It’s time for another snapshot, this time focusing on the passenger experience aboard British Airways 967 on their Airbus A320 between Hamburg and London Heathrow in Club Europe (European Business Class).
In case you’ve forgotten how we do travel write-ups on Economy Class and Beyond, I have two major travel writing styles:
- Trip Reports – These are full deep-dive reports taking you into the experience, the small things… as well as the big things!
- Snapshots – These are bite-sized reviews that show you the basic product in some nice gentle headlines (and normally, only images shot on the phone)
Today, we’re on the Snapshot. The full in-depth review is coming once I get more than 10 minutes to put my fingers to the keyboard and eject my thoughts in the form of typed words.
Getting to the airport
Whilst I could have toughed it out with the U and S Bahn at peak time, I decided to spend €34 on a Freenow taxi from the Hambureg Messenhallen to the airport.
There comes a point during any trip that dealing with a public transport option becomes harder to consider depending on how tired you are.
Check-in
Check-in was at Terminal 2 of Hamburg Airport (or the furthermost wing from where the taxi dropped me off.
There was a very large queue – mainly full of visitors, press and exhibitors from the trade show I was at. I was able to utilise the Club Europe queue – which had some delays as someone was trying to get a standby ticket home.
My bag was accepted for travel, and I was given a boarding pass with a baggage tag.
Security
I was able to utilise the fast-track security option at Hamburg Airport.
Unlike its normal self, this was actually fast-track, with the security process completed in around five minutes. One bag was pulled aside from a chemicals inspection but was released without it being ripped apart.
Lounge
British Airways utilises the mixed-use Hamburg Airport lounge provided by the airport.
With it sunny in the real world, the blinds were down preventing a view of the apron, but on the plus side, it was cool.
Catering was the usual option provided, however, the magic soup machine was out of order.
Gate
With the inbound aircraft around an hour late, I took my time getting to the gate… once the aircraft actually landed.
The aircraft would be going from the C Gates – this makes a change from the usual A gates that are used to handle British Airways.
The Schengen departure procedures were carried out at a checkpoint before the gate.
Boarding
Boarding was controlled by groups, with no allowances made for passengers who needed extra assistance. As usual, there was a wait in the area beyond the boarding pass check area and the jetbridge.
The aircraft
It’s a British Airways Airbus A320ceo. This is an equipment change from the expected A320neo.
Seating
This British Airways A320 featured the Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seat. In its Business Class configuration, the middle seat is blocked, and filled with a cocktail table (unlike the A320neo, where this is excluded).
Inflight Entertainment/Connectivity
There were no video screens active on this flight. In addition, the Inflight Connectivity Service was offline – whilst the access point was visible, it could not resolve the gateway to connect to the onboard Access server.
Catering
A single-tray offering was made, with either an aubergine salad or a beef salad. I went for the beef salad.
British Airway’s love of the number three is still in full view here.
A Gin and Slimline tonic, along with some water was also offered and taken.
Landing
The aircraft landed around 10 minutes late from its booked time at Heathrow, arriving at the C Gates.
Arrival and Immigration
From the C Gates, it was a matter of taking the transit system from T5C to T5A.
Immigration was handled using a manual checkpoint.
Luggage Delivery
Luggage delivery continues to be a pain point at Heathrow, with the luggage arriving after an hour after the aircraft landed.
With the luggage collected, I was able to continue my journey and catch the late-night coach to Birmingham.
The full review of BA967 is coming soon.
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