BA DTW-LHR
Apr 14, 2003 | 7:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Beaver, Pennsylvania, US
Posts: 9
BA DTW-LHR
This being my first trip report, please bear with me if I don't follow good form...
29 March 2003
BA 202 DTW-LHR
767-300ER, G-BNWX
Sceduled: 1800-0735
Actual: 1815-0635
CHECK IN
After a busy morning going from Lake Orion downtown and back again, my father and I were ready to go to Metro. We left the house at 1430, got to Metro by 1500, which must be a record time. I was expecting the Berry Terminal to be slower, but came into a crowded desk bank of BA, ATA, Champion, Apple, etc... passengers. Seems today had been the "Everyone-in-Detroit-Take-A-Charter-Flight-to-Mexico Day," but no worries. The BA que moved nicely, back to front in under 15 minutes. Because of not being able to see seating charts or reserve seats in advance, one of my prime concerns was getting good seats, which I am happy to say we did. The agent gave us 19 J,K, a nice aisle/window pair.
Metro Berry Terminal has got to be one of the easiest in the world. Went up the escalators to the departures hall and security. Toughest thing about this leg was me getting through; seems I buzzed and they weren't able to find anything... no bother though, just an extra minute. As much as I love Metro, the Berry Terminal just seems rather... depressing, all the rows of 60s style orange and brown hanging chairs. The terminal provides excellent views of the runway and lots of traffic... so I was in a good mood. After waiting and waiting, BA 203 finally showed up at 1630 or so, some time past scheduled 1500 arrival, so I was figuring on a pushed back departure, as our gate close time was 1720. However, boarding was announced at about 1745, and we were on our way.
FLIGHT
Boarding was announced, so we got in the que for Gate 1. We were in about the middle of the group, so boarding was a breeze. On ba.com, I saw that they were fitting their long haul 767s with PTVs, so I was hoping... and let down. Oh well, it would be a great flight anyway. The plane did have the new interiors, and I was really impressed with World Traveller. We were able to push and have only a mildly late departure. After we were at about cruise of FL380, the IFE was started with BBC News, and they started the first of many drink services. About a half hour later, meal service started. We had a choice of chicken or beef, I'm always partial to chicken and took it. I recieved a scaldingly hot tray of a huge garlic roasted chicken breast, stuffing, the best green beans I've ever had, mashed potatoes, a roll, and my personal favorite, cheesecake with a nice chocolate piece. Meal was delicious, and soon after, the IFE resumed. Harry Potter was on... not something I was extremely partial to, but there was radio as well. However, this is one of the small bumps in my flight; I plugged both my headphones and BA's into the jack, but got a steady brrr the entire flight, until as we started descent, when I lifted my armrest and found the problem was caused by its positioning... oh well. The crew was definitely among the finest I think I've ever had, the best professionals and wonderful senses of humor. In fact, I had gone back to the galley to use the lav, and was waiting. The crew was back there talking, and the one male was saying to his partner, "It'll be a nightmare when we have to redirect all these pax when we're diverted to Birmingham..." And I looked over as his female counterpart began to smirk, and gave him a smack for playing such a joke on a passenger! Other IFE highlights were Friends, Drew Carey, Spin City, Raymond, Simpsons, and Will and Grace. I fell asleep sometime around Raymond, and awoke as the day was starting over Ireland... simply gorgeous outside. Soon began the brakfast service, which was a platter of several muffins, a croissant, and fruits. Also, there was what I believe is the best coffee I've ever had in my life... kudos BA. Anyway, began descent over what looked like Liverpool, and made a somewhat bumpy landing at Heathrow.
ARRIVAL
Taxied to T4, to the arrivals, and walked, and walked, and walked, and... until passport control, which was an absolute BREEZE. Absolutely no one in line, considering our plane was full. Now, the fun starts... Went down to the Heathrow Express desks to find that the train was down, but a free bus service was being offered from T3 to Paddington. So, we took the Express to T3, and walked, and walked, and walked, etc... and up to the buses, for a nice hour drive to Paddington. Got a cab at Paddington, and the driver couldn't find the hotel... so we circled Lancaster Terrance and surrounding streets for a good 20 minuted before finding it, but the interesting part was the collision with the minibike. Glad to say not a scratch to either party.
STAY
Spent a nice week in the UK and other parts of Europe. London, then Liverpool, then Dublin, then back to London, to Bath, Bristol, then back and flew to Heidelberg and Munich, finally back to London. I have to say, I really enjoyed my stay and would like to tell any UK residents thank you for having such a great country and being so accommodating. I liked it so much I'm starting to research some universities over there for the future... Anyway, time to go back home.
5 April 2003
BA 203 LHR-DTW
767-300ER, G-BNWS
Sceduled: 1235-1530
Actual: 1230-1630
CHECK IN
The previous nite we stayed at the Holiday Inn on Sipson, so it would be easy to get up and go in the morning. We hired a car, and had a nice conversation with the Iraqi driver about the war. It was really interesting, and the man was really nice, as we had the same viewpoints on the issue, which are too much to get into here and now. Left the hotel at 9, got to T4 at about 915. Walked in to the solid mass of cattle known as passengers, and almost felt worried... until I caught sight of the eticket Check in kiosks. No line there, walked up and it was the easiest thing I've ever done. Unfortunately, another bump came up here. Although I had not been able to book outgoing seats, BA let me book return seats, which the agent told me were opposing aisle seats in an exit row. I thought I had lucked out, until I looked at the layout on the screen. We were booked in 20 E, F I believe, which were an aisle and middle in the middle of the first WT cabin. I looked desperately for other seat pairs, but they seemed to be the only one available. Oh well... printed the passes and went to the Fast Bag Drop line, took about only 10 minutes. Tagged the bags for DTW, and I also inquired about our seat pair. She was able to offer us opposing aisles at the back of the plane, very last row, which my father declined, as those seats don't have any recline. Checked the bags and went through to security, which took much longer than DTW, but was easier, and we were out in 20 minutes. Went to gate 1b, where we would be bussed to the remote stand. We were at the gate well before ten, so had some hours to kill, or so I thought. I took the time to walk up and down the amazing terminal a few times, as well as get some newspapers for my grandfather at home. After watching in amazement a myriad of departures and planes, I went back to out seats at the gate. It was about 1130, and they announced boarding for BA203. So, got up, said goodbye to Heathrow, and walked down the hall to the busses, and took a nice ride on the tarmac to G-BNWS. It was about 1145 and we boarded the plane, and went to our seats, my father took the middle, I the aisle. As we waited for more pax, I kept my eye on several empty aisle around us, and I told my father that after we got to cruise, I'd get up and take an empty one, and he could just move over. Which is exactly what we did. Plane got up early, and our highest cruise during the flight was I think about FL410 the pilot said. After we got to about FL350, there was an empty aisle seat in front of mine, so I moved my stuff up there, worked out perfectly, we both had the seat next to us empty. BBC News started, then the first meal service, lunch!!! Chicken or pasta, I chose chicken. I got a nice hot chicken curry dish with a roll, and the absolute best dessert I've had on a plane- a bunch of cream puffs.... ugh to die for! Sorry about that... Anyway, finished the meal and the IFE cycle started. First movie was Catch Me if You Can, a great movie for the flight. During the movie we had a water/juice service, and another after. TV started with Becker, Just Shoot Me, 3rd Rock, Spin City, Raymond, and Will and Grace. During this we had another drink service, as well as those pretzel thingies... quite good. Two Weeks Notice started, and about halfway through that they began a second meal service, a platter of different sandwiches, really good. After that movie was over, we started our descent, and I listened to my DOuble Fantasy CD for a while. As we were clearing the cloud cover in the Metropolitan area, the pilot cane on and said the weather down there wasn't quite as nice as it had been at Heathrow that morning... and was he correct. It had been about 75 and sunny in London, and in Detroit it was 20, cloudy, and snowing lightly... wonderful!! Broke clouds and circled twice, landed only a little late.
ARRIVAL
We touched down a tad late, and taxied past the McNamara Terminal, past the Smith, down to Berry. Now, we got up, docked the jetway, and all got up. People began to move toward the front of the plane, as did we, and got stuck on the way up. The pilot came on and said that (what I believe was all 1000 Mexico charter flights returning) several international flights arrived at the same time, and we would need to stay on until the arrivals hall cleared... about a half an hour. We got stuck up in Business Class, as no one was sitting down or returning to their seats. After a while of waiting there, finally got off the plane, and just as easy as the Berry Terminal was leaving, it was easier coming home. Went to the Passport Control, waited about 2 minutes, then down to baggage, everything was there before we were, and straight through customs. Got to the car, and got to my dad's house to find that the ice storm had fell several trees by his house and made holes in his roof, as well as severing the power lines from his house... so another nite in a hotel!! My flight to Pittsburgh was cancelled the next day, so I didn't fly home until Monday I believe, and who wants to hear about a boring US Airways domestic flight.
Once again, I'd like to give a tourist plug to the UK, and say thanks for the hospitality. Also, amazing flights on BA. A great trip I plan on taking again soon. Thanks for your time!
Regards
29 March 2003
BA 202 DTW-LHR
767-300ER, G-BNWX
Sceduled: 1800-0735
Actual: 1815-0635
CHECK IN
After a busy morning going from Lake Orion downtown and back again, my father and I were ready to go to Metro. We left the house at 1430, got to Metro by 1500, which must be a record time. I was expecting the Berry Terminal to be slower, but came into a crowded desk bank of BA, ATA, Champion, Apple, etc... passengers. Seems today had been the "Everyone-in-Detroit-Take-A-Charter-Flight-to-Mexico Day," but no worries. The BA que moved nicely, back to front in under 15 minutes. Because of not being able to see seating charts or reserve seats in advance, one of my prime concerns was getting good seats, which I am happy to say we did. The agent gave us 19 J,K, a nice aisle/window pair.
Metro Berry Terminal has got to be one of the easiest in the world. Went up the escalators to the departures hall and security. Toughest thing about this leg was me getting through; seems I buzzed and they weren't able to find anything... no bother though, just an extra minute. As much as I love Metro, the Berry Terminal just seems rather... depressing, all the rows of 60s style orange and brown hanging chairs. The terminal provides excellent views of the runway and lots of traffic... so I was in a good mood. After waiting and waiting, BA 203 finally showed up at 1630 or so, some time past scheduled 1500 arrival, so I was figuring on a pushed back departure, as our gate close time was 1720. However, boarding was announced at about 1745, and we were on our way.
FLIGHT
Boarding was announced, so we got in the que for Gate 1. We were in about the middle of the group, so boarding was a breeze. On ba.com, I saw that they were fitting their long haul 767s with PTVs, so I was hoping... and let down. Oh well, it would be a great flight anyway. The plane did have the new interiors, and I was really impressed with World Traveller. We were able to push and have only a mildly late departure. After we were at about cruise of FL380, the IFE was started with BBC News, and they started the first of many drink services. About a half hour later, meal service started. We had a choice of chicken or beef, I'm always partial to chicken and took it. I recieved a scaldingly hot tray of a huge garlic roasted chicken breast, stuffing, the best green beans I've ever had, mashed potatoes, a roll, and my personal favorite, cheesecake with a nice chocolate piece. Meal was delicious, and soon after, the IFE resumed. Harry Potter was on... not something I was extremely partial to, but there was radio as well. However, this is one of the small bumps in my flight; I plugged both my headphones and BA's into the jack, but got a steady brrr the entire flight, until as we started descent, when I lifted my armrest and found the problem was caused by its positioning... oh well. The crew was definitely among the finest I think I've ever had, the best professionals and wonderful senses of humor. In fact, I had gone back to the galley to use the lav, and was waiting. The crew was back there talking, and the one male was saying to his partner, "It'll be a nightmare when we have to redirect all these pax when we're diverted to Birmingham..." And I looked over as his female counterpart began to smirk, and gave him a smack for playing such a joke on a passenger! Other IFE highlights were Friends, Drew Carey, Spin City, Raymond, Simpsons, and Will and Grace. I fell asleep sometime around Raymond, and awoke as the day was starting over Ireland... simply gorgeous outside. Soon began the brakfast service, which was a platter of several muffins, a croissant, and fruits. Also, there was what I believe is the best coffee I've ever had in my life... kudos BA. Anyway, began descent over what looked like Liverpool, and made a somewhat bumpy landing at Heathrow.
ARRIVAL
Taxied to T4, to the arrivals, and walked, and walked, and walked, and... until passport control, which was an absolute BREEZE. Absolutely no one in line, considering our plane was full. Now, the fun starts... Went down to the Heathrow Express desks to find that the train was down, but a free bus service was being offered from T3 to Paddington. So, we took the Express to T3, and walked, and walked, and walked, etc... and up to the buses, for a nice hour drive to Paddington. Got a cab at Paddington, and the driver couldn't find the hotel... so we circled Lancaster Terrance and surrounding streets for a good 20 minuted before finding it, but the interesting part was the collision with the minibike. Glad to say not a scratch to either party.
STAY
Spent a nice week in the UK and other parts of Europe. London, then Liverpool, then Dublin, then back to London, to Bath, Bristol, then back and flew to Heidelberg and Munich, finally back to London. I have to say, I really enjoyed my stay and would like to tell any UK residents thank you for having such a great country and being so accommodating. I liked it so much I'm starting to research some universities over there for the future... Anyway, time to go back home.
5 April 2003
BA 203 LHR-DTW
767-300ER, G-BNWS
Sceduled: 1235-1530
Actual: 1230-1630
CHECK IN
The previous nite we stayed at the Holiday Inn on Sipson, so it would be easy to get up and go in the morning. We hired a car, and had a nice conversation with the Iraqi driver about the war. It was really interesting, and the man was really nice, as we had the same viewpoints on the issue, which are too much to get into here and now. Left the hotel at 9, got to T4 at about 915. Walked in to the solid mass of cattle known as passengers, and almost felt worried... until I caught sight of the eticket Check in kiosks. No line there, walked up and it was the easiest thing I've ever done. Unfortunately, another bump came up here. Although I had not been able to book outgoing seats, BA let me book return seats, which the agent told me were opposing aisle seats in an exit row. I thought I had lucked out, until I looked at the layout on the screen. We were booked in 20 E, F I believe, which were an aisle and middle in the middle of the first WT cabin. I looked desperately for other seat pairs, but they seemed to be the only one available. Oh well... printed the passes and went to the Fast Bag Drop line, took about only 10 minutes. Tagged the bags for DTW, and I also inquired about our seat pair. She was able to offer us opposing aisles at the back of the plane, very last row, which my father declined, as those seats don't have any recline. Checked the bags and went through to security, which took much longer than DTW, but was easier, and we were out in 20 minutes. Went to gate 1b, where we would be bussed to the remote stand. We were at the gate well before ten, so had some hours to kill, or so I thought. I took the time to walk up and down the amazing terminal a few times, as well as get some newspapers for my grandfather at home. After watching in amazement a myriad of departures and planes, I went back to out seats at the gate. It was about 1130, and they announced boarding for BA203. So, got up, said goodbye to Heathrow, and walked down the hall to the busses, and took a nice ride on the tarmac to G-BNWS. It was about 1145 and we boarded the plane, and went to our seats, my father took the middle, I the aisle. As we waited for more pax, I kept my eye on several empty aisle around us, and I told my father that after we got to cruise, I'd get up and take an empty one, and he could just move over. Which is exactly what we did. Plane got up early, and our highest cruise during the flight was I think about FL410 the pilot said. After we got to about FL350, there was an empty aisle seat in front of mine, so I moved my stuff up there, worked out perfectly, we both had the seat next to us empty. BBC News started, then the first meal service, lunch!!! Chicken or pasta, I chose chicken. I got a nice hot chicken curry dish with a roll, and the absolute best dessert I've had on a plane- a bunch of cream puffs.... ugh to die for! Sorry about that... Anyway, finished the meal and the IFE cycle started. First movie was Catch Me if You Can, a great movie for the flight. During the movie we had a water/juice service, and another after. TV started with Becker, Just Shoot Me, 3rd Rock, Spin City, Raymond, and Will and Grace. During this we had another drink service, as well as those pretzel thingies... quite good. Two Weeks Notice started, and about halfway through that they began a second meal service, a platter of different sandwiches, really good. After that movie was over, we started our descent, and I listened to my DOuble Fantasy CD for a while. As we were clearing the cloud cover in the Metropolitan area, the pilot cane on and said the weather down there wasn't quite as nice as it had been at Heathrow that morning... and was he correct. It had been about 75 and sunny in London, and in Detroit it was 20, cloudy, and snowing lightly... wonderful!! Broke clouds and circled twice, landed only a little late.
ARRIVAL
We touched down a tad late, and taxied past the McNamara Terminal, past the Smith, down to Berry. Now, we got up, docked the jetway, and all got up. People began to move toward the front of the plane, as did we, and got stuck on the way up. The pilot came on and said that (what I believe was all 1000 Mexico charter flights returning) several international flights arrived at the same time, and we would need to stay on until the arrivals hall cleared... about a half an hour. We got stuck up in Business Class, as no one was sitting down or returning to their seats. After a while of waiting there, finally got off the plane, and just as easy as the Berry Terminal was leaving, it was easier coming home. Went to the Passport Control, waited about 2 minutes, then down to baggage, everything was there before we were, and straight through customs. Got to the car, and got to my dad's house to find that the ice storm had fell several trees by his house and made holes in his roof, as well as severing the power lines from his house... so another nite in a hotel!! My flight to Pittsburgh was cancelled the next day, so I didn't fly home until Monday I believe, and who wants to hear about a boring US Airways domestic flight.
Once again, I'd like to give a tourist plug to the UK, and say thanks for the hospitality. Also, amazing flights on BA. A great trip I plan on taking again soon. Thanks for your time!
Regards
Apr 14, 2003 | 7:45 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: SQ, LH, AMEX, Citi, Cap1
Posts: 4,113
Surprised BA hasn't moved from the Berry terminal to the new McNamara terminal yet.
Welcome to FT. Looks like you've been lurking around here for a while.
Cheers to you for supporting non-NW-affiliated carriers out of DTW. I'm such a sucker for the NW miles.
- Pat
[This message has been edited by Wiirachay (edited 04-14-2003).]
Welcome to FT. Looks like you've been lurking around here for a while.
Cheers to you for supporting non-NW-affiliated carriers out of DTW. I'm such a sucker for the NW miles.
- Pat
[This message has been edited by Wiirachay (edited 04-14-2003).]
Apr 14, 2003 | 7:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Beaver, Pennsylvania, US
Posts: 9
Funny you mention that; when checking in, the agent told us things have been hectic there, as they are planning their move to the McNamara Terminal in the middle of May, and it would just be a nightmare.
Apr 14, 2003 | 9:52 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 13,635
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dtwpit:
This being my first trip report, please bear with me if I don't follow good form...
</font>
This being my first trip report, please bear with me if I don't follow good form...
</font>
Apr 20, 2003 | 3:46 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,356
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dtwpit:
I liked it so much I'm starting to research some universities over there for the future...</font>
I liked it so much I'm starting to research some universities over there for the future...</font>