Oh dear, I'm not looking forward to arriving back on T5's first Friday, and then departing at 0705 on its first Monday ... anyone know what time the lounges open?
Just off BA1477 from GLA, we landed on time and were on stand 5 minutes later. Trying to pass through flight connections for my onward to NRT and was told I'd have to visit BA customer services first. Apparently advanced passport information is not showing and is having to be manually entered/corrected by hand.
Signage is a bit lacking, I had to ask for directions to Galleries South (and once inside, where the Club galleries was - you have to walk through the First and Concorde Room entrace to get upstairs to the area for mere mortals - nothing like trying to tempt you with what you're missing ). I spotted quite a few hastily-printed A4 paper signs pinned to walls, so they're obviously trying to sort it.
Every staff member I've spoken to has been clutching a handwritten notepad or scrap of paper which they are referring to rather a lot. They even offered to write down all the advice they were giving me so I could take it away.
Departure screens in the lounge have much more gate information than the main BAA ones. There was no gate for my onward flight, or indeed any flight leaving more than an hour away, so I asked at a desk and was told it hadn't been assigned yet, but it would probably depart from 5B somewhere. (I was also told not to rush, as they "don't like people in 5B more than 90 minutes before departure.") The screen on the lounge has gates for every flight shown, even into the late evening. Wether they're accruate or not, well, only time will tell.
I'm going to wander around a little more to admire the place. So far, I like it, on the condition my onward flight takes off on time and my luggage arrives
Programs: AA EXP 0.55MM/Mariott Gold/Starwoods Gold
Posts: 522
Come on, there will always be a few kinks and you also have to remember that this is BAA we're talking about, when have they ever had everything go without a hitch?!
I don't think an exoudus of T5 is in order!
I'm there as off midday tomorrow and i'm looking forward to it!
Programs: BAEC Gold, BD Gold, IC Plat Elt. RA, Hyatt GP Diamond
Posts: 922
I was meant to be coming back from HKG today into T5 and then onwards to Paris...but I had a last minute change, and I had to shoot over to Tel Aviv where I am now. Cannot believe that I have managed to miss the opening! So annoyed (very vain I know it's just an airport terminal, but...)
I think baggage problems/signage issues are to be expected at this stage. It wouldn't surprise me if they have to rethink some of their systems at some point as that's to be expected.
Anyway, it's open at last and we all have to just get on with it, at least they have management there taking an interest, hopefully this will be 'BA's baby' and they will look after it.
Is it really not possible to return from T5B?? Do they have someone checking BPs before people get on the shuttle train thing then?? What about last minute gate changes/people going to the wrong gate/left jumper/coat/shoes/small child in a lounge back in the main building?? Presumably they have to be escorted through the arrivals route and back round.
Sadly, TLV is operating into T4 currently so I will have to wait until next week when I am off to BUD.