Holiday USA SW Road Trip in Apr 2022: Day 1 – London LHR to Dublin DUB

On the way to Dublin with a fab view of Heathrow
On the way to Dublin with a fab view of Heathrow

The First Wing (TFW) security was empty, so it was easy to get through into the First Lounge.  It was fairly busy but when we walked through to the CCR, it was fairly relaxed – not too many passengers around.

We immediately walked out to Starbucks and chose the wrong queue.  Our queue (the south side) only had one till open with two women gassing as they attempted to prepare coffees, leaving the guy managing the only till that was open to go and get all the other foods.  The other queue (the north side) had three tills open at one point.

Vick and I enjoying our Starbucks in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Vick and I enjoying our Starbucks in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Vick and I enjoying our Starbucks in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Vick and I enjoying our Starbucks in the CCR at Heathrow T5

After getting back to the CCR, we chilled out for 30 mins enjoying our coffees, but we were both pretty hungry by 1pm, so we grabbed a table on the terrace and ordered lunch.

Vicks starter in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Vicks starter in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Vicks starter in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Vicks starter in the CCR at Heathrow T5
My starter salad in the CCR
My starter salad in the CCR
My starter salad in the CCR
My starter salad in the CCR

We started off with a salad: a Waldorf for me and an orange salad for Vick.  For main, we both went for burgers.  Very nice overall.  The burger is well criticised on forums, but we thoroughly enjoyed the two that were presented for consumption today!

The BA Burger enjoyed in the CCR at Heathrow T5
The BA Burger enjoyed in the CCR at Heathrow T5
The BA Burger enjoyed in the CCR at Heathrow T5
The BA Burger enjoyed in the CCR at Heathrow T5

A walk around the terminal was next on the agenda, followed by another chill session in the CCR.  We were asked numerous times as to whether we wanted anything, which was good to see.

We popped into the First Lounge to enjoy afternoon tea, ordered via the App.  The warm scones, cream and jam were delivered to our table, but we were invited to get our own tea from the hot drinks machine.  Not exactly what the menu suggested was going to happen.  Not the end of the world though.

What a sight!  Vick enjoying a warm scone with cream and jam in The First Lounge at Heathrow T5
What a sight! Vick enjoying a warm scone with cream and jam in The First Lounge at Heathrow T5
What a sight!  Vick enjoying a warm scone with cream and jam in The First Lounge at Heathrow T5
What a sight! Vick enjoying a warm scone with cream and jam in The First Lounge at Heathrow T5

The flight was due to leave from Gate 15 – managed to get that info out of the lounge staff prior to the info being widely publicised on the departures board.  Headed down to the gate and started the Priority Boarding queue! Heard the normal announcement about it being a full flight and bags could be checked free of charge.  Boarding commenced about 30 mins ahead of departure and we were soon on and into seats 1D and 1F.

Flight:
BA0824
Equip:
A319
Sched Depart:
18:25
Actual:
18:33
Sched Arrival:
20:00
Actual:
19:45
Takeoff:
18:49
Landing:
18:39

We were delayed by 10 mins in pushing back.  Some excuse related to waiting for the final hold door to be closed.  A 10 min taxi before taking off westward.  It was a very short flight today – only 45 mins or so.

Finally on board our flight flight in 18 months
Finally on board our flight flight in 18 months
Finally on board our flight flight in 18 months
Finally on board our flight flight in 18 months

Even though we had eaten our way through the BA lounges this afternoon, we were both hungry when dinner was served on board the A319 service to Dublin.  Two salads were on offer: one based around salmon and one that included fennel.  We had two salmon salads and we did a swap on components so that Vick could avoid the fish.

The salad served on board the BA flight to Dublin
The salad served on board the BA flight to Dublin
The salad served on board the BA flight to Dublin
The salad served on board the BA flight to Dublin

As it happens, dinner was pretty decent.  What really made it for me was the sauce that came with the salad – it made the salmon more than digestible.

On final approach into Dublin
On final approach into Dublin
On final approach into Dublin
On final approach into Dublin

We arrived into Gate 201.  We were first off and quickly into the rabbit run of corridors that led to passport control.  As we arrived, it was clear we arrived at the same time as another flight, but to be fair the queue moved pretty quickly.  We expected to be in a non-EU queue, but surprisingly, the UK was lumped in with EU and two other nationalities (perhaps it was Swiss?  I can’t remember).

We were lucky to pick up a short cut offered by one of the passport control staff members and we were straight into an automated gate and unbelievably, my passport worked!

As we walked through Customs, I ordered an Uber and headed to Zone 18 which wasn’t clearly marked.  However, we managed to find our car and about 10 mins later, we were at the hotel.

The beautiful view from our Dublin Hilton room
The beautiful view from our Dublin Hilton room
The beautiful view from our Dublin Hilton room
The beautiful view from our Dublin Hilton room

It looked very familiar and I think I stayed here once when I was starting a US TP run clearing customs in Dublin.

Our Hilton corner room in Dublin
Our Hilton corner room in Dublin
Our Hilton corner room in Dublin
Our Hilton corner room in Dublin

Check in at the Hilton Dublin Airport was super-speedy and within  30 seconds we had a key and were heading up to room 528, which was a corner room, even though it’s not really on a corner! We booked the shuttle at 5am to get back to the airport.  I hadn’t been able to check in online so we needed to allow for more time at the airport for checking in and getting through security.


Follow the whole story here: Holiday USA SW Road Trip in Apr 2022


Author Bio: About Nige

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Nige is one of the co-founders of The Billingham Blog and works as a freelance management consultant. He loves to fly in his spare time!

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