OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24889 posts, RR: 60 Posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 13508 times:
So Olympic Airlines are closing down in their current form and a private company called ''Olympic Air'' is replacing it. New fleet which will be the most modern in European skies and a new product. A new era in Greek aviation. On the down side it means that huge changes and only a few of the current staff and offices are being maintained. Alitalia is taking over all LHR handling and ticketing and all European reservations will be routed to Athens in a new call center.
One of the casualties is LHR and London town office. So it was to be my last trip to Olympic Airlines London to the office I once worked at and to say goodbye to my old collegues who have known me since I was 16 !
BMI have an offer on at the moment for Business Class fares and as a Gold card holder I also get 1,000 bonus per sector for status miles under another promotion. So BMI was the choice.
I checked in at the SSK and then made my way to the lounge.
I was greeted by a friendly lounge attendant who was in her new uniform as Servisair have taken over from Aviance.
Same day return BP
Soon it was time to go to the gate.
The arrival of my A/C.
There was a delay in boarding but finally it started.
Soon time to push back.
Soon after take off inflight service began.
Tasted good but presentation could be better. Also some hot pastries rather than boring bread could be offered.
Soon it was time to land passing over LCY
Tower Bridge
Battersea power station
Battersea Park
Twickenham rugby ground
So time to disembark and get the Tube to Piccadilly Circus.
The Old British Airways offices. To think they used to own all of this row !!
Egypt Air
Olympic
It was great to see everyone again and at 5pm it was time to head back to Heathrow. Was weird to think I would never see this office again but so many good memories.
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 2, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 13102 times:
Hey, Phil,
to bad to know the reason for that trip. OA in the well known form going down and comes up again as a new company. Checked the schedules lately if its possible to do a trip in November on the new OA, we will see.
Nevertheless great report, well done and real informative pix and BD sounds far better this time than some earlier reports.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24889 posts, RR: 60 Reply 3, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 12473 times:
Quoting Flyboy_se (Reply 1): I hope Olympic Air will be as good.
I hope so too. I have only had contact with their reservations department once but the call center agent was very helpful and knew what she was talking about . So my first impression is good.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 2): Checked the schedules lately if its possible to do a trip in November on the new OA, we will see.
Yes it will be good to get on their new A/C and some good offers are on also. Shame no connection to Germany though.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
EC001 From France, joined Jan 2009, 92 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 12198 times:
Hi there OA260,
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this TR. The pictures were great. I loved the close ups of the US Airways bird: do you know why it had two right doors open??
Nonetheless, It must've been an emotional trip. Seemed to have been. It was nice to have documented your last trip to Olympic's London office. I wish the best to Olympic Air!
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24889 posts, RR: 60 Reply 5, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 12012 times:
Quoting EC001 (Reply 4): I loved the close ups of the US Airways bird: do you know why it had two right doors open??
Hi thanks , glad you enjoyed it. I have no idea about the US Airways B757. I just thought it would make a nice pic as I had not seen them open like that before. Maybe someone else knows.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Cambrian From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 617 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 11624 times:
Great trip report!
bmi C class food is lamentable. Those rather contrived boxes just don't work, and they should revert to a more traditional, plated offer- it would probably not add in terms of cost.
Shame that the OA London office is closing. I live 5 minutes' walk from it! You should have told me that you were in town. I always liked passing the office, and seeing the A300 model in the window. They used to have it at the most crazy angles, that would probably deter nervous fliers!
I can't say that I always experienced good service there: try booking a ticket from London to Kasos, and you get met with blank looks, but I can understand your nostalgia at the closing of this office. Conduit Street has a few other airline offices, as you mentioned. Do you remember the old Star Alliance office, that opened about 10 years' ago? I think that it was replaced by Qatar Airways?
Akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2331 posts, RR: 53 Reply 7, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 11095 times:
Hi Philip,
This kind of trip is just emotional. You certainly did a great job by immortalizing the office and your former colleagues. Have they found another job?
Apart of it, great trip report with nice pictures. Thank you for sharing it with us.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24889 posts, RR: 60 Reply 8, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 10877 times:
Quoting Cambrian (Reply 6): Those rather contrived boxes just don't work
No a bit Lidl if you ask me lol...
Quoting Cambrian (Reply 6): and seeing the A300 model in the window. They used to have it at the most crazy angles, that would probably deter nervous fliers!
Haha I actually repositioned it for the photo. When I arrived it looked like it was going to Mars!! It was quite heavy and I tilted it to a normal position. Funny you noticed it also.
Quoting Cambrian (Reply 6): I think that it was replaced by Qatar Airways?
Rumor is that QR want to buy that building off OA and set up a call center there. Not sure if its true.
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 7): Apart of it, great trip report with nice pictures. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hi Akhmad, thanks Im glad you enjoyed it. The staff dont have new jobs yet but Im sure they will all do something different after. I dont think they will go into airlines again. Alot are not far off retirement age also.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4652 posts, RR: 27 Reply 9, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 10763 times:
*sniff*... Another one bites the dust.
I could not help but feel a little sad that an ENTIRE chapter of Greek aviation has come to a close. Somehow it is for the better I think and hopefully the new Olypmpic Air will somehow bring back glory to the airline scene and restore a bit of pride. It has been a rocky road to get here but the journey ahead seems smoother in comparison.
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
JFKMAN From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 10247 times:
Well done! It's a great TR. I simply love all the pictures of US Airways! Thanks.
Also, I flew BMI from LHR to DUB last May in economy. I don't think business seems worth it, if your paying regular price for it that is.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 5): Hi thanks , glad you enjoyed it. I have no idea about the US Airways B757. I just thought it would make a nice pic as I had not seen them open like that before. Maybe someone else knows.
I have seem this before as well. I would guess its a way of keeping the plane cool while its being service.
Hey! I'm Tommy from JFK, New York. (US AIRWAYS RULES)
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 12, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 10023 times:
Hi Philip!
BD offers reasonable service for the short route me thinks, but agree about the food presentation. Am I right and is the legroom on the A319 less then on the A320? Still I think BD has one of the best coloured cabins in the European network. Always had pleasant rides on them so far.
Sorry for your ex collegues to hear about their situation. I guess they've to look for a new position now? And how about that nice A300 model, did you take it home (they can't use it anymore, so why not)
btw, food offerings in the LHR lounge is really great! Makes a difference from the usual European lounge food!
Regards,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1240 posts, RR: 34 Reply 14, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 9656 times:
This must have a been a very special yet emotional trip for you. How nice that you took the time to visit your old colleagues in London. I can already see the Olympic Airlines / Olympic Air confusion starting, just like Swissair / Swiss!
Were you able to have a final trip on Olympic (maybe I missed a TR somewhere)? When was the last time you flew with them?
Those meals onboard did not look attractive. The plastic dishes just look so wrong in C-Class!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8259 posts, RR: 56 Reply 15, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 9545 times:
Hi Philip,
Good report, shame about the reason for travel but good of you to go and visit your friends.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Tasted good but presentation could be better. Also some hot pastries rather than boring bread could be offered.
- Yep!
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): The Old British Airways offices. To think they used to own all of this row !!
- I remember those days, quite amazing how things change!
The Star Alliance lounge looks pretty decent, food selections seem on a par with BA's Gallaries lounges.
The BMI lounge is rubbish, just snacks and drinks, really poor, have been in it a few times, never gets better!
The whole on board BMI business product is a bit lame, but on this route they have no competition, so..........
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