This trip was booked a couple of weeks ago using Avios + money, had great availability. Booking via Avios site was a dream - couldn't be easier.
The trip started at 0400 on Saturday morning with the drive from north east London to LGW - took us about an hour which is great, and no delays anywhere on M25.
Checked in online on the day before, so straight to bag drop and through security. Again, everything as good as it could be. Only one in front of us to drop bags, and a breeze through security

I must admit to not liking the North terminal as much as the South. Although the north seems less like a shopping centre than the south, it just seems to be a mess with not enough seating and queues for all breakfast eateries. I still had time to buy the obligatory bottle of scent for myself - Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf, since you asked...
Boarding seemed to begin quite late (though flight took off on time). Club Europe and status card holders invited first. Boarding then began from the back, but since we saw lots of people ignoring the request we ignored it too and boarded

After take off the onboard service began quite quickly with drinks, and quite a large breakfast pack was handed out. Yoghurt/oats (yuck!

Pretty soon after it seemed as though we had begun our descent. Disembarkation was quick with the jetty reaching the plane without delay. Passport control empty in Marco Polo Airport, and bags arrived after what seemed like an age (but probably wasn't that long at all). My only complaint is the confusion of so many train/bus/water taxi companies offering to get you to the island of Venice, but we soon found our way there.
Textbook trip, as far as I'm concerned. Couldn't have asked for anything more. Hats off to BA for this one
