Arrived in a car, so got him to drop me off near the Club/First check-in area. Avoided the self-service check-in machines (had already checked in, but wanted a proper boarding card) the check-in assistant was really friendly and was surprised that it was a non-First flight. Boarding card in hand and it was off to security, which was empty but it was a Saturday afternoon. Did a little bit of shopping and then headed off to Giraffe; I wanted lunch but wasnt that fussed on the usual offerings in the Galleries. Had a lovely chicken burger and fries and then it was off to the lounge. Asked for a glass of champagne, which caused the usual stares and mumblings as it arrived I think most people arent aware that it is available. Nipped out to get some money, and went to the North Galleries for a brief while. They had paper bags next to the nibbles for those on Domestic / EuroTraveller flights to help themselves and take away to eat on the plane. Noticed that flight was boarding and so it was off to Gate 10 a bus ride to the plane again. By the time I got there, it was on to Final Call. There was a lady who was very annoyed with her husband and children as then had wandered on ahead (they turned out to be in the same row as me, and she rather oddly paced up the Left side, through the galley and down the Rightside and then back for what seemed liked hours during the flight),
Once on board, the crew were really friendly and chatty and champagne came round quickly I also asked for a sparkling water which came as well. Club was full bar one seat, and World Traveller and World Traveller Plus were full completely. Push back was a little late, and then it was a long old taxi to the other end of LHR. After take-off, menus and amenity kits were given out. Drinks seemed to take ages, especially as you could hear WTP being served. The menu was:
Appetisers
Prawn Cocktail or Pear and Stilton Pate
Salad
Main Courses
Fillet of beef with Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes and Vegetables
Roast chicken, roast vegetables and bread sauce
Steamed halibut with sweet and sour sauce (came with noodles apparently)
Butternut squash risotto
Desserts etc
Blackberry upside down sponge/crme anglaise
Ice cream
Cheese and biscuits
Unfortunately the pate had run out, but the prawn cocktail was ok (wouldnt have been my first choice). The beef was very nice indeed and I loved the mini Yorkshire pudding. Dessert and cheese were both good. Had a nice Sav Blanc with starter and Cab Sav with main and port with cheese.....with some sparkling water to keep me rehydrated! Entertainment was on demand, so it was not too bad (colleague who came out day later had non-on demand entertainment). Managed about 3 hours or so sleep on the flight (I took one of my old VS sleep suits as not that keen on sleeping in jeans etc when I need them for my trip away). Only 3 toilets for 48 club thankfully most people didnt have to change on the flight or it would have been difficult.
All too soon, it was breakfast (the flight was just over nine hours and the dinner took a while to get served).
Menu for this was
Starters:
Fruit juice or smoothie
Fresh fruit or greek yoghurt with blueberry compote
Main course:
Full English or creamy mushrooms on muffin or pork congee
Surprisingly I was hungry, so had the yoghurt and the cooked English not too bad.
Before landing there was an announcement apologising that there wasnt enough landing cards or health declarations on the flight (too many non-Chinese on this flight which is a bit of poor planning in my book). I had completed mine, and was nervously waiting for the temperature check (space on the form for this to be completed by the health screener) even though I felt completely well. On the approach the pilot said that we might be able to see the Great Wall unfortunately the weather on arrival was not very good. It was very windy and bumpy with lots of low cloud, so no chance of seeing anything. Later in the day there was a severe sandstorm in Beijing, which went along with the poor weather on arrival.
The airport terminal was empty and it was a bit of a walk to the temperature check (No 1), health check and temperature check (No 2), immigration and then on transit to baggage collection and customs. There was a mention from the Cabin Services Director (or whatever his name) that First and Club bags would be removed and placed in a separate area to save people lifting them up. Odd that after the flight, he hadnt remembered when reading off the card that there wasnt a First Cabin!! In the end, it was only the crew bags that were removed and not the passengers! Everyone was wearing those paper masks.....they do nothing and must be uncomfortable to wear. The arrival experience was very efficient and I was out very quickly (shame that none of the taxi drivers spoke English and none knew where the Hilton was they took me to the wrong one first off).
All in all a very pleasant flight which was very busy (there is little competition on this route with only Air China competing and they dont put their tickets on sale very early in advance unlike BA). And the arrival process was the most efficient I have ever seen! The UK and US could learn something about this approach.
