We left home at 1.05pm for the short taxi ride to Gatwick North terminal, arriving at 1.25pm. There was a small queue at the fast bag drop off and our luggage was checked in by a somewhat robotic natured lady. The queue through to security was a la Disney style, but didn't take long.
What had up until then been a fairly calm experience, soon changed. The Shopping/ restaurant area of the terminal was packed, people everywhere. This part of the airport always has a strange effect on MrG who hates shopping, whereas I can't wait to stuck in[:D] After some general huffiness from MrG, we decided that I would do a smash and grab with the cosmetics and then hopefully the gate would be called. By the time I had finished increasing the profits of Elizabeth Arden and co we were on our way to the departure lounge.
The lady checking our boarding passes was abrupt and unsmiling (at least BA are consistent[}:)]) Boarding was announced with First and CW invited to board at their leisure. They then announced boarding for WT, then nothing. Eventually they must have realised there were still some pax sitting in the lounge.'Oh yes, the rest of you phlebs can board now' Okay, they didn't say that exactly!
Once we boarded the aircraft (a Boeing 777) we found our seats. The lady cabin crew member looking after us came around with The Daily Mail. 'Would you like to share?'[V] 'erm,no if it's all the same with you, we'll have one each thanks' At this point I decided to check our life jackets under the seat to see if we had to share that too![}:)]
The flight was due to depart at 3.05pm and we pushed back about 3.10pm. The captain informed us that todays flight would be 7.05 hours long. We eventually departed around 3.25pm.
About 15 minutes into the flight drinks and snacks were served. We were also given the wine that we would be drinking with lunch. There were 2 choices for lunch, salmon or chicken, which they had announced previously. Sitting at the front of the WT+ cabin means that you should always get your first choice of economy food. I went for the Salmon, MrG the chicken. I was impressed with the quality of the food, considering it was an economy meal, very tasty[y]
Spent the next couple of hours reading my book. Having become spoiled by Vport over the years,I find other IFE disapointing. MrG watched 'She's the Man' which apparently starred Vinnie Jones.
Towards the end of the flight, the captain gave us the Tennis results and the World Cup Final latest. When he finally told us that Italy had won, MrG was most pleased, having picked them in his ofice sweep stake, pocketing 80 quid....nice!
Throughout the flight I found the crew to be efficient and attentive, though not overly friendly. WT+ really is just an enhanced economy product in the respect that all you get is a better seat. It should in no way be compared to PE (don't get me started!)
We landed at 6.25pm and worked our way through immigration. By 7.30pm we had arrived at the house that would be our home for the next 3 years[:D]
