The flight time for LCY-JFK is longer than usual at 9h10m as it incorporates a stop at Shannon for US pre-clearance, and to refuel, as they can't take off from LCY fully loaded.
I arrived at LCY about an hour before departure and checked in my bag, having a small wait as there's no dedicated desk for this flight (I'm sure there used to be?) My carry on was tagged to ensure I got priority screening I was told, but no evidence of that, and not really needed anyway. Security at LCY has improved recently, with a new search area and scanners. You scan your boarding pass and get let through to the search area. Quickly processed, but my toothpaste needed to be swabbed as the computer had picked it out for some reason. The staff commented about another one being needed, so maybe it's too sensitive at the moment, still, very polite and efficient and a lot better than some airports.
LCY is a lovely little airport, though it's seem quite a big increase in numbers over the last few years. They have increased the seating areas now, and added more shops and cafes. Wandered around for a bit then headed to gate 24, the dedicated BA gate/lounge for these flights.
The plane was on the tarmac waiting, and was to be G-EUNB today
G-EUNB. My plane from LCY-JFK by chistery, on FlickrThere's a selection of magazines and newspapers in the lounge for you to take, as there's nothing provided on board. There's also some drinks and nibbles provided. At this point I noticed people were showing off their new fondle slabs and swiping and prodding on their new Apple devices.
Soon time to board and it's the first time I've seen no rush to board as soon as it was announced. I slowly packed up and got my bag and I was still the first one out the door.
Welcomed onboard by the purser and then by name by the crew member at the back. I was sat in 8A. I selected this one as I thought I had more of a chance to have an empty seat next to me, and it worked! There were only 16 pax anyway, out of a maximum of 32. I thought I had the whole row to myself until the woman in 7D decided she wanted a better view out of the window and moved to 8 D.
The seats on these planes are in 2-2 style, all forward facing. They aren't as private as normal club world and if you have a window seat you would have to climb over someone's feet if they were fully reclined. The seats are very comfortable though in seat or bed mode, and I do prefer the way it goes from a seat to a bed without having to get up, unlike VS, so you can recline further but not be completely flat.
The seats:
Seat 8A/B BA A318 by chistery, on FlickrThe crew seemed to know everyones name, having memorised their seat number, which was quite impressive.
Pushed back about 10 minutes early and soon we were thundering down the runway and we were wheels up. Shortly after we were offered an appetiser and a drink, for this short hop over to Shannon.
The menu from todays flight will be:
BA1 Menu by chistery, on Flickr
BA1 Menu by chistery, on Flickrand if you are interested, the wine menu is:
BA1/BA2/BA3/BA4 Wine Menu by chistery, on Flickr
BA1/BA2/BA3/BA4 Wine Menu by chistery, on FlickrWe were then being prepared for landing, and there was an explanation of the process. You get off, take everything with you and go through US immigration, then get back on board and fly into JFK as a domestic passenger.
So, the "Shannon Shuffle" had begun. We landed and deplaned and walked around a maze of corridors and eventually found the US customs area. Those with hold luggage had to wait a few minutes for it to be processed before we were allowed through. Once done, we entered and had our bags and shoes scanned, and then onto the TSA agents. They were very polite and friendly and I was processed very quickly, with none of the usual multiple question asked with the same answer. I was shown a picture of my bag, face down and asked to identify it. A black bag upside down looks like any other black bag, but it was similar, so I said it looks like mine. Was stamped and exited, to a small seating area marked for BA passengers, as we waited for our plan to be ready.
Within minutes we were back on board. Same cabin crew as before, but with different flight crew. They only do the one hop, whereas the cabin crew do the whole flight. Soon taxiing and we were probably on the ground for about 40 mins.
Once up in the air, we were served more drinks and lunch. I had the chicken, which was very nice.
Entertainment on these flights is via an Archos media player. There's a bracket in the seat which pulls out and you clip the player to it. Loaded with a good selection of films, and settled down to watch fair game, new adventures of Christine and then Tootsie.
Lots of drink runs and crew were always checking to make sure everyone was ok. Not like some flights where you don't see a crew member for hours. Nothing seemed too much trouble for them, they all seemed like they were enjoying their job.
Time seemed to go very quickly and we were soon landing at JFK. After a short taxi we were at Gate 1. We all departed and exited into JFK T7 departures area, where there are signs to follow for exiting. No security checks and straight through to the baggage reclaim area, where the bags were already spinning round the carousel waiting to be renewed (sorry, different carousel
) and exited into the arrivals hall.Conclusion - A great flight with lovely crew. It's certainly a lot nicer to land as a domestic passenger at JFK and not have to face that customs hall with massive queues having just landed behind another 747. Whilst the flight time is longer, living near LCY means I don't have to schlep across town to LHR and get there 2 hours in advance.
