Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 593 posts, RR: 4 Posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 12935 times:
Route: AMS - LHR (T4) - DXB
Date: 17/09/08
Airlines: KLM and BA
Class: Y and F
Lounges: KLM (separate TR) and Galleries at T4
'Parting is such sweet sorrow'
'Thanks to' the debacle of the T5 opening I was granted an extra visit to Terminal 4 for my trip to Dubai. Lucky me. First I had to get to LHR and this was with KLM. Elsewhere you can find a report on the new KLM lounge at AMS. I will not go into detail about the flight to LHR. It was boring as usual.
Our plane
The normal chaotic boarding at AMS without priority
When I booked my flight from AMS to LHR I expected T5 to be operational and needing time to transfer and enjoy the new lounge facilities. This now meant I have 4,5 hours to enjoy the fantastic facilities of the Galleries Lounge at Gate 1.
I traveled on September 17th so the Elemis Spa and Concorde lounge had closed the day before. This did take a lot of the fun out of F class travel in my opinion. Ah well, the lounge was not that bad. Here are some images.
One of the advantages of the BA Lounges is that you can eat before you fly. Proper restaurant style. I decided to give it a try.
Of course I did this only to please all you food lovers. I ordered a starter (sold out), another starter (also sold our) and then decided on an entrée only (duck with honey glazing). It was not bad, but slightly overcooked. The wine I had was great however. It was a Sauvignon Blanc although I cannot remember which. I had two.
It was now time for an after dinner shower. Not that I needed one but for the sake of a complete TR on a disappearing lounge I scarified myself. Now isn't that devotion?
I liked the shower and I was glad I took one. I had a few minutes left to get to the gate. It was gate 2 so not a very long walk...
Exit lounge
Boarding was swift but impersonal. No personal welcome, no 'How are you doing mr Henk?' but very efficient. I snapped some quick cabin pictures and then I got my PJs and went to the bathroom to change.
My seat
I love them PJs so here I am showing them off. Do you notice that these do not have the beige strip?
We were a little late of the gate but the captain kept us informed at all times. They looked a relaxed bunch up front. The delay gave me some time top shoot some more cabin pictures.
If you have a laptop you need a special power adapter. On this particular flight the carried only one and I managed to acquire it. Strange system...
After a while we took off. It was swift and smooth. Here is a picture I particularly like of the view. Notice the clouds.
Once airborne I decided to order some dinner. Again not because I was hungry but to please the likes of you... I can't remember all the choices but I took the salmon with crème fraiche and the steak. Even though I asked for raw (hoping for medium) I got well done. When will I learn?
Next was sleep. We had 3 first timers on board and one was not very well acquainted with the window blinds etiquette...
Close the ^$%#$#@!$!! blinds, please...
Breakfast was a cup of tea (by choice) and here you can see where we were
Or in an easy read
Landing was uneventful but with a very long taxi to the gate for which the captain apologized. We disembarked quickly and after a brisk and rather long walk I arrived at passport control. I have heard all kinds of horror stories but once again I was through in 5 minutes. No queues (or cues) anywhere. The other horror story is getting a cab at DXB. Again: no problem.
I went to Dubai to visit a friend who works there. Still not like the place much but I do want to show you some pictures of the Park Hyatt... I will post on the return trip soon.
This really is one of the best designed hotels I have ever seen. Especially the restaurants are unique (and very good) in style and concept. I take my hat of to the Hyatt. Possibly the best Hyatt I ever stayed at.
PHLstudent From United States of America, joined May 2006, 498 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 12632 times:
That picture of the windows and outside after take off looks awesome, very cool.
Leaving the windows open on those red eye flights is very rude, flight attendents should ask the passengers to close them until the breakfast service.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 12579 times:
Great report and really enjoyed your photos of DXB!
Maxisno1 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2007, 212 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 11847 times:
Nice trip report. BA first looks 'alright' but nothing special sadly. Looks like you had a pleasant flight though.
Quoting PHLstudent (Reply 2): That picture of the windows and outside after take off looks awesome, very cool.
Yes that looks very beautiful!
Quoting Henkybaby (Thread starter): This really is one of the best designed hotels I have ever seen. Especially the restaurants are unique (and very good) in style and concept. I take my hat of to the Hyatt. Possibly the best Hyatt I ever stayed at.
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 593 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 11819 times:
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 6): What exactly do you mean with "first timers"?
First time in First. They were very nice. I took their picture a few times and they were really discovering everything. When the 'blinds rule' was explained he closed them immediately. We were still about 90 minutes out and that is a lot on such a short flight.
HUYfan From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 1372 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 11578 times:
I wouldn't consider it 'very rude' of the cabin crew or passengers not to lower the window blinds. You guys make it sound like they deserve to be shot! It is a customers' personal choice, and frankly, eye shades are included in BA's amenity kits to help with this situation. Your comments actually sound pretty pompus.
Mk777 From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 1186 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 11576 times:
your style of a TR is different, less words more pics...i like it....
BA seems to be a consistent player....well you traveled F, wonder how their service is in WTP or WT cabins.
I am surprised no one ushered you to your seat. The food looks edible, then again i'm not a steak eater.
Simply loved the picture you took from the window upon takeoff, it came out beautiful.
Park Hyatt seems like the place to stay when in Dubai, it looks stunning. What all did you do in dubai besides seeing your friend and enjoying the Hyatt???
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 593 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 11549 times:
Thank you all for the comments. Always nice you're not doing all this for your own amusement...
Quoting Mk777 (Reply 10): your style of a TR is different, less words more pics...i like it....
It is more lazyness than anything else. I only write stories if anything worth mentioning actually happens...
Quoting Mk777 (Reply 10): all did you do in dubai besides seeing your friend and enjoying the Hyatt???
We enjoyed the Hilton Resort & Spa in Ras Al Khamaih. Very nice too, although some issues with reservations. Worth the 90 minute drive to get out of Dubai.
Quoting Mk777 (Reply 10): Park Hyatt seems like the place to stay when in Dubai, it looks stunning
It is an architectural wonder but be aware that it is not on the beach!
Quoting HUYfan (Reply 9): Your comments actually sound pretty pompus.
At the risk of starting up the whole window blinds discussion yet again.... Why is the comment 'pompus'? That is neither here nor there. You may feel it is inconsiderate of us to prefer a dark cabin on a redeye, but pompus?
All in all we live in a democracy. The majority rules. Well, the majority of the passengers have their blinds closed. Adapt. Please. And please don't start with the 'I paid for my ticket too and I do as I damn well please' arguments. Those are rude! In this case the passenger was kindly requested to lower the blinds and - being a gentleman - he did. No problem whatsoever.
Davescj From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 2244 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 11424 times:
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3687 posts, RR: 32 Reply 14, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 11066 times:
Quoting Henkybaby (Thread starter): Of course I did this only to please all you food lovers. I ordered a starter (sold out), another starter (also sold our) and then decided on an entrée only (duck with honey glazing)
Surprised it wasn't catered properly, well actually based on my Concorde Room experiences of the last few years I'm not but...that dish actually looks alright!
Which part of the Gate 1 Lounge have they closed off? I recognise the location of all your pictures but then can't seem to find a place left for the First dining?
Quoting Henkybaby (Thread starter): If you have a laptop you need a special power adapter. On this particular flight the carried only one and I managed to acquire it. Strange system...
Hopefully with new First we won't have to use Empower. Why not universal plugs, much more sensible.
I try my best to resist the temptation for steak...the bad ones outnumber the good ones several times over!
Quoting Mk777 (Reply 10): I am surprised no one ushered you to your seat.
Usually BA have two people welcoming people to the door of the aircraft. One of these is available to escort passengers to First, but if one of them is already performing the service for another passenger then the one remaining FA will just direct you as the door cannot be left unattended.
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 593 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 11000 times:
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 14): Which part of the Gate 1 Lounge have they closed off? I recognise the location of all your pictures but then can't seem to find a place left for the First dining?
When facing it (on the first floor) to the left of the showers, to the right of the drinks bar and opposite the food bar. Does that make sense?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8258 posts, RR: 56 Reply 16, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 10943 times:
Great report and pictures, enjoyed the read, manyn thanks for sharing.
Quoting Henkybaby (Thread starter): It was now time for an after dinner shower. Not that I needed one but for the sake of a complete TR on a disappearing lounge I scarified myself. Now isn't that devotion?
- Yes, well done, tks
Quoting Henkybaby (Thread starter): If you have a laptop you need a special power adapter. On this particular flight the carried only one and I managed to acquire it. Strange system...
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I can't remember all the choices but I took the salmon with crème fraiche and the steak. Even though I asked for raw (hoping for medium) I got well done. When will I learn?
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