So, for those that read my TR for the US Airways flight into PHL in the snow, this was my connection back to LHR in club.
The flight had been slightly delayed on the way in, so we headed into the BA lounge which was very close to the gate.
This lounge was quite nice actually, and we spent a good 1.5 hours in there awaiting news of our departure snakcing and, for me, a few bottles of beer.
Flight called with a delay of 45 or so minutes.
And, on board we went, greetted by name and we settled into 12J and K.
Usual flurry of champagne, amenity kits etc, then more champagne and still more champagne.
And then…
“Evening everyone, this is the captain. There’s a small delay as we need to wait for the Lufhansa plane beside us to push back before we can move. I suspect we may need to wait here another 15 minutes or so, but will come back to you when I have more news for you”.
Again, if you read my previous TR, you’ll start to see that captain’s announcements and snow were rapidly becoming the theme of the afternoon/evening.
You see, it was still snowing very heavily!
…20 minutes later….
“Captain again. Apparently there is a vehicle stuck behind us that is preventing the Lufthansa from moving, so we’ll be stuck here a little longer I’m afraid. I’ll be sure and keep you updated”.
I won’t go through all the announcements, but will say this.
For the 2.5 hours or so we were sat waiting for push back etc, the captain made regular and informative announcements that kept everyone in the loop, but also had the affect that no-one was getting stressed and giving the cabin crew a hard time. Everyone felt informed and that the captain was doing his best to get us moving.
During this time as well, the CC were around frequently with drinks and bottles of water, they also took the opportunity to take dinner orders.
On this flight, the entire crew were outstanding (feeback sent to BA).
At one point, the captain actually left the plane for a look see, going to find out exactly what was going on down on the ramp – rather him than me, it was snowing hard and must have been freezing..
He also did something I had never seen before and wasn’t aware was now a requirement.
After, maybe 1.5 or 2 hours (hard to say, I had consumed about about 1.5 bottles of champagne by this point!), he made this announcement.
“Hello again folks. I am obliged to tell you that the cabin door is now open, and you may leave the flight if you so choose. If you do leave us, you will not be able to re-board, but I have to make the offer to you all”.
I guess this must be some US regulation of which I was unaware.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, we pushed back after around 2.5 hours, and then waited in the queue for de-icing, then to take off – take off was perhpaps 3.5 hours behind original schedule.
Given the quantity of snow, however, I count myself fairly lucky that we got going at all as I believe other US airports that day were experiencing massive delays, and in some cases were totally closed for a time.
Nothing much to report on the flight and service beyond this point. Dinner was served rapidly after take off plus all the usual pre-dinner drinks, hot towels etc. Dinner was very good (yet more beef for me), drinks plentiful.
I bedded down and got at least 3.5 hours sleep and woke up smelling the coffee for breakfast!
Fruit plus pastries etc, OJ and coffee and I was ready for the day ahead.
Smooth touch down, through immigration quickly and bags were waiting.
Altogether, BA did a fine job on this flight, and the delay was totally out of their control and the crew managed the delay extremely well.
Thanks for reading.
The flight had been slightly delayed on the way in, so we headed into the BA lounge which was very close to the gate.
This lounge was quite nice actually, and we spent a good 1.5 hours in there awaiting news of our departure snakcing and, for me, a few bottles of beer.
Flight called with a delay of 45 or so minutes.
And, on board we went, greetted by name and we settled into 12J and K.
Usual flurry of champagne, amenity kits etc, then more champagne and still more champagne.
And then…
“Evening everyone, this is the captain. There’s a small delay as we need to wait for the Lufhansa plane beside us to push back before we can move. I suspect we may need to wait here another 15 minutes or so, but will come back to you when I have more news for you”.
Again, if you read my previous TR, you’ll start to see that captain’s announcements and snow were rapidly becoming the theme of the afternoon/evening.
You see, it was still snowing very heavily!
…20 minutes later….
“Captain again. Apparently there is a vehicle stuck behind us that is preventing the Lufthansa from moving, so we’ll be stuck here a little longer I’m afraid. I’ll be sure and keep you updated”.
I won’t go through all the announcements, but will say this.
For the 2.5 hours or so we were sat waiting for push back etc, the captain made regular and informative announcements that kept everyone in the loop, but also had the affect that no-one was getting stressed and giving the cabin crew a hard time. Everyone felt informed and that the captain was doing his best to get us moving.
During this time as well, the CC were around frequently with drinks and bottles of water, they also took the opportunity to take dinner orders.
On this flight, the entire crew were outstanding (feeback sent to BA).
At one point, the captain actually left the plane for a look see, going to find out exactly what was going on down on the ramp – rather him than me, it was snowing hard and must have been freezing..
He also did something I had never seen before and wasn’t aware was now a requirement.
After, maybe 1.5 or 2 hours (hard to say, I had consumed about about 1.5 bottles of champagne by this point!), he made this announcement.
“Hello again folks. I am obliged to tell you that the cabin door is now open, and you may leave the flight if you so choose. If you do leave us, you will not be able to re-board, but I have to make the offer to you all”.
I guess this must be some US regulation of which I was unaware.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, we pushed back after around 2.5 hours, and then waited in the queue for de-icing, then to take off – take off was perhpaps 3.5 hours behind original schedule.
Given the quantity of snow, however, I count myself fairly lucky that we got going at all as I believe other US airports that day were experiencing massive delays, and in some cases were totally closed for a time.
Nothing much to report on the flight and service beyond this point. Dinner was served rapidly after take off plus all the usual pre-dinner drinks, hot towels etc. Dinner was very good (yet more beef for me), drinks plentiful.
I bedded down and got at least 3.5 hours sleep and woke up smelling the coffee for breakfast!
Fruit plus pastries etc, OJ and coffee and I was ready for the day ahead.
Smooth touch down, through immigration quickly and bags were waiting.
Altogether, BA did a fine job on this flight, and the delay was totally out of their control and the crew managed the delay extremely well.
Thanks for reading.
Concorde RIP - the most amazing machine to grace our skies