So this left me with three options drive round to LHR and get the MUC service (did that last year and the return was terrible with at least 2 hours to get off the plane and out of customs) So the other two options were Innsbruck or a little further afield to Zurich. Innsbruck was way out as it was far too early for my little head to get off the pillows so I opted for Zurich - ok 3 hour drive but hell the M25 can take that long and when we live less than 5 mins from LGW I take a great dislike to going all the way around to that mess of T1.
Anyway onto the flights, I'd had enough of flying at the back and decided that anything over an hour will now be up front and as we book so far in advance the fares aren't that bad. So we online checked in the night before at exactly 17:05 (still we were at least 10th to check in) and could only nab row 2 - I don't like this not being able to book seats unless you're full J or gold - bit scummy to me when you all get the same service. So we arrived at LGW and the line for fast bag drop (sorry snail bag drop) was horrendous and one of those awful people in those yellow T-shirts told me I had to join the line and it shouldn't be more than 40 minutes!!!! I pulled the boarding cards which she didn't understand so had to explain we were flying club and that I wasn't going to wait I'd sooner go over to the club desk where nobody was waiting! Her friend then joined her and said let them through - interesting to get to the club line they have to break open the snaking fast bag drop line.
Through fast track in about 30 minutes, much quicker than the other lines and then I'd had enough so headed to the terraces. Now on flyertalk the terraces get a real slating at LGW but I thought they were great. OK no hot food but fantastic views (something the CH no longer has) and a good selection of sandwiches and snacks and booze. I like the bar service at the CH but there's something about being able to add as much vodka to your Bloody Mary as you like without having to ask for 'just a touch more' and the wines you can taste each one until you find one you like great!
Spent about 90 minutes in there before heading off to the gate (not over the new bridge like our previous AMS flight which was a bit disappointing) Boarded - no priority but hell it's only got 130 seats and on a VS B+S route that would probably be the number of J/W and those with small children!!!
Settled down and soon we were off - that's the good thing about LGW very short wait times for take off. Soon the curtain was shut - much firmer with a grim face to the Y pax as if to say 'pass taking your life in your own hands' Food was a cold prawn salad followed by chocolate cheesecake, naturally washed down with a couple of bottles of fizz (ok) and a couple of beers. Hot towels on the way down and landed on time and on the gate just 2 minutes after landing.
The return:
Online checked-in the night before to try to grab row 1 - I'm going to give up now and then headed to the airport. ZRH a bit confusing with several different mini-terminals all in one building but I guess you could call them zones but they're massive! Finally found the BA club line which was empty and was told that couldn't give us boarding cards as we had online checked in!!! 'OK just check with your supervisor for us' she did and with a huff and a puff she printed out our row two cards. (Incidentally she was the only rude Swiss I met this holiday - just an observation)
Went up to the observation deck (see some of the pics) which is absolutely fantastic. Then proceeded to the E gates which is like a game in the Crystal Maze (showing my age now) to find where the hell they are. Finally off the transit and headed to the lounge which looking at the sign outside serves possibly every airline in the would (except Swiss of course). Lounge was so - so but had a great view of the apron and runway. Had soup available and some desserts and a couple of beers on tap - I like that - and some fizz. OK the fizz was nothing special but after a week with the in-laws I had to resist hitting the absolute vodka!!! Sign came up saying go to gate to off we trotted to find an empty gate 'where's the plane I asked and was directed to someone else, was told would be here shortly. I asked if it was yet on final which sort of shocked her and she said no - so back we go to the lounge. More beer and another fizz.
Finally boarded about 30 minutes late, jackets taken and a short taxi and we were up. Different type of service this time each dinner tray was given out separately and the persons drink choice was taken which I preferred actually. Dinner was a chicken salad with couscous and a chocolate torte with cream - very nice. Washed down by a few drinks and all very relaxing.
Landed LGW dead on time, two minutes to the gate and off five minutes after landing. Bags were out in five minutes after us arriving in the hall - they seem to only ever put the priority stickers on the in bounds????
So to summaries, this was our fourth trip in Club Europe this year and as it wasn't for work (as if we'd get the chance to fly for work) I think it was worth it. I can actually say I now prefer the terraces to the LGW CH not just for the view but the size and the relaxing feel about it and I need to loose a few pounds so the bacon butties I can do without. All the crew both ways were excellent and both pursers rate just as high, if not better than the best FSMs we've had. One word can sum it up 'consistency' I'm sure others have had nightmares with them but we will for sure be back later this spring for another Club Europe jolly hopefully without BA killing off all their routes from there.
I think after the experience that my folks got with 'unspecial assistance' we could well be turning to the dark side for a trial on our annual Orlando-fest.
