BA - LCY SNN JFK on A318 All Club Class
Jul 6, 2018, 9:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 294
BA - LCY SNN JFK on A318 All Club Class
Trip Report
British Airways
BA 1 LCY – SNN – JFK
Monday, 25 June 2018
A318 // Seat 1J Club World
Capacity: 32
Load: 20
London City Airport
I took an Uber from Chelsea to London City Airport. I underestimated how far it was. While closer than Heathrow or Gatwick, wasn’t as convenient as I thought it would be given its title of “CITY” airport. On top of it all … the Uber driver got lost. At any rate, I arrived about 2 hours prior to the 9.40am flight. The airport was very busy – but it was a Monday so that may have added to the passenger volume.
I arrived at the BA check in area but couldn’t find the expected dedicated desk for the JFK flight. An agent directed me to a specific desk but it was a general premium check in station and not specific for the JFK flight. She confirmed the flight was booked to about 20 and there was currently an empty seat next to me. I asked her if she could block the empty seat but she admitted she didn’t know how. She said the flight was quite busy. I told her the flight had cancelled the day before (Sunday) but she said she was off and wasn’t aware. Wonder what they did for people on the cancelled flight? Guess they would fly them in Club Class from Heathrow or Gatwick?
The check in agent advised that the Pilots Bar and Restaurant would offer breakfast as they didn’t have a lounge in LCY.
The security checkpoint was quite busy. Again, it was a Monday morning so I probably should have expected it. Without any premium line, I thought it would take awhile but was clear in about 15 minutes. I went directly to Pilots restaurant and showed them my boarding pass as instructed. They showed me to a special area and presented the full restaurant menu. The waiter told me I could order whatever I wanted and that I was able to get 2 drinks from the bar.
I had the full English breakfast (minus the black pudding). It was very, very good – but I have to admit English breakfast is one of my favorites anywhere.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/31949e2b-2c14-4aca-b7fd-ceb9574bbccb[/img]
Boarding happened right on time. There were two gate agents. As expected in LCY where there are no jetbridges, we walked downstairs and across the ramp to the awaiting aircraft.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/0a7ad764-b876-4dbb-bd8b-f2670b3a1fd6[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/669d89e1-86ba-47c3-aca1-36f3d500f4d8[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d014bc92-f6f2-484d-a2bc-5d14dde07ce3[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/29310e50-aee5-4161-b71a-71dfefc03623[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/ff73f8c4-1f5d-4efb-9ae2-c9d3b35efce2[/img]
The Aircraft
The A318 has definitely seen better days but was very comfortable. Clearly this aircraft hasn’t been updated since it started this mission. The footrests had a little wear and tear. Additionally, the video player holder in the arm doesn’t fit any ipad I have ever seen – including the one they give you to watch movies on the flight. (Maybe I was doing it wrong?)
The seat was very comfortable. Was great having an empty seat next to me – so privacy wasn’t an issue with the minimal privacy screen between seats.
Each seat was provisioned with a bag that included a blanket, mattress pad, and light blanket. There was also a fluffy pillow on each seat. (Amenity kits weren’t distributed until after boarding in SNN.)
Two lavs in the front and one in the back. Service always started from the front of the cabin and worked toward the rear – so you couldn’t really get trapped by the cart if you chose wisely.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/8d2b5f1d-dd8a-4e3d-a61a-8a4ffbff18f9[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/c9664129-67ba-416a-93f5-1ef06026da2d[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/477b1336-4c4c-44c3-bc3d-f74d8c6610aa[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/fdbc2c28-8fa6-4b1f-98ab-7d64e0078105[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/50670c94-9538-442d-8124-28b919cbbae2[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/85303b6a-4ed8-4c44-87a8-b33f4d778b7f[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/33dee531-5156-4157-ac8d-602effc3a9d3[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d323586f-86b4-4725-b98c-8777dc75f8ca[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/fe491b59-8498-4a48-aa8e-18f7eded9915[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/c96da82c-b4d0-48cf-9ab2-2754acc8c22f[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/02d7c9f3-686b-4794-bdf2-783b1ac49719[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/5905f34b-efa6-400c-8160-793ac54772c4[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/e50a2db5-81e1-40e0-89dd-4338a0faad1d[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/c98c3250-1811-4f07-a65e-1471a6562926[/img]
LCY – SNN
Menus were presented after takeoff. A beverage and small appetizer were served on the short flight to Shannon. Flight was a little more than an hour. The Purser (there were two flight attendants and one Purser) took meal orders before arriving into Shannon. (I asked about how something was prepared – in short, if they could remove the asparagus from the pasta to which she said absolutely. She couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating.) I ordered the Fever Tree Ginger Ale and she was super apologetic as they didn’t load any. Schweppes it was!
Shannon
We were escorted through to the security checkpoint from the very farthest gate. (A Delta flight was late – so we weren’t on the regular gate for this flight. In fact, we had to wait for an Air Canada 737 MAX to taxi off.)
After security, we were directed to clear US Immigration. Happened fairly quickly and we were back to the gate after about 25 minutes. We walked by the “regular” gate for this flight – so I snapped a pic of the special waiting area. While all the passengers got through quickly, the flight attendants were delayed. They arrived about 15 minutes after the last passenger – so we boarded a few minutes late.
We had a change of flight deck crew (pilots) for the flight to JFK.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/90f811f4-18b4-470d-93b5-49db59cc1209[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/3b5c15cd-178f-4ef6-8f0f-0c0b01857679[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/a4510efa-ce54-4c2e-9be9-0671754cb2b1[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d7867123-beb0-4a64-aa86-82193620df8f[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/8997d169-4dad-440e-b22a-24844c515cac[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/9027d63b-89a3-4a79-94bb-6d0b4f287c74[/img]
The Crossing
Immediately after takeoff amenity kits were distributed along with ipads and headphones. As previously mentioned, the holder didn’t seem to be the right size for the ipad.
Beverage and lunch service came next. I had the pasta. It was very good. I skipped dessert.
Had a great nap. The seat was very comfortable.
About an hour before arrival, they came around with the tea service. It seemed a little skimpy.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/f29e4a69-0a0e-4b35-a9a1-850952ecd858[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/80053822-6074-4fb2-90db-8133a682a845[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/2405de64-5d11-43f9-9883-6aa4b5870406[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/115d6887-4255-48b9-9f0f-b8cae3045b21[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/2c6cdc17-294d-4ab7-8620-6e853c3de60a[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/89481128-bb76-4969-89c0-eb50ed1be6fe[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/01576cb4-1ab1-4944-b784-8dbe7ce8211a[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/cddf7429-7a1e-49f2-89ce-e81ea82f0f83[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/9a59a616-9fbe-462d-b7b8-009bb1044315[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d16c2398-92aa-4e27-a89c-0e903cf04ea0[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/20d392d8-eb97-4bad-a31e-15b27a87f746[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d1f1d1a9-e11f-4879-8096-0f330ae405a9[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/f9bf2e31-5579-4033-8f5f-adb19b84e18c[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/977560a4-8c3c-4df3-9a38-f56ada2caad6[/img]
JFK
An agent put up the jetbridge and we arrived into the terminal as a domestic flight. Very convenient! As I didn’t check a bag – I was at the curb within five minutes of arrival! (Too bad they don’t allow access to their lounge upon arrival as I really could have used a shower!)
Verdict
I really enjoyed this special flight. Being on an airplane with only 32 seats and only 20 passengers was awesome. While food and service were similar to Club World on a widebody this was a much better, more personalized experience. The crew was great. The aircraft met all my needs. Arriving into JFK as a domestic arrival saved tons of time.
British Airways
BA 1 LCY – SNN – JFK
Monday, 25 June 2018
A318 // Seat 1J Club World
Capacity: 32
Load: 20
London City Airport
I took an Uber from Chelsea to London City Airport. I underestimated how far it was. While closer than Heathrow or Gatwick, wasn’t as convenient as I thought it would be given its title of “CITY” airport. On top of it all … the Uber driver got lost. At any rate, I arrived about 2 hours prior to the 9.40am flight. The airport was very busy – but it was a Monday so that may have added to the passenger volume.
I arrived at the BA check in area but couldn’t find the expected dedicated desk for the JFK flight. An agent directed me to a specific desk but it was a general premium check in station and not specific for the JFK flight. She confirmed the flight was booked to about 20 and there was currently an empty seat next to me. I asked her if she could block the empty seat but she admitted she didn’t know how. She said the flight was quite busy. I told her the flight had cancelled the day before (Sunday) but she said she was off and wasn’t aware. Wonder what they did for people on the cancelled flight? Guess they would fly them in Club Class from Heathrow or Gatwick?
The check in agent advised that the Pilots Bar and Restaurant would offer breakfast as they didn’t have a lounge in LCY.
The security checkpoint was quite busy. Again, it was a Monday morning so I probably should have expected it. Without any premium line, I thought it would take awhile but was clear in about 15 minutes. I went directly to Pilots restaurant and showed them my boarding pass as instructed. They showed me to a special area and presented the full restaurant menu. The waiter told me I could order whatever I wanted and that I was able to get 2 drinks from the bar.
I had the full English breakfast (minus the black pudding). It was very, very good – but I have to admit English breakfast is one of my favorites anywhere.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/31949e2b-2c14-4aca-b7fd-ceb9574bbccb[/img]
Boarding happened right on time. There were two gate agents. As expected in LCY where there are no jetbridges, we walked downstairs and across the ramp to the awaiting aircraft.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/0a7ad764-b876-4dbb-bd8b-f2670b3a1fd6[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/669d89e1-86ba-47c3-aca1-36f3d500f4d8[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d014bc92-f6f2-484d-a2bc-5d14dde07ce3[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/29310e50-aee5-4161-b71a-71dfefc03623[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/ff73f8c4-1f5d-4efb-9ae2-c9d3b35efce2[/img]
The Aircraft
The A318 has definitely seen better days but was very comfortable. Clearly this aircraft hasn’t been updated since it started this mission. The footrests had a little wear and tear. Additionally, the video player holder in the arm doesn’t fit any ipad I have ever seen – including the one they give you to watch movies on the flight. (Maybe I was doing it wrong?)
The seat was very comfortable. Was great having an empty seat next to me – so privacy wasn’t an issue with the minimal privacy screen between seats.
Each seat was provisioned with a bag that included a blanket, mattress pad, and light blanket. There was also a fluffy pillow on each seat. (Amenity kits weren’t distributed until after boarding in SNN.)
Two lavs in the front and one in the back. Service always started from the front of the cabin and worked toward the rear – so you couldn’t really get trapped by the cart if you chose wisely.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/8d2b5f1d-dd8a-4e3d-a61a-8a4ffbff18f9[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/c9664129-67ba-416a-93f5-1ef06026da2d[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/477b1336-4c4c-44c3-bc3d-f74d8c6610aa[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/fdbc2c28-8fa6-4b1f-98ab-7d64e0078105[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/50670c94-9538-442d-8124-28b919cbbae2[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/85303b6a-4ed8-4c44-87a8-b33f4d778b7f[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/33dee531-5156-4157-ac8d-602effc3a9d3[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d323586f-86b4-4725-b98c-8777dc75f8ca[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/fe491b59-8498-4a48-aa8e-18f7eded9915[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/c96da82c-b4d0-48cf-9ab2-2754acc8c22f[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/02d7c9f3-686b-4794-bdf2-783b1ac49719[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/5905f34b-efa6-400c-8160-793ac54772c4[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/e50a2db5-81e1-40e0-89dd-4338a0faad1d[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/c98c3250-1811-4f07-a65e-1471a6562926[/img]
LCY – SNN
Menus were presented after takeoff. A beverage and small appetizer were served on the short flight to Shannon. Flight was a little more than an hour. The Purser (there were two flight attendants and one Purser) took meal orders before arriving into Shannon. (I asked about how something was prepared – in short, if they could remove the asparagus from the pasta to which she said absolutely. She couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating.) I ordered the Fever Tree Ginger Ale and she was super apologetic as they didn’t load any. Schweppes it was!
Shannon
We were escorted through to the security checkpoint from the very farthest gate. (A Delta flight was late – so we weren’t on the regular gate for this flight. In fact, we had to wait for an Air Canada 737 MAX to taxi off.)
After security, we were directed to clear US Immigration. Happened fairly quickly and we were back to the gate after about 25 minutes. We walked by the “regular” gate for this flight – so I snapped a pic of the special waiting area. While all the passengers got through quickly, the flight attendants were delayed. They arrived about 15 minutes after the last passenger – so we boarded a few minutes late.
We had a change of flight deck crew (pilots) for the flight to JFK.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/90f811f4-18b4-470d-93b5-49db59cc1209[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/3b5c15cd-178f-4ef6-8f0f-0c0b01857679[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/a4510efa-ce54-4c2e-9be9-0671754cb2b1[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d7867123-beb0-4a64-aa86-82193620df8f[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/8997d169-4dad-440e-b22a-24844c515cac[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/9027d63b-89a3-4a79-94bb-6d0b4f287c74[/img]
The Crossing
Immediately after takeoff amenity kits were distributed along with ipads and headphones. As previously mentioned, the holder didn’t seem to be the right size for the ipad.
Beverage and lunch service came next. I had the pasta. It was very good. I skipped dessert.
Had a great nap. The seat was very comfortable.
About an hour before arrival, they came around with the tea service. It seemed a little skimpy.
[img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/f29e4a69-0a0e-4b35-a9a1-850952ecd858[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/80053822-6074-4fb2-90db-8133a682a845[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/2405de64-5d11-43f9-9883-6aa4b5870406[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/115d6887-4255-48b9-9f0f-b8cae3045b21[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/2c6cdc17-294d-4ab7-8620-6e853c3de60a[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/89481128-bb76-4969-89c0-eb50ed1be6fe[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/01576cb4-1ab1-4944-b784-8dbe7ce8211a[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/cddf7429-7a1e-49f2-89ce-e81ea82f0f83[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/9a59a616-9fbe-462d-b7b8-009bb1044315[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d16c2398-92aa-4e27-a89c-0e903cf04ea0[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/20d392d8-eb97-4bad-a31e-15b27a87f746[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/d1f1d1a9-e11f-4879-8096-0f330ae405a9[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/f9bf2e31-5579-4033-8f5f-adb19b84e18c[/img][img]blob:https://www.flyertalk.com/977560a4-8c3c-4df3-9a38-f56ada2caad6[/img]
JFK
An agent put up the jetbridge and we arrived into the terminal as a domestic flight. Very convenient! As I didn’t check a bag – I was at the curb within five minutes of arrival! (Too bad they don’t allow access to their lounge upon arrival as I really could have used a shower!)
Verdict
I really enjoyed this special flight. Being on an airplane with only 32 seats and only 20 passengers was awesome. While food and service were similar to Club World on a widebody this was a much better, more personalized experience. The crew was great. The aircraft met all my needs. Arriving into JFK as a domestic arrival saved tons of time.
Jul 9, 2018, 5:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA LTGold; LH Senator; HHGold; Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 1,370
Actually the arms can fit the iPads they supply - you just have to experiment.
The arms were designed for a much older kit, so not even the cabin crew are aware they can be used, but its worth experimenting to get it to fit
The arms were designed for a much older kit, so not even the cabin crew are aware they can be used, but its worth experimenting to get it to fit