Back in the Groove
British Airways Galleries Lounge (South Lounge Complex)
- Something a little different? Maybe…
- Off to the Land of Milk and Honey. I mean Heathrow Terminal 5
- British Airways Galleries Lounge (South Lounge Complex)
- British Airways BA295 – London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare (Club World)
- Into the USA, Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- The Wonder of Micro Center
- More Food Adventures in Chicago
- Exploring China Town in Chicago
- Returning to the wonderful Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5
- British Airways Terraces Lounge, Chicago O’Hare T5
- British Airways BA296 – Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow T5 (World Traveller Plus)
- Welcome back to the United Kingdom
- Well, that’s a bit different
British Airways Galleries South Club Lounge (Business Class/Oneworld Sapphire/Silver Lounge).
I headed over to the South Galleries lounge, following the usual path of going up two sets of escalators.
That’s a welcome thing to see – how busy is your lounge? And more importantly, Which ticket/shiny bit of plastic will let you in?
Welcome to Royston Vasey. You’ll never leave!
Ahhh. Proper-sized aircraft models.
Thankfully, the flip-dot cloud sculpture that is at Heathrow has woken up from its long sleep – and is working again.
IT LIVES!
I was soon greeted at the top by two old friends – the big A380 and Horselamp, that looked as happy as it always does to see me.
Horselamp: What the blazes are you doing back here? Haven’t you become a bronze yet, so as not to bother me with your presence?
After posing for pictures with Horselamp, I headed into the lounge and was buzzed in.
At the South Lounge, I tend to try and find a window seat so I’m at least connected with the world.
Well, I wouldn’t be for this flight mostly.
With a seat found, I decided there was the next priority – breakfast.
Unlike the Gold lounge below me, the Silver lounge is very much the “Help your self category”, with all the delivery services now dropped.
I actually liked that side to a point – but also can understand the extra pressure it placed on staff.
At the time I arrived, it was the traditional breakfast service. I won’t like – I missed this. British Airways can do a public school style refectory rather well when they choose to. There was a mixture of cold fruits, cold cuts and of course, British Breakfast items (sausages, bacon, mini hash browns, scrambled eggs and baked beans.
Fruits
Hot items
Pasties
Continetnal
Juices and grains.
Bubbles were also obtained too, with British Airways swapping from Champagne to Prosecco. Not the worst change in the world, and it fulfils the need for bubbles before flying.
Those who know will be glad I stayed well away from Baked Beans (again – it’s something I never developed a taste for – that would have been helpful in my student days).
I hooked on to the Internet and got a few things done pre-flight – particularly, finding out where seat 59D was and what it was.
I’ve started to use AeroLopa a bit more than other sources in the past – and lo and behold – it was in the centre block, but an aisle seat.
That would do nicely.
Sadly, traffic outside was less than exciting – it also marks a point where I’m shooting this trip with my iPhone more than my Mirrorless camera. I guess the past trip has left me spooked a bit.
It also doesn’t help I haven’t strapped a shoulder strap to it yet.
With the delay finally stopping, I had confirmation from the staff that it might be a good idea to head to the C Gates.
With that, I headed down, and towards the transit to Terminal 5 C.
It seems that there was one line working only, so there was more than a hold-up to allow people off, security checks to be completed and to allow new people on. Eventually, I boarded and pootled over to T5C.
Arriving at T5C, I spotted the A380 that would take me to Chicago. I also spotted a badly designed gate area, with people flooding out of it.
Clearly, the delay that was holding the aircraft back from departure was still rolling.
I found a place away from the crowds (but close enough to watch them) and sat back.
Where do you sit on an A380? Where is that seat?
Well, what’s the point of standing on a rolling delay? You’re not going to be boarding any faster stood up and waiting…
Watching the world go by.
At around 11:40, there were signs of movement, by the gate staff, as well as some muffled sounds. I took that for boarding was ready.
Now, that’s time time to get thy cute and delectable backside up and queue as needed. By the time I reached the head of the queue, Group 1 was boarding. My group- group 2 followed.
I battled my way through the crowd (some of who were quite disgusted they had to wait as they were in Group 5) and presented my boarding pass and passport. With a blip, I was cleared to go.
It was time to enjoy the A380 on the upper deck, in the big seats.
Next: BA295 London Heathrow to Chicago – Club World.
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