V-Flyer

After a very brief trip for a football match that I shall not care to mention [:I] it was time to return to England very briefly before my trip to Boston via New York the next morning. Arrived at Hamburg Airport at around 0930 after a nice quick hassle free trip on the S-Bahn. Found the BA check-in area and was seen very quickly as no-one else waiting in the Club Europe line. Given a fast track pass for security and a lounge pass with my boarding card by a very pleasant young lady behind the desk and was soon off to security. I was glad of the fast track pass as security was very busy. Seemed that the agents were very thorough as well. Think I was the only one not searched and who did not set the metal detector off. Soon found the lounge which is on the top floor of the airport and is shared for all airlines. This is pretty basic with snacks consisting of crisps and biscuits, a coffee machine and some soft drinks, beer and wine. This was all self service and there was plenty of places to sit as the lounge was really quiet. Sat by the window which gave a great view of both runways and arriving and departing aircraft.

Boarded at around 1100 and aircraft was G-EUPT an A320 this time. I was in seat 1F this time as I was not able to get 1A or 1C. This was not as good as before as not as much room although the leg room is still very good. Flight time was 1 hour 10 minutes and we departed a little bit early and were soon in the air after a very short taxi. Runways here are right next to the terminal which makes for a very quick departure. Service was identical to the outbound trip and again the flight was very full although was a lot more subdued than the outbound flight. Probably due to the disappointment of the football!

In no time at all we were starting our descent into LHR and would have landed around 20 minutes early but were put in a holding pattern outside. Whilst we were circling we were flying in formation with an EK A380 which was about 1000 feet above us. This was a spectacular sight and helped pass the time! Landed on time and were this time put on a proper stand. Through immigration very quickly as there was no queue at all and my bags were once again amongst the first off after around a 10 minute wait. Soon off to the Holiday Inn for some sleep before returning to T3 the next morning for my VS flight.

I enjoyed my 2 flights in Club Europe with BA. Thought the product was pretty good, especially as it includes the lounge access which makes a big difference. This was also the first time I had ever flown by myself. Have previously been a very nervous flyer, however over the last year I have flown so much that I have got so used to it that I am much better. Owe a lot of this to this site which has helped me develop an interest in flying which has gone a long way to curing my fear despite rapidly diminishing my bank account!

Thanks for the TR![y]

quote:rapidly diminishing my bank account!
Tell me about it [:D]