London Heathrow

It was quite a hike towards the platform, where the busses for terminal 1, 3 and 5 left. Unfortunately the bus for terminal 1 was not yet there and so we had to wait five minutes before it arrived. A few minutes later the doors of the bus were closed and we drove over to terminal 1. I had in mind, that the new terminal should be ready for the London Olympics, but I doubt that it will be finished and I hope I got that wrong …

We arrived at terminal 1 and I took the escalator up and followed the signs for connections. I think a few people passed immigration as we reached immigration hall, but I knew from some trip reports and flyertalk hints, that the transit passengers had to follow the signs and pass immigration hall for the security check point, as there was no need to enter British territory. Finally after some stairs and walkways up and down I reached the security checkpoint. Lines were not that long, but grow in minutes for 30 meters or even more.

Lucky me who had hurried up … Security was passed in ten minutes with the additional shoes off and liquid control but this time no annoying and self important member of BAA staff cutting the line and pushing passenger away from the belt. I continued my hike to the Star Alliance Lounge and as this was crowded decided to head over to the BMI International Lounge, which was busy, but not as crowded than the Star Lounge. And I like the design more than the Star Alliance Lounge.

I also have the impression that the staff of the BMI lounge is much friendlier than the dragon like agents of the Star lounge. The only down is that they do not offer showers …

I got a text message that the gate of my flight to DUS was now assigned and remained a few minutes more in the lounge, as this was not indicated on the signboard.

Finally I left the lounge and went to the gate, where boarding had not started yet.

At the gate was waiting D-AIZC, which is one of the newest Airbus A320 in the fleet of Lufthansa which contains currently 48 Airbus A 320. It was delivered on January 15, 2010 from the Airbus factory in Hamburg Finkenwerder, where it made its maiden flight ten days earlier on January 05, 2010. It is equipped with the CFM56-5B4/3 engine of CFMI with 27000 lbf or 120 kn. Each of the engines has a dry weight of 2.38 tons.

A few minutes later the announcement for the start of boarding was made followed by a second speech inviting the Families and Hon Circle Members, Senators and Star Gold passengers. Hm, maybe it would have been better the other way round? Because everybody in the waiting area had jumped up and headed for the gate – they had no other change as not to enforce priority boarding because otherwise 80% of the passengers queuing had to be send back.

04 July 2011
LHR – DUS
[London Heathrow – Düsseldorf International]
LH 3383 (Lufthansa);Airbus A320 (D-.AIZC / ‘Büdingen’))
Gate 56
12:20 – 14:35 [effective 12:40 – 15:04]
Economy Class
Seat 24 A

I passed the gate and walked down to the jetbridge and in this Airbus A 320 with the New Europa Cabin. The plane filled with passengers, but it was not really busy and I would rate the load with less than 40 %. I had the whole exit row myself and could stretch over all three seats. The captain told us that due to air traffic control we would have to sit at the gate for another 20 minutes longer as our assigned slot in DUS was later than scheduled. Well, I was tired and decided to make use of the extended space and legroom and to close my eyes. I woke up a few times, but slept the flight. Therefore I cannot comment on the service. But according to the sandwich, which was laid on the seat next to me, no warm meal was given, only a sandwich.

We touched down late at 14:58 and taxied for our gate. I assume in DUS went something wrong, as we had not to pass immigration, which is from my impression not correct, as I entered the EU without border control. No need to claim luggage and so I could use the hand luggage exit and was soon on the way to my flat.

Conclusion

Time so sum up my experiences on the many flight I have taken. Air Canada is slowly becoming one of my favorite airlines with a very good inflight entertainment system and offerings power outlets on nearly every seat including Economy Class. The service is good and the flight attendants friendlier than their colleagues from the US. They are also more relaxed and smile more frequently than the one on many US but also many European Airlines. But I have to admit that the crew on YUL – LHR was not the best Air Canada crew. But compared with Lufthansa, from my point of view they are better, especially their hardproduct in Economy Class and Business Class.

I also cannot say anything bad about US Airways. The crews were okay and from my experience better and friendlier than the crews on United Airlines, which I have flown in First Class as well a couple of times. The planes of US Airways are often very old and show its age and are also not the cleanliest ones, but are not that bad as often said. I have not experienced many delays on US Airways but many on United Airlines.

Food was okay, not the healthiest one but eatable. The only thing I really missed on the flights of US Airways were power outlets on the Airbus A 321 offering WiFi. I did not miss the entertainment system but that might be just me and I could imagine that this might be seen different behind the curtain.

It was a good way to rack up some miles and try a new routings and visit a few new airports. I could imagine to do this another time soon.

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