Delay and then no delay - my sprint on -4 from T5A to T5C
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Nottingham
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,396
Delay and then no delay - my sprint on -4 from T5A to T5C
I was enjoying the CCR earlier. The waiter asked if I'd like dessert or a top-up on the Champagne to which I had to say "no". It was 1345 and the gate for my flight (BA213 LHR-BOS) was due to shut at 1415. A nice amble on -4 to stretch my legs before a few hours sitting down.
Alas, the minute I stood up I got a notification from Flighty stating the new departure time was now in fact 1535 instead of 1435. I double checked the FID in the lounge and it agreed. I checked the BA app to be double sure and it also agreed. I even went to the desk just to see if they could let me know the reason for the delay and whether it might get worse (I have a connection at BOS).
I sat back down and duly ordered my dessert and another glass of champagne, much to the bewilderement of the waiter who I had just told I needed to run for a flight.
Twnety or so minutes later (1415) I thought I'd double check the delay much to my surprise and shock that the delay was now 10 minutes. So now I had to be at the gate by 1425. Cue a dash to -4 and a light sprint to T5C. I was the last to board.
All things considered, had I missed my flight LHR-BOS what would happen next? Is the advice that if it says "Go To Gate" and also "Now At" you should still go and sit by the gate...?
Alas, the minute I stood up I got a notification from Flighty stating the new departure time was now in fact 1535 instead of 1435. I double checked the FID in the lounge and it agreed. I checked the BA app to be double sure and it also agreed. I even went to the desk just to see if they could let me know the reason for the delay and whether it might get worse (I have a connection at BOS).
I sat back down and duly ordered my dessert and another glass of champagne, much to the bewilderement of the waiter who I had just told I needed to run for a flight.
Twnety or so minutes later (1415) I thought I'd double check the delay much to my surprise and shock that the delay was now 10 minutes. So now I had to be at the gate by 1425. Cue a dash to -4 and a light sprint to T5C. I was the last to board.
All things considered, had I missed my flight LHR-BOS what would happen next? Is the advice that if it says "Go To Gate" and also "Now At" you should still go and sit by the gate...?
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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But if you had been nice and apologetic, BA would have moved you to the next flight in all probability.
#3
Original Poster
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Would you call a 1hr delay a "short delay"? In this instance it seems like BA was too quick to announce a delay. I guess the other way of phrasing the question is "how long does the delay need to be before you stay in the lounge rather than waiting at the gate?"
#4
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Depends on your risk appetite. One view, perhaps close to my own, is that you made the flight AND saved yourself from having to participate in the Group 0 why-oh-why, so it all sounds good to me.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 863
The "Go to gate" and "boarding messages" are well known for being less than accurate when there are short delays, ultimately it's your task to be at the departure gate in time, and not too far from it if there is a delay, so moving to T5B or C may have been a better idea than more CCR yummies. There is a pretty good lounge at T5B.
But if you had been nice and apologetic, BA would have moved you to the next flight in all probability.
But if you had been nice and apologetic, BA would have moved you to the next flight in all probability.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Not BA , but last week at the MH Platinum lounge in KUL awaiting the evening flight to PER, it kept showing ‘gate open’ (which those familiar with KUL will know means they load you into a holding pen and keep you there until they feel enough time has passed). I asked at the lounge reception desk a number of times as departure time got closer and closer. The message was always that they were not boarding yet. Until 10-15 mins before departure when I asked again, and it was ‘oops, sorry mr. SKT-DK, but the flight has boarded and you are the last one they are waiting for’…. Mad dash to C27, at which point the security staff could not really be bothered, escorted onboard and doors shut. Lovely crew though!
#7
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#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
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I have to admit to struggling with the benefit of group zero. Although if we are at the gate already when called I normally bite :-)
#9
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now if you are talking of long haul I would agree i dont find it as useful.
#10
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Yes I made the flight and happily walked straight up the jet bridge and into my seat without having to wait for anyone else, a quasi-Group 0 experience, however surely if all the information states a new departure time then one should be allowed to take said departure time as gospel?
#11
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
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FWIW the flightstats log for this service shows :
10 May 14:01 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 2:35 PM to May-10-2024 3:35 PM
10 May 14:08 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 3:35 PM to May-10-2024 2:45 PM
The hour delay was only present for sven minutes.
10 May 14:01 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 2:35 PM to May-10-2024 3:35 PM
10 May 14:08 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 3:35 PM to May-10-2024 2:45 PM
The hour delay was only present for sven minutes.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Nottingham
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,396
FWIW the flightstats log for this service shows :
10 May 14:01 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 2:35 PM to May-10-2024 3:35 PM
10 May 14:08 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 3:35 PM to May-10-2024 2:45 PM
The hour delay was only present for sven minutes.
10 May 14:01 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 2:35 PM to May-10-2024 3:35 PM
10 May 14:08 Time Adjustment Estimated Gate Departure changed from May-10-2024 3:35 PM to May-10-2024 2:45 PM
The hour delay was only present for sven minutes.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: UK
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Posts: 535
seriously, my sympathies with the original poster as many of us (well me) could be caught by that little jink in timing.