Mar 12, 2018, 6:03 am
Last edit by: george77300
NEW NOVEMBER TRAINING FLIGHTS
26 Nov (Tues) to 29 Nov (Fri) on BA456/457 and BA464/465 (Total 16 Flights)
Ding Ding, The next A350 training flight with FTers in NOV. will be:
26 Nov:
457: george77300
———————————————————————————————————
The Oct. A350 familiarisation/training flights dates to MAD (Madrid, Spain) from London Heathrow (LHR) are below; The Aug. training flights are now complete and the calendar for dates the A350 flew in Aug. is in the First post below as an archive.
Oct. 2019 A350 Schedule: (first published 20/08/2019) AT RISK OF CANCELLATION! BOOK WITH AVIOS ONLY AT THIS STAGE IF YOU ARE ONLY FLYING TO TRY OUT THE A350.
Ding Ding, The next A350 training flight with FTers in Oct. will be:
2 Oct:
Oct. 2019 A350 Schedule: (first published 20/08/2019) AT RISK OF CANCELLATION! BOOK WITH AVIOS ONLY AT THIS STAGE IF YOU ARE ONLY FLYING TO TRY OUT THE A350.
Ding Ding, The next A350 training flight with FTers in Oct. will be:
2 Oct:
465: courtster, george77300
5 Oct.
456: plunet +1, Thomas PL +1
464: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
465: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
6 Oct:
464: Pack
465: Pack, plunet +1
7 Oct:
457: davm666
NO A350 TRAINING FLIGHTS AFTER OCTOBER 7TH. (7TH IS THE LAST DAY!)
If you wish to join in, please post your name directly into the wiki or in the thread and someone will add you. Format for new days or flights:
There is quite a bit of information in post 1 where a FAQ has been written to answer most questions you may have, please read that first! If you notice something missing or an error, please post and this will be added or corrected.
Updated to Post #1394
464: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
465: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
6 Oct:
464: Pack
465: Pack, plunet +1
7 Oct:
457: davm666
NO A350 TRAINING FLIGHTS AFTER OCTOBER 7TH. (7TH IS THE LAST DAY!)
If you wish to join in, please post your name directly into the wiki or in the thread and someone will add you. Format for new days or flights:
There is quite a bit of information in post 1 where a FAQ has been written to answer most questions you may have, please read that first! If you notice something missing or an error, please post and this will be added or corrected.
Updated to Post #1394
BA A350-1000 training flights meet-ups thread
Jul 8, 2019, 2:47 am
#286
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 125
Jul 8, 2019, 4:32 am
#289
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
I have selected seats. Only if it gets “swapped back” to A319/321. More likely will never swap to A350 so shouldn’t get booted. I’m Silver so for free so no worries. I certainly wouldn’t pay although no doubt that would be carried over to the A350 flight.
Jul 8, 2019, 5:10 am
#290
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
A wikipost is a special tool on this forum that allows you and everyone else to find pertinent information on the thread easily (from anywhere in the thread) and also can be maintained by a larger group of people (so not just the person that posted it originally as is the case with normal forum posts). Some people may not see the wiki post easily as they have this turned off by default or simply haven't noticed it yet. The below posts show what the wikipost looks like (the top/start of it at least) when it is expanded and also when it is 'hidden'. You can find it most easily by going to the first page of a thread and then see it at the top of that thread. (on a mobile it may appear yellow, whereas on a computer I believe it will be white as you see in my screenshots). If all you see is a white bar with the + sign at the right, click on that + sign and you'll have the info show up from that point onwards I believe. Depending on your settings, you may see a wiki at the top of any thread page you look at but it may disappear if you scroll a bit and then look for it...so best to go to page 1 if you want to see it in detail until you get used to the behaviour of your computer/mobile and wikis.
Normal Wikipost expanded:
Wikipost when contracted/hidden:
Please note that not every thread has a wikipost, but you'll also note that threads that do will show this in the general forum subject list with a blue box saying wiki like the image below does for one thread but not the other.
Wiki indication on general forum pages:
Hope this helps and adds to the pleasure of using the forum and the excitement for the upcoming flights. Welcome onboard the A350 thread wiki! ^ (you won't be able to modify or add to a wiki until you meet requirements as set out in the rules, 90 days and 90 posts I believe*) You can always ask someone to add something to a wiki for you though and someone generally will. ^
I like your style...belt and braces approach just in case they do end up using the 777 flights to do the training you've hedged all bets...^
As george77300 mentions it may be good for two reasons; if it is the A350, hopefully they'll map the seat numbers one to one in CE (so those in row 1 or 2 will be pleased) if they do swap to a 'normal' A319/320/321 then at least you'll have the seat you wanted for that flight...as an aside in ET I am not sure what will happen, or if one selects an exit seat...that will be something for the guinea pigs on 6/7/8th Aug. to test and report back! 
Great to see others joining in, welcome to the training flights and best wishes regarding being rewarded with a flight on the new A350! ^
Anyone else booked or wish to join in?
4 weeks to go tomorrow is the first flight (scheduled) of the A350...29 days to go...34 FTers flying so far...
Safe travels everyone!
Last edited by BotB; Jul 8, 2019 at 5:24 am Reason: error in days to go...
Jul 9, 2019, 9:51 am
#292
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver. London Cycling Campaign. TfL Oyster
Posts: 716
Booked
Finally found a use for the Lloyds upgrade voucher that was expiring end October. 13000 avios and £50 for CE both ways.
14 Sept: out on BA456 6:20 and back on BA465 21:20.
Adding to Wiki now.
14 Sept: out on BA456 6:20 and back on BA465 21:20.
Adding to Wiki now.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:44 am
#293
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,872
Invites for the official press flight just landed.
The 13.20 on Monday 5th is going to be an A350 flight, although it is deliberately not marked in the timetable and shows as a 777. Club is blocked for VIPs / media but BA is selling Economy. However, if you want to be on the very very very first flight and don't care about Y, that's the one you want.
The 13.20 on Monday 5th is going to be an A350 flight, although it is deliberately not marked in the timetable and shows as a 777. Club is blocked for VIPs / media but BA is selling Economy. However, if you want to be on the very very very first flight and don't care about Y, that's the one you want.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:50 am
#294
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 177
Invites for the official press flight just landed.
The 13.20 on Monday 5th is going to be an A350 flight, although it is deliberately not marked in the timetable and shows as a 777. Club is blocked for VIPs / media but BA is selling Economy. However, if you want to be on the very very very first flight and don't care about Y, that's the one you want.
The 13.20 on Monday 5th is going to be an A350 flight, although it is deliberately not marked in the timetable and shows as a 777. Club is blocked for VIPs / media but BA is selling Economy. However, if you want to be on the very very very first flight and don't care about Y, that's the one you want.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:52 am
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,872
What we call 'crew training' flights are not 'training' flights as you may understand the word 'training'. There is no teacher standing in the cabin showing them how to hand things out, or taking notes. It is simply about A350 crew doing as many rotations as possible to get used to how the equipment works and where everything is - and, in this case, learning how to serve food etc to Club Suite guests.
Jul 10, 2019, 5:20 am
#297
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 177
Yes, familiarisation is what I undestand it to be.
What I meant to say was does the A350 being used on the 13.20 (which is usually a 777 rotation) for the press launch mean that it will carry on being used on this rotation, or will it be used on the other rotations as discussed in the previous posts?
What I meant to say was does the A350 being used on the 13.20 (which is usually a 777 rotation) for the press launch mean that it will carry on being used on this rotation, or will it be used on the other rotations as discussed in the previous posts?
Jul 10, 2019, 7:28 am
#299
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
Personally I see this as a good sign that the info posted is still correct as it helps to validate the 6th Aug. as the start date of the training/familiarisation flights for crew which was posted about. The use of the 777 slot is likely for convenience of the VIP crowd and that they can all get to Heathrow and away again at a timely hour rather than any other indicator (IMO).
I'll update the calendar to reflect this info.
I'd be very, very curious to know how many now hold their nerve on the Avios flights they have booked or try to change them / add a 777 flight as a knee jerk reaction! The algorithm for flights to MAD are going to need recalibration again after all this is over!
I'm happy with my choices!
Safe travels everyone.
Jul 10, 2019, 7:41 am
#300
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
Invites for the official press flight just landed.
The 13.20 on Monday 5th is going to be an A350 flight, although it is deliberately not marked in the timetable and shows as a 777. Club is blocked for VIPs / media but BA is selling Economy. However, if you want to be on the very very very first flight and don't care about Y, that's the one you want.
The 13.20 on Monday 5th is going to be an A350 flight, although it is deliberately not marked in the timetable and shows as a 777. Club is blocked for VIPs / media but BA is selling Economy. However, if you want to be on the very very very first flight and don't care about Y, that's the one you want.
You mention the 460 outbound is the VIP flight in CW/CE on the 5th...you haven't said anything about the return...Are the VIP's staying on board and then returning or does everyone go to some event in MAD or go their own way?
Do you know if the flight is indeed one way only, is the A350 flying back as the 461 for regular bookings? Or would it stay and fly back in another slot?
Hoping you can shed some light on these aspects without breaching any agreements?
Useful for the calendar to know what to put there (just the 460 or both 460/461 as well as for those wanting to get into Club if they were to position to MAD earlier in the day and come back on the first CW/CE flights...
Thanks for whatever you can provide say (maybe I'm reading too much into what is not said in your post!)
Safe travels.