It occurs to me that “flight reports” are only posted when people take long haul flights, in general. Well how about a regional flight? I take lots of these flights and I haven’t said much about them yet, but I decided to report back on this occassion:
Flight:
British Airways CitiExpress;
IOM-LGW (dep 6.55am)
LGW-IOM (dep 7.25pm)
Aircraft was BAe. 146-200 G-MIMA on both legs.
I have to say well done to BA for keeping exactly to the timetable; completely on time! The landing back in the IOM was rough, but it was also windy and gusty, and the Captain is the dad of an old girlfriend, so I’m not going to criticise it.
Apart from the usual BA trick of “oh, it’s the morning rush hour. I know…let’s only open 3 check in desks!!!) in the Isle of Man the check in and boarding were fine. I boarded the aircraft by the rear airstairs, and really the 146’s APU is terrifyingly loud! I took a window seat and I regretted it. I could not sit up straight, as the seats are too narrow and the fuselage curvature meant I had to tilt my head a bit. No complaints on the leg room though.
They served a meal of a croissant filled with bacon, egg, cheese, ham, or tomato in seemingly any combination you wanted. This was washed down with tea or coffee and a drink from the bar of your choice. Simple stuff, but no complaint about it.
We landed on time, although they couldn’t manage to use a gate with an airbridge even though loads were free.
On the return leg, I was in a bad mood because it took me 70 minutes (instead of the promised 35) on the Gatwick express. But check in was easy, LGW was empty!
Very smooth flight back home, only taking 50 minutes. Was served the same food as on the morning flight, only with the addition of orange juice. I took an aisle seat this time and felt much more comfortable.
Everyone here compares the BA service to LGW with the old Manx Airlines service to LHR. Well, the Manx Airlines service used 2-3 seating which was fine. The 3-3 that BA uses is very poor. On the other hand, LGW is a much better airport than LHR, expecially T1! Unless you are connecting to somewhere…in which case BA will REFUSE to check your bags through, because they insist you collect them at LGW, take them to LHR and check in again. Very shoddy.
All in, BA have lowered standards. But…firstly, they have cut the average fare from about £300 to about £120. Secondly, I now get BA miles. Horses for courses I suppose. I would prefer to pay £150 with no miles alowed, for 2-3 seating.
By: Ren Frew - 9th December 2002 at 12:21
RE: Report!
My last BA short haul was Glasgow/Gatwick in October and it was the first time I felt unimpressed by the service. We boarded our 737-300 and left on time. During the inflight safety demo, I happened to glance out of my window to catch and marvel at the sight of an AA B767 touching down in the rain (well who wouldn’t ?) This resulted in a stern telling off by the cabin stewardess next to me and some frosty looks from the rest of the passengers. Not that I’m in the habit of ignoring in-flight safety briefings you understand.
Thinking I was in the bad books, as the filty looks continued throughout the journey, I was a little miffed to discover I was deliberately being served last with the inflight refreshments. I actually got up to look and the cabin crew had served everyone from the back of the plane to the row behind me and from the front of the plane to the row in front and beside mine. I was in a row of 3 seats, occupied by just myself !
Naturally the choice of sandwiches was the usual meat or vegetarian selection, but lo and behold they ran out of my preferred option. I settled for a bag of some unidentifiable crisp-like snack and a wee tin of Stella Artois.
All this for being unable to resist the lure of a passing silver bird splashing down in dramatic weather conditions !!!!
Doh… I ask ya ?
By: mongu - 8th December 2002 at 18:15
RE: Report!
Manx used to serve “three legged” chocolate pieces, like my avatar image. On the LHR flights their meals were significantly better, although for such a short flight I’m not grumbling too much.
By: Saab 2000 - 8th December 2002 at 16:44
RE: Report!
I have had the joys of flying Cityflyer and BRAL so there is an obvious difference between their service and the former Manx service.
I travelled on a Manx ATP a long time ago and I thought the service was pretty good.However,going back to the mid 1990s all airline service was good compared to what we have today with all this economising and cutbacks.Got a nice salmon sandwich and a chocolate bar I think!
By: mongu - 8th December 2002 at 14:53
RE: Report!
BA have DEFINITELY lowered standards. They are not as good, in general, as Manx Airlines were. I’ve heard the same about Loganair, even if this is going back a while and involves BRAL.
By: Saab 2000 - 8th December 2002 at 13:53
RE: Report!
I have done a few regional reports especially on the GCI-LGW route. I could do GCI-JER flights but then again what can happen on a 20 minute Trislander flight? :7
Anyway, great report! Can’t really comment on BA lowering their standards, as my normal service is normally a drink and some pretzels on their small ATR72s. However, what I like now is that I have the choice of travelling to the North or South terminal depending on connecting flights. Both BA and BE use different terminals now on the GCI flights. Why did BA use the south terminal in the first place?
I prefer the North terminal because it is less busy once you have had the early long haul departures whereas the South is continuously busy. The North is also brighter and has a better less shoddy shops.
The train station is dire. The platforms are crippled with people and the quality of the area is appalling. The Gatwick Express is good, but in July I had to take Connex (I think?) to London Bridge Station and I can say I will never be travelling on them again, just awful.
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December 8, 2002 at 1:06 pm