BA865 BUD-LHR 29 JUN 11 (CLUB EUROPE)

After 5 days in Budapest time to head home. It is weird visiting a European city which still allows people to smoke everywhere! Forgot how much everything smells of smoke after a while! I was heading back to work, so the flight was 08:25 and that meant a very early taxi from the Buda side f Buadpest back to the airport. If you keep the card given you when you get a taxi from he airport on arrival, you'll save about £5-6.

I was originally booked in EuroTraveller - however a few days before my flight, it gave me the option to upgrade for only £69 - would be rude nit to accept that!

Pre-flight
The area around the BA desks was very busy but only one person at the Club / Silver / Gold desk. I made my way around the mass of people to the Club desk to check in. This obviously upset quite a few Americans who had been on a religious mission to Hungary, and I very clearly could hear the rude comments from behind. I wax tempted to say something about being Silver and travelling in Club but bit my tongue! Check-in over, off to security which had a fast track lane (boarding card stamped at check-in). Short stop in duty free and then off to lounge. On the BA manage my booking it was a "Terraces Lounge" - in fact it is a choice of two shared lounge (one Malev and one airport). I chose the airport one which was ok to pass the time. There is free WiFi throughout the airport!

Flight
Headed down as boarding came up and as I got to the gate they started boarding - with a fast track lane as well!! Boarded through there and no rude comments this time! EuroTraveller was full but Club was empty - 8 people in 7 rows! We were held on the ground for a while due to usual LHR congestion, but then it was a short taxi to the runway. There was a delay in breakfast as the ovens were slow warming up. However, the CC poured out glasses of juice and bought them around - good move! Usual BA Breakfast, although rather than fruit there was a carton of fruit smoothie. CC was in and around the cabin throughout the flight - I worked pre/post breakfast but it was good to be offered drinks etc throughout the flight.

Arrival
Immigration was deserted esp as mid-morning at T5 - everyo e seemed to be on a connecting flight. Baggage was on the very end carousel....and guess what it took a very long time to appear (getting on for 20 mins after arrival). And no priority baggage either! Luckily managed to just get to HEX before it left!

Great result on the upgrade to Club! Sounds like a few more could have taken up the offer!

Budapest is beautiful, I was there in January last year and whilst very cold, was very beautiful in the snow. I'd like to go back in the summer months so I could perhaps enjoy being outside a bit more. Did you have a good time?

Yes had a very good time. Particularly enjoyed the Szechenyi baths up in the park!

I know what you mean about smoking everywhere still in some European cities - it comes as a real shock to the system now. I was ill after my last visit to Vienna from the smoke everywhere.

Thank you for the TR.

As for smoking, my work colleagues who smoke get very strange looks when they get up in a meal to go outside to smoke when our European hosts smoke at the table.