Big UK spotting trip report + BA strike

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 27 Aug 2003, 10:38

Hello All,

First an introduction to this long trip report.

Around November 2002, me, Ivan (Apuneger) and Tom (Turbotrent), decided to go spotting abroad.

Since I visited LHR in September together with Tom, and Ivan and Tom also visited LHR in October, LHR had to be part of the trip (which airport has the traffic that LHR has?).

After some weeks of browsing through fares, schedules, looking for hotels, spotting information, etc etc, our flights were ready for booking.

This is the full itinerary (like it was planned, local times apply):

1) 12/07: BRU-LHR: BA389: 7u40-8u: B767-336ER
2) 14/07: LHR-EDI: BA1448: 15u-16u15: B757-236
3) 14/07: EDI-MAN: BA1868: 19u15-20u20: DHC8-300
4) 15/07: MAN-EDI: BA1867: 19u20-20u30: DHC8-300
5) 16/07: EDI-DUB: FR813: 8u15-9u15: B737-200
6) 16/07: DUB-SNN: EI119: 13u30-14u15: A330-202
7) 17/07: SNN-DUB: EI118: 8u30-9u15: A330-202
8) 17/07: DUB-EDI: FR816: 15u-16u: B737-200
9) 17/07: EDI-LHR: BA1463: 19u15-20u30: B757-236
10) 18/07: LHR-BRU: BA404: 19u35-21u45: B767-336ER

We decided to divide the trip report in 2 parts: Ivan wrote 3 parts, I wrote the rest (7).

I hope you like the very long trip report, any comments/suggestions/questions are of course very welcome!

To make the reading a bit more fascinating, I implemented some pictures.

Here is the link to the full report:
http://www.airliners.net/discussions/tr ... ain/35637/

Best regards,
Tom, Ivan and Frederic

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 27 Aug 2003, 10:56

That is quite some report!! The photos made it interesting, and it was good to see the picture of the inside of the 757, I've only heard how nice they are inside, I've never experienced one!

I have to disagree about the BA World Tails, I think they are thoroughly horrid, each and every one of them!!

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 27 Aug 2003, 11:24

Very nice trip report guys, well done

Ciao
Chris
8)

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 27 Aug 2003, 12:00

You have to fight with the security guard!!

Greetingzz
Sonny

744rules · Post by **744rules** » 27 Aug 2003, 12:45

Nice report. Looks you are an expert on sandwiches now.

8)

Post by **sn26567** » 27 Aug 2003, 12:54

Excellent report, guys. Fascinating reading material, especially the BA strike.

I have already stayed at the Bewley hotel (ex-Holiday Inn Garden Court) at MAN airport. Excellent value for money and very convenient location at a walking distance from the terminals 1 and 3.

Did you book your trip through Internet or through a travel agency?

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 27 Aug 2003, 13:05

Thanks guys!

André: booking domestic BA flights via the internet is impossible. I did not use a travel agency, a good friend who frequently reads this forum helped me - thanks again for that

The EI + FR flights, and the hotels were booked via the internet.

Regards
Frederic

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 27 Aug 2003, 13:08

Comet: there was only one problem with the B757 on the backflight to LHR. I was seated in the A seat, nobody in the middle and a lady in the C seat. When I lifted up, her seat went down. When she lifted up, my seat went down. I don't think the seats were very well fitted.

Anyway, I heard a lot of bad comments already about the seating comfort of the BA B752, but I found it comfortable. Enough legroom for the short hop.

Regards
Frederic

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 27 Aug 2003, 13:21

If i read the story i say: RYANAIR SUCKS with their service, and the last British Airways flight on the A319, the crew whas again "very friendly" to.

Greetingzz
Sonny

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 27 Aug 2003, 13:39

PS: message for André: the '2003' is corrected

Regards
Frederic

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 27 Aug 2003, 14:20

sn26567 wrote:

I have already stayed at the Bewley hotel (ex-Holiday Inn Garden Court) at MAN airport. Excellent value for money and very convenient location at a walking distance from the terminals 1 and 3.

The best hotel for the terminal at Manchester is the Radisson, virtually part of the terminal with superb views across the apron. Trust me on that, as I waited to board my EI flight back in June, the window of the departure gate looked across to the hotel.

That is THE hotel to stay at in MAN for spotters and enthusiasts.

Post by **sn26567** » 27 Aug 2003, 15:56

Comet wrote:The best hotel for the terminal at Manchester is the Radisson

I fully agree. In addition the Radisson has a direct entrance from the terminals. But at £185 a night compared to the Bewley's £59, my decision is quickly made (and also that of my boss who pays for it, and he is a Scot

)

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 27 Aug 2003, 16:10

Sorry - I'm used to looking in travel brochures, which offer cheaper rates at that hotel.

I hope to stay in it one day, and get an airport view.

Also for Manchester itself, the Jarvis Piccadilly is very good, I was there in June this year so I can vouch for it.

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 27 Aug 2003, 17:22

Eww, your boss really is a Scot, André?

Regards
Frederic

Post by **sn26567** » 27 Aug 2003, 18:28

Sabena_690 wrote:Eww, your boss really is a Scot, André?

Yes

and even the Dutch cannot beat him for, well, you know what

airDD · Post by **airDD** » 27 Aug 2003, 19:22

Very nice report!

I especially liked your story about the fat ugly woman and using your binoculars for viewing the TV-screen

BA is my favorite airline, interesting to read they fly a 767 from BRU now.

airDD

Post by **sn26567** » 28 Aug 2003, 09:13

airDD wrote:BA is my favorite airline, interesting to read they fly a 767 from BRU now.

Already since years. And in codeshare with SN. From LHR to BRU in the rush evening hour and back to LHR in the morning rush hour. With a high LF!

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 28 Aug 2003, 09:47

Thanks airDD!

PS: as mentioned in the trip report: this flight was completely booked out. Only a few free seats because some passengers did not show up.

Regards
Frederic

nwa757 · Post by **nwa757** » 28 Aug 2003, 16:30

Wow nice trip report! I wish i could do a trip like this one. Believe it or not I've only been on two airlines, Northwest and Midwest Express and I've never been outside of North America.

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 28 Aug 2003, 16:32

nwa757 wrote:Wow nice trip report! I wish i could do a trip like this one. Believe it or not I've only been on two airlines, Northwest and Midwest Express and I've never been outside of North America.

I believe it!!!