V-Flyer

First time I've ever flown with BA before, after spending the years in between this flight and my last fight with Virgin (2002) on several charters/LCC's, so I was expecting something from supposedly 'The World's Favourite Airline'.

Booked the flights as soon as they became available, so was able to get a really good price[:D]

Walked in to T3 to find that we had to go up an escalator to get to the check-in desks. Got up there to find that the whole place was jam-packed.[:0]This terminal is too small for the amount of pax that goes through it. We saved ourselves a lot of time by using the online check-in facility at the airport. Really easy to use, typed in our booking reference, confirmed our names and printed our tickets off.[y] Then we were able to drop our bags off, and headed for security.

The queues here were long, but were dealt with quickly. After going through security, we had some breakfast and a drink before looking around the shops. Eventually, we were called through to the gate, where we picked up our complimentary newspaper and waited for 20 minutes before finally boarding G-TTOC (I think).

The seats were leather and really comfy. Meals were served after take-off. I didn't touch it since I had a lot to eat in the airport, before relaxing to read my paper and mag before getting some sleep. Flight was mostly smooth apart from some turbulence over the Pyrenees, and we were soon descending into Malaga.

Dealt with really quickly through passport and only had to wait for 10 mins before collecting our luggage and getting a taxi to Benalamdena.

Return journey, arrived at the airport early, but ended queuing at check-in for nearly an hour[:0] BA had about 5 desks there, 3 for LGW and 2 for MAN. Really, considering that AGP is a hot destination in the summer BA should have online check-in over there[n]

We were delayed for 30 mins, so I had time to look at the shops, have something to eat, and ended up spilling a cup of coffee down myself by accident[:I] My fault for being a bit clumsy[V]

We had our passports checked twice after checking in. Once when we were going through security and again when heading to the pier where out gate was. Had to be bussed to the plane (G-TTOI) and we were waiting outside for about 10 minutes watching a flyglobespan 737-800 pull up from Glasgow in front of us.

Complimentary papers were on our seats when we boarded. After take-off lunch was served through the 'All-Day Deli', which was pizza baguette on French bread. Really tasty, and made a change from the usually poor quality of food you get on the charters. Didn't make up for the delay and arrived at MAN 30 mins late. Deplaned and dealt with through passport control fairly quickly before waiting for 10 mins at the baggage carousels. We then boarded our bus to the Premier Park where our car was and drove home.

While on the bus, I saw a lot of adverts that Virgin had put up around the airport promoting the Barbados route, I'm expecting St Lucia ads up soon, and perhaps some more ads for Orlando, since all the charters and especially Travel City Direct are offering flights to Sanford from here.

Overall, I'm giving BA 8 out of 10 here.

I was satisfied with the service on offer, and even more satisfied considering the price we paid[y] Only the events we had at AGP prevent me giving 9 out of 10, but I will definitely use BA again in the future for short-haul if they continue to offer really good prices on hot LCC/charter competition routes like Malaga.

Well done BA[^]