Having had quite a few big bills I gave into temptation when I saw the BA price in comparison to VS. Yes, I should have waited a few days !!! Hindsight is a wonderful thing !
By the time the day to fly came round, however, I would have been delighted to fly with any airline if it meant we got to go on holiday. I have mentioned previously how my travelling companion only got the go ahead from the medical world two days before we were due at LGW. I was texted before I did online check in that the flight would be two hours late. Never mind. We were going ! With smiles of relief we drove to the Hilton for overnight and just kept grinning at each other !
Knowing I didn't want to eat at the BA lounge , we had breakfast at the Hilton Executive Lounge before getting the shuttle to the North Terminal. It was busier than I expected but we were called over to check in at the First Class Desk. I kept my fingers crossed and yes our boarding cards still had the seat numbers I had paid for . Security wasn't too bad but the Terrace Lounge was very busy. I got the text from BA asking about my lounge experience and this time decided not to be rude about their breakfast offerings so I wasn't called to the desk to explain ! The gate info came up at 11.50 and we boarded from Gate 571 at 12.20.
It wasn't till I sat in my seat that I totally believed that I had the chosen number ! No feet to clamber over hoorah . I do like the storage drawer at my feet on BA and the seats are comfortable.One glass of champagne was offered and then we were off stand at 12.50 so not as late as expected. We flew along the south coast then cut across to North Devon. CW had a few empty seats but it still feels crowded. Pre lunch drinks were served. I do like the nuts offered on BA.
My first choice of main course wasn't available but I didn't care. I was on my way ! I had the steak and it was tasty and tender. Someone had recommended the film "Into the Woods" so I started to watch it. Then I couldn't work out what was going on. " Well you slept through most of it !" I was informed . However, I did see and enjoyed all of Paddington once I had got over him not being the bear I expected.
About two hours away from MCO the headwind was averaging 90mph and we were buffeted about quite a bit with seat belts on. Then we had the announcement that sorry tea could not be served due to the crew needing to be seated. After about an hour suddenly we had sandwiches delivered with very little ceremony ( understandably ) but no liquids other than a water bottle. I really missed my cup of tea . The sandwiches fortunately were not too dry. I am not even sure that people in the other sections were given any further refreshments so I am not complaining.
We touched down at 5.30 and taxied for ages and then the plane did a strange sudden direction change which was a bit alarming. Apparently a rogue luggage trolley nearly ran into us. It took us all longer to get our things together as we hadn't been allowed out of our seats to start putting things back prior to landing so there was a mad scramble. CW were let off first. The cabin crew wished us a pleasant holiday and up until they had had to sit down they had been attentive and friendly.
One advantage of taking off later was that the immigration hall was more or less empty and I had an officer who actually smiled ! Then we had a 20 minute wait at the carousel for our cases. It was quite farcical. All of us from CW stood looking at all this luggage going round and round - the owners from World Traveller not being able to collect them as they were held up in immigration . The truth eventually dawned on us all. The so called
Priority Bags were the last to be delivered. BA really need to sort this out ! Then there was
a huge queue to hand in the customs forms.
Very soon we were waiting to check in for our overnight stay at the Hyatt Airport hotel which I really like. We had made it !
BA cannot be held responsible for the bumpy ride so all in all it was a good flight and I had my chosen seat . The 777 was clean, my seat was comfortable, the crew were pleasant, I enjoyed my lunch but most of all I was so grateful to be on holiday !
And it turned out to be a really super holiday .
By the time the day to fly came round, however, I would have been delighted to fly with any airline if it meant we got to go on holiday. I have mentioned previously how my travelling companion only got the go ahead from the medical world two days before we were due at LGW. I was texted before I did online check in that the flight would be two hours late. Never mind. We were going ! With smiles of relief we drove to the Hilton for overnight and just kept grinning at each other !
Knowing I didn't want to eat at the BA lounge , we had breakfast at the Hilton Executive Lounge before getting the shuttle to the North Terminal. It was busier than I expected but we were called over to check in at the First Class Desk. I kept my fingers crossed and yes our boarding cards still had the seat numbers I had paid for . Security wasn't too bad but the Terrace Lounge was very busy. I got the text from BA asking about my lounge experience and this time decided not to be rude about their breakfast offerings so I wasn't called to the desk to explain ! The gate info came up at 11.50 and we boarded from Gate 571 at 12.20.
It wasn't till I sat in my seat that I totally believed that I had the chosen number ! No feet to clamber over hoorah . I do like the storage drawer at my feet on BA and the seats are comfortable.One glass of champagne was offered and then we were off stand at 12.50 so not as late as expected. We flew along the south coast then cut across to North Devon. CW had a few empty seats but it still feels crowded. Pre lunch drinks were served. I do like the nuts offered on BA.
My first choice of main course wasn't available but I didn't care. I was on my way ! I had the steak and it was tasty and tender. Someone had recommended the film "Into the Woods" so I started to watch it. Then I couldn't work out what was going on. " Well you slept through most of it !" I was informed . However, I did see and enjoyed all of Paddington once I had got over him not being the bear I expected.
About two hours away from MCO the headwind was averaging 90mph and we were buffeted about quite a bit with seat belts on. Then we had the announcement that sorry tea could not be served due to the crew needing to be seated. After about an hour suddenly we had sandwiches delivered with very little ceremony ( understandably ) but no liquids other than a water bottle. I really missed my cup of tea . The sandwiches fortunately were not too dry. I am not even sure that people in the other sections were given any further refreshments so I am not complaining.
We touched down at 5.30 and taxied for ages and then the plane did a strange sudden direction change which was a bit alarming. Apparently a rogue luggage trolley nearly ran into us. It took us all longer to get our things together as we hadn't been allowed out of our seats to start putting things back prior to landing so there was a mad scramble. CW were let off first. The cabin crew wished us a pleasant holiday and up until they had had to sit down they had been attentive and friendly.
One advantage of taking off later was that the immigration hall was more or less empty and I had an officer who actually smiled ! Then we had a 20 minute wait at the carousel for our cases. It was quite farcical. All of us from CW stood looking at all this luggage going round and round - the owners from World Traveller not being able to collect them as they were held up in immigration . The truth eventually dawned on us all. The so called
Priority Bags were the last to be delivered. BA really need to sort this out ! Then there was
a huge queue to hand in the customs forms.
Very soon we were waiting to check in for our overnight stay at the Hyatt Airport hotel which I really like. We had made it !
BA cannot be held responsible for the bumpy ride so all in all it was a good flight and I had my chosen seat . The 777 was clean, my seat was comfortable, the crew were pleasant, I enjoyed my lunch but most of all I was so grateful to be on holiday !
And it turned out to be a really super holiday .