BA914
LHR-FRA
Seat 1A
737-400

Upon boarding, I find two people already sitting in 1A and 1C, deep in conversation. The FA sees that I am holding a BP for 1A and very quickly suggests I slot into 3F and have the row to myself (3D and E are free). I was not in a mood to argue so just stowed my bag and slid into the window seat. Very soon the CSD approached the person sitting in 1A and asked to see if BP. He had noted they were now one person extra in the front cabin. He was told in no uncertain way that he was not allowed to upgrade himself and if he wanted to sit with his friend then they would have to do that down the back. So they got up and moved back to economy. I stayed in my 3F seat.

We have a reasonably long taxi to the active runway, but no further delays and no long queue for take-off as can happen at LHR. There is little view as we very soon climb through the thick clouds.

As soon as the seatbelt sign is off, we are offered drinks. The 15yo Glenlivet is a welcome sight for such a short-haul business class service. This is quickly followed by a light meal consisting of a cold chicken salad and sweet sticky something for desert. It was quite ok for such a short flight.

Another long taxi after landing into FRA and we eventually arrive at the gate. Its a short walk to passport control and as it often the case when arriving on a BA flight in RA there is no queue at the non-EU passport line. Hand over the passport and it is briefly inspected, a quick glance at me to verify the photo and its stamped and handed back. No questions about how long I plan to stay, where I am staying, who I work for, the purpose of my visit or any of the other questions often asked at places like USA.

From my last visit to FRA, I know that the courtesy shuttle bus to the Holiday Inn Frankfurt Airport North picks up from Terminal 1, and the BA flight arrives into Terminal 2. So I head straight for the airtrain to Terminal 1. It is fast and effortless to follow the signs to Terminal 1.

It seems that every time I use airport-hotel shuttles, I must just miss on bus as I always seem to have to wait the maximum time for the next shuttle. But this time I only have to wait a few minutes and the bus arrives. I am the only passenger for the 5 min ride to the hotel.

I have booked an "upgraded room" and am given that room type. I note from my last visit that I am now 2 from 2 stays here with no PC Platinum recognition (no upgrade, amenities etc). But I am only here overnight so its no real issue. I request to be booked for the 8am shuttle back to the airport the following morning and head off to get some sleep.

The following morning, after verifying my flight time, I recall that AA check-in does not open until 3 hours before departure. So that means there is no point in getting to the airport before 8:50am. So I call reception and change my shuttle reservation to 8:30am, again relying on my previous experience to know its a long walk from the shuttle drop-off point at Section A to the AA check-in desk as section C of Terminal 1. The return shuttle is full (8 passengers) so it is good that I had changed my reservation as there are some people who have no reserved and they have to wait behind for the next one.