This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Had my bags scanned for the first of three times just before check in. No queues at PE so bag was dropped, boarding pass and lounge invite were issued and a couple of minutes later I was on my way. Then walked for what seemed like miles to get to passport control, had my bags scanned again and descended into a tunnel to walk for miles again. Finally emerged, blinking in disbelief, into the biggest mess of a shop I have ever seen in my life. If you ever have to describe the concept of chaos to a visitor from outer space, drop them in the centre of Dubai Duty Free and theyll soon get it, and probably take the next flying saucer home. Luckily smokes and vodka were located on the peripheries and, once Id found the till hiding behind a pillar, soon paid for. I then headed through the public dormitory to the Gulf Air lounge.
The lounge might not be much to write home about, but its a darn sigh better than having to wait outside. The choice of food and drink might be limited but the hot breakfast items on offer were perfectly OK as is the range of drinks. Not long after arriving it was time to head off down to the gate, where boarding and transfer to the remote stand were well under way. Had my bags scanned again and off to Maiden Tokyo for the return home.
A bit of entertainment on the bus, as one pax was chastising his wife for buying tea that was too hot to drink and that theyd now have to chuck it because you werent allowed on the plane with it. Needless to say they sat a few rows in front of me and still had the tea with them. But he continued to nag her all the way home and was still at it in the immigration hall, nice to see a bit of role reversal in action.
It appeared to me that the seat I had more legroom than on the outward journey, or perhaps my legs had shrunk in the heat? Definitely more comfortable though. Waited for two more bus loads of passengers to fill the plane and some luggage to be located and loaded and we were off about half an hour late. The flight was OK, some wonderful views over the Danube delta, Romania and Hungary. The CC were visible and attentive though out.
One observation: the order of serving food. Im not really up for lunch at 11 in the morning. A cup of tea d a muffin possibly with lunch a few hours later. Im sure it makes sense for operational/settling everybody down reasons to get the main meal out of the way first or, perhaps, its how mot people expect things to be and Im just being all back to front about this?
Arrived to a wet Heathrow about 45 minutes late, after circling over London for a good 15 minutes. Immigration was its normal chaotic self, but they did open some more desks so the queue started to move a little faster. Priority luggage seemed to be working or I was just lucky - but it still took almost two and a half hours to clear customs and get to Paddington (Hex conductor hadnt seen one of the 1st upgrade vouchers before and was a bit dubious about not charging me the difference at first).
David
