online check in all done ok....on the day with a bag to check I decided to get to Tampa around 6.30 and eat off airport(flight time was 20.45). its an hour and 3/4 drive for me, sadly heavy rain made it nearly two and a half and so it was straight into the airport. a quick empty check in, typical BA , efficient ,polite but uninspiring. then upstairs to TGI Fridays. the plan was no booze and a light meal before flying with lots of sleep (work all day Tuesday
)this lasted about 5 minutes ,yes ok I am weak, and a nice glass of red washed down a chicken salad.
so through security (2 minutes) and into the lounge , plan no food and no booze....yes yes I am very weak, some nibbles and another couple of reds
. the lounge is very similar to the Delta one at MCO, nothing to shout about. At least it was quiet.a wander down to the gate, priority boarding and straight on to seat 10 D (aisle). the scrum of Y pax going through the cabin made it nigh on impossible to serve a preflight drink.
anyway the plan was to not eat and not drink..........
yes yes we got the drift , Im easy....well when offered a cheeky Italian (red not...well you know) its rude to refuse, anyway no food.....ah, lobster starter...oh ok and salmon main ...go on then...at least I resisted dessert and anymore wine, well after the other two glasses
the smaller CW cabin is nice and relaxed, seat is comfortable and I prefer the sliding seat to bed rather than the VS flip over....it didn't feel as wide though, almost cramped.
IFE was ok, I started to watch 12 years a slave....lasted 10 minutes before being bored silly. Watched some of Capt Phillips before dozing off ,managing 4 hours on and off.
woke up to a light breakfast of fruit before landing at a cold and wet Gatwick.
All in all a good flight, very BA, very professional...lacking the VS pazzazz, however as it cost me less than £300 plus 50000 avios have to rate it as good value.
to look forward to a week of curries Chinese and proper full English brekkies
