It was about 10 months ago when we started planning this trip. Looking on t’internet at flights from the London area we found that EZY were not on sale as yet, RYR were on sale at just a few pounds basic (them comes the O’Leary taxes) totalling £quite a lot. On sticking the dates into a search engine BA came out quite cheaply. On going to the BA website and booking direct we got return flights at just £110 return all inclusive.
I booked straight away, but with trepidation, as I have never had a good flight with BA. All my flights however were domestic (757s and ATPs) so I was hoping that the European product was better.
Its been 12 years since I last visited LGW. I had a quick drive around in the evening while looking for the Holiday Inn and noted the Namibian A340 V5-NME. Nice start to the holiday.
Check in on the 26 Feb was swift and professional, as was our transit through security and then airside in the North Terminal. In the North Terminal you have a good view over its apron from the food outlets upstairs. As an added bonus the glass is quite clean. Its hard to see through to look at movements going to and from the South Terminal as you are looking through the glass at quite an obscure angle. As I have quite a gap in my log-book in my BA 737 and 777 sections I was quite happy with the good view of the BA dominated North Terminal, but a little disapointed no to be able to see more of the action.
We were called to board at gate 106. I was delighted to find that we had to use the new bridge to get to our gate. This gives a great view to spot and take pictures from as you walk to the gate. Its a good 20 minute walk without stopping to take pictures so if you are boarding from gates ‘over the bridge’ leave plenty of time.
By: steve rowell - 28th March 2009 at 04:00
Both were nice and unlike my last fight they didnt make my number 2s smell like cigars for days after (Dont touch Lufthansas smoked turkey rolls!!!!!).
Thanks for the highly detailed report!!!
By: steve wilson - 9th March 2009 at 21:00
Thanks for all the great feedback guys, much appreciated.
By: T5 - 9th March 2009 at 14:56
Not normally a fan of BA, been quite average every time I’ve flown with them
They were just average on my last flight with them on 31 January from Gatwick to Orlando. I flew the same route in September with the airline (unbelievably, my first long-haul British Airways experience) and it was one of the best flights I had ever taken. The service, the entertainment and the food was perfect, but this time around, I was left feeling a little disappointed.
A great review though and some brilliant snaps as well. 🙂
By: tomfellows - 9th March 2009 at 14:44
Nice little report. Not normally a fan of BA, been quite average every time I’ve flown with them, but I will probably miss the 737s once they’re all gone, there’s just something about them which makes them special.
By: EGPH - 8th March 2009 at 23:04
Excellent trip report there. You probably know this already but that 727 that you pictured has an interesting story behind it. It was used by a deposed African President to escape troubles in his country. He landed in Faro, the plane has never moved from the airport since and has now been scrapped there
By: steve wilson - 8th March 2009 at 08:08
Thanks for the info on the Ghana 757.
Steve
By: OneLeft - 7th March 2009 at 19:47
I don’t think we’ve ever had a trip report give details of No2’s before!
Glad to hear you enjoyed your BA flights.
1L.
By: Charley B - 7th March 2009 at 15:45
Think you will find the Ghana 757 is an Astraeus aircraft– leased to Ghana–AEU pilots fly these and use Ghana Airlines cabin crew!
Glad you had a good time!
The Cubana ILY is great–watch 2depart on Thurs within 30 mins of each other-one goes to Paris then on, and the other Direct to Cuba
By: steve wilson - 7th March 2009 at 14:54
Back to the UK on the 5 March onboard 737 G-DOCV. Faro again was quitet with the 727 and ZS-TEX still present. A new biz present was King Air 90 N683GW. Also noted were:
PH-XRW Transavia 737
G-EUPU BA A319
G-EZJY EZY 737
Another comfy fligh back home. 110mph headwinds stretched the inbound leg to 2h55 min. Gatwich was suprisingly quiet upon return. Notable visitors were:
SE-RHR Viking 737
G-TTOH EZY A321
also noted but not as yet tied up were a Malev 737 and Emirates 777.
A happy experience with BA this time, and at a bargain price too. The toilets, food and drink are all free as well!
Steve
By: steve wilson - 7th March 2009 at 14:49
A few days later I took a quick trip to the local GA field at Portimao. Things were quites with 8 or so singles on the apron. Along with them were Dornier 28s HA-ACY and HA-ACZ and a PA31 N684WB.
By: steve wilson - 7th March 2009 at 14:46
Photos from Faro:
By: steve wilson - 7th March 2009 at 14:41
Notable visitors at Gatwick were:
HA-LOR Malev 737
C-GTSH Transat A310
Z-WPE Zimbabwe 767
CN-ROM Atlas Blue A321
N273AY US Airways A330
CU-T1254 Cubana IL96 :D:D:D
YR-TIK Glex
G-DOCO BA 737. Our steed to Faro
5A-ONB Afriquayah A319
N206UW US Airways 757
Also present was a Ghana Airways 757 that has so far defide attempts at identifying it. Answers on a postcard please.
We left on CO 20 minutes late. Although showing its signs of age the seats were still very comfy and the pitch was excellent. I had a clear 4 to 5 inches from my knees to the seat infront. The take off roll was quite lengthy. The 737-400s performance is notably more pedestrian on take off than more modern jets.
Inflight service was friendly and started while still in the climb. Sandwiches served were cheese and pickle and coronation chicken. Both were nice and unlike my last fight they didnt make my number 2s smell like cigars for days after (Dont touch Lufthansas smoked turkey rolls!!!!!).
We made up some time enroute and landed just 10 mis late.
As its off-season Faro was quiet, with just a Jet2 737 on the ground by the terminal. Biz Jets were more interesting with the following noted:
OE-FID Cessna 510
YU-BTB Citation 550
N265SJ G4
ZS-TEX G3
9Q-CMC B727
By: steve wilson - 7th March 2009 at 14:27
Gatwick Photos
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March 7, 2009 at 2:21 pm