British Airways | Boeing 767 | ARN-LHR | Club Europe
This Trip
British Airways | Airbus A321 | LHR-CDG | Club Europe
Hilton, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Air France | Airbus A320 | CDG-ARN | Economy
Radisson Blu Waterfront, Stockholm
British Airways | Boeing 767 | ARN-LHR | Club Europe
Airline: British Airways
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Route: Stockholm Arlanda – London Heathrow
Flight number: BA781
Seat number: 6A
Cabin: Club Europe
Flight date: May 2016
Check In / Security
As I had arrived at Arlanda over two hours before departure, the check in area was a little quiet.
Security seemed a little busy, however as there was a fast track I was able to be processed within a minute or two.
Lounge
The Menzies Aurora lounge in Terminal 2 has always struck me as a bit of an odd one. You have to pass through a bar/restaurant in order to access it. Despite it being reasonably well signposted, you’d be forgiven for missing it.
Once inside, the familiar garden theme remained, however the rear section of the long looked a little different to what I remembered. Also of note was that the wifi offered some very good speeds.
The food options remained somewhat basic though.
Boarding / Onboard
Boarding was a disaster. I had found out from the BA app earlier in the afternoon that the flight was delayed by 45 minutes. No mention of this was made at the airport however, and deciding to play it safe, I left the lounge in accordance with the times being shown on the information displays in the terminal. Only to be left sat in the gate area for a good 45 minutes or so. When boarding did begin, not only was it done to the older standard – Club Europe, Gold, Silver, Bronze etc. it wasn’t enforced in the slightest. I even had an Executive Club Blue member traveling in Euro Traveller barge past me in the process (I caught a glimpse of the blue mobile boarding pass with a seat in the 20’s as she came past me).
As the standard configuration of the 767 is 2x3x2, only the very middle seat is blocked off on this convertible European configured plane. As such, if you choose a window seat, you run the risk of having somebody sat right next to you. Luckily, nine times out of ten on BA Club flights on the 767, the seat next to me stays free, and this occasion was no exception. British Airways only refurbished their 767 fleet four or five years ago, therefore they retained the previous generation of seating – and are a little bigger than what is found on the Airbus fleet, plus have the increased legroom too.
Service
The service got under way whilst still on stand, with the hot towels being distributed. Although you’d be hard pushed to call them towels. I have read recently that they are due to be replaced with something a little more substantial in the coming weeks, but from what I understand it is only due to be in the airlines First class cabins. No idea whether this will stretch to Club Europe.
Once underway, the bar service started around fifteen minutes after departure. Doubles were handed out without prompting. And the drinks were very freely flowing…
Arrival
Due to some decent schedule padding, despite the late start we made it on to stand more or less on schedule at T5A.
Conclusions
Despite the slightly questionable procedures from the ground staff in Stockholm (this wasn’t a one off – its been the same every time I have flown out of here on BA) the flight itself was great. The European crew were enthusiastic, well polished, friendly and professional. The older generation seating on the 767 was a welcome change to the much criticised Airbus seating (and crucially for business travellers, you’re still able to comfortably use a laptop) and having a quieter cabin always makes things more comfortable.
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