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Following as I fly into HEL next month. Will be staying at The Hilton at the airport for 3 nights and catching train into city.
Great trip report so far @PrezRegan.
RTW in F/J - Hand Carry Only - Iceland, Finland, Washington and a few other places
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Great trip report so far @PrezRegan.
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Think you will really enjoy Suomenlinna Island. A valid HSL ticket can be used on the ferry (Suomenlinna is in ticket zone A). An AB day ticket might be best choice as it allows unlimited travel for 24 hours not only on the ferry but also on trams, buses, commuter trains and metro in A and B zones.
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Sat 05 Oct
Writing this on my phone on the ferry to Tallinn so apologies for typos. I think I'll also have to insert the attached pictures in later.
After a lazy morning I did make my way to the market square to get a ferry across to Suomenlinna. Helsinki has an excellent public transport network of trams divided into zones A-D. A covers trh main city area, B the neighbouring islands and the outer suburbs, C the airport and surrounds and D is everything else.
I got an all day AB pass for 9 euros, it's valid for 24hrs from purchase and also works on the ferry. You can buy tickets online through the HSL app and it's quick and painless. Highly recommend doing this rather than trying to find a physical card.
The trip from my hotel to the market square stop is about 25 mins. I alighted early to get a quick look at the main square whilst the weather was good and got a picture of the plaza.
At the market square there was a market! It mainly looked to be stalls selling tourist trinkets and food. As I had about 20mins to kill I went and bought a salmon pie, which was squire tasty but more similar to a pasty rather than a pie.
The ferry across was quick and uneventful. I wish I'd gone earlier because I only had about 2.5hrs on the island (really it's a small group of islands and not just one) and there is so much to see. Interestingly, people live on the island permanently and there's a school, grocery store, day care and medical centre.
I was trying to find the military museum and accidentally went to the wrong one at first. It was an interesting museum but more on the history of the island and cartography. Still worth a visit but with the final entry for the museum at 1600 I had to rush to find the military one and zoom through the exhibits.
The military museum is divided into two separate buildings, one which focuses on Finland's military development during the 20th century, and the other section focusing on pre-20th century and also contemporary military with some interesting info on national service, which Finland still has.
The 20th century portion was quite comprehensive, providing some very interesting detail into Finland's awkward position fighting against the Soviets as an independent nation during the Winter War, then again on the side of Germany. They don't glorify it but they do definitely explain why they felt it necessary to ally with Germany. Interestingly, the museum seems to be run by the military police, and they are all armed - despite essentially just collecting tickets at the museum.
After that I got the ferry back and caught a tram to the hotel. After a quick gym session it was back out again to retrace my steps back to dinner at the Palace restaurant. The restaurant overlooks the harbour and is on the 10th floor of an older brutalist style building. The food was good, using local ingredients. Most interesting for me was the wine pairing, which was definitely on the sweeter side with 2/3 white wines being sweet and an umeshu for a dessert wine.
Tomorrow (today) it's off to Estonia for a day trip!
Writing this on my phone on the ferry to Tallinn so apologies for typos. I think I'll also have to insert the attached pictures in later.
After a lazy morning I did make my way to the market square to get a ferry across to Suomenlinna. Helsinki has an excellent public transport network of trams divided into zones A-D. A covers trh main city area, B the neighbouring islands and the outer suburbs, C the airport and surrounds and D is everything else.
I got an all day AB pass for 9 euros, it's valid for 24hrs from purchase and also works on the ferry. You can buy tickets online through the HSL app and it's quick and painless. Highly recommend doing this rather than trying to find a physical card.
The trip from my hotel to the market square stop is about 25 mins. I alighted early to get a quick look at the main square whilst the weather was good and got a picture of the plaza.
At the market square there was a market! It mainly looked to be stalls selling tourist trinkets and food. As I had about 20mins to kill I went and bought a salmon pie, which was squire tasty but more similar to a pasty rather than a pie.
The ferry across was quick and uneventful. I wish I'd gone earlier because I only had about 2.5hrs on the island (really it's a small group of islands and not just one) and there is so much to see. Interestingly, people live on the island permanently and there's a school, grocery store, day care and medical centre.
I was trying to find the military museum and accidentally went to the wrong one at first. It was an interesting museum but more on the history of the island and cartography. Still worth a visit but with the final entry for the museum at 1600 I had to rush to find the military one and zoom through the exhibits.
The military museum is divided into two separate buildings, one which focuses on Finland's military development during the 20th century, and the other section focusing on pre-20th century and also contemporary military with some interesting info on national service, which Finland still has.
The 20th century portion was quite comprehensive, providing some very interesting detail into Finland's awkward position fighting against the Soviets as an independent nation during the Winter War, then again on the side of Germany. They don't glorify it but they do definitely explain why they felt it necessary to ally with Germany. Interestingly, the museum seems to be run by the military police, and they are all armed - despite essentially just collecting tickets at the museum.
After that I got the ferry back and caught a tram to the hotel. After a quick gym session it was back out again to retrace my steps back to dinner at the Palace restaurant. The restaurant overlooks the harbour and is on the 10th floor of an older brutalist style building. The food was good, using local ingredients. Most interesting for me was the wine pairing, which was definitely on the sweeter side with 2/3 white wines being sweet and an umeshu for a dessert wine.
Tomorrow (today) it's off to Estonia for a day trip!
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fantastic choice, Tallinn old town is well worth it... on the return ferry there will likely be well-behaved, happy Finns with roller & duffel bags FULL of better-priced grog & cigarettes
Also checkout the ferry's on-board buffet option if you dont have any specific dinner plans (thanks to @Kerrodt for recommendations back in May this year!)- Joined
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Thanks for the tips!fantastic choice, Tallinn old town is well worth it... on the return ferry there will likely be well-behaved, happy Finns with roller & duffel bags FULL of better-priced grog & cigarettes
I've actually already booked the buffet for dinner. Booked the lounge for the way over so I thought I'd try something different for the way back. Will report how it goes, but worst case free booze!
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So I'll break this next two posts into the experience on the ferry Finlandia there and back, and the next post will be just on what I did in Estonia.
There are 3 ferry companies which provide direct daily services to Tallinn from Helsinki, the one I picked was the Eckero line which departed from the terminal about 10 mins from my hotel. The earliest departure from memory is 0630, and the last return is at 2130. I picked at 0900 departure and 1830 return.
Boarding was smooth, they have an app which allows you to skip the check-in line and get an e-boarding pass (highly recommend doing this). The ferry left about 20 minutes ahead of schedule (!) and boarding closes 30 mins before scheduled departure. There isn't a departure lounge or anything like that in the terminal, but there are bars/shops so don't bother showing up super early unless...
You didn't buy lounge access for the trip.
GET LOUNGE ACCESS. Yes it costs 30 euros pp, but the ferry is packed.
There are lots of places to sit and there are about 4 bars onboard, and when I did a quick walkaround, every seat was taken. People were sitting/lying in the stairwells between the floors, along the walls - pretty much wherever there was space to lean and wasn't in the middle of a walkway, people were sitting or lying there. It was almost like a refugee ship packed with tired travellers sprawled anywhere there is space to strech out. There is live entertainment onboard (captive audience, average quality) and interestingly, pokies everywhere - see point above for why.
Essentially, the only reason why you might want to get to the terminal early is because boarding turns into a bumrush between those for whom this is not their first rodeo, and everyone else who is oblivious to the situation onboard. For the people who have done this before - and there a lot of locals taking advantage of the cheap alcohol in Estonia and duty free onboard - as soon as boarding opens they will essentially make a beeline to all the bars and dining areas and grab a chair and hold onto it for the entire journey. Everyone else who boards later gets to enjoy the floor. There is nowhere near enough seats for everyone.
Lounge access gives you access to a small private area immediately after the info desk which is behind another set of doors and a desk with a lounge dragon - just like the QF lounge back home! There's a limited buffet, coffee machine, soda and wine/beer on tap, some conference rooms, and an area with chairs and tables. The biggest benefit of this area is that it is very quiet (even when full which was the case on the way back). Also if you do get seasick, there was pretty much no noticeable movement when seated in the lounge - it was somewhat pronounced on the upper decks where everyone else was.
The alternative (or a complementary option as I did for my trip back) is to book into the buffet, which is 32 euros pp. and gives you a decent selection of food, unlimited tap wine/beer, and most importantly a seat for the ride. It is also a little quieter than the general areas, but does get quite loud as there are still a lot of people around. Because the food options in the lounge are very limited - the dinner and breakfast options are only cold ones - it may be worth paying for both the buffet and the lounge so you can have something to eat, and a quiet place to sit for the 3hr journey. The food options at dinner were good, and the menu is available online but you can expect 8 or so cold entree options such as smoked salmon, 'caviar', eggs, cold meats and cheeses; a salad bar; 4 or so hot options such as salmon, beef, chicken; 4 or so hot vegetables such as mash, carrots etc.; and a decent selection of cold desserts such as puddings, cakes etc. I didn't bother with dessert but the hot options I picked were tasty. It's an all you can eat/drink so fill your boots.
For both the lounge and the buffet, you can book in advance when you buy your ticket, or you can purchase on arrival - space permitting in the case of the lounge.
My pro-travel tip for those who can afford it is treat yourself and your loved ones to the lounge if you value your peace and quiet. Yes it is not cheap, but I cannot emphasise how busy the boat gets - and I note this isn't even during peak travel.
You can also book a cabin but that is probably overkill given how short the trip is.
There are 3 ferry companies which provide direct daily services to Tallinn from Helsinki, the one I picked was the Eckero line which departed from the terminal about 10 mins from my hotel. The earliest departure from memory is 0630, and the last return is at 2130. I picked at 0900 departure and 1830 return.
Boarding was smooth, they have an app which allows you to skip the check-in line and get an e-boarding pass (highly recommend doing this). The ferry left about 20 minutes ahead of schedule (!) and boarding closes 30 mins before scheduled departure. There isn't a departure lounge or anything like that in the terminal, but there are bars/shops so don't bother showing up super early unless...
You didn't buy lounge access for the trip.
GET LOUNGE ACCESS. Yes it costs 30 euros pp, but the ferry is packed.
There are lots of places to sit and there are about 4 bars onboard, and when I did a quick walkaround, every seat was taken. People were sitting/lying in the stairwells between the floors, along the walls - pretty much wherever there was space to lean and wasn't in the middle of a walkway, people were sitting or lying there. It was almost like a refugee ship packed with tired travellers sprawled anywhere there is space to strech out. There is live entertainment onboard (captive audience, average quality) and interestingly, pokies everywhere - see point above for why.
Essentially, the only reason why you might want to get to the terminal early is because boarding turns into a bumrush between those for whom this is not their first rodeo, and everyone else who is oblivious to the situation onboard. For the people who have done this before - and there a lot of locals taking advantage of the cheap alcohol in Estonia and duty free onboard - as soon as boarding opens they will essentially make a beeline to all the bars and dining areas and grab a chair and hold onto it for the entire journey. Everyone else who boards later gets to enjoy the floor. There is nowhere near enough seats for everyone.
Lounge access gives you access to a small private area immediately after the info desk which is behind another set of doors and a desk with a lounge dragon - just like the QF lounge back home! There's a limited buffet, coffee machine, soda and wine/beer on tap, some conference rooms, and an area with chairs and tables. The biggest benefit of this area is that it is very quiet (even when full which was the case on the way back). Also if you do get seasick, there was pretty much no noticeable movement when seated in the lounge - it was somewhat pronounced on the upper decks where everyone else was.
The alternative (or a complementary option as I did for my trip back) is to book into the buffet, which is 32 euros pp. and gives you a decent selection of food, unlimited tap wine/beer, and most importantly a seat for the ride. It is also a little quieter than the general areas, but does get quite loud as there are still a lot of people around. Because the food options in the lounge are very limited - the dinner and breakfast options are only cold ones - it may be worth paying for both the buffet and the lounge so you can have something to eat, and a quiet place to sit for the 3hr journey. The food options at dinner were good, and the menu is available online but you can expect 8 or so cold entree options such as smoked salmon, 'caviar', eggs, cold meats and cheeses; a salad bar; 4 or so hot options such as salmon, beef, chicken; 4 or so hot vegetables such as mash, carrots etc.; and a decent selection of cold desserts such as puddings, cakes etc. I didn't bother with dessert but the hot options I picked were tasty. It's an all you can eat/drink so fill your boots.
For both the lounge and the buffet, you can book in advance when you buy your ticket, or you can purchase on arrival - space permitting in the case of the lounge.
My pro-travel tip for those who can afford it is treat yourself and your loved ones to the lounge if you value your peace and quiet. Yes it is not cheap, but I cannot emphasise how busy the boat gets - and I note this isn't even during peak travel.
You can also book a cabin but that is probably overkill given how short the trip is.
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On arrival in Estonia I didn't really have anything planned except a tour of the KGB museum in Hotel Viru at 1600 (thanks @Mattg for the suggestion!) Whilst chilling in the lounge, I was also talking to a group of American travel agents (who appear to work for Oneworld?) and one of them suggested checking out the Olde Hansa restaurant which is Medieval themed and features dishes such as game, venison... and bear. Of course, I had to try the bear!
Whilst in the lounge I made a new friend (shoutout to Julie if you ever see this!) and as we didn't have anything firm planned we decided to go with the flow and explore the Old Town together. Highlights of the meandering included the KGB Prison Cells in a beautiful residential building, Restoran Olde Hansa, some churches, and the Hotel Viru and KGB Museum.
First stop was one of many churches in Old Tallinn - this one allowed you to climb the tower (which had 350 steps, trust me I counted) for 3 euros. At the top there were some stunning views of the surrounding area. Old Tallinn has about 5 cathedrals, some of which you have to pay to enter and others of which are free. All of them look different and are worth checking out, they're onl about 5-10 mins walk from each other.
The next stop was the former KGB Prison Cells which have been turned into a museum. They were briefly residential buildings and standing outside and looking at the facade its hard to imagine the horrors that were committed inside during the Soviet occupation. Entry is 9 euros, and it's worth taking a look at the displays inside and hearing more about the stories and realities of living under the KGB during the Cold War.
Lunch was at Restoran Olde Hansa, a medieval themed restaurant with limited lighting inside. The servers dress in medieval garb, beer is served in tankards, the menu is written in calligraphic script, and the waiters talk to you in ye olde english. An interesting - and as I discovered not cheap - experience. I did order the bear, which came with a fruit compote, stewed apples, a cheese bread, and spatz. It was reasonably tasty, not tough, and to me seemed to taste like duck - but I don't know if that was because of the berry sauce, which is a common accompaniment for duck. I also ordered it with the recommended glass of French red, which from memory was 20 euros and was the smallest glass of red I've ever had in my life. Seemed more like a taster, which for 20 euros is a bit of a joke. All up, the meal cost 90 euros, so not cheap at all, but hey, I've tried bear now. And I guess you pay for the medieval experience part too, which in my opinion was not really gimmicky and seemed quite well executed all up.
We then wandered some more throughout the afternoon, checked out more cathedrals and also stopped for coffee and cake at Cafe Maiasmokk, the oldest cafe in Tallinn. It's a nice enough cafe, but ordering took forever as you had to queue at the counter and there seemed to be only one lady who was taking orders and also making all the coffees, so all it took was one person to order for the table and you were standing there for a while. I had a chocolate cake and cappuccino and both were nice, this time for a more reasonable 9.5 euros.
I then made my way to Viru Keskus (Hotel Viru) for the KGB museum. The museum is on the 23rd floor of the hotel and consists of memorabilia and a picture. It is only accessible through a guided tour which can be booked online or at the hotel. They run about 6 sessions a day and 4 of them (including mine) were fully booked by the time of the tour so get in quick! It was a very interesting experience, going for a bit over an hour. Our guide was a local lady who had grown up during the hotel's operation and she had a very dry sense of humour, coupled with some very entertaining stories. She gave excellent insight into what it was like for the Estonians working at the hotel, which was essentially a giant tourist trap to get hard currency from Western tourists, and advance Soviet propaganda. She provided a real window on what it was like living under Soviet rule, the lengths they went to to convince the locals that they were living in a perfect state, and how clearly the locals saw through all of this but played the game.
Some interesting things are that it had over 1,000 staff and at its max only 800 guests. Staff and guests were spied on by KGB agents on the 23rd floor - the KGB denied the existence of such a facility. When they left in 1991, they left a lot behind and this was preserved by the hotel's Finnish owners. And the rest, they say, is history. Highly recommend checking this tour out when you're there.
After that, it was back to the terminal for the ferry home. Tomorrow, I'm off to the airport for my flight to LHR on the A350 where I will be able to experience firsthand the divisive Finnair couch. Then a, 8.5hr layover featuring the Concorde Room and then BA First to Washington.
Whilst in the lounge I made a new friend (shoutout to Julie if you ever see this!) and as we didn't have anything firm planned we decided to go with the flow and explore the Old Town together. Highlights of the meandering included the KGB Prison Cells in a beautiful residential building, Restoran Olde Hansa, some churches, and the Hotel Viru and KGB Museum.
First stop was one of many churches in Old Tallinn - this one allowed you to climb the tower (which had 350 steps, trust me I counted) for 3 euros. At the top there were some stunning views of the surrounding area. Old Tallinn has about 5 cathedrals, some of which you have to pay to enter and others of which are free. All of them look different and are worth checking out, they're onl about 5-10 mins walk from each other.
The next stop was the former KGB Prison Cells which have been turned into a museum. They were briefly residential buildings and standing outside and looking at the facade its hard to imagine the horrors that were committed inside during the Soviet occupation. Entry is 9 euros, and it's worth taking a look at the displays inside and hearing more about the stories and realities of living under the KGB during the Cold War.
Lunch was at Restoran Olde Hansa, a medieval themed restaurant with limited lighting inside. The servers dress in medieval garb, beer is served in tankards, the menu is written in calligraphic script, and the waiters talk to you in ye olde english. An interesting - and as I discovered not cheap - experience. I did order the bear, which came with a fruit compote, stewed apples, a cheese bread, and spatz. It was reasonably tasty, not tough, and to me seemed to taste like duck - but I don't know if that was because of the berry sauce, which is a common accompaniment for duck. I also ordered it with the recommended glass of French red, which from memory was 20 euros and was the smallest glass of red I've ever had in my life. Seemed more like a taster, which for 20 euros is a bit of a joke. All up, the meal cost 90 euros, so not cheap at all, but hey, I've tried bear now. And I guess you pay for the medieval experience part too, which in my opinion was not really gimmicky and seemed quite well executed all up.
We then wandered some more throughout the afternoon, checked out more cathedrals and also stopped for coffee and cake at Cafe Maiasmokk, the oldest cafe in Tallinn. It's a nice enough cafe, but ordering took forever as you had to queue at the counter and there seemed to be only one lady who was taking orders and also making all the coffees, so all it took was one person to order for the table and you were standing there for a while. I had a chocolate cake and cappuccino and both were nice, this time for a more reasonable 9.5 euros.
I then made my way to Viru Keskus (Hotel Viru) for the KGB museum. The museum is on the 23rd floor of the hotel and consists of memorabilia and a picture. It is only accessible through a guided tour which can be booked online or at the hotel. They run about 6 sessions a day and 4 of them (including mine) were fully booked by the time of the tour so get in quick! It was a very interesting experience, going for a bit over an hour. Our guide was a local lady who had grown up during the hotel's operation and she had a very dry sense of humour, coupled with some very entertaining stories. She gave excellent insight into what it was like for the Estonians working at the hotel, which was essentially a giant tourist trap to get hard currency from Western tourists, and advance Soviet propaganda. She provided a real window on what it was like living under Soviet rule, the lengths they went to to convince the locals that they were living in a perfect state, and how clearly the locals saw through all of this but played the game.
Some interesting things are that it had over 1,000 staff and at its max only 800 guests. Staff and guests were spied on by KGB agents on the 23rd floor - the KGB denied the existence of such a facility. When they left in 1991, they left a lot behind and this was preserved by the hotel's Finnish owners. And the rest, they say, is history. Highly recommend checking this tour out when you're there.
After that, it was back to the terminal for the ferry home. Tomorrow, I'm off to the airport for my flight to LHR on the A350 where I will be able to experience firsthand the divisive Finnair couch. Then a, 8.5hr layover featuring the Concorde Room and then BA First to Washington.
Last edited:
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After a 0500 alarm I got a bolt to Helsinki airport - there was a 40% off promo so it came to 21 euros and seemed to be fixed in price. The trip in total took about 25 mins. I could've gotten there via tram/train and paid about 8 euros, but it would've taken close to an hour.
Check-in was smooth and with boarding passed in hand I accidentally took a wrong turn and therefore got to experience the AY Schengen lounge. It was very busy despite the early hour but is a nice enough space, featuring lots of high chairs which provide privacy and are similar in design to the skycouch. There's only 4 shower suites available but you can reserve them using a panel in front. Food seemed limited with 3 hot options (usual eggs, sausage, bacon) and the usual Scandinavian mix of cold cheeses, meats and bread. After a quick coffee I went to the international transfer, cleared immigration and went to the non-Schengen wing.
Unfortunately the first wing wasn't open due to the early hour, so I was unable to try the sauna or a la carte dining
The business section didn't have a dedicated OWE section that I could see, but the overall space was quite nice. It was much larger and quieter than the Schengen one but had a similar selection of food and drinks. Not a bad place to spend an hour but the food options are quite limited.
Then it was a short walk to board my flight to London!
Check-in was smooth and with boarding passed in hand I accidentally took a wrong turn and therefore got to experience the AY Schengen lounge. It was very busy despite the early hour but is a nice enough space, featuring lots of high chairs which provide privacy and are similar in design to the skycouch. There's only 4 shower suites available but you can reserve them using a panel in front. Food seemed limited with 3 hot options (usual eggs, sausage, bacon) and the usual Scandinavian mix of cold cheeses, meats and bread. After a quick coffee I went to the international transfer, cleared immigration and went to the non-Schengen wing.
Unfortunately the first wing wasn't open due to the early hour, so I was unable to try the sauna or a la carte dining
The business section didn't have a dedicated OWE section that I could see, but the overall space was quite nice. It was much larger and quieter than the Schengen one but had a similar selection of food and drinks. Not a bad place to spend an hour but the food options are quite limited.
Then it was a short walk to board my flight to London!
Last edited:
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AY1331
HEL-LHR
08:00-09:10 dur 3h 10m
A350-900, seat 2A
The fact that I got to fly an AY A350 almost made up for the stupidly early wakeup. I was keen to try out the divisive skycouch they used and to see for myself if it was as bad as people said it was. Although our original travel time was estimated to be 2.5hrs, we ended up losing some at the other end and pretty much arrived on schedule.
My thoughts on the skycouch - honestly I didn't have any issues with the fact it doesn't recline. It's not particularly comfortable when you have your legs out without the leg support part raised, but once that's up I quite liked it. I was able to also have a short nap after breakfast despite the lack of blanket or mattress topper - the two provided pillows are quite nice. What I did find interesting was the fact that the provided headphones were really crummy cheap looking things from the early noughties, not the over-ear noise cancelling ones you'd normally get when flying in J.
Seat 2A is essentially the bulkhead seat as the space where 1A would be is occupied by a toilet. I don't know if you got extra legroom in 2A but it was more than enough for me, even with my backpack shoved in there.
Service onboard was similar to that experienced on my hop across to HEL. None of the FAs introduced thmselves, and no menus were provided. Instead, when the meal service came around you were just asked if you wanted breakfast and then it was plonked in front of you with no explanation. The food was quite nice but nothing special (still better than QF).
After the meal I had a nap and checked out the toilets which have a window - I still can't get over how cool that is.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would definitely have no issue flying on an AY A350 again. AY also gives its business passengers 1 hr of free wifi which is better than nothing! The plane is also very modern with USB C charging ports and wireless charging built into the console - it has rubber grips on it so your phone shouldn't slide around even during takeoff/landing, although the wireless charging is disabled during those times.
We were slightly delayed landing in LHR, having to circle a few times. Our gate was also occupied for a while so by the time we deplaned we were pretty much on time.
HEL-LHR
08:00-09:10 dur 3h 10m
A350-900, seat 2A
The fact that I got to fly an AY A350 almost made up for the stupidly early wakeup. I was keen to try out the divisive skycouch they used and to see for myself if it was as bad as people said it was. Although our original travel time was estimated to be 2.5hrs, we ended up losing some at the other end and pretty much arrived on schedule.
My thoughts on the skycouch - honestly I didn't have any issues with the fact it doesn't recline. It's not particularly comfortable when you have your legs out without the leg support part raised, but once that's up I quite liked it. I was able to also have a short nap after breakfast despite the lack of blanket or mattress topper - the two provided pillows are quite nice. What I did find interesting was the fact that the provided headphones were really crummy cheap looking things from the early noughties, not the over-ear noise cancelling ones you'd normally get when flying in J.
Seat 2A is essentially the bulkhead seat as the space where 1A would be is occupied by a toilet. I don't know if you got extra legroom in 2A but it was more than enough for me, even with my backpack shoved in there.
Service onboard was similar to that experienced on my hop across to HEL. None of the FAs introduced thmselves, and no menus were provided. Instead, when the meal service came around you were just asked if you wanted breakfast and then it was plonked in front of you with no explanation. The food was quite nice but nothing special (still better than QF).
After the meal I had a nap and checked out the toilets which have a window - I still can't get over how cool that is.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would definitely have no issue flying on an AY A350 again. AY also gives its business passengers 1 hr of free wifi which is better than nothing! The plane is also very modern with USB C charging ports and wireless charging built into the console - it has rubber grips on it so your phone shouldn't slide around even during takeoff/landing, although the wireless charging is disabled during those times.
We were slightly delayed landing in LHR, having to circle a few times. Our gate was also occupied for a while so by the time we deplaned we were pretty much on time.
Last edited:
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Deplaning in LHR (once our gate was clear) was quick and I made my way down to transfer to Terminal 5. I had arrived in Terminal 3 and for a moment I was tempted to try and do a mini lounge crawl, but I remembered @JessicaTam's very strict instructions on the AFF LHR 2026 Lounge Crawl page directing attendees to ensure they had booked flights departing from the correct terminal so I decided not to risk it. Also, I was going to be flying from T3 to get Haneda in a few days with another 8.5hr layover so I figured I would have plenty of time to do a lounge crawl then.
I'm glad I didn't try and go to T3 because after I arrived at T5 I realised why it wouldn't have worked. The dropoff point at T5 was pretty much after where all the gates connect and before baggage claim. Immediately after that is the transfer area and to get through, you have to scan your boarding pass. I assume that if your flight doesn't correspond with the right terminal then it'll be a case of:
Now this might seem obvious to those who have travelled here before (and I'm not saying I don't believe/trust what you say @Mattg ) but whilst I was googling this while waiting for my bus to T5 I couldn't see anything explicitly saying you couldn't, just that you'd have to pass through security again to enter the terminal - which I was fine with. What these online sources omitted was that you had to scan your boarding pass on arrival to the terminal in order to proceed onwards to security. Or maybe they did say it and I'm blind? :shrugs: So, whilst it wouldn't have been the end of the world, my decision definitely saved me some potential egg on the face.
Speaking of security, I was just about to go through the aforementioned check gates when an eagle eyed BA agent stopped me and informed me that there was actually a fast-track line for security, as I had priority on my BP. She must have had very sharp eyes! The fast-track line is hidden off to the side and is not super obvious but does take you up to a dedicated security area. Security here was sllloooowww. I'm not sure if they just assume everyone here is flying to America and are therefore super strict with their checks, but they were doing a very thorough job and pretty much every passenger's bag got pulled aside for a manual check. All toiletries had to be checked separately in a machine, even if they were in the requisite plastic bag. My amenity kit which I'd completely forgotten about from my CX F flight got opened and they checked the small bottles of lotion in them. It was not quick.
With security finally over, I decided to go to the lounge. BA operates two lounges in T5, a northern and southern one. The Northern lounge is smaller (but closer to where you pop out of security) and also has a terrace, which sounded cool. On arrival at the lounge, there was an agent standing outside saying that it was pretty much at capacity, and asking passengers to instead use the Southern lounge. I just wanted to stick my head in to take a look at the terrace and man, it was packed. It's not a small space by any means but every table seemed to be taken. The terrace is quite nice though! It's just an indoor area overlooking the rest of the terminal with apron views, not dissimilar to Cathay Bridge lounge in HKG. After a quick tour, I departed for the larger South lounge where the Concorde Room also was.
I didn't both to check out the Galleries F lounge (I'd been there last week for my flight to KEF), or the Galleries J lounge (although if I get very bored I might go there) ad instead made a beeline for the Concorde room. It is nice, definitely different in design and layout to any of the other F lounges I've been in before. When I got here at 1030ish it wasn't very busy but I had a quick wander around and then discovered that there is another better terrace here with views over the apron! In addition to the main dining area (which looked a bit dark and smouldery) there is also a small dining area out on the terrace, as well as some chairs with a view. The interior definitely has more of an exclusive club feel, which I quite like compared to the somewhat sterile QF lounges.
I grabbed a chair on the terrace and then decided to try out the dining. The breakfast menu is below.
(I'll double back for lunch in a couple of hours) and I ordered the kippers with "potato rosti" (read hashbrowns), poached eggs, champagne, sparkling water and a cappuccino. The food was good but the service was... less good at least to start with. I was told to take any table, but then not provided a menu for about 5 minutes. It's not a massive amount of time, but a far cry from the service I've experienced at any of the F lounges run by QF where you're shown to your table and given a menu, and offered sparkling/still water straight away. That wasn't the case here and I pretty much had to flag someone down to ask them for a menu. There did seem to only be two waiters there and they did look busy (one was talking to a customer at length about some mutual person they knew - I have no issue with that, it wasn't an unreasonably long conversation and I would do the same if I was at a QF lounge and knew someone; the other was cleaning tables) but it was a noticeable step down from the QF service. I wasn't offered still or sparkling water when I was given the menu either. These points may seem really nitpicky (and they are) but I offer this as a data point between what in my opinion is the closest parallel experience to QF's F lounges. IMO so far in terms of service and quality of food, QF wins.
I'm interested to see what their lunch menu offers.
However, the view from here is particularly nice with lots of natural light. There are also heaps of staff around and they seem very eager to help. No massages as far as I'm aware...
I'm glad I didn't try and go to T3 because after I arrived at T5 I realised why it wouldn't have worked. The dropoff point at T5 was pretty much after where all the gates connect and before baggage claim. Immediately after that is the transfer area and to get through, you have to scan your boarding pass. I assume that if your flight doesn't correspond with the right terminal then it'll be a case of:
Now this might seem obvious to those who have travelled here before (and I'm not saying I don't believe/trust what you say @Mattg ) but whilst I was googling this while waiting for my bus to T5 I couldn't see anything explicitly saying you couldn't, just that you'd have to pass through security again to enter the terminal - which I was fine with. What these online sources omitted was that you had to scan your boarding pass on arrival to the terminal in order to proceed onwards to security. Or maybe they did say it and I'm blind? :shrugs: So, whilst it wouldn't have been the end of the world, my decision definitely saved me some potential egg on the face.
Speaking of security, I was just about to go through the aforementioned check gates when an eagle eyed BA agent stopped me and informed me that there was actually a fast-track line for security, as I had priority on my BP. She must have had very sharp eyes! The fast-track line is hidden off to the side and is not super obvious but does take you up to a dedicated security area. Security here was sllloooowww. I'm not sure if they just assume everyone here is flying to America and are therefore super strict with their checks, but they were doing a very thorough job and pretty much every passenger's bag got pulled aside for a manual check. All toiletries had to be checked separately in a machine, even if they were in the requisite plastic bag. My amenity kit which I'd completely forgotten about from my CX F flight got opened and they checked the small bottles of lotion in them. It was not quick.
With security finally over, I decided to go to the lounge. BA operates two lounges in T5, a northern and southern one. The Northern lounge is smaller (but closer to where you pop out of security) and also has a terrace, which sounded cool. On arrival at the lounge, there was an agent standing outside saying that it was pretty much at capacity, and asking passengers to instead use the Southern lounge. I just wanted to stick my head in to take a look at the terrace and man, it was packed. It's not a small space by any means but every table seemed to be taken. The terrace is quite nice though! It's just an indoor area overlooking the rest of the terminal with apron views, not dissimilar to Cathay Bridge lounge in HKG. After a quick tour, I departed for the larger South lounge where the Concorde Room also was.
I didn't both to check out the Galleries F lounge (I'd been there last week for my flight to KEF), or the Galleries J lounge (although if I get very bored I might go there) ad instead made a beeline for the Concorde room. It is nice, definitely different in design and layout to any of the other F lounges I've been in before. When I got here at 1030ish it wasn't very busy but I had a quick wander around and then discovered that there is another better terrace here with views over the apron! In addition to the main dining area (which looked a bit dark and smouldery) there is also a small dining area out on the terrace, as well as some chairs with a view. The interior definitely has more of an exclusive club feel, which I quite like compared to the somewhat sterile QF lounges.
I grabbed a chair on the terrace and then decided to try out the dining. The breakfast menu is below.
(I'll double back for lunch in a couple of hours) and I ordered the kippers with "potato rosti" (read hashbrowns), poached eggs, champagne, sparkling water and a cappuccino. The food was good but the service was... less good at least to start with. I was told to take any table, but then not provided a menu for about 5 minutes. It's not a massive amount of time, but a far cry from the service I've experienced at any of the F lounges run by QF where you're shown to your table and given a menu, and offered sparkling/still water straight away. That wasn't the case here and I pretty much had to flag someone down to ask them for a menu. There did seem to only be two waiters there and they did look busy (one was talking to a customer at length about some mutual person they knew - I have no issue with that, it wasn't an unreasonably long conversation and I would do the same if I was at a QF lounge and knew someone; the other was cleaning tables) but it was a noticeable step down from the QF service. I wasn't offered still or sparkling water when I was given the menu either. These points may seem really nitpicky (and they are) but I offer this as a data point between what in my opinion is the closest parallel experience to QF's F lounges. IMO so far in terms of service and quality of food, QF wins.
I'm interested to see what their lunch menu offers.
However, the view from here is particularly nice with lots of natural light. There are also heaps of staff around and they seem very eager to help. No massages as far as I'm aware...
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- Sep 5, 2023
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So after a late lunch, my opinion of the Concorde room has gone up both in terms of dining and service.
Below is the lunch menu.
I had two starters and two salads (need to get my veggies up!) which were both tasty. The first course was a duck terrine and a salad, paired with a Burgundy, and the second (in a backwards way) I had a pea and ham soup, with a roasted carrot and labneh salady thing. The carrot salad was really good, and I had it with a nice Bordeaux.
Then of course dessert - I had another coffee and an Eton mess with a Sauternes. I didn't know they had a dessert menu and I'd have loved to try the afternoon tea but I knew I had to save space for food on the plane.
Service was much better this time around, with water being provided immediately. I still think I prefer QF in terms of food, but the setting of the Concorde room is much nicer. The QF lounges do feel a bit too much like a place to wait for your next flight rather than a space to relax and the Concorde room just has such a unique vibe.
Outside on the terrace there are also some self service options - right now it's afternoon tea time and I can see macarons, sandwiches and scones with jam and cream available.
My gate is C65- I'm interested to see if as part of the F service someone will come and tell me when I have to go and escort me there, or if I have to make my own way alone and unafraid...
Below is the lunch menu.
I had two starters and two salads (need to get my veggies up!) which were both tasty. The first course was a duck terrine and a salad, paired with a Burgundy, and the second (in a backwards way) I had a pea and ham soup, with a roasted carrot and labneh salady thing. The carrot salad was really good, and I had it with a nice Bordeaux.
Then of course dessert - I had another coffee and an Eton mess with a Sauternes. I didn't know they had a dessert menu and I'd have loved to try the afternoon tea but I knew I had to save space for food on the plane.
Service was much better this time around, with water being provided immediately. I still think I prefer QF in terms of food, but the setting of the Concorde room is much nicer. The QF lounges do feel a bit too much like a place to wait for your next flight rather than a space to relax and the Concorde room just has such a unique vibe.
Outside on the terrace there are also some self service options - right now it's afternoon tea time and I can see macarons, sandwiches and scones with jam and cream available.
My gate is C65- I'm interested to see if as part of the F service someone will come and tell me when I have to go and escort me there, or if I have to make my own way alone and unafraid...
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Whew! Just catching up - I love the style and detail of this TR.
It started off life as a lava field where the adjoining geothermal power station sent its waste (cooled) water to. The water contains sub-microscopic (colloidal) silica which first plugged up the drainages in the lava field so the warm water then started ponding, and then provides the lovely blue colour to the water.
I think they closed the power station when the eruption started nearby? so it may have its own source now.
I have 2A booked for LH flights SYD-BKK and BKK-HEL this December and chose it because in the rows behind, there is a support or pole within the footwell which people find annoying.
It started off life as a lava field where the adjoining geothermal power station sent its waste (cooled) water to. The water contains sub-microscopic (colloidal) silica which first plugged up the drainages in the lava field so the warm water then started ponding, and then provides the lovely blue colour to the water.
I think they closed the power station when the eruption started nearby? so it may have its own source now.
I have 2A booked for LH flights SYD-BKK and BKK-HEL this December and chose it because in the rows behind, there is a support or pole within the footwell which people find annoying.
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Also just catching up. There is another BA lounge in 5B for you to try if you get lonely on the way to 5C.
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I did check that out last week for my flight to KEF which departed from the B concourse. Didn't spend a lot of time there but it looked quite nice. Didn't have time to check it out again prior to this flight unfortunately
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BA293
LHR-IAD
17:25-20:30, dur 8h 5min
A380, seat 2A
I'm writing this trip report in the air, making the most of the unlimited free wifi you get in F on BA.
To pick up where I left off, no I didn't end up getting an escort and made my own way to the C concourse and gate via the shuttle. It was quite quick, definitely less than the 20mins they say it takes but perhaps you have to allow for delays, walking slowly, and your gate being far away.
Boarding was quick and I was shown to my seat and offered a predeparture drink - although champagne was offered I opted for sparkling water.
In terms of seating, I find BA's design to be a bit strange. The seat itself is very comfortable, the controls are intuitive to use, but the space seems very poorly optimised. There's next to no in seat storage - the large bins that feature on the QF A380 that run down the window aren't present, instead there's just a long black panel with what appear to be air vents on them. Wasted space IMO. Additionally, the screen folds out and is not super high quality. As a result, unless you have the screen out you're just staring at a monochrome tan divider... Very dull.
There wasn't enough space for my carryon suitcase in the overhead bin but there is a luggage compartment where the tv folds out of, similar to CX F which perfectly fit my carryon suitcase.
After taking my seat, an FA (Danny) came around and distributed menus, and also introduced himself. He also asked when I wanted to dine, with the option of eating whenever I chose. He suggested either immediately or a few hours later. Having eaten a lot at the lounge, I asked to eat 3hrs after takeoff. Shortly after, my predeparture beverage arrived, along with some warm nuts and a towel.
We spent a little bit of time sitting on the ground due to congestion, but after takeoff I reclined my seat and has a nap. On waking, a different FA whose name I didn't catch observed me getting up and promptly asked if I wanted dinner and something to drink. I replied in the affirmative and also asked for a glass of champagne which arrived promptly. This was followed by the appetizers, then the entree, a very generous serve of lobster, and then the main, a rack of lamb which I had with a Bordeaux. For dessert I had a chocolate tart and coffee, and paired it with a Reisling.
The food overall was good, not spectacular but nicer than expected - top tier J perhaps. Notable absence of caviar, which doesn't phase me too much. The lobster portion was generous and tasted fresh. The lamb was well done (as in doneness, not quality) and came with a curry sauce and okra, as well as some delicious rice. You could also have broccolini, mashed potatoes, and carrots on the side. I did read in the menu that BA was celebrating 100 years of BA and India, hence the curry theme of the menu. I thought the lamb and curry sauce was ok, again the rice was surprisingly nice. The dessert tart was delicious.
After dinner I had another nap for a couple more hours. On waking I was again asked if I wanted anything more to eat (there is a second, lighter meal service on this flight) but I declined as I was quite full.
Overall, I would consider flying BA F again. I do rate the service of BA, it was attentive and warm. Food is good but nothing super memorable. Unlimited wifi is definitely appreciated for the 8hr flight, I can't remember if CX also offered that (I suspect they did). I do find the seat layout a bit strange, but it's still better than the ridiculous Ying Yang product in J that I have to look forward to on the way back...
We're now 40mins from landing. I'll try and upload pictures here through my phone but if that fails I'll get them up when I'm on the ground and on my laptop.
LHR-IAD
17:25-20:30, dur 8h 5min
A380, seat 2A
I'm writing this trip report in the air, making the most of the unlimited free wifi you get in F on BA.
To pick up where I left off, no I didn't end up getting an escort and made my own way to the C concourse and gate via the shuttle. It was quite quick, definitely less than the 20mins they say it takes but perhaps you have to allow for delays, walking slowly, and your gate being far away.
Boarding was quick and I was shown to my seat and offered a predeparture drink - although champagne was offered I opted for sparkling water.
In terms of seating, I find BA's design to be a bit strange. The seat itself is very comfortable, the controls are intuitive to use, but the space seems very poorly optimised. There's next to no in seat storage - the large bins that feature on the QF A380 that run down the window aren't present, instead there's just a long black panel with what appear to be air vents on them. Wasted space IMO. Additionally, the screen folds out and is not super high quality. As a result, unless you have the screen out you're just staring at a monochrome tan divider... Very dull.
There wasn't enough space for my carryon suitcase in the overhead bin but there is a luggage compartment where the tv folds out of, similar to CX F which perfectly fit my carryon suitcase.
After taking my seat, an FA (Danny) came around and distributed menus, and also introduced himself. He also asked when I wanted to dine, with the option of eating whenever I chose. He suggested either immediately or a few hours later. Having eaten a lot at the lounge, I asked to eat 3hrs after takeoff. Shortly after, my predeparture beverage arrived, along with some warm nuts and a towel.
We spent a little bit of time sitting on the ground due to congestion, but after takeoff I reclined my seat and has a nap. On waking, a different FA whose name I didn't catch observed me getting up and promptly asked if I wanted dinner and something to drink. I replied in the affirmative and also asked for a glass of champagne which arrived promptly. This was followed by the appetizers, then the entree, a very generous serve of lobster, and then the main, a rack of lamb which I had with a Bordeaux. For dessert I had a chocolate tart and coffee, and paired it with a Reisling.
The food overall was good, not spectacular but nicer than expected - top tier J perhaps. Notable absence of caviar, which doesn't phase me too much. The lobster portion was generous and tasted fresh. The lamb was well done (as in doneness, not quality) and came with a curry sauce and okra, as well as some delicious rice. You could also have broccolini, mashed potatoes, and carrots on the side. I did read in the menu that BA was celebrating 100 years of BA and India, hence the curry theme of the menu. I thought the lamb and curry sauce was ok, again the rice was surprisingly nice. The dessert tart was delicious.
After dinner I had another nap for a couple more hours. On waking I was again asked if I wanted anything more to eat (there is a second, lighter meal service on this flight) but I declined as I was quite full.
Overall, I would consider flying BA F again. I do rate the service of BA, it was attentive and warm. Food is good but nothing super memorable. Unlimited wifi is definitely appreciated for the 8hr flight, I can't remember if CX also offered that (I suspect they did). I do find the seat layout a bit strange, but it's still better than the ridiculous Ying Yang product in J that I have to look forward to on the way back...
We're now 40mins from landing. I'll try and upload pictures here through my phone but if that fails I'll get them up when I'm on the ground and on my laptop.
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- Sep 5, 2023
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- 141
Tue 08 Oct
Today I took close to 30,000 steps wandering through Washington DC and checking out a lot of memorials. The weather was beautiful, clear and about 18 degrees.
First stop was Arlington Cemetery. Some very famous people are buried here including Ruth Bader Ginsberg, many generals etc., and more interestingly there are memorials to non-military events such as the Pan Am 103 flight/Lockerbie bombing, Challenger incident etc. I also saw the Changing of the Guard and wreath laying at 1200. It's a beautiful place and definitely worth a visit - admission is free.
After that it was a quick metro into the city where we had lunch at Shake Shack before a walk to the White House. Due to the upcoming election, the main road out the front of the White House was closed so I couldn't get any decent pictures. We then spent the rest of the day wandering around all the monuments and memorials in the area and got some pretty nice pictures of the Washington Monument.
Before proceeding to the Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial and the weather was truly prime. We also had brief stops at the Korean War and Vietnam memorials, again very well done and moving tributes. A lot of walking to get around - you can get a scooter or e-bike - but it was definitely worth it. We ended at the Jefferson memorial before going down to the marina for some afternoon libation.
Dinner was late at a French restaurant Le Diplomate. It's more of a bistro than upmarket restaurant, but good food and wines at decent (for DC) prices. Services was very quick but the place was packed so it was good to see.
Today will be a lazy one I think. We're going to check out Georgetown and maybe a few other neighbourhoods before I fly out at 2245 back to LHR and then on to the final legs of my journey to HND and SIN with JL in F and J.
Today I took close to 30,000 steps wandering through Washington DC and checking out a lot of memorials. The weather was beautiful, clear and about 18 degrees.
First stop was Arlington Cemetery. Some very famous people are buried here including Ruth Bader Ginsberg, many generals etc., and more interestingly there are memorials to non-military events such as the Pan Am 103 flight/Lockerbie bombing, Challenger incident etc. I also saw the Changing of the Guard and wreath laying at 1200. It's a beautiful place and definitely worth a visit - admission is free.
After that it was a quick metro into the city where we had lunch at Shake Shack before a walk to the White House. Due to the upcoming election, the main road out the front of the White House was closed so I couldn't get any decent pictures. We then spent the rest of the day wandering around all the monuments and memorials in the area and got some pretty nice pictures of the Washington Monument.
Before proceeding to the Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial and the weather was truly prime. We also had brief stops at the Korean War and Vietnam memorials, again very well done and moving tributes. A lot of walking to get around - you can get a scooter or e-bike - but it was definitely worth it. We ended at the Jefferson memorial before going down to the marina for some afternoon libation.
Dinner was late at a French restaurant Le Diplomate. It's more of a bistro than upmarket restaurant, but good food and wines at decent (for DC) prices. Services was very quick but the place was packed so it was good to see.
Today will be a lazy one I think. We're going to check out Georgetown and maybe a few other neighbourhoods before I fly out at 2245 back to LHR and then on to the final legs of my journey to HND and SIN with JL in F and J.
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Wed 09 Oct
Today was not a lazy one. Ended up taking close to 22k steps again today!
I'm currently in the BA Lounge at IAD waiting for my flight back to London as I begin the long journey back to DRW via HND (JL F), then to SIN (JL J) and finally to DRW (SQ J).
After a late brunch at a local cafe, today my buddy and I checked out Georgetown, one of the suburbs outside of Washington DC and easily accessible via metro. Georgetown is quite upmarket, with some expensive shops and cafes as well as a a university. We explored a couple of shops and cafes in the area (including a great cupcake place) before heading down to the marina. Here we decided to take a ferry down the Potomac River where we were able to see a lot of the monuments from yesterday from the water. It was an informative tour with an audio guide and was $25 per person. With excellent weather it was a neat and quick way to see a lot of the sites.
On the walk back we detoured via the USMC Memorial, which features the famous sculpture of the marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima.
Dinner was at a local restaurant before my mate kindly gave me a lift to IAD. Check-in was smooth and I made my way past the TSA pre-check area (which looked very busy) to the almost empty non TSA pre-check area. Interestingly, I didn't have to separate electronic devices or liquids, but did still have to take off my shoes. I do think this was actually faster in this case than the pre-check just given the sheer number of people trying to use that service.
After that it was a quick shuttle to the B gate area and the BA Lounge. The lounge is directly above the gates opposite Gate 50 and was quite busy despite the late hour. It had no hot food options in sight and limited cold snacks, I suspect due to the fact that mine is the last flight of the night and boarding commences in less than 30 mins. I'm glad I ate beforehand and timed the trip here to not spend a lot of time as there isn't anything special here. I did see a small roped off area presumably for F and top tier BA members but there didn't appear to be anyone in there.
There is also a staffed coughtail bar at the back but I'm not really feeling in the mood for a drink - I might even skip food on the plane and just sleep (shock horror!) but if you have more time it's definitely worth checking out.
Photos will be forthcoming when I arrive in London.
Today was not a lazy one. Ended up taking close to 22k steps again today!
I'm currently in the BA Lounge at IAD waiting for my flight back to London as I begin the long journey back to DRW via HND (JL F), then to SIN (JL J) and finally to DRW (SQ J).
After a late brunch at a local cafe, today my buddy and I checked out Georgetown, one of the suburbs outside of Washington DC and easily accessible via metro. Georgetown is quite upmarket, with some expensive shops and cafes as well as a a university. We explored a couple of shops and cafes in the area (including a great cupcake place) before heading down to the marina. Here we decided to take a ferry down the Potomac River where we were able to see a lot of the monuments from yesterday from the water. It was an informative tour with an audio guide and was $25 per person. With excellent weather it was a neat and quick way to see a lot of the sites.
On the walk back we detoured via the USMC Memorial, which features the famous sculpture of the marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima.
Dinner was at a local restaurant before my mate kindly gave me a lift to IAD. Check-in was smooth and I made my way past the TSA pre-check area (which looked very busy) to the almost empty non TSA pre-check area. Interestingly, I didn't have to separate electronic devices or liquids, but did still have to take off my shoes. I do think this was actually faster in this case than the pre-check just given the sheer number of people trying to use that service.
After that it was a quick shuttle to the B gate area and the BA Lounge. The lounge is directly above the gates opposite Gate 50 and was quite busy despite the late hour. It had no hot food options in sight and limited cold snacks, I suspect due to the fact that mine is the last flight of the night and boarding commences in less than 30 mins. I'm glad I ate beforehand and timed the trip here to not spend a lot of time as there isn't anything special here. I did see a small roped off area presumably for F and top tier BA members but there didn't appear to be anyone in there.
There is also a staffed coughtail bar at the back but I'm not really feeling in the mood for a drink - I might even skip food on the plane and just sleep (shock horror!) but if you have more time it's definitely worth checking out.
Photos will be forthcoming when I arrive in London.
Last edited:
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- Sep 5, 2023
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- 141
BA292
IAD-LHR
22:29-10:49 dur 7h 20m
A380, seat 53A
My overnight flight from IAD-LHR on a BA A380 was not as bad as expected, largely I think due to the excellent service I received from Sandra, the flight attendant for my row. She consistently addressed me by name and proactively ensured I had what I needed whilst also trying to help me maximise sleep.
Boarding was slightly delayed but I was able to still be one of the first onboard. This was good as I almost didn't have enough space for my carryon, with the window side overhead bins smaller than the ones down the centre. It was just able to contain my wheely carry-on and garment bag and unfortunately forced the person in 53C to store his backpack somewhere else. I felt a little guilty but there was still plenty of space in the J cabin and the CSM piped for people having difficulty stowing their carryon in economy to feel free to use the J bins as well. Thankfully, the A380 in J has the side storage bins, which were able to easily hold my backpack and its contents, although I did have some difficulty getting them open again once we reached cruising altitude - Sandra had to get assistance from another FA to open them by striking them quite hard, apparently they can get stuck.
BA's A380 is infamous for the ying-yang configuration of its Club World (rather than Club Suites) business class product. The main downside of this product in particular is that not all seats have aisle access and you will have to crawl over your neighbour if you are in a window seat to access the aisle if their seat is reclined, which is quite awkward indeed if they are sleeping. Row 53 is at the back of the forward business cabin and all seats in this row have direct aisle access! Definitely something to consider if you find yourself fling Club World on an A380. Otherwise, the seat area suffers from the same dated flip-out TV screen, but the seat itself isn't bad - perhaps slightly narrower than QF's A380 which only puts one seat in the same space instead of two. You also have a divider that it automatically lowered during takeoff and landing, during which you can awkwardly look at your seat neighbour. Whilst it is raised in flight, it is not opaque an more semi-transparent so you won't get 100% privacy.
Despite the options available for dinner, I opted for the express meal so I could maximise sleep. Orders were taken from front to back so I placed my order last. I asked for the prawn salad and the chocolate lava cake for pudding - Sandra warned that because it would have to be heated with the mains I might not get it in a timely manner, so I told her not to worry if it took too long. I also asked for the signature coughtail as well, a blueberry blush.
Service was prompt, starting immediately on reaching cruising altitude. This was good because of the short flight duration and its overnight nature. The prawns were fresh, though what I assumed to be capsicum turned out to be chilli - which was a bit of a shock! Sandra came through with the goods immediately after and was able to give me a warm lava cake with cream, which was delicious. Meal complete, I reclined the seat into bed mode and tried to get as much sleep as possible. An amenity kit was provided, but no PJs. Wifi is available onboard but I couldn't get it to work, and I my plan was to sleep for the whole flight it didn't really bother me.
I managed to get some decent sleep but the downside of row 53 is its proximity to the galley. This really became noticeable in the leadup to the breakfast service, where you could here a number of FAs working to prepare it. Nothing that couldn't be solved by a pair of earplugs but worth keeping in mind - I still think the aisle access outweighs this and would definitely sit here again. On waking about 40mins from landing I was promptly offered breakfast or a drink by Sandra but I declined.
Overall, I think the annoyance of the A380 configuration and overnight flight was redeemed by the excellent service from Sandra and the surprisingly tasty lava cake which hit the spot.
Deplaning was quick and the transfer from T5-T3 wasn't too painful. No issue with the liquids going through security this time thankfully. I was thinking of checking out the Arrivals Lounge in T5 but a quick google revealed that I would actually have to clear baggage and immigration to access it, then go through immigration and security again to re-enter the terminal, so I decided not to bother and instead head to T3 where a number of O* lounges exist.
I'm currently writing this in the CX F lounge over lunch. My plan is to have a shower here after lunch then check out the QF lounge next door. I have about 6hrs on the ground before my final F flight with JL so if I get very bored I'll go check out the BA and AA lounges. T3 is a zoo and all the restaurants and seating areas are packed so I'm very grateful to have lounge access here!
IAD-LHR
22:29-10:49 dur 7h 20m
A380, seat 53A
My overnight flight from IAD-LHR on a BA A380 was not as bad as expected, largely I think due to the excellent service I received from Sandra, the flight attendant for my row. She consistently addressed me by name and proactively ensured I had what I needed whilst also trying to help me maximise sleep.
Boarding was slightly delayed but I was able to still be one of the first onboard. This was good as I almost didn't have enough space for my carryon, with the window side overhead bins smaller than the ones down the centre. It was just able to contain my wheely carry-on and garment bag and unfortunately forced the person in 53C to store his backpack somewhere else. I felt a little guilty but there was still plenty of space in the J cabin and the CSM piped for people having difficulty stowing their carryon in economy to feel free to use the J bins as well. Thankfully, the A380 in J has the side storage bins, which were able to easily hold my backpack and its contents, although I did have some difficulty getting them open again once we reached cruising altitude - Sandra had to get assistance from another FA to open them by striking them quite hard, apparently they can get stuck.
BA's A380 is infamous for the ying-yang configuration of its Club World (rather than Club Suites) business class product. The main downside of this product in particular is that not all seats have aisle access and you will have to crawl over your neighbour if you are in a window seat to access the aisle if their seat is reclined, which is quite awkward indeed if they are sleeping. Row 53 is at the back of the forward business cabin and all seats in this row have direct aisle access! Definitely something to consider if you find yourself fling Club World on an A380. Otherwise, the seat area suffers from the same dated flip-out TV screen, but the seat itself isn't bad - perhaps slightly narrower than QF's A380 which only puts one seat in the same space instead of two. You also have a divider that it automatically lowered during takeoff and landing, during which you can awkwardly look at your seat neighbour. Whilst it is raised in flight, it is not opaque an more semi-transparent so you won't get 100% privacy.
Despite the options available for dinner, I opted for the express meal so I could maximise sleep. Orders were taken from front to back so I placed my order last. I asked for the prawn salad and the chocolate lava cake for pudding - Sandra warned that because it would have to be heated with the mains I might not get it in a timely manner, so I told her not to worry if it took too long. I also asked for the signature coughtail as well, a blueberry blush.
Service was prompt, starting immediately on reaching cruising altitude. This was good because of the short flight duration and its overnight nature. The prawns were fresh, though what I assumed to be capsicum turned out to be chilli - which was a bit of a shock! Sandra came through with the goods immediately after and was able to give me a warm lava cake with cream, which was delicious. Meal complete, I reclined the seat into bed mode and tried to get as much sleep as possible. An amenity kit was provided, but no PJs. Wifi is available onboard but I couldn't get it to work, and I my plan was to sleep for the whole flight it didn't really bother me.
I managed to get some decent sleep but the downside of row 53 is its proximity to the galley. This really became noticeable in the leadup to the breakfast service, where you could here a number of FAs working to prepare it. Nothing that couldn't be solved by a pair of earplugs but worth keeping in mind - I still think the aisle access outweighs this and would definitely sit here again. On waking about 40mins from landing I was promptly offered breakfast or a drink by Sandra but I declined.
Overall, I think the annoyance of the A380 configuration and overnight flight was redeemed by the excellent service from Sandra and the surprisingly tasty lava cake which hit the spot.
Deplaning was quick and the transfer from T5-T3 wasn't too painful. No issue with the liquids going through security this time thankfully. I was thinking of checking out the Arrivals Lounge in T5 but a quick google revealed that I would actually have to clear baggage and immigration to access it, then go through immigration and security again to re-enter the terminal, so I decided not to bother and instead head to T3 where a number of O* lounges exist.
I'm currently writing this in the CX F lounge over lunch. My plan is to have a shower here after lunch then check out the QF lounge next door. I have about 6hrs on the ground before my final F flight with JL so if I get very bored I'll go check out the BA and AA lounges. T3 is a zoo and all the restaurants and seating areas are packed so I'm very grateful to have lounge access here!
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2023
- Posts
- 141
JL44
LHR-HND
19:24-17:08 Dur 13h 44m
B777-300ER, Seat 2K
I write this over Beijing thanks to the unlimited free wifi F passengers get onboard. We are about 2.5hrs now from Haneda .
I didn't think anything could beat CX F, but JL has managed to do it. From the quality of the food, the exceptional service and the spacious seat, only their new A350 could be better.
I didn't end up doing a lounge crawl in the end. I had an excellent shower in the CX lounge after lunch - I highly recommend their shower suites as they have plenty of room, amenities, and good water pressure - before storing my luggage in the lounge and moving across to the QF one next door. The QF lounge is a combined J/F lounge, and similar to the HKG one feels more like a J+ lounge, featuring (time-limited) a la carte dining, a tended bar and buffet. I didn't end up sampling the food in the lounge, which featured salt and pepper squid as well as a few other dishes, choosing instead to save space for the food on the plane. After napping intermittently in the QF lounge, I returned to the CX lounge to grab my bags before making the walk to my gate.
Boarding was done by group and was very quick and efficient. I was shown to my seat and offered a predeparture beverage of champagne. The FAs onboard are amazing, very polite and friendly. I have heard that JL service can be robotic but that hasn't been my experience on this flight at all. Pyjamas were provided, with each passenger given the opportunity to change in the forward bathroom. A generous amenity kit and slippers were also located at the seat.
After takeoff, the FAs came around again to confirm meal preference and service began after that. I opted for the Japanese set menu and it was amazing. The scallop and apple 'ravioli' with truffle was one of the most delicious things I think I have ever eaten on the ground or in the air.
Everything tasted fresh and was well plated with Japanese precision and attention to detail. Regular topups of champagne were offered, and when that ran out (they only have 1 bottle per flight of the premium stuff) I moved on to the Royal Blue tea, which was very refreshing and not sweet. I still felt a bit hungry after the meal service so had a plate of fruit and some green tea before asking for my bed to be made up, which was done promptly.
I slept for about 6.5hrs but was interrupted by some quite severe turbulence. On waking I was asked if I wanted anything to eat, so I asked for the Japanese set menu from the a la carte section, which was nice. As I was still slightly hungry I also had the pork cutlet sandwich from the anytime menu. The sandwich was ok, it was a little cold around the edges but otherwise tasted good.
Customs and immigration was quick but not very efficient... which is surprising for Japan. The tech additions - using a QR code, having a separate area to get your fingerprints taken - don't seem to speed up the process. Ah well, it was still quick enough, and I was in my airport hotel about 15mins after deplaning. Again, HCO is the way to go!
The room is nothing special and on the small side, but it has everything I need for one night. There is a gym but it's 2,200Y for access (not included in your stay apparently), so I might skip that and just use the gym at my next hotel in Singapore.
Tomorrow is my second last flight of the trip from HND-SIN again on JL - I did this flight earlier in the year on my way home but in PE so if it is the same plane with the J cabin in a 1-2-1 configuration I should be in for a good time. Whilst my room doesn't include breakfast I think I'll get something much nicer in the JL Flounge
LHR-HND
19:24-17:08 Dur 13h 44m
B777-300ER, Seat 2K
I write this over Beijing thanks to the unlimited free wifi F passengers get onboard. We are about 2.5hrs now from Haneda .
I didn't think anything could beat CX F, but JL has managed to do it. From the quality of the food, the exceptional service and the spacious seat, only their new A350 could be better.
I didn't end up doing a lounge crawl in the end. I had an excellent shower in the CX lounge after lunch - I highly recommend their shower suites as they have plenty of room, amenities, and good water pressure - before storing my luggage in the lounge and moving across to the QF one next door. The QF lounge is a combined J/F lounge, and similar to the HKG one feels more like a J+ lounge, featuring (time-limited) a la carte dining, a tended bar and buffet. I didn't end up sampling the food in the lounge, which featured salt and pepper squid as well as a few other dishes, choosing instead to save space for the food on the plane. After napping intermittently in the QF lounge, I returned to the CX lounge to grab my bags before making the walk to my gate.
Boarding was done by group and was very quick and efficient. I was shown to my seat and offered a predeparture beverage of champagne. The FAs onboard are amazing, very polite and friendly. I have heard that JL service can be robotic but that hasn't been my experience on this flight at all. Pyjamas were provided, with each passenger given the opportunity to change in the forward bathroom. A generous amenity kit and slippers were also located at the seat.
After takeoff, the FAs came around again to confirm meal preference and service began after that. I opted for the Japanese set menu and it was amazing. The scallop and apple 'ravioli' with truffle was one of the most delicious things I think I have ever eaten on the ground or in the air.
Everything tasted fresh and was well plated with Japanese precision and attention to detail. Regular topups of champagne were offered, and when that ran out (they only have 1 bottle per flight of the premium stuff) I moved on to the Royal Blue tea, which was very refreshing and not sweet. I still felt a bit hungry after the meal service so had a plate of fruit and some green tea before asking for my bed to be made up, which was done promptly.
I slept for about 6.5hrs but was interrupted by some quite severe turbulence. On waking I was asked if I wanted anything to eat, so I asked for the Japanese set menu from the a la carte section, which was nice. As I was still slightly hungry I also had the pork cutlet sandwich from the anytime menu. The sandwich was ok, it was a little cold around the edges but otherwise tasted good.
Customs and immigration was quick but not very efficient... which is surprising for Japan. The tech additions - using a QR code, having a separate area to get your fingerprints taken - don't seem to speed up the process. Ah well, it was still quick enough, and I was in my airport hotel about 15mins after deplaning. Again, HCO is the way to go!
The room is nothing special and on the small side, but it has everything I need for one night. There is a gym but it's 2,200Y for access (not included in your stay apparently), so I might skip that and just use the gym at my next hotel in Singapore.
Tomorrow is my second last flight of the trip from HND-SIN again on JL - I did this flight earlier in the year on my way home but in PE so if it is the same plane with the J cabin in a 1-2-1 configuration I should be in for a good time. Whilst my room doesn't include breakfast I think I'll get something much nicer in the JL Flounge
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