Departure experience
I arrived at Stockholm Arlanda airport around 5.45 am, in good time for the 7.10 am departure. This was a bit earlier than I would have preferred but as this was a Saturday morning the airport buses run less frequently than on weekdays.
British Airways uses terminal 2 at Arlanda airport which is used by most OneWorld and Skyteam airlines operating at the airport. It is much smaller than the larger terminal 5, but although there are fewer facilities the terminal is extremely easy and convenient to use with short distances.
British Airways had four check-in desks open with one desk for premium travellers. I was travelling with only hand luggage and had already checked in online so I just passed a machine to print a boarding pass.
Even at terminal 2 there is a fast track line at security, which is a nice touch even though at some times during the day it is really not needed. This Saturday morning the security control was virtually empty so I passed in no time anyway.
There is just one lounge in terminal 2 called Menzies Aurora Lounge. It is located on the first floor with a rather odd location as you need to pass through a restaurant to get to the entrance. However once there it is actually a very pleasant place with many different seating areas, all with its own design.
Breakfast was offered in the buffet this morning with bread rolls, cheese, ham and vegetables as well as milk, yoghurt and cereals. Wine and beer are available already in the early morning, for those who fancy that at 6 am, however the hard liquor does not come out until 11 am.
The good news about the lounge is that it is located only a short walk from the passport control to the non-Schengen area, which is also located on the first floor. There are just two non-Schengen gates in the terminal with terminal parking positions, designed to cover the British Airways departures to London. Initially there were always two morning departures to London but a couple of months ago the route to London City Airport was terminated.
Priority boarding was offered at gate 86 for business class passengers as well as status passengers, which now apparently also includes British Airways Bronze/OneWorld Ruby passengers.
The flight
Stockholm Arlanda-London Heathrow
British Airways flight BA 771
Departure: 07.10
Arrival: 09.05
Business Class
Airbus A320
Seat 01F
First impression
I had prebooked 01F for the flight, a window seat on the first row. The flight turned out to be almost completely full, even in business class which stretched all the way until row 9. The only empty seat in business class turned out to be 01D, a bit surprising as it is usually a popular choice. However the good news was that it meant I got an empty seat row, as the only passenger in business class (and probably the entire aircraft).
Boarding started early and we managed to pushback a few minutes ahead of timetable, taxiing through a pitch-dark airport before taking off and setting course to London.
Seat and cabin
The aircraft had the new British Airways cabin design with the black and silver-coloured interior. I think it is rather stylish and they have also installed a rather nice mood lighting system with mostly blue colours, but there are also some drawbacks with the new cabin. The seats are much harder than the old ones and the seat pitch is tighter. Well at least there is reasonable legroom on the first row. Choosing a seat on the first row naturally meant having to place all hand luggage in the overhead bin during takeoff and landing.
In business class the middle seats are kept free and have a cocktail table installed for extra comfort. This means the 3-3 configuration becomes 2-2 in business class.
Food and drinks
Breakfast was served to London and on a British airline it naturally meant full English with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and mushrooms. Bread rolls, croissants, jam and marmalade were offered from the cart as well as coffee, tea and orange juice. On the tray there were also a smoothie (in a very uninspiring container) and a yoghurt with granola. All-in-all it was a hearty and filling breakfast, but of course breakfast means few surprises. Later on more bread, tea and coffee were offered.
As we approached UK airspace I decided to make full use of my business class ticket and ordered a bottle of champagne. In the past Pommery was served in Club Europe, now the inferior Heidsieck Monopole is served. The champagne bottle was promptly delivered with some nuts and later a refill was arranged.
The service
Standard service by the crew. They did their job in a polite and friendly way, but nothing out of the ordinary. No special recognition of me as a gold card holder with British Airways. This happens all too rarely nowadays.
Arrival experience
Despite the standard holding over north-eastern London we touched down at London Heathrow a few minutes ahead of timetable. The morning approach provided some beautiful views of the sunrise over the British coastline followed by a great view of central London during the final approach, including Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross Station and Buckingham Palace.
With an EU-passport I could use the automatic passport control, surprisingly with no line at 9 am. I was in the arrivals hall in record time.
Final impression
A standard flight with British Airways. Friendly crew, a hearty breakfast and slightly better legroom on row 1. But I missed some recognition and initiative from the cabin crew.
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