Arrived on the HEX to T5, and upstairs to pick-up our boarding cards from the self-service check-in machines (we had already checked in on line). Headed over to the fast-track security and asked for a clear plastic bag each (old ones falling appart)....to be told very loudly that it was only one bag per person (two bags, two persons....seemed right to me!). Fast track was pretty quick and after a short trip to Boots, it was time to head off to the North Galleries. Settled down at a table and had a three course meal (soup, salad bar and then chicken tikka curry) - full by the time we left. Washed down by some champagne of course!! Boarding came up and we headed off to Gate 3. General boarding was happening, and we had managed to get row 8 - this was an exit row on this plane (with a second exit row in further down the plane. Loads of leg room, and we pushed back on time. Long taxi down to the other end of LHR and before take-off we were advised that the lights would be dimmed as it was a take-off after dark. However, the lights were left on full whilst on the ground and also during the take-off/climb.
Once we were in the air, it was time for drinks from the bar / coffee, served with bird seed or cookie (in fact they hadn't loaded enought cookies, so it was bird seed for a lot of people!!). Flight was pretty unremarkable and we arrived to a wet and windy Glasgow.
Couple of minor comments:
1. I thought turning the lights down was a regulatory requirement for take-off/landings after dark to allow passengers to aclimatise in case of a problem during take-off??
2. If you are downgrading the food service to bird seed / cookies, then you would think that you would ensure that you uploaded enough of both of them!
