Cruisinaltitude.com: It's about the journey

Heathrow Inaugural: Airplanes in London-Heathrow, London England (LHR)

Heathrow Inaugural: Leaving London-Heathrow (LHR)

30MAR 08 London-Heathrow International, London England (LHR)
I wanted to go see Terminal 5 and tried, but after waiting for the bus from Bus Stop 7 for about 10 minutes, I bailed on that idea as it was too risky to not get back in time for the flight. I could have also taken the Heathrow Express, but the timing had to be right. There is always next week anyways. It was interesting as the map of the Heathrow Express still does not show Terminal 5 on it, but in the elevators, they have taped over a strip that has Terminal 5 on it.

I went back upstairs and cleared security forgetting the sealed bottle of water in my bag from my flight over. This triggered an entire search of my bag and delayed me for a bit. I was given the option to drink the water so I drank about 2/3^rd of it. I remember in one airport, I was told I could not drink the water and had to turn the whole thing over.

I then headed towards gate 11 and the Holideck. This is the lounge that KLM uses. It opened a few years ago and I remember paying about 10 USD I think to use it at the time. There are three levels, the best of which is the Observation Deck which gives you about a 300 degree view of the airport. It is great to watch takeoffs and landing there.

I showed my Presidents Club card as well as my boarding pass and was granted access. I asked about wireless access and was pointed to some instructions to the left of the desk. Just before going in, I took some pictures of the gate areas for the two flights; one to Newark, NJ (EWR) [the first inaugural flight from Heathrow] and the other for the flight to Houston. The airplane to Newark was the one I had arrived on; the Houston airplane had not yet arrived.

The flight attendants for the two flights.

Aircraft #10 being serviced so it can return to Newark, NJ (EWR).

Back in the Lounge, I did a clothes change and that felt great; no showers in the Holideck I’m afraid. I then made my way up to the Observation Deck and just took it all in slowly. Airplanes of all sizes were landing like almost every minute it seemed.

Across the way was Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-800, to its left an American Airlines Boeing 777-200 and to its right a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400. It was fantastic, the world’s three largest commercial passenger airliners were right next to each other. The A380 dwarfs the Boeing 777, if you can imagine that!

The was a Delta Air Lines (DL) Boeing 767-300ER (N179DN) at one of the gate on the other side of the terminal.

I walked on the other side of the Deck and I looked over to my left and the Continental Boeing 777-200 from Houston had landed and was taxiing into the gate.

I got online for a bit, but did not have enough time to make an update. I was somewhat concerned about getting on the 11:15a flight, but not too much as I had the 4:00p Boeing 767-200 service to Newark. It just makes for a much longer day though.

I went to gate 12 to see my friends who were leaving on that flight. Once there they told me that they were going to try for the Houston flight instead. I went back to the Lounge and took some pictures of the arriving planes. One of those was a US Airways (US) Airbus A330-300; I had totally forgotten that they were coming into Heathrow as well.

I was able to get one more shot before I went back downstairs and that was of an Air New Zealand (NZ) Boeing 747-400 coming in from Los Angeles, CA (LAX) prior to arriving from Auckland, New Zealand (AKL).

Soon, it was time to get down to the gate. I was so caught up in the whole operation, I never ate nor drank anything while in the Lounge. I can’t even tell you what they have there. Next time… At the gate, to the cheer of the passengers and the employees looking on, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony by two of the company’s executives and the flight attendants for the flight.

Once that was over, the boarding process started.

It was not looking food, but at the very last minute, I got an aisle seat, so no need for Plan B.

Heathrow Inaugural: London-Heathrow, London England (LHR) to Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

CO5 30MAR08 London-Heathrow International, London England (LHR) to Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) 11:15a 3:22p 777 N77019

Flight Time: 9:52

Seat Map

I started to walk down the long jetway and was greeted by a throng of people. There were two ladies handing out souvenir gifts for the inaugural. It was Clotted Cream Fudge in a silver box that read on one side:

Now serving
Heathrow
Inaugural flights
March 30, 2008
Continental Airlines

After collecting my box, I was flagged for additional security. After all that I then boarded the airplane through the second door from the front.

I was greeted by the flight attendant who waved me down the first aisle of this twin aisle 285-seater jet with its 50 BusinessFirst and 235 Economy seats.

I found my bulkhead aisle seat and decided to sit in the row behind it as I am not a fan of bulkhead seats unless I have no other choice. At 6' 1", I prefer to stretch my legs out all the way under the seat in front of and I also hate having to lift up that TV monitor, plus the chair tables are usually odd in the bulkhead and even if you wanted to the armrest cannot be lifted.

For entertainment today, we have the audio/video on demand touch screen system with the choices below. There is also a regular power plug just below the seat, there are two for each cluster of three seats. It is interesting to note that the entertainment choices are identical to those in the BusinessFirst cabin.:

Movies (339 including August Rush, Bee Movie, Batman Returns )
Short programs (178 including 30 Rock, The Class, Everybody Hates Chris, House)
Music (213; classical, country, jazz, pop, R&B/urban, rock and world))
Games (26; arcade, board/puzzle, educational, gaming and kids)
Flight map

There was a bit of seat shuffle at the end, but it all quited down and we had about six open middle seats all in my area of the airplane.

We had to wait a bit for our departure as we were waiting for bags of connecting passengers. It was not until 11:51a that we pushed away from the gate. The safety video played and then the cabin was prepared for departure.

The taxi out was delayed additionally as Terminal 4 is on the left side of runway 27L, so we had to wait for landing aircraft in order to cross the active runway. On our way over to the takeoff runway, I saw the A380 from Singapore Airlines pushing back. As well as Korean Airlines' Boeing 747-400 Cargo, Kuwait Airways Boeing 777, United's Boeing 777 and just a bunch of other airplanes.

Finally, it was our time and we took to the skies at 12:18p. The inaugural flight to Houston was finally airborne.

After takeoff, the lead flight gave an overview of the service stating that we would have a lunch service first and then an inflight snack later, plus an arrival snack. Coupons or cash could be used for beer, wine or margaritas at a cost of 5 USD or 3 GBP in Economy class. Movie headseats were complimentary.

Peanuts and beverages were served at 1:00p.

Shortly after, there was a choice of Chicken Vesuvio with rice or beef lasagna at 1:33p; I chose the chicken which was served with a roll, butter, crackers cheese, a salad and a apple type dessert.

I fell asleep after the meal while watching a short comedy with two New Zealanders who were being discriminated against as everyone thought they were from Australia.

I awoke with 3:22 to go to an ice cream and drink service. I was parched so this was right timing.

Landing documents were handed out with 2:49 to go as I worked on my computer as I had in-seat power. I was even able to charge my phone as well.

With 1:15 to go and me now entrenched in the movie "Juno" the arrival snack was served. It was a warm turkey and chicken sandwich plus chips and a chocolate bar.

The arrival video started at 2:42p; initially you could hear it on the PA, but then it went silent and you could only see the video.

We prepared for landing and I kind of sat around as I did not take out my book before all was settled. It was a beautiful day out although just a tad bumpy while coming on for a landing. I wonder how many spotters are out there watching this historic flight come in for a landing?

Heathrow Inaugural: In London-Heathrow (LHR)

All went well, more later.

Heathrow Inaugural: In London-Heathrow, London England (LHR)

30MAR08 London-Heathrow International, London Heathrow (LHR)

I made my way to the Immigration area where the line was building. I looked for the IRIS booth and yes, it was working! I was number three in line. The IRIS always gives me issues when I use it for some reason and after a while it worked and gave me my receipt. I saved at least 30 minutes by using this machine.

I went downstairs and cleared Customs and then headed upstairs again to the departure level. It had changed somewhat, but not too much; basically it looked like they squeezed Continental (CO) and Delta Air Lines (DL) in there, but in a good way. I did not see any setup for Northwest Airlines (NW), so I take it they are arriving elsewhere for the time being [I heard later that they are using the KLM area]. Once British Airways moves out entirely, there will be lots more room.

My initial plan was to take KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) to Amsterdam Schipol (AMS) and then take a Continental flight to Houston. I bailed on the idea as it would be cool to be on the first flight from Heathrow to Houston.

I chatted with some friends who were there for work to support the inaugural and took some pictures, did the security checks for the 11:15a flight to Houston and then re-printed my boarding pass.

Delta's area with festive balloons.

Delta was still getting ready for their 1:50p and 5:05p departures.

A closer look at the Delta balloons.

Heathrow Inaugural: Arriving in London-Heathrow, London England (LHR)

30MAR08 London-Heathrow International, London England (LHR)

We touched down smoothly at 6:54a local and I immediately initiated a round of applause. It was great, Heathrow was achieved. In typical London fashion, it was foggy and rainy.

We did not have too long a taxi however, but we stopped short of the gate in clear view of the folks waiting in the Terminal as our gate was occupied by a British Airways (BA) Boeing 777-200; more than likely going to the U.S.

The Captain explained that we had arrived early and that the landing pattern was congested as well as the ground traffic. This meant that we had to wait. As we did, lots of heavies landed on South runway, just to our left; Thai Airways Boeing 747-400, Qantas Boeing 747-400, American Airlines Boeing 777-200, United Airlines Boeing 777-200, South African Airways Airbus A340, British Airways Airbus A319, British Airways Boeing747-400, British Airways Boeing 777-200. It was insane at the frequency.

The Captain kept us updated the whole time mentioning that the gate number was 412 if we cared to know. This is one of those airports that have a different number outside the terminal than inside. He also said that the good thing was that we were at the front of the line of arriving carriers.

It was 7:31a when the British Airways Boeing 777-200 (G-VIIW) pushed back giving us a clear path to the gate. It was 7:34a when we blocked in at the gate with no fanfare. I thought there would have been a water cannon salute, but I guess that is not the nature of London-Heathrow.

Once the airplane stopped, we all waited for the seatbelt sign to go out, but it did not right away. Eventually someone got up and so did everyone else. We were all standing and then the lead flight attendant said that we can’t go anywhere until the seatbelt signs are turned off. Soon it did and then the doors were disarmed and the middle left door opened.

Just outside the doors at the top of the jetway, there was a live CNN broadcast with the company’s President and some of the local company executives. There were also other employees there to greet us. It all made for an excellent picture.

I took some pictures of the airplane as I walked by it; this was actually the same gate I arrived a few months ago from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) on British Airways. I guess the move to Terminal 5 made this all possible.