BA481 Barcelona El Prat Terminal 1 to London Heathrow Terminal 3
A Modelling Day Out
In this madcap day out
- Like I need an excuse to fly for a day out. (I blame my birthday)
- Off to Heathrow
- British Airways Galleries Club, Terminal 3
- BA478 London Heathrow to Barcelona El Prat (Club Europe)
- Into Barcelona on the Aerobús
- Working with a Model on location in Barcelona
- Back to El Prat and the Salon VIP Miro
- BA481 Barcelona to London Heathrow (Club Europe)
- Experiencing Mobility Arrival Services at Heathrow and back up the M40
- Sometimes, The Best Adventures are Shared
BA481 Barcelona El Prat Terminal 1 to London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3
British Airways, Airbus A320ceo
Seat 2A, Club Europe
713 Miles flown, 0 Tier Points earned
I headed aboard the waiting Airbus A320 and was greeted by a happy crew. This had the makings of a good flight already.
The waiting A320
I turned right and saw my friend relaxing in 3A – she confirmed that she was one of the first aboard.
Aboard the A320 in Club Europe.
Boarding was running pretty quickly – as this aircraft would be heading back to London half-empty.
Waiting to go.
Resting on the tray table.
Meanwhile, this being a short-haul Airbus A320, we have to look at the seating situation. Yes, once again, the Pinnacle Seat is present and pitched at a stupid 30” seat pitch.
We’ve gone here many times before on this seat, so I’ll attempt not to hate it too much for this 1 hour 40 leg back to London. At least this aircraft having the older engines, they make for a rather good cocktail table, dumping ground or a place to rest one’s head if you’re short on space.
With the aircraft loaded and buttoned up in plenty of time – we were ready for the off. Sadly, Barcelona control kept us at the gate until our stated departure time.
No matter – this leg is normally short enough that we should make Heathrow at our appointed arrival time – if not sooner.
Little did I know what a gust of wind would do to that plan…
Meanwhile, hot towels were handed out, then collected
Hot towel sir?
With our aircraft cleared to depart – it pushed back. And the safety video played.
If it didn’t hold up well the first time I watched it, then on the second time – it just doesn’t work. There’s a minimal sense of flow it in it and combined with the “comedy”, I’m struggling to find any redeeming value in it in terms of safety messages.
Here’s a hint. I still am.
With the video done our little A320 taxied into the night until it found a nice runway to take off from.
Vueling A320 Pushing back
Ryanair Boeing 737-800 taxing away
LEVEL Airbus A330-200
Norweigan Air Shuttle Boeing 737-800
Vueling Airbus A320
The terminal area with the sun setting
In lights – Vueling Airbus A320
With a roar, the IAE V2500 of G-EUUL powered up and propelled BA481 into the evening sky.
And there was a lot of sun fighting the night as the aircraft climbed and left the Barcelona region, plotting a straight line back to London Heathrow.
With the aircraft climbing into the night sky, I checked if we had Wi-Fi aboard the aircraft. Sadly there was no sign of it at all, and the forward In-Flight Entertainment was restricted to the map.
Well, let’s be thankful it’s a short flight. It’s also time for me to catch up on CrossyRoad.
My friend exhausted from the events of the day took the chance to fall asleep. There was no point interrupting, sleep was the best thing for her with the final journey home coming up in a while.
Meals were offered post-take-off, with a choice of two vegetarian salads, and one chicken salad.
I went for the Chicken Nicoise salad. This was served with a prawn cocktail salad and a chocolate mousse dessert.
This again, is not a bad tray – in fact, one of the better short-haul trays I’ve had since Do&Co have taken over catering operations on British Airways.
Well, it beats those three depressing finger sandwiches and Dundee Cake from a couple of years ago.
I was also offered bubbles – and it would be rude to refuse. Sadly, the bubbles BA use are still rather acidic. Although, its better tasting than the Champagne de Castelnau that the airline used to use.
But not by a lot.
During a refill of drinks, I explained to the CSD if she could keep an eye on her. However, she had already taken it upon herself to settle her in and had chatted with my friend.
What a major customer service touch-point. She said she would keep an eye open, whilst checking if I needed anything.
I kindly opted for a cup of coffee at this point too.
My friend woke up shortly after. The CSD offered her a meal and drinks service. A kind touch – and one that shows she was keeping an eye on the cabin. From the looks of it, my friend went for the chicken too.
As were crossed the Channel, the weather got a little bumpy – so it was seatbelt sign was o as we crossed the channel and begun decent.
Our descent took us past south London, with some amazing views of the city at night – with minimal clouds in the sky.
With our aircraft lining up for Runway 27L, our aircraft was all set to land. And it almost didn’t before the V2500s powered up again for a go-around at Heathrow Airport.
Now that’s more than a little rare – and the third time for me in 10 years or so and the first time I’ve experienced a go-around at Heathrow.
Passing over Heathrow
Back into the evening sky.
After a short while, the pilot explained out decent was deeper than expected, and that we caught a gust of wind – requiring the go-around.
Around London again.
So for the second time of asking, we had another tour of London, with the A320 making a second attempt at landing at Runway 27L.
With the aircraft peeling off the runway at its expected point, BA481 taxied past the various terminal areas, before turning for T3.
American Airlines wide-body
British Airways A320
A gusty night
There was a quiet moment of panic for , as it looked like we would be turning for a bus gate. That would had required extra assistance and time – which we were running out of due to the car park being paid for until 8pm Thankfully, the BA481 turned right and headed for the gate.
My jacket was turned to me when the seatbelt signs went off.
With my friend awaiting wheelchair assistance, we were both last off the aircraft.
Time to go
My friend and I thanked the crew for their kindness, and we headed off the aircraft
Overall
If I said it once, I’ll say it 1000 times. CREW MAKE OR BREAK A FLIGHT. And they made it this time. They were attentive and caring – and the service was on-point. Add in the extra time some crew made for my friend.
And things like this that turn a boring1 hour 40 flight into an exceptional flight I will remember for a long time. Whilst the hardware remains very mediocre, if I had more crews like this BA crew – I’d be a lot happier when flying.
Next: Experiencing Assisted Arrivals Services at Heathrow and Back up the M40.
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