Round The World and other travel

Flight Log 2 : BA6864

London Gatwick (LGW) - Porto (OPO)

As I settled into Seat 1A, I noted that the aircraft appeared to be very new and that presentation of the cabin was excellent. I was sitting scanning through GB Airways' Medlife magazine, minding my own business, when something rather startling happened. I heard a young female remark as she passed through the cabin divider : "Look at him, sitting there in First Class!" [sic] "Yes, I know," replied her male companion, "I think it's disgusting!" Well, pardon me for breathing Clearly my days will be strictly numbered, come the revolution I resisted the temptation to dwell on uncharitable thoughts and got on with the serious business of enjoying the Club Europe experience. A further two people had now joined me, in 2A and 2C, so I no longer felt quite so exposed

We pushed back six minutes adrift from the schedule at 1356. As we began to taxi out towards the runway, I noticed that everything had been switched round since the morning and we would now be taking off towards the west. For the first time I can remember at Gatwick, there was no need to observe the holding point and we rolled straight onto the runway to commence our take-off run. We were airborne at 1408. Shortly after take-off, there was a hot towels service and orders for drinks were taken. I had a glass of water and some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, accompanied by some pretzel nuggets.

True to the promise in Highlife, an attractive printed menu card was presented, showing that the offerings were to be as follows :-


	Your choice of
	Lamb fillet Mach Bous
	or
	Layered aubergine and tomato torte
	with
	Tabbouleh salad & caper berries on a bed of baby spinach leaves

	Vanilla pannacotta

	Gold & Black Cheddar with Yorkshire Blue

	A selection of warm breads

The meal was superb. I had chosen the lamb and both the meat itself and the accompaniments were absolutely mouth-watering. I also particularly enjoyed the Yorkshire Blue cheese. Quite simply and without exaggeration, it was the best food that I had ever eaten on a short-haul flight I wondered whether this was the revised Club Europe product at work, or if it was perhaps the GB Airways factor. This month's travelling certainly looked as though it would be full of interest!

I must also commend the Portuguese crew, led by Purser Jose. They were hard-working, polite and professional throughout, with no gossiping in the galley! All announcements were made in both English and Portuguese. My ears had pricked up back at Gatwick on hearing the announcement that Euro Traveller passengers must use the toilets at the rear. It seemed to work : no intrusions at all during the flight!

We had a further distribution of hot towels following the meal, which was very welcome. The initial approach into OPO was very rough indeed, as we passed through some angry, mountainous cloud formations. Touchdown was at 1555 and the deceleration was absolutely fierce, using strong reverse thrust and heavy braking. I assumed that the runway was very short. We parked at our remote stand at 1601 and transferred to the terminal by bus.

Date: Fri 03 Sep 2004
Aircraft : Airbus A320
Scheduled dep : 1350
Actual departure : 1356
Scheduled arrival : 1605
Actual arrival : 1601
Cabin : Club Europe (Business Class)
Seat : 1A

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Round The World and other travels

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Flight Log 2 : BA6864