Trip Report: Hello Daytrip! To Heathrow and T5 First Lounge

Hello Daytrip! A Tier Point run to the Paris Pokemon Centre
Off to Heathrow, T5 early in the morning and The British Airways First Class Lounge

In this trip report…

12:45am, Saturday Morning.

I could ask why I do this to myself… but there must be a side of me that just loves Digbeth Coach station… or it could be the side of that hate the idea of splashing out cash for a hotel when it isn’t needed.

Todays bag is lightly loaded (by my standards). Two DSLRs, a few lenses, two wallets, the Nintendo 3DS and a power bank – and a spare t-shirt. No toiletries or even… a laptop (which lightens the small rucksack considerably).

A quick ride to the Coach station and it was time to meet an old friend – Service 210 which would carry me from Birmingham to London.

Well it was a choice of the 1:15 coach or the 2:45 coach – the problem with the 2:45 coach being that it would give me a grand total of 50 minutes to get through security and to the gate, with zero breathing room if something goes wrong.

As something going wrong tends to be “par for course” in my world, an early coach isn’t that bad of an idea methinks.

National Express 210 Birmingham Digbeth Coach Station to London Heathrow T5.

Price paid £19 (single)

Boarding the coach, it was dead. But then these services are pretty lightly loaded at night. Again, the coach would be stopping off at Birmingham Airport, Coventry, Warwick Parkway, Heathrow Central (where I would have to be disciplined and NOT get off the coach), Heathrow T4 and finally T5.

Legroom

The coach left on time, heading off into the black of a Birmingham night.

Off we go!

Coventry Bus station

With not so much as a push, the coach headed down to the M40 and downwards to London., And it was at this time, I discovered my main wallet wasn’t on me.

Oh no. Not again. (although wallet watchers – hang onto till the end of the trip report….)

On the plus side, I had my reserve wallet it in the bag already – so I was covered for the day at least.

I chalked that one up to leaving my wallet somewhere else, and would investigate when I got home.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms were giving an amazing display as we are driving down the M40.

It’s a touch wet out there…

The coach driver took this in his stride however he was going a bit too fast – and it showed as we arrived at Heathrow 15 minutes early.

Under the runway, heading into the Central Terminal Area

The Central Bus Station

Parked at Central.

Ensuring I didn’t get off at the Central Terminal Area, the bus took the road around Heathrow, heading anticlockwise over Terminal 5 where I was dropped off.

Overall: That driver was going a bit fast in quite dicey conditions – still National Express did the job once again.

Early Morning at Heathrow.

Airports are places that never sleep. Whilst they might get a little drowsy, there’s still plenty of people there as they arrive from all corners of the country to go onto their holidays. This included a fair amount of BA Charter traffic as well as regular services

Yes… it’s busy at Heathrow even at 4:15~4:30 in the morning…

Although the check-in desks were quiet for now…

There is if course a downside – regular check in doesn’t open (so it’s to the toilet paper boarding pass printer), and the airport security doesn’t open until 4:30 in the morning…

Hmm. Pun Branding?

Closed Security area

Security Wait times – or lack of thereafter.

Well, South security took longer than, north security opening at 4:35.

At this time of morning, security was quick, and I was through without any issues. From there it was a slow idle walk over to the South Lounges… Mainly because nothing was open yet.

Airside

Shops Closed

EAT was open though….

Although there is one thing that Heathrow Airport excels at… (What did someone say once that Heathrow was a shopping centre with airbridges attached?)

I made my way up the escalator to the North lounges, where there were a few early birds queuing for entry. A bit early we we’re let into the hallowed lounge

South Lounge complex

The cloud… eerily still.

Lounge stop – British Airways First Class Lounge

After having my boarding pass scanned and being let in, it was time to stake out my usual spot in the lounge – that being straight ahead as you go in to the silver BA letter.

That’s my spot 😉

Hello Horse!

Bottom left corner = My seat normally.

As it was the early morning and the lounge had just opened, menus were not yet out for the waiter service offering. These arrived shortly after I sat down, as was the offer of food.

Menu

And I didn’t refuse.

Eggs Benedict.

Whilst that was being delivered, it was time to get a drink. Because it was 5 O’Clock.

Morning Fizzypopbubblystuff.

Food was also in full swing in the lounge

Cereals

Cold items

Fruits and Yoghurt’s

Hot Breakfast offerings

Pastries

Wines and Crisps

Spirits

The lounge was quiet during the time I was there, with a steady trickle of people arriving as the long haul flights trickled.

Seating

At about 6am, I checked the departure board… fearing where the plane would depart today. And it was over to the C Gates for departures. That means an early departure from the lounge.

I gathered my stuff together, and headed out.

Heading into the main terminal, things were a lot more alive than an hour ago.

C52. Ouch. Almost around the corner from Terminal 3…

I headed towards the elevators to the intra-terminal transit, and headed downstairs (this is one of the rare occasions where escalators are slow, and elevators are fast).

Going down!

Thankfully, there was only a short wait for transit, with a train arriving after a couple of minutes.

A ride all the way to the end of the C Gates, and I was up and out again.

Big Plane! Heavy Plane! Hold it… isn’t that a title of a Trip Report?

I headed towards C52, skipping the £15 of free Starbucks product I could claim due to the massive queue for morning coffee by a lot of people.

My plane over at C52

Please wait… (Notice the Virgin Atlantic advert in the right).

A short wait and a bit of spotting, and our plane was ready for boarding. I went to the podium, and was cleared for boarding after a passport and boarding pass scan.

Down we go!

Next: BA332 London Heathrow – Paris Orly

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