BA163 LHR-TLV 12 NOV 10 (CLUB WORLD)

I see that there was a recent trip report from Honeylamb who travelled to TLV on the BA165 flight. I flew out the day afterwards (totally unrelated) on the BA163 flight. I was travelling with the better half, me on a paid Club World ticket and them on a miles plus cash ticket. I could pre-select my seat as a Silver, but they had to wait till check-in. Unlike the BA165 flight, this one is on a B767 which means it has the very old Club World seat, with the fans! The cabin is small - only 4 rows of 6, so all the window seats had gone by check-in and there were no two seats together. We therefore took the chance and luckily managed to get the person next to me to swap seats.

The BA163 leaves LHR at 22:30, so chance to experience the lounge and no need to take a day off work to travel on this flight. We had a very long taxi ride out as it was a Friday night, but arrived as an empty terminal. Bags dropped off and proper boarding card obtained and then it was time to head to the lounge. This is the last scheduled flight out and so the lounge was already getting quiet. The staff were helpful in getting champagne, although they were clearing up around us.

Came up as a B gate, so headed over as I haven't seen the B Gate Club Galleries and so wanted to pop in. Had an additional glass of champagne there (wanted to check I could get one) and then the flight came up as boarding. By the time we got there it was almost fully boarded.

The B767 cabin seems very old fashioned compared to the new club world product, and the fans are really odd. However there are some nicer bits (better table and little drinks table near TV). Also it had on demand entertainment which surprised me. The captain was very pleased to tell us it was only a 4hr 25 minute flight, meaning we would get in at 05:00!! Champagne pre-take off was handed around and we departed the gate on time.

Menus and amenity kits were distributed pre-take off. Once in the air, the drinks trolley came around and it was time for a Kir Royale. The crew were very good and friendly and out Kir Royales were topped up without even asking.

Menu on this flight:
Starter (with a seasonal salad)
Prawn cocktail
Waldrof Salad of apple mousse and walnuts

Main
Fillet of beef with horseradish sauce, yorkshire pudding and veg
Chicken, fig and artichoke tajine with pistachio and pine nut rice
Cavolo bero with sauteed mushroom mousse and tarragon cream sauce
Chilled main course salad of irish salmon

Dessert
Toffee and apple delice with pecan crumble
Cheese

THe apple mousse thing was odd, but both the chicken and beef options were very good (as was the dessert). Wine was served with the starter and our glasses were topped up without asking throughout the flight.

Due to short flight time and the full meal service, there wasn't time to use the club kitchen. On this plane there is no fridges, but some baskets of goodies at the front of the cabin.

All too soon it was time to arrive at TLV after only a 30 minute nap. Arrived to a dark TLV and short taxi to the terminal. We had been warned to expect long delays at immigration. However, as we arrived on a Saturday morning when lots of Jewish people don't travel and also given the time of the flight, there was no queues at all. We were through immigration and bags collected within 20 minutes of the plane doors opening (that is very good for Israel).

A short taxi to the hotel due to no traffic, and then we had to wait for a room at the Hilton (despite being HHonors Diamond).

Overall a very good flight - I am surprised that they offer a full Club World product on this route (it just isn't long enuogh to enjoy it fully!)

Thank you for the TR, interesting to get the comparison and pleased you had a good flight.

Does sound like you had a much better experience than HL.Thanks for sharing.

Iain

Of course, great tip about arriving during Shabbat! Sounds nicer, if older product, than the return.

How funny to have two V-Flyers reporting on the same route a day apart that is non-VS.

Of course, great tip about arriving during Shabbat! Sounds nicer, if older product, than the return.

How funny to have two V-Flyers reporting on the same route a day apart that is non-VS.

I agree, how strange that two TRs pop up for a an unusual route one after another.
Sounds a lot better than HL flight she really did get the bums rush on her flight compared to this one.
Shame it couldnt have been a little longer for you to really enjoy.

cheers

alex

And the the thing I'm reading that made one flight great and one not so great - is the level of customer service, rather than the amenities.

Thank you for the great TR.