Another week and another trip to Edinburgh to view progress on our new project, unlike other trips this would be a day trip.
The alarm went off and 06:00, after the usual morning stuff it was out of the house and off to Heathrow, I arrived just before 7am. The shuttle left some 10 minutes or so later, after a short trip the shuttle pulled up on the arrivals level.
The only problem with being dropped at arrivals is getting to departures, do you take the lift, numerous stairs or the escalator?
Stairs? – No!
Escalator
And the next one
And the final one
Finally, depatures!
Boarding pass in hand I headed through security, it was 07:18, 9 minutes later I emerged airside.
From my weekly visits, I have to say that security at T5 is not as quick as it used to be, shame as it used to be excellent.
Breakfast was in order so I hit the South Lounge
New feature outside the lounge
A few shots inside the lounge
Decent stuff in the toilets
Left the lounge with plenty of time to spare, today’s flight was leaving from gate 1, the same flight last week left from gate 19! – I kind of thought the same flight on the same day of the week had a good chance of leaving from the same gate, seems not the case.
Heading to gate 1:-
The gate area was busy, looking like another full flight – where is the recession?
My plane:-
A little close:-
General boarding started at 08:45, the front door on the plane closed at 08:58, we had a full load this morning – again!
Push occurred @ 09:03, a short taxi between T5 and T5B led us to 09R, this mornings departure runway.
EUYB held for a DL 333, CO 772 and a LH 320, our turn next, wheels up at 09:23.
Flight time today was advised as 55 minutes, breakfast service started just after passing over the Luton area, the usual hot breakfast.
My only gripe is that the tea/coffee run is done after the meal so you either wait for the tea/coffee or you eat your meal and have the tea/coffee later.
Trays were cleared away during descent, views were rather cloudly, weather not that great!
Leith:-
Wheels touched down at 10:14, some 4 minutes behind schedule.
5 minutes later we were parked at our remote stand. Edinburgh Airport is undergoing extensive upgrade works to the airside departure lounge, as a result pretty much all of the front terminal gates are out of action.
Leaving the plane:-
Once in arrivals I headed off to visit the project, progress is good.
30.04.09 BD59 A320-232 G-MIDR 6A
3rd Flight on this aircraft & 86th A320 Flight
SCH DEP 14:55 SCH ARR 16:25
ACT DEP 15:10 ACT ARR 16:27
After returning the car, I headed off to the BMI self service machines for my boarding pass. I had 6F allocated but looked at the seat map just to see what was around, 6A was free as was 6C, no seat showing for 6B so I took 6A, then off to security, it was 13:35.
Normally security at Edinburgh is just awful, the queues are long and it take a good 10-15 minutes to get through, today there was nobody in the queue, yes nobody, I had a whole machine to myself, not even a minute to clear it today, a new world record!
I’ve taken this flight before so normally expect to see lots of people around, today was different:-
I had a pint and finished the paper then headed down to gate 3, appears our plane was little late arriving as it was just pulling into the gate when I arrived.
Boarding by pre-board then row’s started at 14:55, doors closing at 15:09 – push back occurred 2 minutes later, just in time for the next BD aircraft using the gate:-
MIDR taxied out to the active, holding for a departing Dornier and arriving Flybe Dash 8, our turn arrived, wheels up at 15:24.
Today’s flight was quite full, not as full as the morning BA flight, but not far from it. The decision to take 6A was good as row 6 had the business convertible set up of 2-3, always like to have a little more elbow room.
Row 6 was also the first row of economy so we had the first pick of meals/snack for purchase, not having had lunch I ordered a sandwich and cup of tea, being a Blue Plus cardholder these were free, one of the limited benefits of this card.
The rest of the flight was uneventful, approach was over London, here are a few pictures:-
Richmond Park:-
Wheels down on 27L @ 16:27, just behind schedule.
Durning taxi to the gate, T5C under construction
Summary:-
Can’t fault BA, excellent service as usual, really nice cheerful crew too.
Can’t fault BD either, still a shame they downgraded their product to this BOB one, they used to have a great product, I like many (I guess) chose this flight over BA, it was only £39 when I booked it, the next nearest BA flight was about £40 more.
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 8446 times:
Hi Mark,
nice comparison on this domestic journey. BA is indeed much better nowadays.
I used to fly BD quite often years ago, also did quite some flights in their C class, top class product. But nowadays, no,... I wouldn't choose them so soon again.
Good pics. T5 pics good too, it's a nice terminal, but still LHR. I dislike that place, especially the security and transfer facilities...
Regards,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
B747forever From United States of America, joined exactly 6 years ago today! , 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 3, posted (4 years 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 8229 times:
Nice TR
The pics are really good.
Seems you had a flawless BA flight, and also a great BD flight.
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 5, posted (4 years 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 7896 times:
Hi Mark,
You have covered more flights on the 320 than I have logged in total
That's amazing! How many UK registrated 320 are still missing from your log?
Nice comparison between BA & BD, where BA clearly takes the lead. THe BOB product is a real bummer for BD as they seem to have their act together quite well.
Thanks for sharing your report!
Cheers,
Joost (D-ALCE)
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
- Despite my Silver tierage and thus general alliance to BA, I would have to agree.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 1): I used to fly BD quite often years ago, also did quite some flights in their C class, top class product. But nowadays, no,... I wouldn't choose them so soon again
- Yes, I had some great C class flights a few years back to CDG & BRU, a real shame the old Diamond product has gone.
Quoting B747forever (Reply 3): Seems you had a flawless BA flight, and also a great BD flight.
- Yes, both were good flights, no issues.
Quoting JFKMan (Reply 4): Very nice TR! A good comparison of BA and BD. I enjoyed it.
- Cool, thanks for the line
Quoting DALCE (Reply 5): You have covered more flights on the 320 than I have logged in total
- Ha, amazing!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 5): How many UK registrated 320 are still missing from your log?
- Too many!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 5): Nice comparison between BA & BD, where BA clearly takes the lead. THe BOB product is a real bummer for BD as they seem to have their act together quite well.
- I still think BD are missing a trick, they have the ability to create a real decent product, however don't seem interested in it, it's almost as if they are quite happy to take whatever is left when the other carriers are sold out.
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 11, posted (4 years 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 7345 times:
Hi Mark,
Nice comparison between BA and BD and some great pictures. Flying different airlines on the same route is probably the best way to compare their products.
Why not? - Would have been some nice morning exercise.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): breakfast service started just after passing over the Luton area, the usual hot breakfast.
The free hot breakfast that BA offers on domestic flights is really a great thing that sets them apart from any competitor. It looks good. I have never tried it as unfortunately they don't offer it on European international flights in Economy.
JER757 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2006, 350 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7177 times:
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 11): The free hot breakfast that BA offers on domestic flights is really a great thing that sets them apart from any competitor.
Yeah but they took out the hash-brown from it a year or two back. It was the best bit!!
Good TR anyway. Its a shame BD have the BOB product. As said above they do have the opportunity to grow a great business, but it just ain't happening. They also have some of the best looking aircraft around in my opinion!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 16, posted (4 years 2 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 6367 times:
Hi Mark,
Another interesting report! Thanks for sharing!
Now Wembley's added on the TR Stadium list from above.. Great to see what they're all like from above.
It seems like BD aren't too bad after reading a few other reports over the last few months of them. Food looks great on BA for such a short flight too.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6190 posts, RR: 79 Reply 17, posted (4 years 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 6153 times:
Hi Mark,
very nice report with many great pictures as usual.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): My only gripe is that the tea/coffee run is done after the meal so you either wait for the tea/coffee or you eat your meal and have the tea/coffee later.
The tray looks quite small and the presentation could be better IMO.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): Row 6 was also the first row of economy so we had the first pick of meals/snack for purchase, not having had lunch I ordered a sandwich and cup of tea, being a Blue Plus cardholder these were free, one of the limited benefits of this card.
At least there were sandwiches available. When I flew BD between LHR and DUB in March (0700 departure) they weren't able to sell anything which was simply ridiculous. Too bad I haven't found the time yet to write a report. But I'll definitely post it in a few weeks after my return from California.
Nice comparison between BA and BD and some great pictures. Flying different airlines on the same route is probably the best way to compare their products.
- Thanks Christoph, yes, quite correct, same route, same plane type, very different service.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 11): The free hot breakfast that BA offers on domestic flights is really a great thing that sets them apart from any competitor. It looks good. I have never tried it as unfortunately they don't offer it on European international flights in Economy.
- Brakfast is great, shame it's not served on the european flights, if they did, what on earth would be get in Club?
Quoting Elevate (Reply 13): Another well written report - well done!
- Thanks Sam
Quoting Elevate (Reply 13): Looks like great spotting opportunities from T5 when 09s are in use...
- Very true
Quoting Elevate (Reply 13): A bit disappointed you didn't take the stairs though...
- Ha, not with a bulging laptop bag & a full carryon!
very nice report with many great pictures as usual.
- Thanks PH
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 17): When I flew BD between LHR and DUB in March (0700 departure) they weren't able to sell anything which was simply ridiculous
- Given the flight time that is very poor, a great many people won't have had a chance to get any food before the flight, not good at all!
Pawsleykat From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 1978 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (4 years 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 5913 times:
Brilliant report Mark!
I love seeing trip reports to/from EDI as it's my home airport.
The inactive domestic jetbridges is doing my head in now. Because of the expansion of the departures area, it is impossible to see over the runway, and the International Pier (Gates 1-5) doesn't exactly offer a very good view of the threshold of Runway 06.
BA's service is surely second to none on the domestic routes. I would pick them over BD anyday.
JG
First Class passengers are my favourites. They can't get any further forward without an ATPL.
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 19): I love seeing trip reports to/from EDI as it's my home airport
- I've been flying in there every week for the last 2 months on BA & BD.
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 19): The inactive domestic jetbridges is doing my head in now. Because of the expansion of the departures area, it is impossible to see over the runway
- I know, was a great feature, can't wait until the rorks are complete.
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 19): BA's service is surely second to none on the domestic routes. I would pick them over BD anyday.
- Me too, though sometimes BD are much cheaper than BA so I don't feel I can justify the extra ££.
Pawsleykat From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 1978 posts, RR: 14 Reply 21, posted (4 years 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5754 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 20): I've been flying in there every week for the last 2 months on BA & BD.
Awesome, next time you're up (or whenever you're up) and you're free, we should go for coffee or something
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 20): I know, was a great feature, can't wait until the rorks are complete.
Same. It's so dark in there now, and the overhead lights are so dull at times
JG
First Class passengers are my favourites. They can't get any further forward without an ATPL.
Rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 22, posted (4 years 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 5661 times:
Hola Mark!
Thanks again for this TR.
It is really true that it does not mind whatever trip you take, short or long, you can always come out with an interesting one.
BA service as usual looks great, hot breakfast in such a short flight. That sound nice. In these flights IB only offers a snack which is really pitiful.
I enjoyed reading about EDI as I will probably fly there this summer for a summer course at the university.
I have been quite lazy in writing some of my reports for my last flights, which have been mainly European ones, to TXL and some domestic ones to MAD.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8263 posts, RR: 56 Reply 23, posted (4 years 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5649 times:
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 21): Awesome, next time you're up (or whenever you're up) and you're free, we should go for coffee or something
- I'll bear that in mind
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 21): Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 20):
I know, was a great feature, can't wait until the rorks are complete.
Same. It's so dark in there now, and the overhead lights are so dull at times
- True, not a particularly inviting area. On a side note, I hate that gate round the corner from the BMI lounge, all the passengers block the terminal concourse as it is a bit narrow.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 22): It is really true that it does not mind whatever trip you take, short or long, you can always come out with an interesting one
- Thanks, always interesting aspects or pictures of the trip.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 22): BA service as usual looks great, hot breakfast in such a short flight. That sound nice. In these flights IB only offers a snack which is really pitiful.
- I do remember decent food aboard IB's 727's many years ago...........
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 22): I enjoyed reading about EDI as I will probably fly there this summer for a summer course at the university.
- Well enjoy, lovely city, let me klnow when you travel, if I'm there for work, perhaps we can grab a coffee or beer.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 22): I have been quite lazy in writing some of my reports for my last flights, which have been mainly European ones, to TXL and some domestic ones to MAD.
- It's easy to get out of the habbit, not enough time and too much to do, I too have a backlog!
AIR MALTA From Malta, joined Sep 2001, 2364 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (4 years 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 5488 times:
Great trip report... and I am flying BA on BRU-LHR-EDI-LHR-BRU so i am quite looking forward to that. I have checked the equipment and it will be 319, 320 and 321...
Can anyone tell me what kind of catering is served for the 19:15 BRU-LHR, 21:00 LHR-EDI and 17:15 EDI-LHR and 20:35 BRU-LHR?
Pawsleykat From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 1978 posts, RR: 14 Reply 25, posted (4 years 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 5409 times:
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