Holiday to Indian Wells in Mar 2025: Day 8 – Los Angeles LAX to London Heathrow LHR

By Nige on March 12, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Type: Post
Story: Holiday to Indian Wells in Mar 2025 Category: Travel
Tags: Hertz | Hilton | Holidays | LAX | LHR | London Heathrow | Los Angeles

A short shuttle bus to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and we were soon heading through TSA Pre-Check.

Once through, we headed straight into the Qantas First Lounge and found some relaxing recliner seats.

I did the first half of a Full Airport Terminal and Gate Walk. The first change I noticed was that passengers could now access Terminals 1, 2, and 3 from TBIT.

I was well knackered by the time I got back to the Qantas Lounge. After a rest, I continued with the second half of my Full Airport Terminal and Gate Walk.

I discovered more changes in Terminal 4, which was being fundamental reorganised.

The security check exit had been bordered up; the main T4 concourse had been closed not far after the AA Flagship Lounge.

A new access way and tunnel had been opened to join up the two ends of T4, which used to be the exit from T4 many years ago. This then connected to the existing tunnels linking T4 to T5 and T6/T7,

T5 looked the same, but there were changes in T6, where the main concourse had been widened on the way to T7.

Back to the Qantas Lounge to report back to Vick on the exciting changes.

Not long after, we grabbed a table in the dining area, and I enjoyed a minute steak with fries and parmesan salad.

Vick had to wait a fair bit longer for her chicken, but her report was very positive.

We headed to Gate 134 about an hour ahead of scheduled departure time. Group 0 was called, but the three of us all failed to get through the face recognition gate – our passports needed to be checked.

On into seats 01K and 02K. A glass of champagne, nuts, hot towels, and menu were all offered in a timely fashion.

The Cabin Services Director even congratulated me on my 20th anniversary of being a member of BAEC. That’s ironic considering how BA is screwing all of its ex-loyal leisure travellers.

We pushed back a few mins early and 25 mins later we were up in the sky.

Vick had her bed made up as soon as she could. She was off with the fairies.

I decided to indulge in the cheesecake pudding, which was tremendous. Well worth the wait.

I waited 20 mins before brushing my teeth and getting my head down as well.

We both slept really well for a change. The flight time was around 9.5 hours, and I slept for at least 7 hours; Vick must have enjoyed not far off 8 hours.

We both enjoyed a spot of breakfast, which is an acceptable meal on a BA long-haul flight. If we had more time at Heathrow, we would normally aim to eat in the CCR.

I only had just over 2 hours spare before my flight to Madrid, so that wasn’t a comfortable option.

We arrived on Stand 531. I managed to muscle us through to a decent offboarding position.

It was a long walk up the airbridge and then along to the central area of T5B where the escalators were located.

Passport kiosks were fairly busy, but it was everyone for themselves to get access to a working kiosk.

Once through, we met Jo in arrivals. Jo was taking Vick home, leaving me to do the Madrid B2B.

Holiday to Indian Wells in Mar 2025