BA (BMED) has no traffic rights between the two cities. The flight from LON arrives at BEY first for deplaning passengers. And then takes off again for DAM which is only about 66 miles apart. But yet this sector takes about an hour?

The BMED Club service is certainly a fair bit better than BA's Club Europe product. It has the old Club World cradle seat, AVOD on certain planes and - theoretically - the same food, drink options as mainline though I thought it was a little worse. There are a few reviews on the BA board.

If you do go, Damascus is well worth a day or two. It is a very atmospheric chunk of the 'old' Middle East, without the hustle and hassle of Cairo. In fact, Syria as a whole is a wonderful travelling destination. It is sad it has too much baggage in most people's minds.

Thanks - I'd look forward to being able to sample Damascus with an easy mind. Any recent experience on the ground there?

I doubt you would call 4 years ago recent. ;) However I do have a colleague heading there in a couple of weeks on BA - I will get him to report back.