BA2599 VRN-LGW 19 SEP 10 (CLUB EUROPE)

After an all too brief stay in Garda, it was time to head back to London.

The sun made an appearance, and how! on the Sunday, so I spent the morning wandering around the town of Desenzano del Garda, before having a glass of Prosecco with friends at lunch.

It's a very pretty town



I found everyone in Italy super friendly - except those working in transport!

The coach driver from Verona Station to the airport didn't smile, the guy at customs at the airport was the first ever to refuse to stamp my passport... (it's just a thing I ask and everywhere else in Europe they've always been happy to do so...), the queue for check-in was horrendous but I sauntered up to the Club Europe desk for a boarding card... as I went through the efficient security system I discovered to my horror that the lounge at Verona was land side. But I don't think I missed much.

A few shops and cafes complete Verona airport.

The flight was on time, and I was one of the last to board. To this day, I don't "get" the queueing mentality of people with pre-assigned seats. What do they think they are going to miss? I don't think they queue to ensure a speedy departure! Anyway, it was a coach from the gate to the plane, all of 200 yards!

I settled into Seat 2A, the bulkhead stopped me stretching as much as I wanted, so will remember that for next time.


The crewe were much younger this time, the chief steward (is that the right title?) had a bit of an evangelical look in his eyes... all smiles, no blinks... it was a bit eerie. ;-)

We were soon ready for take off, the announcement went out that 'snacks will be served shortly, and for passengers in Club Europe Afternoon Tea will be served shortly.".

With champagne, natch.

I took pics.


Shortly afterwards, hot scones were offered.
And another 1/4 bottle of champagne.

After this, a snooze and time to enjoy the scenery...




Arrival at Gatwick was slightly later than planned due to very strong headwinds (according to the cap'n) and as I had hand luggage only was through very quickly.

A quick look at the plane:


I thought I had registered for IRIS but hadn't, so when it didn't work I was called over to a customs officer who waved me through. Hehe. Result.

All in all British Airways were excellent... looking forward to my first Club Europe flight from London City in three weeks.

I loved the CE jaunts from LGW. Used to do LGW-PSA a lot for family reasons and it was always a pleasant experience. Been a few years now, still have fond memories though. Glad you enjoyed it.

Lounges in most of the smaller Italian airports are something to be missed. They do occasionally have a decent espresso machine, otherwise it's a few randomly selected bottles of booze, nuts, a handful of packaged snacks. Had the pleasure of being there in Verona, Pisa, Napoli, Bologna. Bologna used to have a dedicated security channel for lounge folks, so even if landside, this was a major advantage. No such luck in the other places

They're almost always landside, as they serve all airlines and in the olden days you did not go airside, so to speak, for internal alitalia flights, so that's the layout. Only Milan and Rome have proper BA lounges IIRC.

Oh, and they always seem to have the word VIP in their name, somehow this seems important to italian business folk.

thats a rather lonley looking tomato with the sarnies ! its like they thought 'ohhh we'd better give them some garnish but lets not really be bothered about it.

I don't "get" the queueing mentality of people with pre-assigned seats.

ah yes but now its the 'we have to get our share of the overhead lockers'

ah yes but now its the 'we have to get our share of the overhead lockers'

I get boarding early on a long haul flight, as it takes me a while to sort out everything, and a glass or three of sparkling wine works, too. On enlightened carriers where the IFE is booted up before boarding, I'm also half way through a movie before we take off

Where no PDB is involved, it's certainly much harder to understand.

[buns]

Sealink

Thanks for the TR

How civilised to do a short jaunt in Club Europe IIRC you got this trip at a snip, so you certainly got your pennies worth with the fizz

Look forward to the London City jaunt

buns

Thank you for the great TR, love the pics.