V-Flyer

A little birthday weekend jaunt to Bordeaux, actually just north of Cognac, in the rolling hills of the Charente and surrounding by vines ... al helped along by BA from Gatwick and one of those nice fifty quid Club Europe upgrades on the way out (sadly not the return, that's showing as £550 one way return (for two but still eek ).

An 07.40 flight meant arriving at the North Terminal long term parking by 6 a.m. - at least no traffic at that time, and just time for some breakfast in the Terraces lounge before heading for the gate. The Terraces was a little more comfortable than I last recalled, possibly because it was quiet at that time, and the breakfast options while simple, were adequate (bread, croissants, yoghurts, fruit, cheese, coffee, juices, and the bar of course), and also help yourself. So snacked up we head to gate 61 and an old 737-400, into 1 D and F and a mostly empty Club Europe cabin.

The FA in Club was a riot, I am sure she spent more time lacquering her impressive hair than anything, and had probably worked with BA for centuries ( ). Surprised that we weren't offered anything before take off, not even a water. Then took off after a delay for a baggage discrepancy, arrived after a 1hr 15min smooth flight almost straight south with a lovely view of Amboise, Tours, and the Loire Valley on the way. Offered the cooked breakfast and despite the Terraces tuck in we accepted it (palatable, no more), one BM and then it was seat belts on for landing. We circled around Bordeaux to arrive at Merignac and quickly off into a pretty grotty terminal, bags took longer than we did to walk to arrivals and no prioritisation at all, but not too long a wait.

I'd say the £50 offer to upgrade to Club is well worth it, but on this basis a full price ticket would have been totally underwhelming, actually, on a par with US legacy domestic First but even not as good as that. Now for the return in Y .

You might find that the price of the upgrade drops at the time of check-in. I have had cheap upgrade one way and then expensive on the way back until check-in opens. However, it is a short flight, so the only real benefit on the way back is champagne over the offerings in EuroTraveller.

slinky09 wrote:Offered the cooked breakfast and despite the Terraces tuck in we accepted it (palatable, no more), one BM and then it was seat belts on for landing.

Did we really need to know that Slinky?.

Tinkerbelle wrote:

slinky09 wrote:Offered the cooked breakfast and despite the Terraces tuck in we accepted it (palatable, no more), one BM and then it was seat belts on for landing.

Did we really need to know that Slinky?.

ROTFLMAO!!

honey lamb wrote:

Tinkerbelle wrote:

slinky09 wrote:Offered the cooked breakfast and despite the Terraces tuck in we accepted it (palatable, no more), one BM and then it was seat belts on for landing.

Did we really need to know that Slinky?.

ROTFLMAO!!

Me too ....looks like slinky has started the downward slope in abbreviations....coloured up a great TR though!

When you listed BOD I thought you meant this BOD

Thank you for the TR.

Woe on the return, jam packed old 737 that was tatty beyond belief, nice FA, but then a horrendous 1 1/2 hr wait for bags on a Sunday night at LGW. Ugh ... letter heading in the direction of Willie Walsh's replacement!

slinky09 wrote:Woe on the return, jam packed old 737 that was tatty beyond belief, nice FA, but then a horrendous 1 1/2 hr wait for bags on a Sunday night at LGW. Ugh ... letter heading in the direction of Willie Walsh's replacement!

This is why we always stick with Easyjet for european flights. Their fleet of Airbus 320's is by-and-large very new and tidy, decent crew and prices usually less than BA. I also find the unreserved seating policy fine because boarding is usually well organised by groups (especially at LTN).

I'm also willing to forego the perceived convenience of a drink and biscuit onboard too!

clarkeysntfc wrote:This is why we always stick with Easyjet for european flights

That was my preference, but I could not pursuade the #1 ... and this flight confirmed, I'd rather go on EasyJet than BA where there is an option. Another thing, this flight departed at 8 pm, we were offered a drink and a cookie, no other food, at least on EasyJet you can buy a meal ...

Tinkerbelle wrote:

slinky09 wrote:Offered the cooked breakfast and despite the Terraces tuck in we accepted it (palatable, no more), one BM and then it was seat belts on for landing.

Did we really need to know that Slinky?.

When I read your TR I interpreted BM as a Bloody Mary, but because Tinks has picked up on what it really meant I roared with laughter. (Got a few strange looks from folks in the office!)

Tinkerbelle wrote:

slinky09 wrote:Offered the cooked breakfast and despite the Terraces tuck in we accepted it (palatable, no more), one BM and then it was seat belts on for landing.

Did we really need to know that Slinky?.

Martin - a deep fried mars bar prize to you - Tinks, that use of the term simply had not entered my head ... oh dear, double entendre!