Who's Nostalgic? 1997 Timetable Highlights
Jan 28, 2018, 3:55 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,533
As ever, I must be one of the oldest here ... I remember clearly the non-reclining F seats, when they were 2 abreast on, I think, the 747's (although that's a bit hazy). The centre single F seats on the 767 were, then, something of a wonder as they were - IIRC - the only single seats on any aircraft in any class. However, I am open to correction on that.
I also remember the small and cramped 'supersonic. class' (referred to above) seats on Concorde. Comfort has certainly improved, is nothing else !
I can't remember when they phased giving our gifts (Waterford Crystal and the like) in F. Can anyone remember that ?
What about the old IFE, with a central screen and on which the sound came through earphones fed by plastic tubes rather than wires ?!
Someone above mentioned that Gold EC members were more highly valued 20 yrs ago. Having been Gold for at least that long, I have to say that I really don't remember a time when status made much more practical difference to the way one was treated (other than a more consistent greeting from the CSD) than it does now.
I also remember the small and cramped 'supersonic. class' (referred to above) seats on Concorde. Comfort has certainly improved, is nothing else !
I can't remember when they phased giving our gifts (Waterford Crystal and the like) in F. Can anyone remember that ?
What about the old IFE, with a central screen and on which the sound came through earphones fed by plastic tubes rather than wires ?!
Someone above mentioned that Gold EC members were more highly valued 20 yrs ago. Having been Gold for at least that long, I have to say that I really don't remember a time when status made much more practical difference to the way one was treated (other than a more consistent greeting from the CSD) than it does now.
I once beside a cabinet minister who is now a lord on a SIN LHR and the crew tipped 6 glasses of champagne into his lap with me getting splattered. He sat for much of the flight under the screen while it flickered it’s IFE offering at us
Jan 28, 2018, 4:41 am
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
What an absolutely fascinating Thread! ^
Despite having flown nearly 500,000 miles in my lifetime, we hardly touched BA until 1995 (Y to IAD) and 2007 (W to IAD) - the intervening years were Virgin and MaxJet!! It was only in 2008 that we discovered BA J (to IAD again) and became regular BA J flyers after joining FT in 2010.
So all this 'historic' stuff makes me realise what we've missed!
Despite having flown nearly 500,000 miles in my lifetime, we hardly touched BA until 1995 (Y to IAD) and 2007 (W to IAD) - the intervening years were Virgin and MaxJet!! It was only in 2008 that we discovered BA J (to IAD again) and became regular BA J flyers after joining FT in 2010.
So all this 'historic' stuff makes me realise what we've missed!
Jan 28, 2018, 6:36 am
#78
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
Jan 28, 2018, 10:04 pm
#80
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: GGL
Posts: 490
In nostalgic mode, I recall a fabulous trip out to Australia after Christmas in 1998 to watch the ashes with a wonderful crew on LHR-SIN. If I may reminisce briefly, the CSD was an ex-mid fleet chap called David with whom I shared a date of birth, and the purser in F was that Jeeves type of knowing butler only to be found on BA called Nöel. I spent most of the flight in the galley (for some reason) talking to a merchant of silver plate from Birmingham by the name of Trevor, while Noel assisted us in working through the supply of Laurent Perrier rosé.
My question, to CIHY probably, is I took the entire crew out to a restaurant of their choice, which was some Chinese street food place called fat something or other, does anyone know what it is called? I remember it as surprisingly good, and I'd quite like to return for old time's sake. Does it still exist?
My question, to CIHY probably, is I took the entire crew out to a restaurant of their choice, which was some Chinese street food place called fat something or other, does anyone know what it is called? I remember it as surprisingly good, and I'd quite like to return for old time's sake. Does it still exist?
Last edited by Mixbury; Jan 28, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Jan 29, 2018, 2:06 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
That would be the former Fatty's in Albert Street, of fond memory from the 60s! Adjacent to Bugis Street, and a frequent port of call for seriously good Chinese food. Pavement seating much nicer than indoors!
Jan 29, 2018, 2:24 am
#84
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 2,368
Jan 29, 2018, 2:31 am
#85
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,212
I've always found old airline timetables fascineting so when I saw this thread, just had to upload some scans of BA winter 1998 - 1999 timetable.
A few interesting remarks:
A few interesting remarks:
- announcing purchase of 188 Airbus "regional" jets
- some new partners, including Finnair
- over 30 UK destinations
- BEC, BN1, DHT, EMB, J31, J41, love those old props...
- free transfer between LHR and LGW
Jan 29, 2018, 4:26 am
#86
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BA Gold. Flying Blue, Radisson, Accor
Posts: 289
If someone has a July 1996 timetable to check some flight numbers and times I have, I'd be most appreciative.
I have noted a BA5360 GLA to BHX at 06:45 and the same flight number continuing on to FRA at 08:35.
The return would be perhaps the 11:00 BA5361 from FRA to BHX, and the BA5407 to GLA at 17:45.
It definitely was an ATP on the Domestics, and was a jet (perhaps a 737) on the Frankfurts.
I have noted a BA5360 GLA to BHX at 06:45 and the same flight number continuing on to FRA at 08:35.
The return would be perhaps the 11:00 BA5361 from FRA to BHX, and the BA5407 to GLA at 17:45.
It definitely was an ATP on the Domestics, and was a jet (perhaps a 737) on the Frankfurts.
Coming back the BA5361 departed FRA at 12.00 and arrived back in BHX at 12.35. The BA5361 then left BHX as a ATP at 13.25 arriving in Glasgow at 14.40. The BA5407 departed BHX at 17.45 and arrived in Glasgow at 18.45. It was a 737. The 5407 originated in Paris operating CDG-BHX-GLA.
There was a very handy flight summary at the back of the timetable that gave you all the permutations including the catering!
Last edited by martin102; Jan 29, 2018 at 4:28 am Reason: added atp
Jan 29, 2018, 6:50 am
#87
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dundee
Programs: BA Plastic. HH Diamond. Speedwell Bar Lifetime Platinum.
Posts: 1,425
according to my 1996 timetable which has been retrieved from the loft it was the ATP to BHX and then a 737 to FRA. The timetable has the departure ex BHX at 08.40. Your Glasgow departure time is correct.
Coming back the BA5361 departed FRA at 12.00 and arrived back in BHX at 12.35. The BA5361 then left BHX as a ATP at 13.25 arriving in Glasgow at 14.40. The BA5407 departed BHX at 17.45 and arrived in Glasgow at 18.45. It was a 737. The 5407 originated in Paris operating CDG-BHX-GLA.
There was a very handy flight summary at the back of the timetable that gave you all the permutations including the catering!
Coming back the BA5361 departed FRA at 12.00 and arrived back in BHX at 12.35. The BA5361 then left BHX as a ATP at 13.25 arriving in Glasgow at 14.40. The BA5407 departed BHX at 17.45 and arrived in Glasgow at 18.45. It was a 737. The 5407 originated in Paris operating CDG-BHX-GLA.
There was a very handy flight summary at the back of the timetable that gave you all the permutations including the catering!
What a wonderful resource FT is, it's amazing the information that's out there
Stamping those very boxes (and putting a sticker on the front) was my very first job, aged about 14, in my dad's branch of a travel agent. £2 an hour wasn't bad!
Jan 29, 2018, 8:46 am
#88
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,271
Ah, yes. The 90s were peak travel for me. Two thirds Asia/Dunnunder, and one third Americas.
The First recliners, great service, excellent fillet beef, and too much Lynch Bages. (Much better than the Talbot, IMHO).
You weren't allowed too much beef, as the CSD took his (and CSDs then were mainly male) large piece of fillet home.
The Sin Pax services supervisor, Ishahak, was a real star.
And us Golds got in to the Concorde lounge.
The First recliners, great service, excellent fillet beef, and too much Lynch Bages. (Much better than the Talbot, IMHO).
You weren't allowed too much beef, as the CSD took his (and CSDs then were mainly male) large piece of fillet home.
The Sin Pax services supervisor, Ishahak, was a real star.
And us Golds got in to the Concorde lounge.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:08 am
#89
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: GGL
Posts: 490
Well it was one of those party atmosphere flights between Christmas and new year, I'd flown with a few of them many times, and crews were different in those days.
Aha, thank you, I may swing by next time, I see it is run by a son.
Also thank you, and yes, I remember the food as good, and that we dined on the pavement.
Also thank you, and yes, I remember the food as good, and that we dined on the pavement.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:56 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
I’m surprised nobody has yet mentioned the old West London Air Terminal, from whence I travelled (having deposited my luggage) from LHR to SIN in 1967 
OK, it was not on BA, but a British Eagle Britannia trooping charter. Nostalgic, though! Curiously, ‘cos dem’s da rules, my parents had to drive me from Richmond (10 miles from LHR?) into Central London (20 miles.) to drop me off
OK, it was not on BA, but a British Eagle Britannia trooping charter. Nostalgic, though! Curiously, ‘cos dem’s da rules, my parents had to drive me from Richmond (10 miles from LHR?) into Central London (20 miles.) to drop me off