Ryanair Business Plus Fare - Not Bad

No one ever says anything nice about Ryanair. News stories always focus on how awful they are to customers and what miserable management they have. Then the news story paradoxically ends that Ryanair is the most flown airline in Europe. Ryanair's popularity always seemed strange if they were with anti-customer pariah that should be shut down by regulators. I flew them from EDI to DUB two weeks ago and it was fine. 

Boarding at EDI

I booked the Business Plus fare type and paid $107.  The Business Plus fare included a checked bag, seat selection, ticket flexibility, a free boarding pass at the airport, and a few other items I didn't use.  This was about a $60 premium over the basic fare, but it was about a wash after adding bag and seat selection fees. On board I had an exit row seat that did not recline (like every seat). The leg room was good and the flight landed on time (Ryanair is the most punctual airline in Europe). I didn't order any food or beverages in flight. The experience surpassed my diminished expectations because the crew was friendly and nothing bad happened. There is a noticeable service difference between Ryanair and legacy European carriers, but with tickets starting a $12, people should not even expect punctual flights.

Tail Logo

Dawn at DUB

I had a four hour delay in Dublin last week due to fog in London. I enjoyed it even though I missed my connection to Denver. There was great morning light and a little haze in Dublin and it made for great pictures.

Dublin Airport at Dawn

Love Actually Opening

Tis the season for Christmas movies. I don't particularly like Love Actually, but it does have a good opening sequence showing the arrivals hall at London Heathrow in 2003. Having been through there two weeks ago, I can say it's much different. The only people looking at passengers coming out of customs are drivers. Friends and family are still around, but they are spread out and staring at their smart phones. Interesting how things change so quickly.

British Airways 747 Business Class Review

I had about 100,000 British Airways miles to start the year, mostly left over from buying money for credit card points. I wanted to spend my miles before British Airways devalued their award chart (advanced notice to members helped me save their value) and booked a trip to the UK and Ireland.  I would go business class over and premium economy back. I had the miles for round trip in business, but wanted to try a true premium economy product (Premium economy review).  I booked on BA.com and payed a large fuel surcharge fee. I didn't mind because this was my best shot at an interesting looking business class.

Business Class Seat - Upper Deck

I flew on a 747-400 from Denver to London Heathrow. BA has a strained relationship with the 747. It was the long haul workhorse for many years, but they are retiring the fleet for 777, 787, and A380 aircraft. There are already a dozen or more in the desert being scraped. Since the fleet is being retired, BA is understandably not updating the interiors or going beyond basic maintenance. That was until I read yesterday that 18 747's will be upgraded with more business class seating (and less economy) and new TV screens.  Great news once the upgrades start, but I flew on one that was, at the time, slated for parting out.

The lack up upgrades was evident. The aircraft interior looked tired, almost worn out. The TV system had an older, low def, flat screen with some bright hot spots scattered about. The aircraft also needed a good vacuuming and a cleaning crew with more attention to detail. Once settled in my rear facing seat, it was comfortable and drinks were served as doubles. 

Not Going To Be Parted Out Just Yet

The dinner service was pleasant and ended about two hours after take off.  This left me not tired with 5 hours until breakfast and landing.  I took a trip down stairs to stretch and make small talk with other people who couldn't sleep. The crew had some whiskey bottles and light snacks left out for the business class cabin at the bottom of the stairs by the second door. I enjoyed making myself a drink and munching to pass the time. Eventually I went back to my seat and got a short and restless nap in before breakfast. The Denver flight arrived at LHR terminal 3, so customs was a breeze and I had a quick bite at the AA arrivals lounge (nothing like BA in terminal 5 of Lufthansa) before hopping the underground into London. Good trip, but it showed that BA was not giving maximum effort on the Denver flight.  

British Airways Devalues!!!

The best value on the British Airways award chart was short distance direct flights around the USA.  4,500 and $5 would buy a trip from DC to New York.  British Airways agreed that this was good value and decided to eliminate it.

We’re going to be making a change to the Executive Club pricing structure for shorter reward flights originating or terminating within the United States of America. From 2 February 2016, reward flights will start from 7,500 Avios, instead of 4,500 Avios, plus taxes, fees and carrier charges (“TFCs”) from $5.60 USD.

Only those reward flights that currently cost 4,500 Avios for a one way flight in Economy, 9,000 Avios for Business Class and 18,000 Avios for First Class plus TFCs will increase; to 7,500 Avios, 15,000 Avios and 30,000 Avios plus TFCs respectively. All other Avios reward flight pricing will remain the same as it is today.

International Hotels

A mark of a good international business hotel in Europe is more than just the local outlet type available at the desk.  The Sheraton Edinburgh has US, UK, and EU style plugs available.  They also have a 5V USB outlet too.  

Scotland Is Still Part of the UK, So This Works

Plane Spotting at London City Airport

Heathrow and Gatwick aren't the only two commercial airports in London; there's London City too.  All three airports serve quad jets too, pretty cool.  The Arvo is much smaller than an A340, but both are fun to watch on take off.  There's a park by Royal Albert DLR stop that provides some excellent spotting opportunities too.

Quad Jet Leaving London City