Following this tread I’m in the middle of a DUB-LHR-BAH-BKK-MCT-LHR-DUB trip and here as promised the Trip report for the 1st part.

1st Leg DUB-LHR on BMI

Check-In in Dublin

Long Queues at the Eco Counter and EMMA does not want to process my connecting flight so I chance it by approaching the Premium counter with my BMI Gold card in hand.

The agent had no problems with that and checked me all the way through (however it took a while as the printer did not want to print the boarding passes for the real GF flights). As the plane was full and I had a short connecting time I decided to ask if I can use one of my BMI Gold Upgrade voucher, which she processed without a problem giving me seat 1C. She did not even question that the flight was a GF flight on GF ticket stock.
Wheels up was 45 minutes delayed (ever since slots have been introduced Dublin is bad) so we arrived at 0830 in LHR.

2nd Leg LHR-BAH

First Impressions on GF Part of the Trip

I arrived later than scheduled due to the BMI flight delay at gate 82 expecting a Meet & Greet at the arriving Gate to help me with the tight connection and it was confirmed twice by GF.

However there was nobody at the gate and when I called GF Call Centre on the mobile they said, that there is nothing they can do.

Transfer from BMI to GF (T1 Irish Mile to T3)

I decided to try to enter the secure area again via the domestic security screening as there was no queue there. The boarding pass controller did not want to let me through, telling me I need to make my way outside until I told her that I flow in on BMI. She than let me through, giving me direction how to reach the flight connection center. I passed security in 5 minutes and made my way over to the Flight Connection Center, grabbed the bus to T3 and was there 30 minutes later.

My boarding pass said Gate Closed 0830 for the LHR-BAH Flight and the BMI agent said that was due to a change in schedule.

So I approached the GF counter on the right side coming upstairs in T3 from the bus and after waiting for 10 minutes for 2 families to be served asked the agent for help. He said, that there was no change, that this was due to a computer problem and after scanning my passport he issued me new boarding passes for LHR-BAH and BAH-BKK. He also gave me a lounge voucher and instructions how to reach the lounge.

He however asked to see my complete ticket after he looked at the price to fill out the lounge voucher with Class of Service. I was worried for a second but he continued smiling and processing the boarding pass.

Lounge (LHR)

The lounge is located between the AA Admirals Club and the AA Flagship Lounge near to Gate 11 and you require a lounge voucher even if you travel F or C. So if you connect please get a voucher at the transfer desk (see above).

The receptionist entered my details in the computer and then asked me, if the Meet & Greet worked because according to her computer I was a no show. I told her that nobody showed up at the gate, she apologized and welcomed me to the lounge.

The lounge is very small and was full. Coffee/Alcohol/Non-alcohol are freely available so were small assortment of bakery products, waffles and some prepared sandwiches.

The receptionist returned to me and again apologized for the Meet & Greet Problem and said, that she called special services and somehow the Meet & Greet Request was from the LHR check-in and not the BMI gate. She was very apologetic and promised that she is going to ensure that next time this will not happen.

She than approached me a while later to advise me that I should not follow the boarding announcements and that she had ordered a buggy for me to bring me down to gate 29 as I must have been tired from walking all the way from the Irish BMI gate to the lounge. I told her that that was not needed but she insisted. 5 minutes after the “last boarding call” she approached me again and released me (her words) to a driver who drove me down to the gate.

Boarding

I boarded as soon as I arrived with no one of the FA’s paying any attention to me as I took seat 2K (a new Sky Bed) and they continued to ignore me for the next 10 minutes until one of them finally offered a drink.

Just as we pulled back from the gate (on time), the Sky Chef handed me a menu and informed me that he is going to take my order about 15 minutes after we are in the air.

The Seat

New Sky Bed’s in 2 rows of 1-2-1 configuration and 6 seats were occupied, one of them with a mother with a sick child crying for most of the flight.
The seats are very good and I was able to sleep in the flat position very comfortable, which I usually do not mange on other airlines.

The Flight/Food

Half an hour after take-off I was offered refreshments and a small starter. There are two dining options: a fine dining menu with three choices of main course, or a snack option (including sandwiches and meze) which can be ordered any time during the flight.

The comments about Sky Chefs and the quality of the food from other reviews set my expectations but I was bitterly disappointed on this leg. The starter was fantastic (Arabic meeze) but my main course (Ravioli) was not really warm and had no taste what so ever not to mention that the parmesan was only produced on request. The cheese as desert was 2 little piece.

LAN Chile is still my favorite for 1st class food. The best steak I had on an airline in years.

The Flight/Service

20 minutes into the flight the Flight Service Manager introduced himself and offered to be of assistance during the flight, this was the only time I saw him until I debarked in BAH.

English was not very fluent for both the FA and the Sky Chef who doubled as FA from security demonstration over making beds and so on. I had to repeat my requests several times and then the service was very slow.

The FA’s were not very constantly available and when I requested something (mostly water) I took a good while to materialize.

No real comfort kits were given, only sleeping socks and sleeping mask. Headsets were already plugged in.

Arrival

The FA’s announced that they will hold back the normal passengers until the F and C passengers had exited the plane through the exit in the middle of the C cabin. Well this did not happen and one had to fight his way out of the plane.

Following the signs it was very fast to find the connection center where a very effective security detail did a scan of bags (no laptops to be taken out) and when I trigger the sensor the security guard was one of the friendliest I had in a while, he actually apologized for padding me down.

3rd Leg BAH-BKK

Lounge (BAH)

Following another sign making my way past shops and shops I found the GF First and Business Lounge where my details were taken and I was welcomed.
Now if you enter the lounge you get the impression that this is a combined lounge, but that is not true. If you turn left where the sign says “restrooms to the right” and then again left and pass the service desk you will find the F lounge separately.

The F lounge part is about as large as the complete LHR lounge. Staff is on hand all the times and the Chef approached within seconds to ask what I would like to drink and if I would like to have food.
There is a wide range of food (hot, cold, sandwiches, cookies etc) available which a friendly waiter is serving you at the table. A constant flow of drink is also provided.

Newspapers are available in Arabic, German and English (Telegraph, Daily Mirror, the guardian), 2 monitors are showing BBC world.

Computer are available in the C Lounge part but wireless is available for FREE (connect to the SID: “batelco”) and offers good connectivity. The power plugs are British Style by the way.

Boarding

The flight was called at 2140 and I walked past the shopping mall to the gate where it was a free for all boarding with no separate line for F/C passengers. They gate agent did not want to see the passport but about 25 yards into the tunnel to the airplane 2 gentlemen were checking ID’s.

I showed my boarding pass to the FA on entry and she called over another FA who escorted me to my seat (2 K again) and helped me with my bag.

As soon as I sat down the Sky Chef (a very helpful French from Marseille) approached, handed me over the menu and asked if I would like to go to sleep as soon as we are airborne or if I would like food. I decided for a snack and he told me that he is going to take my order once we are in the air.

We left the stand at 2210 and the captain informed us about a slight delay of 15 to 20 minutes before we could take off. Well at 2220 (the time we were supposed to depart) we had wheels up.

The Seat

12 seats (2-2-2) of which 4 were taken. The other 3 passengers were traveling on to Hong Kong. I checked C and only 1 in 3 seats were taken.
I was worried that the seat won’t allow me (6 feet 3 in) to sleep as my legs were hanging over the foot rest. However I was wrong, maybe because of the late time but I sleep very well.

The Flight/Food

A choice of a full menu or a bed side snack was offered and I opted for a chicken sandwich was served 20 minutes after takeoff.

1.5 hours before landing I was woken up by the Sky Chef and he took my breakfast order. They offered a variety of options and I went for the All Irish (not kidding you, beans, toast, sausages, mushrooms and eggs all made fresh).

The Flight/Service

Wow, both the Sky Chef and the FA were there all the time. My water bottle constantly exchanged even while I was sleeping. Both took time to talk to me and the other passengers in the morning. Every request was fulfilled within seconds. Where were these guys on the LHR-BAH leg?

I declined the headset and sleeping outfit offered, just taking the flight socks and sleeping mask. There was no other amenity kit offered.

Arrival

The FA’s announced that they will hold back the normal passengers until the F and C passengers had exited the plane through the exit in the middle of the C cabin.

Now that seems to be standard on GF but this time she overlooked that there were 2 fingers approaching the aircraft, one at the front door and 1 at the middle door.

I exited in front and was immediately greeted by ground staff with Name asking me if I need assistance, which I declined as I had arranged that via the IC.

Immigration

It was a quite long walk from the gate to the immigration but I had asked the Intercontinental (where I stay) to arrange a Fast Track immigration & transfer for me (as GF is not offering that in BKK).

And believe me it’s worth the 1800 BHT they charge for it. 2 friendly ladies picked me up at the top of the gate together with a porter and escorted me to immigration. By the time we arrived I had described my bag so that the porter can pick it up without me and my passport and landing card details has already been radioed ahead to immigration.

Bypassing any queues a senior immigration officer approached my escorts and I was directed to the diplomatic counter where my escort handed over the passport/immigration card.

The female officer did not ask a single question. My passport was scanned, some sort of alarm rang and when I asked if there was a problem, I was ignored. She stamped my passport, stapled the exit card to my passport and handed it back to my escort. She did not speak to me at all; it was like I did not exist.

Verdict

Very good Sky Beds and extremely good service on the BAH-BKK route making up for the poor service from LHR-BAH. If the seats on BAH-BKK would be upgraded too that would be extremely beneficial but for a short flight like it was it was definitely acceptable.

Money for value is no question here giving the fare I used. I however would not pay a full F class fare for this combination.