Mr Kevincm returns to Washington - Back to Washington Dulles, British Airways Lounge

Mr Kevincm returns to Washington – Back to Dulles, British Airways Lounge

In this… well.. mess:

As I was getting on the bus at the Udvar Hazy Centre, you either need a Uber, Taxi Lyft or a bus. As I’m notoriously cheap, I took the bus.

In the past, there was a minibus service which charged 50 cents each way. This has now been replaced with the Fairfax connector, which charges $1.75 each way.

Whilst the bus is cheap, it does go around the houses when it approaches Washington Dulles Airport. So if you’re in a rush to get from The Udvar Hazy Centre to Dulles, it might be worth planning ahead.

For me, it was time enough for me to sit back until I reached Eero Saarinen’s classic terminal.

I swear this sight doesn’t change.

I headed into the terminal, and headed up to the departures level… after trying to work out where the heck to go

.
Once more unto the breach dear friends.

And I’m sorry – the retro font doesn’t work for me when way-finding.

It’s probably just me who doesn’t like this font at all… it makes the typographer in me scream. On the plus side, it isn’t Comic Sans. PS. If you’re an airport and stick Comic Sans in for your next font system – you must really don’t like people… that’s my only conclusion…

Heading upstairs, I found the British Airways check-in area, and completed the check in for the two segments back to the United Kingdom – first to London Heathrow, then onto Manchester.

Check-in was uneventful – apart from three gentlemen who couldn’t work out what queue they were meant to be in (initially trying it on going to the First Class queue, then grudgingly queuing for the Club World queue.

I was checked in, and the little purple suitcase taken off me for the ride back to the UK. With that, it was time to face my favourite organisation who can’t seem to make even a cup of instant coffee – the TSA.

Down this way.

Security took enough time to clear – not as bad as Philadelphia a few days before. Thankfully, I was cleared through, and was on my way again to a new concourse for me – concourse B.

In the past, when I’ve been through Dulles, I’ve been stuck at the temporary structure most of us know as Concourse C and D.

And I’m sure a lot of you will have your own thoughts about that low ceilinged low light den of inequity.

Obviously, I took the shuttle train over to Concourse B.

What wonders would await me when I got out? More low ceilings?

No. In fact we have a modern looking terminal that’s clean and bright, rather than the dingy old thing that I’m used to.

It makes you wish that Washington Airports would pay up and build a new concourse C/D doesn’t it?

A quick stop to pick up some last minute goodie, and a giggle at the Duty Free shop, I headed to my next stop of the day, the British Airways Lounge.

British Airways Washington Dulles Lounge.

I was welcomed to the lounge and blipped in. I was also directed to the Club side of the lounge.

Now my first comment is this lounge is pretty much a longer corridor – so finidng seating it it was going to be tough with an A380s worth of Club and hanger on-ers.

Workspaces.

Eventually, I found myself at the bar (this happens with me) and with some semi-comfortable seating. I was greeted by the barman and asked which beverage I would be like to have.

With bubbles requested, this was delivered, along advice about the food. Speaking of which, the food options as we know in the Club lounge is limited. Today was no different with a selection of small sandwiches.

If you wanted anything bigger, you’d need to eat in the terminal or be in Club World where you had the option of pre-flight dining.

Sandwich selection

Water bottles

I conducted a brief Speedtest on the site – and found that it was pretty decent internet speeds for an outstation lounge

Not bad. Not bad at all.

This allowed me to type a few things, catch up with the world before my flight and to relax.

However, boarding was soon called – and it was time to leave

Overall: It’s another “adequate” lounge for British Airways, however – that lounge can’t cope with a high premium passenger load in any sense of the word – and that’s what an A380 brings – high loads of premium passengers.

Heading out of the lounge, I turned for Gates B44 and B42

It’s non-stop queues for the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt!

Meanwhile for me, I had to check which gate I would be going from. Lower Deck passengers would embark from B42, whilst upper deck passengers would need to use B44.

And for once – I took the upper deck

With a passport scan and a beep, I was let through – and on my way for my first long haul experience with the Airbus A380

Next: British Airways BA216 Washington Dulles to London Heathrow Airport.

Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.

Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!

Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers.

Mr Kevincm returns to Washington – Back to Washington Dulles, British Airways Lounge

Mr Kevincm returns to Washington – Back to Dulles, British Airways Lounge

British Airways Washington Dulles Lounge.

Related