Bucharest - Again!
Oct 21, 2024 | 1:14 pm
#91
Join Date: May 2024
Location: BRN
Programs: AY+ PLAT, (ex BA Gold), SAS GOLD, M&M FTL / *S, IHG Gold, Marriott Plat, SBB GA First Class
Posts: 1,598
And the peak is this runway swapping at 3pm. I don't know why they are doing this. However, this results that many flights have to wait until 3pm before they can hit the runway. At the and some flights are then 30 to 60 min delayed because of this.
Oct 21, 2024 | 1:40 pm
#92
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Boarding commenced around 20:15 and the gentleman behind me commented on the Flyertalk tag, and I have had the pleasure of meeting drpabs
G-TTNU this evening, which I have been on twice before, each time from NCL-LHR. This has been fitted with the nice XL luggage bins so hopefully no bin battles and stress this evening.
Im back into my favourite seat 1C this evening but as usual Im in temporarily located in 1B for boarding and one of the crew has just come along to check my seat, I guess she thought I was trying a bit of self upgrading.
Having said no bin battles 1F and 1A have both struggled due to the number of crew bags up front
G-TTNU this evening, which I have been on twice before, each time from NCL-LHR. This has been fitted with the nice XL luggage bins so hopefully no bin battles and stress this evening.
Im back into my favourite seat 1C this evening but as usual Im in temporarily located in 1B for boarding and one of the crew has just come along to check my seat, I guess she thought I was trying a bit of self upgrading.
Having said no bin battles 1F and 1A have both struggled due to the number of crew bags up front
Oct 21, 2024 | 2:39 pm
#93
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
It was quite a rocky takeoff from Heathrow with the plane tilting back and forth for the first couple of minutes. Once it settled down the seatbelt lights were quickly off and service started almost immediately.
My choice of meal for this evening caused the usual amount of levity. I knew I would be eating an evening meal in the Concorde Room so Id preorder a child meal again.
Proving once more that there is not much that a bread roll cannot improve, it converted into a very nice chicken roll, accompanied by a baileys and coffee to close out the evening.
By the time the crew were clearing trays the captains announcement was made that we were over Leeds and inside twenty minutes to landing. Quite surprisingly, the crew were still scurrying and faffing around ten minute later when the 10 minutes to landing was announced. They seemed to be running backwards and forwards with just one or two glasses each time, very odd. They were still securing the galley when the call came for seats for landing.
My choice of meal for this evening caused the usual amount of levity. I knew I would be eating an evening meal in the Concorde Room so Id preorder a child meal again.
Proving once more that there is not much that a bread roll cannot improve, it converted into a very nice chicken roll, accompanied by a baileys and coffee to close out the evening.
By the time the crew were clearing trays the captains announcement was made that we were over Leeds and inside twenty minutes to landing. Quite surprisingly, the crew were still scurrying and faffing around ten minute later when the 10 minutes to landing was announced. They seemed to be running backwards and forwards with just one or two glasses each time, very odd. They were still securing the galley when the call came for seats for landing.
Oct 21, 2024 | 3:12 pm
#94
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
And here we are at the end of another wander. As per usual Im sat in the Uber writing this whilst heading home, and right now we are enjoying a little tour of the backroads because the main drag is closed for repairs.
The next trip that is hopefully worthy of writing about will be Riga in three weeks time. Before then Im either in Birmingham for business, or London just because, and none of those will be worth putting thumbs to keypad.
I hope that this epic saga cured your insomnia
The next trip that is hopefully worthy of writing about will be Riga in three weeks time. Before then Im either in Birmingham for business, or London just because, and none of those will be worth putting thumbs to keypad.
I hope that this epic saga cured your insomnia
Oct 21, 2024 | 3:25 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 11,243
One of these days I have to figure out how to cross your paths at Heathrow.
Any particular plans for Riga? Advance reconnaissance before August following?
What I can tell you at this point, hotel situation is good, that you probably already know, and I recommend you visit Garaza Bars for some great atmosphere, wide choice of whiskys and good beer and eating.
Any particular plans for Riga? Advance reconnaissance before August following?
What I can tell you at this point, hotel situation is good, that you probably already know, and I recommend you visit Garaza Bars for some great atmosphere, wide choice of whiskys and good beer and eating.
Oct 21, 2024 | 3:36 pm
#96
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
One of these days I have to figure out how to cross your paths at Heathrow.
Any particular plans for Riga? Advance reconnaissance before August following?
What I can tell you at this point, hotel situation is good, that you probably already know, and I recommend you visit Garaza Bars for some great atmosphere, wide choice of whiskys and good beer and eating.
Any particular plans for Riga? Advance reconnaissance before August following?
What I can tell you at this point, hotel situation is good, that you probably already know, and I recommend you visit Garaza Bars for some great atmosphere, wide choice of whiskys and good beer and eating.
Thanks for the tips, Ive done no planning as yet.
Oct 22, 2024 | 2:42 am
#97
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: SE U.K.
Programs: DILLIGAF
Posts: 197
Great TR once again, thank you. Here's your excuse - We've just booked a long weekend in Riga at the end of May next year so get your skates on, your insights will be invaluable to us!
Oct 22, 2024 | 3:08 pm
#99
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: England
Programs: BAC
Posts: 1,857
Oct 23, 2024 | 12:23 am
#100
Join Date: May 2024
Location: BRN
Programs: AY+ PLAT, (ex BA Gold), SAS GOLD, M&M FTL / *S, IHG Gold, Marriott Plat, SBB GA First Class
Posts: 1,598
Heathrow swaps runways at 3pm every day so that it gives the residents living under the immediate flight path a break from arrival traffic. This is only for the westerly 27 runways. For runway 09, the majority of landings are on 09L as rhe departures are on 09R; something about the taxiway to 09L not being suitable for all aircraft sizes with T5 domestic gates being so close to the runway threshold (I think).
Oct 23, 2024 | 1:56 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: AMS
Programs: BA Gold, LH FT
Posts: 792
I had purposefully ordered the gluten free special meal which was really decent this afternoon. Watermelon and cheese, a little pot of olives, and a chicken curry, plus some gluten free salted olive oil crackers. Desert was a coconut pot which was also pretty good. My only observation, who on earth thought steamed broccoli was an appropriate side for chicken curry and rice?
Oct 23, 2024 | 2:08 am
#102
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: England
Programs: BAC
Posts: 1,857
Unless it’s quiet, the usual time that it takes from pushing off stand at T5 to take off on 27 is somewhere in the region of 25 minutes, maybe longer during runway changeovers. I would question your comment on delays up to 60 minutes occurring during this process. British Airways has a regular meeting with representatives from NATS and if flights were being delayed by 60 minutes because of this operation, they would question it. The delays might be down to other reasons.
Your perception is that it is never smooth but from an ATC perspective, it’s a standard procedure that works well.
Oct 23, 2024 | 6:26 am
#103
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Nandos
Posts: 1,362
Here I am, happily ensconced in the lounge, and more on that subject in a minute. Firstly, the trip to the airport which took quite some time as the traffic was horrendous. I eventually arrived at the airport at 12:08.
Otopeni Tower
As I was still over three hours early the BA desk was closed but one sad looking soul was camped out against the pillar.
Then to the standard craziness that is Security. Massive queue to get in
Usual chaos pre-security
It was around half an hour from the back of the queue to airside.
Airside most of the reconstruction is done and it looks a bit smarter than previously
To gate three and onwards and upwards to the Dacia lounge
No sir, this is not the lounge for the likes of you! BA passengers now need to go through to the non Schengen side and use the business satellite lounge. This is a mini version of the Dacia lounge, same pitiful food offering, just a lot hotter as it is a huge glass house.
A little sample of the food and a nice cold Ursus
The pizza was as nasty as it looks, one bite was enough. The chicken nuggets were reconstituted, the potato croquettes greasy. Its been less than a year since the lounges introduced any sort of hot food but Id hoped they might have upped the game, unfortunate not.
With two hours to wait until boarding its time to see how much of this rather good Ursus I can make disappear
Otopeni Tower
As I was still over three hours early the BA desk was closed but one sad looking soul was camped out against the pillar.
Then to the standard craziness that is Security. Massive queue to get in
Usual chaos pre-security
It was around half an hour from the back of the queue to airside.
Airside most of the reconstruction is done and it looks a bit smarter than previously
To gate three and onwards and upwards to the Dacia lounge
No sir, this is not the lounge for the likes of you! BA passengers now need to go through to the non Schengen side and use the business satellite lounge. This is a mini version of the Dacia lounge, same pitiful food offering, just a lot hotter as it is a huge glass house.
A little sample of the food and a nice cold Ursus
The pizza was as nasty as it looks, one bite was enough. The chicken nuggets were reconstituted, the potato croquettes greasy. Its been less than a year since the lounges introduced any sort of hot food but Id hoped they might have upped the game, unfortunate not.
With two hours to wait until boarding its time to see how much of this rather good Ursus I can make disappear
Oct 23, 2024 | 6:33 am
#104
Join Date: May 2024
Location: BRN
Programs: AY+ PLAT, (ex BA Gold), SAS GOLD, M&M FTL / *S, IHG Gold, Marriott Plat, SBB GA First Class
Posts: 1,598
The runway change has been in operation for longer that I can remember (over 30 years), there may be an agreement between HAL and the local authorities, Im not an expert. It does require a bit of effort but at some point, aircraft have to taxi to the other runway and wait for the changeover, at some point, there has to be a slight pause to effect the runway change.
Unless its quiet, the usual time that it takes from pushing off stand at T5 to take off on 27 is somewhere in the region of 25 minutes, maybe longer during runway changeovers. I would question your comment on delays up to 60 minutes occurring during this process. British Airways has a regular meeting with representatives from NATS and if flights were being delayed by 60 minutes because of this operation, they would question it. The delays might be down to other reasons.
Your perception is that it is never smooth but from an ATC perspective, its a standard procedure that works well.
Unless its quiet, the usual time that it takes from pushing off stand at T5 to take off on 27 is somewhere in the region of 25 minutes, maybe longer during runway changeovers. I would question your comment on delays up to 60 minutes occurring during this process. British Airways has a regular meeting with representatives from NATS and if flights were being delayed by 60 minutes because of this operation, they would question it. The delays might be down to other reasons.
Your perception is that it is never smooth but from an ATC perspective, its a standard procedure that works well.
Oct 24, 2024 | 3:36 pm
#105
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Just doing a bit of planning, Garaza Bars looks good, decent bourbon list, added to the plan. Thanks again for the tip