Journey out was tube and then HEX - I rather stupidly forgot my VS upgrade vouchers! Typical and the standard class was very busy.
Arrived at a fairly quiet T3 and after fast track security it was off to the lounge. This was extremely busy - the effect of two BA flights to Singapore (one continuing to Sydney) and two Qantas flights. Managed to find a seat and did some final work stuff. Usual salad options to be had, slight changes to the hot options including jacket potatoes and different wines from my last BA flight. Didn't bother with the champagne this time - thought I would save that for the flight. Left the lounge as soon as boarding came up to find a deserted bus gate when we got there. Had to wait for the stragglers for the flight before heading off to the plane - I was by no means the last person to arrive at the boarding gate. The bus to planes at T3 for BA short-haul is a pain in my book, but hey ho!
Club was relatively empty - 4 rows and less than one person per row. Push back and take off on time and a short queue before take-off into a nice evening over Southern England.
Seat belt sign was off very quickly in the climb and round came the hot towels followed by drinks and nuts. The purser was cheerful and addressed everyone by name throughout service. Dinner appeared just as I finished my champagne - tonights options were tandoori chicken, pilau rice and cauliflower aloo or lamb casserole with new potatoes. I had the chicken, which was really good - it was obvious this was tandoori chicken and it had the holes in the chunks of chicken. Was initially slightly jealous of the people behind who had pre-ordered a fish dish which seemed to be a huge pie of king prawns and pasta...but the tandoori chicken was very good! Slightly odd mint panacotta and then only a single piece of cheese with some small piece of quince (no grapes any more!).
The rest of the flight was uneventful but the crew were attentive and available throughout the short flight, asking if people wanted refills and ensuring that the flight was pleasant. Arrived about 15 minutes early, but this was all taken up by the route march from the plane to arrivals for UK flights - it literally took nearly 10 minutes walking at a pace to get to the immigration desks!
A nice Club flight to Lisbon - good service and good food. It seems that BA appear to be trying to provide a consistent minimum "good" level of service on their Club Europe flights. Maybe others could learn about consistency in service delivery
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