BA LHR-NCL-LHR

Flight 1
BA1326 LHR to NCL 01-May-2010
Aircraft: A320 (G-EUUI)
Dep: 1000 Arr: 1100

Checked in 24 hours before for this flight and chose the print boarding pass at airport, which is a handy feature. Got to the airport around 0800 off the Heathrow express after, and went to use one of the self service screens to print out my boarding pass, but was approached by a BA customer services staff that checked me in on another terminal, and nicely printed my boarding pass for me. The queues for terminal 5 security seemed to be moving a little slow than usual, but no big issue, even though they did have all security points open. Cleared security eventually by around 0815 and proceeded to have a look through the usual shops, making a few purchases and down to EAT to get some breakfast knowing that you only get 1 snack on BA domestic flights now. Still bored, went for another walk round the terminal again (which takes some time!). Was then warned via text message at 0910 that my gate had opened (courtesy of the BAA text alert system, which incidentally sent me a message 3 hours before my flight saying it was on time) and was boarding at gate A1. Got to the gate and had the usual wait, then boarding started 20 minutes before the flight, my estimate was the flight was around 70% full, but I did get the row to myself. Captain came over the PA system to announce a flying time of 50 minutes and was expecting an on time arrival. Taxied bang on time for the very long taxi from the gate to runway 27L, but thankfully very little seemed to be ahead of us (another BA A320, a LH737 a AF319 methinks and a BA 777 waiting for the narrow bodies to take off) Finally took off with a glimpse of the SQ and QF A380’s parked up on remote stands. Got up to a altitude of 27,000 feet when the in flight service began, nothing special, just a snack (dormens snack packs were handed out with a vast selection of drinks). Descent began over the Pennines, with wheels down on runway 07 at 1053 and pulled up to the gate at 1058. Off plane after another 2-3 mins and in Newcastle city centre by 11:30 am

Flight 2
BA1337 NCL to LHR 01-May-2010
Aircraft: A321 (G-EUXC)
Dep: 2015 Arr: 2125

Arrived at the airport for this flight very early (around 1750) and proceeded to check-in and went through security as there is very little at NCL landslide. Security check again was very easy. However, most of the shops were closed which meant I had done my duty free shopping in BIZA and was intending to get a pub dinner, but as they only served Panini’s/baguettes, I decided on Burger King. The one major shock I found was the sheer number of shops closed, bearing in mind there were at least 5 flights on the departures board. When paying for my purchases in duty free I did mention this and the check out staff also said it was bizarre as flights depart from the airport all night. Proceeded to buy a coffee from a coffee bar and sat with my camera taking pictures. One surprise on the apron was a BMI embraer, which was a surprise to me, but after a quick google search as typing this review I have just found out that it operates to/from Brussels for Brussels Airlines. Saw a Jet2 737 come in, several easyJet and FlyBe flights come in. The flight screens showed the BA flight 30 minutes before the flight and proceeded to gate 3, where passengers were told to go straight onto the plane. This was must first flight on a A321, and it was nice, and didn’t feel like the usual airbus aircraft, and the sheer size of this plane on a short haul route was an interesting choice, but I really did enjoy it, was sat just over the wing, and had the row to myself again, which then got me thinking with the like of CO operating 757’s over the pond, could an A321 make it? As BA could use it from regional airports over the Atlantic, which for a region like NCL would eliminate the need to passengers to have to fly to London to get a flight over the pond. The captain came over the PA system just before 2000 to say we were waiting for 2 more passengers and then we would be on our way (got the feeling the crew wanted to get to London ASAP) the flight pushed back just after 2005. Had the video presentation of the safety demonstration this time, as on the way up, we had a manual demonstration. Taxied to runway 07 and proceeded to wait several minutes prior to take off, before turning right and heading toward Manchester (via the moving map) Once again the in flight service began, but the BA cabin crew did take great delight in telling the passengers over the PA system that BA is one of the few airlines now which still serves complimentary snacks and drinks to all it passengers, and it is nice to receive complimentary snacks and drinks, and also for cabin crew to be polite and speak to the passengers instead of being viewed as another source of income. Another announcement came over the PA system to inform passengers we would be landing 20 minutes ahead of schedule, but the weather was rain! Landed at 2100 on runway 09L and pulled up on the gate at 2105, and into the terminal about 2 minutes after that.

Overall, a fantastic flight once again by British Airways, with the usual service I have come to expect from a proper airline 10/10 for service and 10/10 to the crew who did a fantastic job looking after passengers on each flight.

See attached photos (only of movements at NCL though and my ride from NCL to LHR) apologies for the quality, am still very new to digital SLR cameras and still learning how to use them, had it set to 250mm for the BMI and can’t remember the BA zoom and was taking pics through glass.