Tier Point Run to San Jose in Nov 2023: Day 8 – London Heathrow LHR to Dublin DUB

Starbucks on the terrace in the CCR at Heathrow T5
Starbucks on the terrace in the CCR at Heathrow T5

From passport control, I headed out and into the Arrivals Lounge. It was nice to get a shower, even though the facilities left a lot to be desired.

People must wonder why I throw my arms in the air every time I get through a passport control kiosk!

Catching the bus from Gate 4A for my flight to Dublin
Catching the bus from Gate 4A for my flight to Dublin
Catching the bus from Gate 4A for my flight to Dublin
Catching the bus from Gate 4A for my flight to Dublin

When will we get a facilities refresh that demonstrates BA’s commitment to its premium passengers?

I had to leave my rucksack in Left Luggage so that I could deal with my B2B at Dublin.

From there into The First Wing, which was nice and quiet.

Straight down to Starbucks – no celebs in the queue this time!

Getting on board my BA flight to Dublin
Getting on board my BA flight to Dublin
Getting on board my BA flight to Dublin
Getting on board my BA flight to Dublin

Into the CCR for a few mins, before heading out to Gate 4A for my flight to Dublin. Gate 4 is obviously one of the bus gates, so not a great start. I guess I just need to think about the Tier Points.

Flight:
BA0836
Equip:
A320
Sched Depart:
13:35
Actual:
13:46
Sched Arrival:
15:00
Actual:
15:25
Takeoff:
14:25
Landing:
15:19

Gate 4A is not a good gate for queuing, due to the long, narrow space when approaching. It was another unmanaged scrum.

Gate staff came out and checked boarding passes of passengers close to the gate to make sure they were in groups 1-3.

One of the new automated tugs that pushed us back from remote stand 524
One of the new automated tugs that pushed us back from remote stand 524
One of the new automated tugs that pushed us back from remote stand 524
One of the new automated tugs that pushed us back from remote stand 524

Then they changed the notice to show boarding and a load of passengers filed past. No announcements made.

Then we had a number of passengers who wanted to gate-check bags – all good. But more passengers tried to tag on the back. They were told to go away, but they had nowhere to go. Another BA boarding mess…

The bus took us to remote stand 524 opposite the normal arrival gates for Dublin inbound flights.

On into seat 01F- looking forward to getting on our way.

BA resorted to their old way of working, in not boarding passengers on time and consequently getting away late.

Final view of the London area before heading over to Dublin
Final view of the London area before heading over to Dublin
Final view of the London area before heading over to Dublin
Final view of the London area before heading over to Dublin

By the time we hit the runway, it was 50 mins after scheduled departure.

I missed out lunch served by BA. I just wasn’t hungry so nothing to say about the service, other than to say we had a friendly cabin crew.

We arrived into Gate 204 about 30 mins late. That was going to make the B2B more challenging than normal.


Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to San Jose in Nov 2023


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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