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BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 14:45
by Sealink
So after six rather wet days in the Black Forest, it was time to head back to London.

I opted to fly back using the BA service from Basel Airport (full name: EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg) and bagged a bargain £69 fare to Heathrow. The option to upgrade to Club Europe was offered during the booking process, for a price of £567 which I naturally declined.

After booking my Y flight, that upgrade was mysteriously offered to me for about £60, so I snapped it up.

Getting from Freiburg to Basel was a bit of a schlep, involving a Regional Train to Basel DB (German Railways), a connecting train or bus to Basel SBB (Swiss Railways), then a bus to the airport. However we had heaps of time, and... the DB station had a glitter ball!

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TOP TIP
When you stay at hotels in the Black Forest, all local trains and buses are free. So we only paid £3 for the travel in Switzerland.

Here is the station in Hinterzarten.
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And here is the train.
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We got to the airport a tad early and waited for BA check-in to open.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Then it opened and two distinct queues formed - Club Europe and Euro Traveller.

BA use the Club Europe desk as their General Enquiries desk so the agent was stuck helping a passenger. Eventually the Y check in agent noticed and called us forward. That was a bit annoying but in the big scheme of things not a worry.

There was a massive queue for security but this was easily bypassed as they had Fastrack access for CE pax.

We headed up to the Skylounge. I'd seen pics of the lounge on Priority Pass website and it looked great. I was not disappointed.

Hot food consisted of tomato soup, quiches and mini pizzas while cold snacks were crisps, olives, cheeses etc.

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I had my first drink, which I called a "Sealink's Downfall" - triple G&T.

Then I found this:

BEFORE
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AFTER
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Our flight was delayed by about 15 minutes, but I wasn't really worried.

Boarding was quick and the staff were great.

Take off was smooth and soon enough were we soaring over the Black Forest, and then through the clouds where the sun was shining.

Captain announced that our timetable 95 minute flight would be around 65 minutes, yet they still served a full meal.

Which looked like this:

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There was a further drinks run, where I had my second bottle of Champagne.

Tea and coffee service was not provided due to turbulence, however we were offered other drinks. So that was another bottle :).

Then, over Kent, tea and coffee was offered, which was a nice touch as really, they needn't have bothered.

So three mini bottles of Champagne in a 65 minute flight. That's a record for me. :) And yet another great CE flight from BA, at a bargain price.

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 15:03
by Trevski220
That's some pretty impressive Champagne drinking, I tip my hat to you! y)

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 15:44
by waatp
oo) Awesome flight!

Thanks for posting the TR and the pictures of the Lounge look amazing!

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 16:35
by hiljil
Lovely pictures. Thank you for sharing. Super that you got that cheap upgrade :D

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 18:21
by Tinuks
As always, thanks for the TR Sealink. The pictures are always a nice touch.

I wonder why a train station would need a glitter ball.

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 19:18
by Sealink
Thanks everyone!

There was filming taking place at the station so not sure if related.

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 20:02
by Blacky1
I do enjoy a sealink TR , always know there is going to be some pics to look at , top drinking on the champers front aswell !

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 20:38
by Jacki
I too love reading your TR's, they usually include places, transport or routes I have yet to try y) and your talent for sourcing the best deals and depleting champagne stocks is impressive! ^)

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 16 Sep 2013, 21:18
by honey lamb
Jacki wrote:I too love reading your TR's, they usually include places, transport or routes I have yet to try y) and your talent for sourcing the best deals and depleting champagne stocks is impressive! ^)

What Jacki said! I couldn't have put it better. y)

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 17 Sep 2013, 05:53
by buns
Sealink

Thanks for the splendid TR - as always interspersed with fab pictures y) y)

I will refrain from commentating on the champagne as some fellow V Flyers seem to want to concentrate on but rather reflect on the fantastic lounge which seems straight out of a Ken Adams Set for a Bond film :D :D Didn't bump into Blofeld whist you were there ):

Tanks once again

buns

Re: BA755 BSL-LHR 14 SEP 13 (CLUB EUROPE)

PostPosted: 17 Sep 2013, 09:30
by gfonk
awesome TR as always Sealink
I too enjoy the pics!!
Champagne!! :-)