Forgot to mention that on the SIN-LHR flight we got a useless hot towel that was dry and at room temperature. Really, what is the point of that?

In my DONE5 I had a couple of intra-european legs to spare and so planned to get good use from them. For those unfamiliar with xONEx (one world explorer RTW, the first x being A for first, D for business of L for economy/coach and the last x representing the number of continents included), each continent can have up to 4 flights within the continent (except 6 for North America) subject to the overall limit of 20 flights (includes both intra-continent and inter-continent flights). For this product a rather strange geography is used, in that Europe includes Middle East and certain North Africa countries.

So I chose the furthest (naturally) Middle East destination served by BA, which happened to be just over a zone boundary for QFF status earning (whereas Dubai is just under a zone boundary).


London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi (LHR-AUH) Business Class on BA 777
(ticketed as LHR-MCT)

After the shower I hopped upstairs to the computer room, first picking up the entry code for the door. I checked my email and FT, and OLCI'ed (checked in online) for my next 2 flights. Yup I was able to OLCI for the flight that the check in agent and lounge agent were both unable to check me in for Unfortunately I couldn't print the boarding pass (it showed "collect at airport") for the return flight to London, but was able to for the following flight the next day despite being more than 24 hours away.

Boarding was called earlier than expected (and earlier than the time printed on my boarding pass), so it was no surprise to me that we had a bus gate down the other end of the terminal. I noticed the signs suggested 15 minutes walking time, which is a load of cobblers - it would only take that long if you stopped at several shops along the way.

The flight was only moderately full so just 2 busses were needed. I took my bulhead seat and settled in with a book. Having seen most of the movies and tv programs there wasn't much of interest on the screen. Had a pre-departure drink and a hot wet (but not soggy) towel, plus got an amenity kit this time. Service on this flight was much better than the night before - my only quibble being the number of times they'd reach across me to serve the passenger seated alongside instead of using the gap between rows to serve (this is possible thanks to the layout with the alternating rear-facing and forward-facing seats).

The food is good and I enjoy a short sleep. Our flight path tracks back the way I'd come during the night, across central europe and over the black sea, before turning more southerly over Turkey and flying over Iraq (it's been a long time since I've overflown Iraq - previous flights in the area having deliberately skirted Iraqi airspace) and along the Persian Gulf. We land in darkness at Abu Dhabi, punctuated by the lights of the city and main road.