Arrivals this morning is very quiet and still sports the Dior Christmas tree



Down to first wing which is still open for check in but the security is closed, completely as expected




There are signs every few feet directing you to South Security fast path which was rammed.



Now ‘rammed’ is a relative term, there is not much queueing space in this area and it was over spilling into the concourse. I counted 38 people landside when I got into the area. I should have given up and gone to normal security but I wanted to see how long it would take. In the end it was about ten minutes to airside.

A stroll along the concourse and past duty free, which still have the same promotions as before Christmas, and into the first lounge which is also very quiet this morning.



Time to get some provisions and check out the upgrade prices for the return legs.

No surprised to anyone on the provisions of choice



I also tried a bowl of the gruel but it was not nice at all, the texture was slimy and gloopy, how I would think wallpaper paste would taste, which I guess is to be expected when you have gallons of it constantly warm.




Prices for the return leg upgrades were higher than outbound, Ł139 from Milan to London and Ł100 from London to Newcastle. Declined both as I’ve decided to do the return legs in Economy to see how they go. An additional factor is the loss of the leg room, I didn’t enjoy the last flight, I had forgotten one of the main reasons I strived for gold status in the first place… Row 1 early booking for the legroom!

And with that I have about 30 minutes before it is time to go to gate so I shall kick back and watch the world go by.

A bit of silliness at the gate, they were trying to separate boarding group one into one lane and boarding groups two to three into a second lane. Completely overflowed the group one lane so I and other latecomers were channeled down the group two/three lane and both lanes were released simultaneously… at least they tried.

Boarding started with only ten minutes to departure so we clearly would be late off the ground. A real surprise on boarding, I’d been on another flight late last year with one of the crew, really don’t see the same crew members very often.

Row five on this one and I’m sure you do not need a picture of my knees to know it is the same lack of leg room as the earlier flight down from Newcastle. This leg we are flying on G-EUUT, another one that I have been on before.




My seat mate in 5A has been playing some card game on his phone with the sound effects on so the cabin is being treated to the constant sounds of dealing cards and pings/dings, I give thanks for noise cancelling headphones!

Everyone on board and pilots announcement that we are going to be ten minutes late pushing back so not too bad a delay and half a chance we will make that up in the air.

Next stop, Milan Linate airport.

In the end we were a little more than thirty minutes late taking off. Even after taxiing out to the runway we were parked up for a good amount of time.



About thirty minutes after take off the food and drinks run commenced and I opted for the pork loin which was very tasty. I’m not exactly sure what the desert flavour was supposed to be but it provided a very good tart counterpoint to the pork main course. Accompanied, of course, with champagne and coffee




Crew have been really fun and chatty throughout and it’s been an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable flight.


A sampling of the two Brewdog ales to see the flight out and it was ten minutes to landing. Landed about ten minutes late so still have a couple of hours before the return.




And… a bus gate currently on the bus and waiting whilst they jam the bus full. Next up, A wander in Linate airport

I have a real love-hate relationship with Linate, wonder how you'll fare.

The bus filled quickly and it was a short drive to the B entrance



Once inside UK passport holders were shepherded to the left and the egates where the queues were five deep when I arrived and a whole lot deeper by the time I left. Quickly through and a stamp in the passport and into baggage reclaim. Walked the whole length of reclaim, out the exit and then took a quick detour outside to start the return from the pavement



Back inside, in the lift to the first floor and into fast path security which was completely empty. Airside again in under five minutes.

exiting security and you are into the duty free rat run where the prices are once again over UK retail




Exiting the duty free area you are confronted with an array of luxury designers set against a minimalist white background. Well, it is Italy, I should have expected it.

Great clear signage to the lounge and I spotted the smoking signs so took a slight detour for Butts




I had passed the lounge on the way to finding the smoking area so backtracked slightly and into what is a very pleasant lounge












First order of business was coffee and fizz and a serving of the meatballs which were really, really good



Time to have a bit more of a mooch around the lounge and I want to try a couple of the liquors I have never heard of… this could end badly

Just skimming across the surface it seems far superior to the likes of OTP/DUB/BHX and I’m quietly impressed. what is it about LIN that you hate?

The check-in experience and the mazes you need to get through to get from security to the actual terminal. The non-AZ Schengen lounge also leaves a lot to be desired.

OTOH arrival experience, at least HBO, is very good, and I love how well connected the airport is.

I did check out the check in on the way back in from arrivals and the BA desks were roughly as busy as NCL was this morning so at this point in time it looked pretty good.

I have found one minor downside in the BA lounge, it has no toilets and you have to take the escalators up a level. This did allow me to do my good deed for the day though as a lady of a certain age was really struggling to get on the escalator with her roller so I took custody of it and her for the trip . Many a Grazie received on safe landing one floor up

Flight information screens showed the flight as boarding 35 minutes to departure and so I wandered off to gate B28 which is really close to the BA lounge. Passport controls was empty and straight through to…. Dang it, I’ve been suckered onto the bus early





Now sat here waiting and assume it’ll be.a while until we get a full load.

Ah well, another lesson learned.

We eventually headed off to the plane after 15 minutes wait and….. this is not the exit row seat I was planning….. I will say no more



Our plane today is G-EUUK which I think is a new
one on me.




A couple of random views from the concrete
here in Milan




Boarding complete with fifteen minutes to spare on this comparatively empty flight with the business cabin back to row seven but at least seven or eight empty seats. This is the flight where originally the CE section went all the way back to and past the exit rows so surprisingly quiet.

I am very pleased to be in a window seat for the return, I caught brief glimpses of the landscape on the way past when we were inbound and so am hoping for clear skies and good pictures on the return.

And with that it is 5 minutes to departure and so time to buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Next stop, London Heathrow

Wait, the BA lounge is before passport control??

All this time I never thought to stop by. I thought it would be on the non-Schengen side.

Also, does that Airbus on the left really still say Alitalia? wow.

Enjoying the day trip report!

I'm guessing that was passion fruit??