Hi all
This is my first go at posting a trip so bear with me.
I decided to burn up some miles and check out Berlin. So it was off to MAN on Sunday to catch the shuttle to LHR. I only had hand luggage so straight to security at T3 and the new body scanners - All easy enough.
Next through the seemingly constantly changing T3 and upstairs to the BA lounge. First thing was 'can I see your passport pse?' then into the lounge. As previously posted on here the lounge is shrinking having lost some time ago, 1/4 to FlyBe and now another 1/4 has (I think) gone to someone else (maybe Air France?) The locked doors to the left of the picture indicate the latest closed off 1/4 which is now completely sparse. Anyhow it was fairly empty so I grabbed a nibble and waited for boarding.
MAN-BA-lounge-27032011_2 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Route: MAN-LHR
Airline: BA
Flight Number: BA1395
Aircraft: A321
Seat: 10F
Domestic Class
Flight Duration: 0h:35m
Reg: G-EUXE (1st time on this aircraft)
G-EUXE-27032011-dep-EGCC by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
It was a normal shuttle flight, once round the Bovingdon hold and onto Rwy 09L at LHR.
Parked up at T5, so follow 'Flight Connections' and into the T5 concourse for a quick browse. I nipped briefly into the South lounge area negotiating passed an irate passenger remonstrating with a customer services staff member about the 'First' lounge.
I only had time to grab a mineral water in a fairly busy lounge before I had to leave to catch my next flight to Berlin.
Route: LHR-TXL
Airline: BA
Flight Number: BA0986
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 02F
Club Europe Class
Flight Duration: 1h:30m
Reg: G-EUUM (1st time on this aircraft)
Welcomed on board by a nice crew and settled into the window seat. Pushed back on time with a relatively full flight today. Began our taxi then paused shortly - Just enough time to fire off this snap of an old favorite of mine parked remotely G-BUSK.
G-BUSK-EGLL-27032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Take off was to the east on Rwy 09R at LHR. It was a nice flying day and we soon hit the cruise.
G-EUUM-LHR-TXL-27032011-ins by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
I often wonder why they picked the 'Beach huts' and other pictures on the Airbus fleet - Anyhow time for some grub!
G-EUUM-LHR---TXL-food-27032 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Not bad - Just one point, they use the same 'El Muro' plonk on the shuttle too!
While I was deciding on which butty to go for first, I noticed 'splash's' on the exposed seat back in front of me. Maybe someone knows from whence they came? I must admit I was a tad surprised to see similar on my later return shuttle flight.
G-EUUM-LHR---TXL--CE-Cabin- by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Anyhow on with the trip - we were now approaching TXL as the sun was beginning to set.
App-TXL-27032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
BERLIN
TXL is about 20mins in a taxi (approx 17-18 euros), you can also pick up the TXL bus o/s the terminal into the city. A lot depends on where you are staying etc...
The city is still finding its sense of 'place' following reunification. Much of the architecture is a mix of old/new with most of 'old' Berlin flattened during WW11.
Getting around is easy and feels safe. I would recommend one of many walking tours of the city, they last around 4-5hrs - good if a trip to the hotel wellness spa is on your list of must do's!!
Brandenberg-Gate-28032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Reichstag-28032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Times up, so its back to the airport on Tuesday.
Berlin-Tegel-sign by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
I checked in online and decided to print my boarding cards at the airport which is indicated as an option for TXL. Be aware it isn't! However, if you are booked in club or have status pop up to the BA Terraces airside lounge on the 2nd floor (its in a corner of the terminal where there is a main exit for the city TXL bus) and the nice lady there will print one for you.
By the way, If you need the toilet you have to leave the lounge and go downstairs.
I have to say that the customer service at this lounge was 1st class. ^
BA-Terraces-loung-TXL-29032 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Time to go so I head off to gate A04 and go through security - again very straight forward with the notable exception of 'staff' and by that I mean airport staff not crew barging in to the front.
Time to fly
Route: TXL-LHR
Airline: BA
Flight Number: BA0991
Aircraft: A319
Seat: 05F
Club Europe Class
Flight Duration: 1h:35m
Reg: G-EUOI (1st time on this aircraft)
G-EUOI-TXL-29032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
It was a bright sunny day and as we departed I got some great views of the lakes and many rivers that surround Berlin
G-EUOI-TXL-dep-29032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Back on board its 'different' pictures again folks.
G-EUOI-TXL---LHR-CE-inside- by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Time for some grub, served individually by the very helpful Debi.
G-EUOI-TXL---LHE-CE-food-29 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
G-EUOI-TXL---LHR-in-flight- by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
We touched down on Rwy 09L at LHR again, so a shortish taxi to T5 and off the plane up through the 'Connections' myriad of 'can I see your boarding card and passport pse?' before emerging back into the T5 concourse again.
This time I head off to the north lounge (ignore were it says 'south' in the image link - typo), which I prefer when using domestic flights because most of mine seem to go from the A1-6 gates below the lounge(I think I've got that right).
Anyway into the lounge and a snack. When I'm flying alone I like to sit at the stools by the windows that look over Rwy 09L.
I went for the 'beef stew and rice' this time. They are also doing some 'chicken curry', 'vegetable curry' and 'pasta' + the usual salad/soup offerings etc...
Lunch-South-loung-29032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
SOuth-lounge-LHR-29032011 by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
Another plane to catch
Route: LHR-MAN
Airline: BA
Flight Number: BA1394
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 07A
Domestic UK Class
Flight Duration: 0h:35m
Reg: G-EUYH (1st time on this aircraft)
This one had the new 'space saver' seats. I think the headrest has improved, not too sure about the support for longer flights but all that's been well covered in other threads.
We took off from 09R giving a view of the newer 'building' work in progress.
G-EUYH-LHR---MAN-29032011-n by
Telecasterman, on Flickr
I landed back into MAN on time having had another good trip on BA.
t