Hi everyone! Welcome to the second leg of the Winter 2019 travel series! After an amazing vacation touring around Europe, it was time for me to head back to New York flying on British Airways. I have to say, this trip was quite an extraordinary one, not only because I was at one of my favourites cities in the world, I finally got the chance to visit Paris along with Brussels. Even though I wanted to go to Amsterdam as well, it unfortunately didn't work out in the itinerary. However, I can definitely go there during the next trip to Europe! Anyways, without further ado, let's get to this report! ;)
Inbound flight can be found here!
Preflight
Anyways, it was a 20 minute drive to Heathrow Airport, and there was hardly any traffic while on the way. We made it at around 12:00 PM, which gave me just enough time to do everything such as checking in, going through security, and spending time at the lounge.
Terminal 5 Exterior
Time to check-in!
It did take some time to find the check-in counters for Club World since Terminal 5 was massive. So, I lost a bit of time trying to locate only to find it about 5 minutes later.
Check-in counters
The process was very smooth, with the total time of 5-10 minutes.
Heading towards security
Post-security
Airside
FIDS
Checking out the extensive duty-free area
I must say, LHR Terminal 5 is such a massive terminal that it was a bit difficult for me at first to navigate around.
Luckily, the signs came in handy and I was able to find a British Airways Galleries lounge in Concourse A
Heading to the lounge, which was a couple of escalator rides away
Lounge entrance
The Galleries lounge was another level up
British Airways logo
A model of a British Airways Airbus A380-800 at the entrance
Lounge entrance
This is one of the British Airways Galleries lounge at LHR Terminal 5, as there is another one at Concourse B (which I didn't know about that the time). To cut a long story short, I'd say that this lounge is quite decent. However in my opinion, I found it a bit too dark in some areas and not as glamorous as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Terminal 3
However, the upside towards this lounge would be the spacing, the organisation, and the food + beverages choices
More shots of the lounge
Boarding pass
Some of the beverage choices
I later found out that my flight to New York was going to be slightly delayed but didn't know why at the time. Hence, the new time of departure was 2:45 PM. So, I had plenty of time before I had to board the flight.
After spending less than an hour at the lounge, I finally headed towards Concourse B
It was a long trek going from one concourse to another
Taking the automated people mover to Concourse B
On the way to Concourse B
Finally making it to the gate area
Gate B43
Well, time to head back home!
Plane to JFK: G-ZZZA
Taking the escalator towards the aerobridge
Walking down the aerobridge
Another view of G-ZZZA
Well, time to board!
Some pre-flight information:
Date: 24 January 2019
Airline: British Airways
Flight Number: BA 115
Route: London (LHR) - New York (JFK)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Registration: G-ZZZA
Distance: 3445 miles
Scheduled Departure Time: 1:45 PM
Actual Departure Time: 2:44 PM
Scheduled Arrival Time: 5:05 PM
Actual Arrival Time: 5:43 PM
Flight Time: 8 hrs 20 mins
Departure Gate at LHR: B43
Arrival Gate at JFK: 7
Inflight
Club World Business Class cabin
My seat, 14K
Water bottle and amenity kit found as I got to my seat
Legroom, which was quite decent for a flight to the other end of the pond
View from my seat, with a view of British Airways Boeing 777-200ER, G-VIIL, which will depart shortly for SEA as BA49
The introduction of the inflight entertainment system
Cabin views
Welcome drink: Champagne
Menus were then handed out
Drink list
British Airways Boeing 747-400, G-CIVG, preparing to depart as BA273 to SAN
It took about half an hour for boarding to be completed and for the captain to make his welcome announcement, and apologising for the delay as the aircraft that was originally going to serve this sector, which was a Boeing 777-200ER, had some technical problems.
So, the reason for the delay was for BA to find a replacement aircraft which would fly this route to New York. So, this Boeing 777-200 (non -ER version) was available. I was a bit stunned by this, but it didn't really bother me as much as there was no significant difference between the two, besides having slightly different configurations.
Flight route
Controls, headphone jack, and USB port
Settling into my seat!
Views from pushback
British Airways Airbus A380-800, G-XLEI, which will depart as BA269 to LAX
Views during the taxi
Etihad Airways Airbus A380-800, A6-APE, preparing to depart back to AUH as EY20
Terminal 4
British Airways Airbus A380-800, G-XLEA, preparing to depart as BA209 to MIA
Swiss International Airlines Airbus A220-300, HB-JCD, preparing to depart for GVA as LX353
Terminal 2 and a lot of Star Alliance carriers
Taxiing to Runway 27L
We then took off an hour behind schedule at approximately 2:45 PM
High above the clouds!
A few minutes after departure
See you soon, London!
Hot towels were being offered
Before I knew it, the crew came around with drink orders. I got myself a glass of Los Cabos de Urbezo 2017 from Spain
After about 15 minutes, I decided to check out the entertainment system extensively and see how it compares to the Boeing 747-400
To cut a long story short, it definitely looked a bit dated compared to the former, but luckily it was a touch-screen and was easy to use.
Time to continue where I left off!
Now, it's time to enjoy the rest of this trans-Atlantic flight!
Views outside
Cabin views
Before the meal service started, I made a quick visit to the bathroom, which is quite standard on most aircraft
Once I got back to my seat, I came in just in time for the meal service!
The appetiser: Hoisin-glazed aubergine with daikon radish, carrot, and coriander. It was quite tasty!
Even though things were going smoothly on this flight, the only downside was that the service was quite slow, and it took almost half an hour before we got to the main course.
However, I was able to use this time to find something else to watch on the AVOD
Since I never got to finish Neighbors 2, I decided that this would be a good opportunity to watch it again!
As time passed by, the main course finally arrived. I ended up getting the miso-glazed Atlantic cod with wasabi mousseline and wok-fried vegetables. If I have to be honest, I'd say that it tasted a lot better than it looked.
For dessert, I decided to end it all of with some strawberry trifle with vanilla custard cream, which was amazing!!
Besides a few delays, the whole service didn't take too long, as the crew cleared out the tables within half an hour.
Once I was done, I decided to check up the progress of the flight
Above the Atlantic Ocean, with approximately 6 hours left
Cabin view with the lights slightly dimmed
After another half hour, I was getting a bit tired and wanted to get some rest before arriving in New York. So as always, I set the seat to the flat bed position and get all the contents from the bedding package. It wasn't that difficult to make the bed.
Within a few minutes, I was ready for bed with the seat fully flat and the duvet all nicely spread out!
I was able to get some sleep for 5 hours, and then woke up when the captain did his pre-arrival announcement saying that they are now starting the descent into New York and we had the usual 30 minutes until landing
Cabin preparing for landing
Filling out the US customs form
View of the sunset
Starting the descent
Over Long Island
Final shots before landing
Before I knew it, we landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 5:43 PM, more than 40 minutes behind the scheduled arrival time. However, the taxi to the terminal was quite quick
Flight information
Actual flight route
Docking at gate 7, with a side view of British Airways Boeing 747-400, G-CIVX, about to depart back to LHR as BA112
Post-flight
Disembarking/Arrival into JFK
Heading towards immigration, baggage claim, and customs
I breezed through immigration and customs, making it to the arrival hall within 10 minutes, despite this being an evening arrival.
Terminal 7 arrival hall
Terminal 7 Arrival exterior
I then called for an Uber, which took about 5 minutes. Afterwards, I met my driver and was on my way back home!
Hi Rbix, lovely report as always! Agree with you about the T5 Galleries lounge being dark in some areas. And you were at the South lounge which has the most light...the North lounge is mostly a mirror image on the north side of T5 but even darker.
Other than that a pretty decent flight with BA in Club World. Love these seats when travelling as a couple...not so much when travelling alone, and the 747 upper deck is a much better experience, of course.
I'm surprised you don't have Global Entry as much as you fly internationally! Flying into JFK without GE is usually a nightmare...lucky it went quick for you this flight!
Looking forward to upcoming series of reports!
Thanks for the comment, KévinDC!! Luckily where I was sitting at the lounge, it was quite bright and I even got good views from the tarmac. However, I really think the lighting is one of the things that BA lounges can really improve on.
Yeah, I definitely agree!! Hopefully, I'll try it out if I get the opportunity to try out the 747 upper deck as well as the A350-1000 like I've mentioned in the conclusion.
Generally, from what I've experienced, it's quite quick at immigration. But I might consider getting Global Entry in the future.
Thanks so much once again, and happy travels!! ;)