Flying from Stansted with BA

Checking in with BA for my flight to Ibiza was a breeze. But I would not have expected anything less from the British Airways wholly-owned subsidiary BA CityFlyer which run the flights from Stansted and London City Airport. I have always found it to be a slick operator. 

Despite long queues at other airlines’ check-in desks, my line moved swiftly and a pleasant lady had my case on the carousel and my boarding pass issued in no time at all. (You can check-in on line.)

This was 5am on a Sunday in May, not a holiday weekend, and the airport was heaving. There were no signs here of people being short of money.

Two and a half hours later after a relaxing flight we arrived in sunny Ibiza
Courtesy of BA CityFlyer

Thank goodness for fast track. It looked horrendous going through the normal security lines as there were so many people. Even if you are not travelling business class you can pay to use fast track. If time is tight, it is a worthwhile investment.

BA started flying from Stansted in 2016. Planes that were sitting on the ground on weekends at their base, London City Airport, were transferred to Stansted. It is now serving not just Ibiza but other popular summer destinations including Faro, Malaga and Palma (Mallorca). 

The service offered by BA, in my books, is far superior to the budget airlines that regularly operate out of Stansted. When I heard people having to go and reclaim luggage when their flight was cancelled, I felt secure in the knowledge that I had a BA ticket. 

In all the years that I have travelled with BA, only once did it have to change an aircraft. The baggage was taken care of. BA can usually get another plane from another airport if need be. I always feel that I will be looked after if something should go wrong.

There were people being bumped off flights. I knew if BA did have to do this, it would take good care of me and I would get to my destination – even if that meant travelling on an alternative service. Compensation might also be offered, depending on the circumstances.

Another airline announced a delay because a member of the crew did not show up because they called in sick. I am sure that BA would have had a replacement much quicker.

Ibiza,  a great destination for a quick pick-me-up

I kept thinking to myself these are reasons why I would never fly with these cheap airlines. As far as I am concerned having a BA ticket is knowing that you will get to your destination with the least possible stress if there are unforeseeable hitches. 

BA uses 98-seater Embraer 190 jets which I find more comfortable than those used by its low-cost competitors. A plus is that there are only window and aisle seats so you cannot get crammed in the middle.  

The downside of Stansted is once you have cleared security you have to negotiate your way through a crowded shopping arcade before ending up in a lounge which has people packed in like sardines.

If you are travelling Business Class you can use the aptly-named Escape Lounge which serves complimentary food and drink. You can also use the free wi-fi or read a newspaper or magazine to while away the time. All other passengers can pay £25 to use it. I would advise pre-booking as when I was there is was extremely busy. The lady on reception told me to give myself plenty of time to get to the gate as I would have to navigate through the crowds. She was not joking. It was a relief to find plenty of space when I actually got there.

My flight was really good. Service spot on. As I travelled in Business Class I was treated to an English breakfast. You could also have a glass of champagne or wine should you desire. 

In economy, when you travel from Stansted and London City snacks and drinks (soft, alcoholic and hot) are complimentary. 

Two and a half hours later after a relaxing flight we arrived in sunny Ibiza. Whether you want a short break or you are going for your two week annual break, BA CityFlyer should be your airline of choice. It is a cut above the rest.

Oh, in case you are wondering, Ibiza is not just a party place, it has a rather sophisticated edge to it as well. As getting there is so easy, it is a great destination for a quick pick-me-up. 

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

BA CityFlyer flies from Stansted to Ibiza. Fares from £56 (prices are per person and are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com

BA CityFlyer also flies from London City Airport to Ibiza. Fares from £78 (prices are per person and are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com

Customers have a quick and easy journey through the Docklands airport, with hand baggage it takes just 15 minutes to get from kerbside to airside. On arrival in London City I was out in approximately the same amount of time

(In addition BA has services from Heathrow and Gatwick with connections available from across the UK and Ireland.)

Club Europe fares include a generous baggage allowance, complimentary refreshments and drinks on board

Stay at the ME Ibiza by Meliá. For more information and best rates visit melia.com

Destination Doha, Qatar

Standing on the Corniche gazing out on to the Persian Gulf with dhows bobbing up and down on the shimmering water, I was surrounded by glass and steel skyscrapers. It was hard to imagine that Doha, in the 1950s, was a sleepy fishing port.

Its roots may go back thousands of years but today’s Doha has morphed into one of the most stylish cities in the Gulf. And it hasn't stopped as it gears itself up to being host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Regarded as one of the more traditional of the Gulf States, Qatar is now deemed to be the richest country in the world. Not bad for a small nation blanketed in desert that less than a century ago was one of the poorest in the area.

The Pearl
Courtesy of

Qatar Tourism Authority 

In 1939 oil reserves were discovered but could not be produced because of the Second World War. During the 1950s and 1960s the country prospered thanks to liquid gold. Oil soon overtook the pearl and fishing industries as its main source of revenue. The state also has one of the world’s biggest reserves of natural gas and petroleum. A relatively new country – Qatar gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 – it goes from strength to strength.

What surprised me was how much there was to do in Doha. I started my day at what is commonly known as the State Grand Mosque (Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque) the largest in Qatar. Named after the 18^th-century Muslim theologian, Imam Abdul Wahhab, it has 90 domes and 18 entrances and can hold up to 30,000 people. 

Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque

Not even 10 years old, it melds conventional Qatari architecture with the contemporary. Crisp, simplistic lines and a touch of extravagance. It is not hard to see why this standout building has become a landmark.

Non-Muslims can go inside the mosque except during prayer times. Women are asked to wear a scarf, tied tightly over their heads, and an abaya (a kind of cloak provided by the mosque). The lady who showed me round was warm and friendly. It was a fascinating experience.

Making carpets at Souq Waqif

Should you feel in need of spiritual guidance, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, near Souq Waqif, is the place to go. You can learn more about Islam and Qatari culture here. The building also works as a good marker so you do not get lost in this city.

Shopping is one of the favourite hobbies of the people of Doha. While you can find plenty of upscale, glitzy malls on a par with those in Dubai, Souq Waqif is the place where you will get a flavour of Qatari life, past and present. 

 Katara Cultural Village
Courtesy of

Qatar Tourism Authority

Qataris from all walks of life come to this place to buy spices, gold and cooking utensils among other things as they have for hundreds of years. The souq has now been given a makeover in keeping with centuries-old design and is still continuing to grow.

You can wander here for ages. The maze of souqs are full of narrow alleys lined with small stalls showcasing a range of goods from gold jewellery to fabrics, handicrafts, scented oils and spices. It is a great place to hone your bartering skills. 

The Corniche

Not to be missed is the Falcon Souq. These birds of prey, I was told, are prized by the Qataris. Falconry is a sport that is ingrained into the country’s history. The majority of men own one of the birds. 

After the souqs have exhausted you, refuel and soak up the atmosphere at one of the many authentic cafés and restaurants dotted around.

Not far from here is the stunning Museum of Islamic Art designed by designed the Chinese American architect, IM Pei, whose works include the Louvre’s glass pyramid.

If trawling round a museum to see what is said to be the world’s largest collection of Islamic art is not your thing, at least treat your eyes to this spectacular white Cubist gem that majestically rises from its own island.

Doha at sunset
(Aerial view)

The most exclusive address in town is the perfectly manicured Pearl-Qatar. Built on a man-made island occupying almost four million square metres, it is in a world of its own. 

This so-called Arabian Riviera is home to stunning apartment blocks, international five-star hotels and superb entertainment venues. Fringed with yacht-lined marinas, waterfront promenades awash with cafés and restaurants and, of course, designer stores, it gives a new meaning to the word luxurious. In case you are tempted to move in, it is the only place in Qatar where foreigners can buy property.

If old Arabic customs, art and theatre fascinate you, Katara Cultural Village should be on your itinerary. Modelled on long-established Qatari style, this impressive complex is a labyrinth of passages aligned with galleries, theatres (the Katara Opera House is here) and a handicraft souq. There is even a beach where you can participate in watersports as well as an array of eateries.

Melding the cutting-edge with heritage, Qatar is a dynamic nirvana in the desert. From dune bashing to camel racing to being a foodie’s heaven and a shoppers’ paradise while dishing up plenty for culture buffs, hospitable Qatar was so much more intriguing than I could have dreamed.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Fly with Qatar Airways. I flew business class and cannot rate this airline highly enough. For best rates visit qatarairways.com Qatar has flights from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham as well as Heathrow. There are also flights from Cardiff to Doha

Stay at Shangri-La Hotel Doha (shangri-la.com/doha). Great service and made my short stay memorable

For more information on Qatar visit visitqatar.qa