the carousel continuously!
Overall a solid flight, not out of this world and not god awful. Would have been nice to try the new squishy beds but it wasn't promised so can't complain