Check in
A particularly abysmal check in experience. No automatic ticket machines here. 4 desks open but close down to three for no apparent reason. It always amazes me the totally random interval between passengers. Some can be seconds and others 20 minutes. I had several 20 minute people it seemed. Eventually when I got to the front I was allocated 25F. Doesnt sound too good...
Airport
Security was fine. Very polite people who were thorough but content and wished me a pleasant flight - they really meant it too. (Heathrow take note)
Lounge
Then off into the terminal. I spot a flight of steps leading to the lounges and on one of them the Priority Pass symbol is displayed so I enter. Its a very nice lounge with comfortable leather seating ad a good selection of drinks and snacks.
I fire up my laptop and look for a wifi network and find T-Mobile. 600HUF for 15 minutes which is about all the time I have anyway. I still dont know how much it is but at least its less than 10% of the taxi fare so it seems OK.
All too soon my time is up and the flight is boarding.
Boarding
Its an A320 Airbus. 25F is the last row window.
Its a scrum to get on as people seem to take forever in front of me to arrange their bags in the overhead lockers.
Then there is a really irritating yank in front of me moaning that the seat next to him hasnt been kept empty. The cabin crew try to explain that as he hasnt actually paid for a third seat (he has a toddler not in a seat) then its quite reasonable for the seat to have been sold. Theres no explaining that to this particular numbskull who represents the worst arrogant 'I am the world' kind of passenger. I feel sorry for the cabin crew. Only briefly.
There is no cold food left by the time they get to our row. So Im offered no choices just a pathetic 'all day deli' box and the worlds nastiest cheese panini. I have to eat it rather than starve.
I see that theres still no sign of a drink either. Crumbs its different world on BA these days - dont sit at the back whatever you do. Ideally dont fly them at all. Its awful. But then perhaps I expect too much - wait no my ticket was over 200 so it not a low cost airline level fare. Dammit I think I should expect more. I think all passengers should demand more.
Turbulence again. But turbulence shouldnt allow you to run out of food.
Finally a Gin and Tonic. Not enough Im afraid to blot out this grim experience.
Cancel yor BA plans while you still can! Oh on. Im off to Tel Aviv next week in World Traveller. No way to change it now.
