|
A trip to Denmark with the "new and improved" BA business class......
I put "new and improved" in those wee thingies because it is new. I will give them that. Improved. Hmm. The jury is out on that one. Señor Cruz at Cruz Towers obviously thought this was a good idea to make more money and I suppose it is. Charge those b*stards more to sit up front, give them a panini with a wee filling and they'll be happy. Hmm. Well it started off that way and I think they have already made changes to the service due to the back lash (i.e. people saying "... have you given me three mouthfuls of food in business class?!")
I spent a few days in London with work before flying back to Aberdeen to then fly out to Copenhagen so thought I would amalgamate some London pics in with the rest of this report. I hopped down on the Dove for a few days of work. I'm trying to remember where I was seated - I think it was behind the curtain to make room for the "new and improved" Club Europe service.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2813/3...6779b836_z.jpg Anyway, after meetings were finished on one of the days, I decided to take the tube out to Richmond which a great idea. I hadn't been there before so it was great to see another area of London - and the weather was brilliant! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/3...90053bfd_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2941/3...f19f980e_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2857/3...ee781cdc_z.jpg Doin' some plane spotting..... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2830/3...86bb9489_z.jpg Hey 747! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2948/3...0cbb69f3_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2860/3...ccdf9f9c_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/3...2fd74afb_z.jpg Conveniently, my meeting ended and it meant that I could go to the top of One New Change and get some great views of St Paul's Cathedral. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2820/3...aff83fa0_z.jpg And because the weather was great, I jumped on the tube to Westminster and had a walk around there as well as a few cheeky pints at a wee bar right to the side of the tube station. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2908/3...19283620_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2901/3...ee1db6af_z.jpg It was such a great day in Westminster, I almost didn't want to leave. But I had to. I headed back to my hotel in Kensington and did an hour or so of work while I had lunch and then jumped on the Piccadilly line to Heathrow. I was napping on the way out and this lovely girl nudged me at Terminals 1,2,3 and asked if I was getting off because she would hate for me to miss my flight. I loved her - she obviously wasn't a Londoner! I used the brand new BA first class check in area which, give them their due, actually looked very good. I was welcomed to "our new check-in area" and then proceeded through the security line which was VERY quick and efficient. I was impressed. The new facility means that you walk straight into the Galleries First lounge which is brilliant because normally you have to go downstairs, walk through the shopping mall and then go back upstairs. This is one of the BA enhancements which is actually welcome! Well done BA! I had a friend who was travelling up to Aberdeen with me so I guested him into the Flounge and we enjoyed a good few drinks. I should say that I upgraded to Club Europe on this Aberdeen leg. I was offered it for £65 and decided to try it out to see what the product was like. That and there was the promise of a mid-haul A321 (which turned out not to be the case). We boarded and I took my seat in 1A. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2827/3...bbbcd6f5_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2915/3...c0c03bcf_z.jpg I think, if I remember correctly, that there were 4 of us in CE spread over 3 rows which meant that the service was quick and slick by the cabin services manager. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/3...8dbd3ef4_z.jpg So here comes the choice of food. A salad or panini. I went for the panini. And it didn't exactly look like business class food to be honest.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2929/3...18825dcd_z.jpg Meh - it was OK - beef, jalepeno and cheese. There wasn't too much filling and the random potato salad was average. Thankfully the fizz was free flowing and I managed to have a good few of them before we landed in Aberdeen to take away the pain! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2898/3...6a97404a_z.jpg The offering was so bad that I actually asked if there was any cheese which was what was served with the salad. Thankfully there was and I got one - yay! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2943/3...eabde7c0_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2918/3...11d5711c_z.jpg Before long, we were rewarded with a wonderful sunset over the hills of the countryside :cool: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2824/3...96c982ec_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2915/3...5d5122dc_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2885/3...c69e56c5_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2845/3...e7de9b87_z.jpg Just gorgeous on the way in! Anyway, I headed home for some takeaway and a quick sleep before I was back at Aberdeen airport in less than 12 hours........ |
Beautiful sunset photos. Thanks. Dire looking food though.
|
I was most pleased to see that the cheese didn't have to stand alone, the cheese didn't have to stand alone, just because of your simple request.
|
Originally Posted by halfcape
(Post 28212305)
Beautiful sunset photos. Thanks. Dire looking food though.
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
(Post 28212432)
I was most pleased to see that the cheese didn't have to stand alone, the cheese didn't have to stand alone, just because of your simple request.
|
Originally Posted by stu1985
(Post 28211691)
So here comes the choice of food. A salad or panini. I went for the panini. And it didn't exactly look like business class food to be honest....
. |
Originally Posted by TPJ
(Post 28215226)
OMG - this makes SAS Plus a superior product...
|
So after a few hours in my own flat, it was time to head back to ABZ for the early morning flight to London. I timed it brilliantly as by the time I was through security, there was only 5 minutes left until boarding - bonus!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2874/3...b0ff8622_z.jpg Sunny on the take off from Aberdeen! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2934/3...eaf98671_z.jpg The curtains were closed between Club Europe and economy - something I am still getting used to on a domestic flight - and the breakfast was offered. Choice of full English or vegetarian. Being a lover of meat, I went for the full English. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2810/3...73a71c33_z.jpg It doesn't look like much on the plate, does it? I think that there must have been feedback to BA because on my most recent morning flight, a yoghurt had also appeared on the tray with a pot of jam. Anyway, it was nice and I washed it down with a glass of fizz which was very nice! I then enjoyed the scenery on the way down to London... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2902/3...8e64edea_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2870/3...78d275e1_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2933/3...bd59574c_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2813/3...ce67398a_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/3...36676b01_z.jpg And my favourite approach over the city of London - never gets old. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/3...5818fc08_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2928/3...52f2cedc_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/3...181f1fe2_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2945/3...95ff09d3_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/3...47cea504_z.jpg I had just over three hours to kill in Terminal 5 so headed to the First lounge where I had some more fizz and some nibbles. The time flew by and it was soon time to board. I was like a kid at Christmas because I was excited about going back to Denmark again. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2857/3...a427d34c_z.jpg Hot towels were handed out while we were at the gate - I think that there were only about 5 of us in Club today. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2872/3...c20a9dbe_z.jpg We were right at the opposite end of the airport from where we were taking off so did the tour of Heathrow before we were cleared to depart. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2847/3...61f76c36_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2841/3...7913a184_z.jpg So. The choice for food today was either a tomato and mozzarella panini or a chicken and prawn salad. I went for the salad given that I had one of the paninis the previous evening. Now bear in mind that before the changes, I would have got a hot lunch on this flight to Copenhagen so I wasn't exactly best pleased with the "new and improved" catering..... There were 3 thing slices of chicken and ONE prawn cut in half to make it look bigger. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2848/3...0497c5af_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2879/3...ba3075b6_z.jpg I do like the bigger mugs that they have now though. I managed a few whiskies with my coffee.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2879/3...ba3075b6_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2863/3...b2cd8678_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2918/3...1efc6b6c_z.jpg Slowing down coming into Copenhagen..... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2924/3...d1981d53_z.jpg I was first off of the plane and through passport control in no time and into a taxi to my hotel - the Crowne Plaza at Copenhagen airport. I was doing the Accelerate promotion so used this stay as a way of getting some extra points. Check in was unmemorable and I made my way up to my room on one of the higher floors. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/3...4b5f7614_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2830/3...8f133933_z.jpg I pottered around for a while and visited the lounge for a few free drinks between 6 and 9. I was tired given that I had been up late the previous night and travelling all day so it was a very quiet night. Ate in the hotel restaurant and managed a few espresso martinis.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2888/3...d3ee1b4f_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2833/3...0ea9afa2_z.jpg And then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
Interesting. Your food doesn't look good at all, yet in all my (many) experiences on BA Club Europe I have never had bad catering - granted, the comp champagne always helped. ;)
|
I am thoroughly enjoying this trip report. London in April was glorious for me in 2014, and I will be heading to Copenhagen this June, also staying at the Crowne Plaza. Your report has me smiling, both in memory and in anticipation. Thank you for your time and effort!
|
Originally Posted by oneworld82
(Post 28218062)
Interesting. Your food doesn't look good at all, yet in all my (many) experiences on BA Club Europe I have never had bad catering - granted, the comp champagne always helped. ;)
Originally Posted by LadyShiva
(Post 28218136)
I am thoroughly enjoying this trip report. London in April was glorious for me in 2014, and I will be heading to Copenhagen this June, also staying at the Crowne Plaza. Your report has me smiling, both in memory and in anticipation. Thank you for your time and effort!
|
Thanks for the TR. There is not a hope I would pay for CE, ever.
|
I woke relatively early the next morning and enjoyed watching the sunrise over the airport.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2847/3...fbf0223b_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2846/3...2ce968a8_z.jpg After dozing for a while, I grabbed an Uber into the city and walked around for an hour or so before heading to the train station to grab my train to Aarhus. I didn't do much on the train apart from listen to music and enjoy the free coffee and water that DSB offers in first class. After about 3 hours, I arrived in a sunny Aarhus. I lived in Aarhus for a year during university so love going back there to reminisce about my student days. I had booked a night at the Radisson which is only 5 mins walk from the train station. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2835/3...ebd728e8_z.jpg I caught up with a friend who lives just outside of Aarhus. She picked me up and we drove to her place and enjoyed a few beers in the sun before catching the train back into the city to go to our "local" pub and then out for dinner. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2824/3...69ddacf0_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2915/3...3349a1a1_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2867/3...a72b2c0e_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2843/3...1bb00fef_z.jpg We went to a new pizza restaurant - Piccolino - and had a great meal which was washed down with a few glasses of red. Walked around the city the next morning in the sunshine although it was pretty windy especially down by the harbor. Some nice art work beside the Town Hall. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2828/3...ae651866_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2890/3...9059dfd9_z.jpg I'd heard a lot about the Iceberg - an apartment block down by the harbour - so I decided to take a walk down there and check it out. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2809/3...ca9a8769_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/3...610029b2_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2921/3...15ee71c4_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/3...4e480630_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2874/3...dc8a57cd_z.jpg I headed back into the city centre and grabbed a coffee at Baresso before going back to the hotel to grab my stuff and head to the train station. I lucked out in that I got the whole of the first class quiet compartment to myself on the way back to Copenhagen - it was like travelling on my own private train! Very comfy seats on the Danish trains. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2836/3...85198374_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2876/3...ae88d94e_z.jpg There was free tea and coffee along with still, sparkling and flavoured waters and there were some nice marzipan type biscuits which went down a treat. The time on the train flew by - I sat enjoying the scenery and listened to some music. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2936/3...ef1b83f2_z.jpg Crossing the bridge over to Zealand beside the cars on road was pretty cool! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2878/3...2a4daff6_z.jpg I got off the train at Copenhagen central station and crossed the platform to take the 15 min train ride to the airport. |
Originally Posted by stevie
(Post 28221814)
Thanks for the TR. There is not a hope I would pay for CE, ever.
|
Intresting TR. Thanks for posting.
|
Thanks! Really a great great product:rolleyes:
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 2:53 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.