FlyerTalk Forums - BA Concorde - a few notes from the Easter weekend

I think the Concorde experience has been well documented recently on F. So, rather than post a detailed report, I thought I would just post a few comments and observations to help anyone travelling on the rocket over the next few months.

BA 001 LHR - JFK on the 18/4 - 6A

* From check in onwards the whole trip was made to feel a VERY special experience.
* After check in we were escorted to a special bag check area for hold baggage, where they were x-rayed. This is located by the fastrack entrance.
* Get to the lounge early - it gets busy and it's worth spending time in. Far too many scummy F class pax cluttering the place up!
* Lounge champagne was Pol Roger '86 Winston Churchill - mmmm! There was also a '92 Pommery Louise on offer.
* Take advantage of the Molton Brown spa - the 15 min back massage is great for getting knots out - and it lets you drink more champagne (allegedly).
* Take off was utterly amazing! Lots of fun watching everyone watching us.
* Pleasantly surprised by the food - caviar and salmon starter, and main courses that tasted like food. Champagne was Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis.
* Staff were superb - in the best British tradition of friendly and efficient without fawning (a la SQ/CX) or casual (a la AA).
* Flight certificates signed by the captain were brought round.
* A full load on board, the vast majority Concorde tourist like me!
* Landing was also spectacular, though viewed through a fog of champagne, wine, cognac and port fumes!
* A wonderful experience on what one of the crew referred to as 'the proper concorde - not the funny AF thing'. I didn't stop smiling!

BA 002 JFK - LHR on the 21/4 Seat 6D

* Check in was slow and painful, it would have been quicker to use the Club World desks.
* TSA were their usual inhuman selves.
* JFK lounge is beautiful - very light and airy. Sadly the food, champage and service were not so great. I never expected to queue for the toilet in a concorde lounge.
* On board, it was caviar and all the trimmings to start. Can't remember the main courses but they were not quite as good as those on the outbound.
* Service was just as good as the outbound flight - I've never seen a crew show so much pride in the plane and their job. They were all so upset about the imminent end.
* Hoovered up a load of concorde gifts - all in the US$ 50 - 100 mark each, but well worth it.
*Very sad to leave her at Heathrow. But what a great way to spend the weekend - two concorde flights and 3 nights in a suite at the Stanhope Park Hyatt.

It is not luxurious - try SQ or CX first for that. However, Concorde is a unique and very special experience. I doubt I will ever travel at 1300mph again!

[This message has been edited by Swanhunter (edited 04-26-2003).]