Hi, dear flight-report members and readers!
This FR continues the big series about my visits to the legendary London Heathrow airport in 2023. The 3 previous FRs - DUB-LHR on BA A20N plus LHR-TLV on BA A35K and also TLV-LHR on LY B789 - cover my visits to LHR in July and September 2023.
In mid-August 2023 I got to know that my job contract in Israel will not be prolonged and thus will expire in the late September 2023. Living in ultra-expensive Israel without a job is not a joy at all, thus I decided to leave the country and turn to a (formally) homeless person as my earnings were allowing this for some while.
As my girlfriend lives in Rome, I decided to join her (even though due to the absence of residence permit I couldn't spend in Schengen countries more than 90 days per every half-year), so FCO was my destination. As the last date of my apartment rent contract was 8 October 2023, the most obvious move was to buy Wizzair FCO-TLV direct flight on that date. But, thankfully, a few factors distracted me from this:
1) Wizzair prices are attractive only when you fly light, which is OK for short trips and vacations, but not OK when you're moving your life out of the country. This time I needed included luggage, and the amount of charges makes Wizz tickets much less attractive.
2) I had an unclosed geschtalt with LHR T5's complex, as on my way from Ireland my LHR-TLV flight was departing from T5B and I didn't have enough time to visit T5C.
3) I wanted to close the A35K theme, as in July on LHR-TLV flight I wasn't able to make enough decent photos of A35K interior as I was boarding late and disembarkment after the flight was quite rushed, and in September BA cancelled my TLV-LHR flight and rebooked me on LY B789 on this route.
Taking all these factors into account, I went to BA website and discovered that it was offering TLV-LHR-FCO flights with A35K on the first leg and long (8 hours) layover in T5 LHR (allowing more than enough time to visit all the T5's buildings) with 23 kg luggage included for quite a decent (from Israeli POV) price of 300 USD on 5 October 2023. The later dates were (thankfully!) significantly more expensive, so my fate was sailed and I put the trigger for October 5.
As my TLV-LHR flight was departing early in the morning, I arrived to T3 TLV in the late evening October 4 and spent the night in the terminal. As I had quite a number of flights from this terminal during 2023, I got kind of love it (even though its design is far from perfect). A lot of memories are connected with T3, and now I was leaving it for an indefinite time…
Nighttime Planespotting From T3 TLV
The limit of 150 photos per FR doesn't allow me to put some photos of T3 TLV here, but, as I'm going to publish some more FRs of flights from TLV taken in 2023, I will cover T3's theme in details in the next FRs.
Here I want to show photos of the planes I saw from T3 TLV during my last night in Israel.
An B734 of Tailwind (a small Turkish leisure carrier). TI has 3 1994-1997-built B734s. The photos of Turkish-registered aircraft in TLV is now the pure history, as all the flight between Turkiye and Israel came to an end on 7 October 2023, as the relations between the countries deteriorated completely (probably for decades). But the amount of these flights per day before October 7 was truly incredible!
Aegean A21N (SX-NAJ). I flew this aircraft from FCO to ATH in June 2023. A3's A21Ns have very comfortable and wide Collins seats, but the row pitch is decent only in the front part of the cabin (this is becoming the new norm for most European carriers, so I'd recommend to choose the front part of the cabin in the European narrowbodies, if possible).
OS A321 (OE-LBF) named "Wien".
LH A21N (D-AIEL) and the tail of TK A321 (TC-JSZ). On the backdrop one can see the arrival gallery of T3 with the huge panel, presenting the history of Israel from the ancient ages until 21 century.
B738 (OK-TVF) of Smartwings, which featured "Prague Loves You" livery in 2022-2025.
An AF A359. During 2023 I had 3 CDG-TLV flights on AF A359s and these were quite interesting experiences. Probably I will cover these flights in some future FRs. It's interesting that before 28 February 2026 AF served TLV with 4-class B77W with the new La Premiere first class (though, there were no KLM flights, so AFKL group was consolidating all its TLV-bound passengers in one flight on its largest widebody).
KL B77E (PH-BQI) in "KLM Asia" livery, similar to the one (PH-BQF) I flew on GYE-AMS in March 2020 shortly before the pandemic and then on AMS-TLV in September 2023 on return from Canada during my last vacation from Israel.
LY B739 (4X-EHE). LY has 8 2013-2016-built B739s in the fleet. To the right is the tail of BA A35K that took me to LHR.
The Aircraft
My flight from Tel Aviv to Heathrow was operated by 2020-built A35K G-XWBF. Some gates in T3 TLV doesn't allow decent angles of view, so this was the best possible view of the aircraft. All BA A35Ks have 3-class C56_W56_Y219 layout.
Boarding
Boarding was from E8 gate. My historic BP.
A fuselage view from the jetbridge.
The Premium Economy Cabin
A couple of view of the premium economy cabin, consisting of 56 Recaro PL3510 seats in 2-4-2 and located between the 2nd business cabin and the front economy cabin. These W seat are very far from being impressive, honestly speaking.
The Economy Cabin
The economy class consists of 219 seats in 3-3-3 layout, distributed between 2 cabins: the small front one between the premium economy cabin and 3L/R doors and the large rear one between 3L/R and 4L/R doors.
A view of the front small economy cabin.
Some detailed views of the large rear economy cabin. Please note that the very last row (59) has duo seatblock on the left side (the last photo in the gallery) and that 58B seat has a leather "slope" on the right armrest. It's interesting that in G-XWBI (on LHR-TLV flight) this "slope" was on the right armrest of my seat 58A. I don't know what was the reason for BA to put these "slopes" in row 58. I'd like also remind that the very last rows are located in the zone of the fuselage tapering which results in severely narrowed seatwidth: for example, seat 58A in G-XWBI has abysmal 16.2" seatwidth! If you have choice, I'd recommend to avoid the last rows of BA A35K economy!
The Economy Seat
My seat this time was 48K in the middle part of the rear economy cabin. The seat model is infamous uncomfortable Recaro CL3710 - sadly, BA as a long-time Recaro customer, installed these seats in almost all its widebody twinjets (A380s feature another Recaro economy seat model - CL3620 seats, which are slightly better designed; the most of BA B789s are still featuring the same CL3620s). The seat has adjustable headrest, fabric upholstery, coat hanger, Panasonic eX3 IFE with the standard (smallish) size of the screen and USB port, upper literature compartment, bi-fold tray table and soft lower seat pocket (containing only safety card, similar to the one on the already reviewed LHR-TLV flight).
Waiting on the seat were pillow, blanket and headphones in a charity envelope.
The seatwidth in this part of the cabin is much better than in the rear - 17.5", which is, though, non-insignificantly less than the maximum possible 18.0" width (for the comparison, ET, AY and WK A359s with Safran Z300 seats have 18.0" seatwidth). Thankfully, the seat near me remained empty, which significantly boosted the lateral space. The row pitch is decent and enough for the flight of this length (5 hours). Given that the flight duration is exactly at the treshold, after which my back starts to die in Recaro seats, this environment was more or less tolerable for this mid-haul flight.
The welcome screen of the IFE. Let's reming that BA A35Ks doesn't have cameras with external views, which is quite atypical for A350 operators.
The overhead panel is standard for A350, without airvents.
The Flight
The cabin moodlighting is turned to the departure mode.
As pushback begins, the safety video - very British and creative - is played. Note that the 2nd screenshot presents Dover cliffs - we'll see them further inflight.
Planespotting during pushback and taxi was especially interesting. I guess it quite fully represents how bustling was TLV in the eve of October 7…
PC A21N (TC-RBE). In late August 2023 I flew a similar A21N from VIE to SAW.
LY's first Dreamliner - 2017-built B789 4X-EDA. LY B789s have 3-class C32_W35_Y204 layout. In the previous FR I've reviewed a LY B789 on TLV-LHR flight.
2007-built LY B77E (4X-ECE) in the old livery. LY has 5 B77Es, all of them are RR-powered (so, LY is one of the last remaining operators of RR-B77Es; the largest operators of RR-B77Es are AA and BA). Earlier in 2023 LY B77Es got the new C28_W32_Y253 layout, losing spacious 3-3-3 economy layout. Though, thankfully, their new economy seat model is Safran Z300, which offsets the drawbacks of 3-4-3 and still makes B77Es the most comfortable LY widebodies, as all the LY Dreamliners have Recaro CL3710 seats (slightly improved compared to BA's ones) in economy.
ET B77L (ET-ANO). ET is one of the few remaining operators of this rare type (as of May 2026 ET has only 4 active frames, having sent 2 its B77L for freighter conversion). The rest B77L operators are EK (10 frames), QR (9 frames), AC (6 frames), PK (2 frames), T5 (2 frames) and IA (1 frame). In June 2024 I got to fly a similar ET B77L (ET-ANP, which is now being converted to freighter) from CPH to VIE. ET B77Ls have C28_Y287 layout with spacious and comfortable economy cabins with 3-3-3 layout and Weber 5751 seats (similar to the ones in the older KE B77Ws) and one can still fly them within EU - mostly between ARN and OSL, but sometimes between VIE and CPH also.
CX B77W (B-KPZ) in 3-class C40_W32_Y296 layout, arriving from HKG. Sadly, CX had long left the club of 3-3-3 B777 operators, fitting all its B77Ws with 3-4-3 Recaro CL3710 economy. Before October 7 CX served TLV 2 times/week, having upgauged these flights from A35Ks.
A general view of T3 TLV with 2 ATC towers.
A rare guest in pre-7.10 TLV - FI B752 (TF-FIK). FI launched KEF-TLV flight in summer 2023, but terminated them from October 7. Earlier in September 2023 I got to fly the larger FI B753 from KEF to CPH. Since then FI leased its B753s to Fly Khiva in Uzbekistan and started to phase out its B752 (being the Europe's last operator of the type). It's planned that FI will completely phase out its remaining B752 in late 2026. In 2025 I got to fly a B752 of the another operator - Sunday Airlines (subsidiary of SCAT) in Kazakhstan - on NQZ-ALA flight.
LY B738 (4X-EKM) in the special livery and Israir A320 (4X-ABG).
Pre-07.10 TLV had a very noticeable diversity of small carriers, shuttling Israelis to their beloved East European countries. On this photo one can see B738s of Bluebird Airways (Greece), A320 (OK-HEU) of Czech Airlines (de-facto Smartwings) with "100 years" sticker and A320 (9A-BTI) of Trade Air (Croatia).
LY maintenance hangar with A345 (VP-BMS) of Sands Aviation (US) nearby. Sadly, I missed to fly this legendary ultra-rare type when it was in passenger service in J2. Now just a handful of A345s remain only in governmental and private use…
A333 (G-VSXY) named "Beauty Queen", departing for LHR simultaneously with BA. VS has some very cool regs for its aircrafts. Since 07.10 VS flights between LHR and TLV went into history. VS plans to replace its A333s with the new A339s. These A333s have dated cabins with 1-1-1 herringbone business cabin and quite subpar Sicma Airgonomic seats in economy (the same as SU A333s have and the long-gone AF A380s had).
A320 (5B-DDK) of Tus Airways from Cyprus.
IAE-powered A320 (LZ-EAD) of Electra Airways (Bulgaria), which was flying for Arkia in 2023 and 2025.
The graveyard of retired LY widebodies - 2 B744s (4X-ELC and -ELD) and 2001-built B77E (4X-ECA).
Maneuvring over south Tel Aviv while climbing out of TLV. Who knows for how long I'm leaving Israel. Farewell or just goodbye?
Flying through the grey clouds over the dark Mediterranean sea.
The cabin moodlighting is turned to the cruise mode.
Inflight views of the small front and the large rear economy cabins.
The lavatories are tidy.
Some beautiful clouds over Cyprus.
Quite a way to go.
Skies not far from Turkey.
Meanwhile the breakfast service begins. English breakfast, for sure. Omelette with sausage, mushrooms and tomato, fruit salad, yoghurt, croissant, cupcake, butter, jam and Harrogate water. The cutlery is wooden. For the drinking I chose orange juice and coffee. Quite a good breakfast overall. As the cabin was not full, after a while I asked the crew for an additional meal and got a similar breakfast, which finally made me filled for the whole day. Needless to say that the crew were more nice than their colleagues on LHR-TLV flights in July 2023, but still a bit cold compared to the crew on BA B744 on LHR-MEX flight back in 2016.
Turkish coast near Kas - one of the nicest towns of Turkish riviera.
City of Izmir and its bay.
Cruising over Greek islands at FL380.
Pangaion ridge near Kavala.
This is, probably, Haliacmon river in northern Greece.
A reservoir in Balkan mountains in Albania.
Overflying beautiful Balkan ridges, partially covered by clouds.
Rome (my final destination) is so close, but it's me who flies very indirect routes. I have a big mission in LHR to complete for FR purposes!
Canyon of Zrmanja river in Croatia.
Paski Most.
Metajna.
An EasyJet A20N, flying on a lower FL towards Turkiye.
Heading towards Alps with more than half-distance already covered.
Tagliamento and Meduna rivers, flowing from the Dolomite Alps to the sea.
Beautiful Dolomites.
Further on the mountains are mostly covered by clouds.
Crew serve some snack, which is a nice addition to the breakfast.
Alps become visible again through the breaks in the clouds. A couple of nice views of Swiss Alps with mountain lakes.
Rhine river in its upper course near Ruggel. Back in May 2023 I was in Rhine a bit upstream near Vaduz.
Wattwil (Switzerland).
Let's dive a bit into IFE. A couple of screenshots of movies and audio content.
The plains of France through the breaks in the clouds. It was mostly overcast over France.
Having almost crossed the continental Europe.
Starting our descent from FL400 while crossing the English Channel.
Last sight of the French coast…
… and under the beautiful high clouds UK appears in sight.
The famous Dover cliffs viewed through telelens. What a sight!
Entering the UK airspace over Dungeness.
Having crossed the English Channel, we've already descended to FL200.
Thames estuary in sight.
LHR is famous for its frequent holding patterns due to very intensive air traffic. We had to make double orbit near the Greenwich meridian.
Orpington and Farnborough (not the Farnborough, where world-famous air show takes place evey 2 years).
Beautiful A35K's wing over English fog.
View of Thames estuary.
View of the Greater London from over Petts Wood.
From the left to the right: Greenwich and Isle of Dogs, The O2, LCY airport (the only London airport where I haven't been).
Beautiful A35K winglet over the suburbs of the Greater London.
The Isle of Dogs, Greenwich and The O2.
The 2nd orbit over Farnborough with Thames' lower course in sight.
Thames estuary up close through the telelens.
And now we start approaching LHR with stunning views of the London city centre.
The O2.
The Tower and its famous bridge, the downtown, The Shard, London Brigde station and St. Paul cathedral.
Westminster.
View of London from Westminster to St. Paul cathedral.
WWT London Wetland Centre and Hammersmith district.
Leg O Mutton and Chiswick.
West Middlesex University Hospital and neighbouring cemetery with chapel.
Isleworth and St. Mary church. On the backdrop is Osterley Park.
Hounslow and Hope church.
Landing at the southern runway 09R/27L of LHR.
BA B77W (G-STBI).
2 BA A380s (including G-XLEL - the last BA's whalejet), BA B788, BA GE-powered B77E, GF B789 and firefighting trainer MD-11.
The famous Concorde (G-BOAB, which celebrates 50 years on 18 May 2026) near BA MRO hangars and a BA A35K.
When one lands in LHR on 09R/27L and sees T2A and its satellite T2B, one can think that LHR is a large Star Alliance hub (until one sees T5A/B/C). Look at this diversity: AC B789 in the old and the new liveries, SQ A380, TG B77W, AC B77W, TK B77W, TP A20N, a lof of UA widebodies (mostly B763s including the one in Star Alliance livery and the ones in the old and in the new liveries), LH A21N, a LO narrowbody, SK A20N and SN A320! BTW, T2A and T2B are connected only by a tonnel walkway with no shuttle train (unlike T5A/B/C).
EK and QF A380s near T3. QF flies its whalejets from SYD to LHR via SIN.
QF A380, AY A359, VS A35K and DL A339 near T3 and an UA B763 taxiing by.
Decelerating with ATC tower and T3 with VS widebodies in sight.
AA B77W (N723AN) and the ATC tower.
AA B789 and BA A35K near T3.
VS A333 (G-VKSS) and CX B77W near T3.
BA A380 arriving to T5C.
BA B77W (G-STBJ) and the tail of QF B789, which flies to LHR nonstop from PER.
One more AA B77W (N724AN).
We made a full circle around T5C before arriving to its western side. This gave a possibility to continue exciting planespotting.
BA A380 (G-XLEK) near the northern end of T5C. Next to it one can see BA A35K (G-XWBI) which flew me LHR-TLV 2.5 months before.
T5B with 2 BA B77W (G-STBC and -STBH).
BA B78X (G-ZBLE) near the northern end of T5C.
View of T5A and of a BA A35K near T5B.
IB A359 (EC-OAY) near T5C.
BA A380 (G-XLEJ) near T5C.
One more BA A380 (G-XLEC) near T5C.
An iconic sight - BA widebody tails (including 2 A380s) plus IB tail near the eastern side of T5C.
The first BA B77W (G-STBA), arriving to T5C.
The southern end of T5C.
Air Belgium A339 (OO-ABG) near T5C. If I remember correctly, BA wet-leased this A339 from KF to cover some widebody capacity shortage in short-term, so it could be called "ABBA" (Air Belgium for British Airways). In 2024 KF due to financial difficulties phased out its 2 A339s (OO-ABF has joined AH fleet since, OO-ABG is about to join AH fleet) and turned into a cargo airline, operating 2 B748Fs.
Parking near BA B77W (G-STBO).
The Economy Cabin After The Flight
Views of the large rear economy cabin (first 3 photos) and of the small front economy cabin (the last photo) upon disembarkment.
The Premium Economy Cabin After The Flight
Couple of views of the premium economy cabin (World Traveller Plus), consisting of 56 Recaro PL3510 seats in 2-4-2 layout, upon disembarkment.
The Business Cabin After The Flight
A view of one of the Club Suites (based on Collins Elevation seat) in the 2nd smaller business cabin (which has 12 Suites in 1-2-1 layout) with the closed seat compartments.
The crew thankfully permitted me to visit the front large business cabin (which has 44 suites in 1-2-1 layout) and have a closer look on the Club Suites. Here you can see ones with the open compartments.
With this flight I closed for myself the A35K theme, and then my mission was to explore T5's complex during my long 8-hours layover.
Thank you for your attention and welcome to the next FR: LHR-FCO on BA A320.
