London Heathrow

I took the hoppa from the Sheraton Skyline to the airport. The hoppa dropped me at terminal 5 and continued to terminal 4, while I took the elevator upstairs to the check in desks. I had already checked in but needed my boarding pass to be printed to be able to use the bag drop off facilities. Five minutes later my luggage was checked and I could proceed to the security, using the fast track. Three belts were open and only one was busy, while the other two were a bit hidden round the corner, which were empty. Funny, that everybody is queuing despite that other belt are empty despite some one was showing directions to the empty checkpoint. I passed security without need to be padded down by one of the security officers and was on my way to the lounge. The South British Airways Lounge was very busy and I decided to leave it after I spend there some 30 minutes in favour for the north lounge, which was busy as well, but not that busy. I was able to get a seat and grabbed something from the buffet. The gate was assigned and it was at the B concourse. I decided to remain in this lounge instead of heading over to the B concourse right now and went over to B 10 minutes prior to boarding time.

The escalator down and one train departed just in the same moment I arrived. But the waiting time was only five minutes and then the next train arrived and after the other passengers had disembarked I was able to board the train for the short journey over to the terminal 5B.

Boarding had already started as I made it up from the catacombs of the train station and using the dedicated line for Club World / elite passengers I was on board this Airbus A319, which was the very same “Golden Bird” I flew to London two weeks ago to start my trip. This was a nice coincidence.

18 October 2012
LHR – DUS
[London Heathrow – Dusseldorf International]
BA 940 (British Airways); Airbus A319 (G-EUPD)
Gate B35
13:25 – 15:50 [effective 13:25 – 15:39]
Business Class
Seat 03 F

Boarding was done by rows with a separate line for Club Europe and passengers with status in the frequent flyer program.

I stored my carry on under the seat in front of me and took my seat. The most passengers in Club Europe had already taken their seats while boarding for Economy Class was in full swing and the plane was full.

We had one no show, which unfortunately had checked luggage and therefore his luggage had to be unloaded. The captain used this opportunity to welcome us on board and explain the slight delay. Nevertheless he explained an on time departure and expected us to be in Düsseldorf ahead of schedule given the fact that we were not delayed while in the air. The crew showed the safety video during push back and we taxied to runway 09R with three planes ahead of us among those a Boeing 777 in the new American Airlines livery.

Once airborne the seat belt signs were switched off and the crew began the service. Two flight attendants were serving Club Europe, while the remaining three flight attendants were serving the Economy Class Cabin.

The service started with the meal 10 minutes after take off in Heathrow. Rolls were also offered and we were asked for our choice of beverage a little bit later by the other flight attendants. It was the same antipasti selection I had a couple of times on flights like this. Despite the fact, that I already knew it, it was still tasty. This time I skipped the champagne but had tonic water with the meal.

Later tea and coffee were also offered.

The captain came over the microphone again and told us that there were no further delays and we should be on the ground in 25 minutes and to be at the gate 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Trays were cleared soon later and the crew began to prepare the cabin for the arrival.

The service was again attentive and routinely, though given the short time and the full service it was a little bit of a rush.  

We descended into Düsseldorf from Eastern direction over Essen and Ratingen and used the northern runway – we touched down at 15:37 and had a very short taxi to our gate at the B terminal, where we arrived 2 minutes later. I walked to Immigration. Being in Business Class means only a few passengers ahead of me and soon I was on my way down to the luggage belt. After a wait of round about five minutes the luggage was delivered and the Club World tag worked but not as good as the last time. It was delivered early but not ahead of some of the regular luggage.

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