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BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 20:03
by Daffodil
This was a BMI flight chartered by Sports Options to fly to Nice for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Arrived at T1 at 5am where we were directed to the Premium desk and with only one person in front of us we were checked in very quickly. We enquired if we could use the lounge with our Amex cards Or Flying Club Gold Card but were told that as it was a charter flight it wasn't possible.
The flight an Airbus 320 departed on time at 6:20am. The cabin was spotlessly clean with comfortable leather seats and pull down foot rest. Breakfast was served 45 minutes after take off and was very good - cornflakes with fresh milk, fresh fruit salad, breakfast rolls with butter and jam, full cooked breakfast, bacon, sausage, omelet, mushrooms and beans served with bucks fizz and tea or coffee. There were films to watch but as it was only a 2 hour flight I didn't bother. The BMI crew were excellent and it was service with a smile all the way. We landed on time in Nice and having no baggage to collect were very quickly outside in the pleasant warm sunshine.
The trip was very well organized. Coaches met us at the airport to transfer us to Jardin Exotique de Monaco (as close as you can get on race day) where we boarded a local bus to Casino Square. We watched the race from Café de Paris where they served a nice meal and drinks all afternoon. It’s not the best view of the race but the large screens let you see all the action in a great atmosphere where you can walk about and socialise.
We had some free time after the race but access to some areas was limited until 6pm. We started to make our way back just after 7:15pm and were back at Nice Airport in plenty of time for the 10pm flight.
Went into the Riviera lounge at the airport with our Priority Pass cards and it was quite full with F1 Team Engineers etc. Ross Brawn was happy to discuss Michael Shumacher’s problems for the day with us – what a nice man.
The return flight with the same plane and crew left on time and they were just as good as on the outbound leg.

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 20:45
by Alex V
Wow what an awesome day you had and what a cracking race, didnt lewis have a stinker!
I would very much like to do this trip next year, you have given me a great idea, great TR

cheers

alex

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 20:48
by horburyflyer
Sounds like a fantastic day and great Bmi service - reminds me of the good old days before Bmi changed v( v( v( v( v( v(

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 21:02
by MrT
Sounds like a great trip, Vettel was v.lucky to get a free tyre change courtesy of the red-flag! Otherwise I think it would have been Button's race.

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 22:46
by Daffodil
Hi Alex
Yes, Lewis had a dreadful day and Button was unlucky not to win. The feeling amongst a few was that Vettel now needs to be beaten.The trip was worth every penny, such a great experience. I'm sure if you decided to go next year you to will have a wonderful time!

Regards,
Daffodil

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 23:43
by Luke085
Great TR! I love day trips and it sounds like this was absolutely excellent!

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 31 May 2011, 23:54
by Sunshine
Thanks for the TR Daffodil. What a great day out.

Sunshine 8D

Re: BD 8973 LHR-NCE 29 MAY 11 (ECONOMY)

PostPosted: 01 Jun 2011, 09:37
by Alex V
MrT wrote:Sounds like a great trip, Vettel was v.lucky to get a free tyre change courtesy of the red-flag! Otherwise I think it would have been Button's race.


Your not wrong there Vettel had the luck off the devil in that race :( , if i was button i would have hit the bottle hard that night.

cheers
alex