jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 4 months 4 days ago) and read 2702 times:
Booked a trip to FRA in March onboard a BA A319. The last time i flew BA was back in 2004 onboard one of their A320-100's.
What are the A319 fleet like? Are there newer ones or are they all around the same age? Am i right in thinking a few of the newer A320's have slightly improved interiors over the older ones (LED lights, fittings etc.)? Is it the same with the A319's?
Cant say I'm too worried either way over a flight thats an hour long, just curious to know if theres any to avoid!
Coming back into LCY on one of their E170's, so looking forward to adding a new type/airport to the log!
planejamie From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2011, 572 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2635 times:
Hi
The BA A319's are older (old-style interiors etc) but are still comfortable nonetheless. The reading lights will be the old ones (which I actually prefer as they feel warmer rather than cold).
The crew will be good (I can guarantee that as I've never had a bad crew on my many BA flights) and it should be good experience You'll like Terminal 5, I prefer it over CDG, FRA and AMS and there's plenty to do, plenty of quiet spots to sit (my favourite bit is the opening in front of the bar/restaurant near the domestic gates A1 onwards) as there's some nice seats near the window and it's normally quiet there, plus an unobstructed window view!
LCY I've never tried but based off the trip reports on here, people seem to love their E-jets, so you should have a good flight
Catering will either be a biscuit/small pack of something and a full bar or a sandwich and a full bar (not sure about FRA). Either way, whatever they serve is normally quite tasty
Make sure you take lots of pics and do a trip report for both flights (if possible)!
lhr380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2627 times:
Quoting planejamie (Reply 1): You'll like Terminal 5, I prefer it over CDG, FRA and AMS and there's plenty to do, plenty of quiet spots to sit (my favourite bit is the opening in front of the bar/restaurant near the domestic gates A1 onwards) as there's some nice seats near the window and it's normally quiet there, plus an unobstructed window view!
Or the Coffee shop at the South end. If they are on the 9s you get some great take off views, North side for Landings. Waggamamma on the same level as security is a good place to hang around for a bit with amazing views out onto the ramp and over LHR as a whole
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 2579 times:
Quoting planejamie (Reply 1): You'll like Terminal 5, I prefer it over CDG, FRA and AMS and there's plenty to do, plenty of quiet spots to sit
Ive actually been to T5 before but that was a good few months before it was open when i did a couple of days work there... very unproductive day! It was doing the lighting controls around gate A23. Remember there being a pretty good view from there.
Quoting planejamie (Reply 1): Make sure you take lots of pics and do a trip report for both flights (if possible)!
I fully intend on doing that! In fact, it was reading through the trip reports on here that inspired me to do this trip.
Quoting lhr380 (Reply 2): Waggamamma on the same level as security is a good place to hang around for a bit with amazing views out onto the ramp and over LHR as a whole
Ill bear that in mind. Seems T5 is much much more 'open' than the rest of LHR.
Am i likely to get any hassle from security if i take a few pics? Seem to remember just using my phone to take a pic at LGW a few years back and security were on me! Been a bit reluctant to get my camera out at the airport since, unless I'm in a hidden corner somewhere.
planejamie From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2011, 572 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2547 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Ive actually been to T5 before but that was a good few months before it was open when i did a couple of days work there... very unproductive day! It was doing the lighting controls around gate A23. Remember there being a pretty good view from there.
Yeah, to be honest all the airside parts of Terminal 5 offer pretty decent views
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Ill bear that in mind. Seems T5 is much much more 'open' than the rest of LHR.
Am i likely to get any hassle from security if i take a few pics? Seem to remember just using my phone to take a pic at LGW a few years back and security were on me! Been a bit reluctant to get my camera out at the airport since, unless I'm in a hidden corner somewhere.
I love the open feel of Terminal 5, beats the windowless, cramped feel of Terminals 1/3/4!
As for photos, I've read seen some trip reports with a lot of photos of Terminal 5 and no problem, then others where they were told to not take photos of "the infrastructure". Worst thing they'll do is ask you to delete the photo or stop. I think Landside tends to be worst for this, airside I've never read anyone having a problem. Just don't take photos of/near security
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21495 posts, RR: 24 Reply 5, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 2477 times:
Quoting planejamie (Reply 1): The BA A319's are older (old-style interiors etc) but are still comfortable nonetheless. The reading lights will be the old ones (which I actually prefer as they feel warmer rather than cold).
Agreed. I dislike the LED lights on newer Airbuses. The cold white light reminds me of a hospital.
lhr380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2430 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Ill bear that in mind. Seems T5 is much much more 'open' than the rest of LHR.
VERY open.....
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Am i likely to get any hassle from security if i take a few pics? Seem to remember just using my phone to take a pic at LGW a few years back and security were on me! Been a bit reluctant to get my camera out at the airport since, unless I'm in a hidden corner somewhere.
Should not be any issues, as long as its planes and stuff, and your not taking pics of staff or the security area.
LAX888 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2010, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 months 1 day ago) and read 2375 times:
All of BA's A319 were delivered around 2000 and are therefore 10+ years old. They are pretty well maintained and if possible try to snag seat 4A or C as the middle seat is not sold. Service will be limited to biscuits or a small savoury snack, unless it is a flight leaving before 9AM, where you get a sandwich if I remember correctly.
What I like about the A319 is, that boarding and deboarding is faster, due to less amount of people. It can take ages on the A321 or even the A320.
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 4 months 18 hours ago) and read 2339 times:
Quoting LAX888 (Reply 7): if possible try to snag seat 4A or C as the middle seat is not sold. Service will be limited to biscuits or a small savoury snack, unless it is a flight leaving before 9AM, where you get a sandwich if I remember correctly.
I think those are Club World rows... Looked at the seat map on BA.com and looks like Economy/Euro Traveller starts at row 11. Might go for row 22 right at the back. Looking on seat guru, seems like those seats don't recline, but on a flight of only an hour or so i cant say I'm too worried about that.
Flight is due to depart at 8:20.
So all BA A319's are the original G-EUP* batch? Would of thought they ordered more since then, but i guess they went for its bigger brothers instead.
LAX888 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2010, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 year 4 months 17 hours ago) and read 2331 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 9): I think those are Club World rows... Looked at the seat map on BA.com and looks like Economy/Euro Traveller starts at row 11. Might go for row 22 right at the back. Looking on seat guru, seems like those seats don't recline, but on a flight of only an hour or so i cant say I'm too worried about that.
Depending on the load in Club Europe, often it is only rows 1-3 unless they have a lot of pax. The BA.com seat map just shows the maximum capacity for Club Europe. This means they can sell 9 rows of seats as Club Europe on the A319 but actually rarely sell that many seats. I flew the A319 at least 10 times on BA and only once did Club Europe go all the way to row 9.
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (1 year 4 months 17 hours ago) and read 2328 times:
Interesting, ill keep an eye on it. Did a load check and looks like all classes are wide open.
Guess i might as well ask this on this thread too rather than start a new one. If i do online check in, but i don't have any check in bags, can i just head straight through security and turn up at the gate or do i have to let somebody know I'm at the airport so they don't give my seat away? Not done online check in with no bags before and seems odd to just walk on the plane with nobody expecting you as such!
planejamie From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2011, 572 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 months 16 hours ago) and read 2319 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 11):
Interesting, ill keep an eye on it. Did a load check and looks like all classes are wide open.
Guess i might as well ask this on this thread too rather than start a new one. If i do online check in, but i don't have any check in bags, can i just head straight through security and turn up at the gate or do i have to let somebody know I'm at the airport so they don't give my seat away? Not done online check in with no bags before and seems odd to just walk on the plane with nobody expecting you as such!
You can just walk straight through security. When you check-in online, you're essentially confirming that you're going to fly, just like checking in at the airport. I mean in theory, you could check-in at the airport and not pass through security (you'll get offloaded and there wouldn't be much point).
Personally, I'd use the self service machines at the airport as you'll get a proper boarding pass then (rather than a paper one) or use your mobile (I want to try this sometime)
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 months 16 hours ago) and read 2312 times:
Quoting planejamie (Reply 12): You can just walk straight through security. When you check-in online, you're essentially confirming that you're going to fly, just like checking in at the airport. I mean in theory, you could check-in at the airport and not pass through security (you'll get offloaded and there wouldn't be much point).
Personally, I'd use the self service machines at the airport as you'll get a proper boarding pass then (rather than a paper one) or use your mobile (I want to try this sometime)
Ive always wondered about the whole online check in process in general really. The way i see it, is that your checking in to say you're at the airport ready to go. If you do it online the day before, whats to say you won't get held up on the way to the airport and can't make the flight. Surely thats more hassle for the airlines?! But who am i to question it!!
I'll probably be doing the mobile check in, as i'll be at work when check in opens on the friday and I won't have access to a computer or printer.
jer757 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2006, 350 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 months 13 hours ago) and read 2305 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 13): Surely thats more hassle for the airlines?! But who am i to question it!!
Not particularly, anybody who isn't on board/at the gate ten minutes before departure gets offloaded regardless of the method of check in. If you've checked in at home and not turned up to the airport, that's not really an issue; just a quick computer entry. However, if you are actually at the airport (and have fallen asleep in the bar), we have to get your bags off the aircraft... which takes time.
At T5 its even easier as BA's computer system knows when you've passed through security (this isn't the case at most smaller airports). Therefore if you're not even airside at -10, its pretty obvious you ain't coming.
It's actually -35 before departure. Sometimes a minute or 2 under that. Conformance is if you have not had your barcode on your boarding pass (be it home printed airport printed or on your smartphone) swiped at the security check point Landside you are refused entry airside for your flight.
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From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, 
You'll like Terminal 5, I prefer it over CDG, FRA and AMS and there's plenty to do, plenty of quiet spots to sit (my favourite bit is the opening in front of the bar/restaurant near the domestic gates A1 onwards) as there's some nice seats near the window and it's normally quiet there, plus an unobstructed window view!
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