Round The World and other travels

Flight Log 1 : BD63

Edinburgh (EDI) - London Heathrow (LHR)

As usual, the aircraft was conveniently parked at EDI's Gate 4, just opposite the bmi lounge, and priority boarding was clearly announced for passengers on Flexible tickets and for Star Golds. On reaching the end of the ramp, it was immediately apparent that the A320 had the usual short-haul configuration, dashing any vague hopes of a random mid-haul treat. There was no sign of a cabin divider, this of course no longer being required on domestic flights. I quickly installed myself in 7F. Although Star Gold seat blocking was clearly visible during online check-in, in the event the flight was busy and there was a passenger in 7E. I noticed that even the Flexible Economy section was busy, although managing to keep to a 2+2 allocation.

Pushback occurred three minutes ahead of schedule and the leading cabin crew member included an intriguing addition to the usual announcement: "For those customers who had to change their plans at short notice today, welcome to bmi!" I wondered if the BA cabin crew strike, not scheduled to start until the following day, was already causing problems for the airline's passengers. It would certainly explain the near-full bmi flight. We taxied out to Runway 24 and took off towards the west some seven minutes before the hour. In the nearly dark, yet somehow remarkably clear conditions, I could see a long way up the river Forth.

Cabin service started with the distribution of complimentary sandwiches, snacks and beverages to those seated in the Flexible Economy section, following which refreshments and snack items were offered to the rest of us for purchase. I bought a gin and tonic for GBP4.50 and enjoyed it with a packet of crisps that I had brought on board. The cruise proceeded smoothly and, in the Manchester area, there was an announcement from the flight deck advising that we were at 34,000ft and that the ETA was 1958.

With lots of low cloud and haze in the London area, it was a disappointing night-time approach over the City and West End. We touched down on Runway 27L at eight minutes past the hour and somehow made it all the way round to Gate 78 in just four minutes. To most reasonable people, I think that would count as an on-time arrival.  

Date: Fri 19 Mar 2010
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Scheduled dep: 1840
Actual departure: 1837
Scheduled arrival: 2010
Actual arrival: 2012
Cabin: Economy
Seat: 7F

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