Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Spring Fever 2008
Flight Log 3 : BA753
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) - London Heathrow (LHR)
As I approached the gate with just over half an hour to spare, I was surprised to see that boarding looked as though it was well underway. The aircraft was laid out for six rows of Club Europe and indeed all were in use, although the passengers were fairly well spread out. Boarding was complete by noon and hot towels were handed out in Club at around this time. The Captain announced that we were all set for an early departure and we were pushed back five minutes up on the schedule at 1210. The taxi to Runway 16 was an easy one at this relatively quiet airport and there was no need to hold. We were airborne and on our way by 1220, making a sharp right turn to head in a north-westerly direction. We climbed through some very lumpy looking cloud to our cruising altitude of 38,000ft.
The meal was based on a smallish, but tasty, chicken salad with the usual warm bread rolls and a light dessert. It seemed entirely appropriate, in view of my recent visit to the premises in Reims, that I was drinking the Pommery Champagne. I did have a slight wait as the cabin crew member felt it wasn't sufficiently chilled, but it was worth it. I had a cup of coffee followed by seconds of the Pommery in due course.
As we crossed the Channel, the Captain said that no ATC delays were expected into Heathrow. Nevertheless, we did one circuit in a holding pattern near Bromley before heading west and then performing a 180 degree turn to the right, making our approach to 09L over Windsor Castle. We touched down at 1242 and were on-stand at the southern end of Terminal 5 just six minutes later.
Date: Wed 16 Apr 2008
Aircraft : Airbus A319
Scheduled dep : 1215
Actual departure : 1210
Scheduled arrival : 1300
Actual arrival : 1248
Cabin : Club Europe (Business)
Seat : 1A
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