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

Travelling to New York – BA jet set style

Sipping my glass of Taittinger champagne and munching a beautifully arranged plate of fruit, as we headed into the clouds, I watched the spectacular views of London and the River Thames slowly disappear.

This is the life!  About an hour ago I had arrived at London City Airport. This airport is such a pleasure to use. Having only one runway and handling only European flights with the exception of the British Airways service to JFK, New York, it is never overcrowded. 

Another major plus of the BA JFK service is that check-in closes 20 minutes before departure (or 15 minutes if you only have carry-on luggage) so you don’t have to spend hours hanging around the airport.

After dropping my bag and rapidly passing through security, I was welcomed by a friendly BA staff member into a small intimate lounge. Reminiscent of an exclusive private club, a scrumptious buffet breakfast awaited. After a cup of coffee and a hearty helping of smoked salmon, it was time to join the travelling cognoscenti and board BA001 to JFK. 

Preparing for take-off

Having the same flight number as the old Concorde, you expect this flight to be something special. Actually, its expectations are far exceeded. Boarding was quick and easy. The lounge opens on to the runway and within minutes you are in your seat and up in the air. It really is like flying on a private jet. There are only 32 seats on the A318 which are configured in a traditional 2-2.

Many were filled with men and women in suits furiously working away at their laptops, iPads and mobiles. Email, text messages and the internet can be accessed on your mobile phone during the flight with BA’s OnAir service, exclusive to Club World London City. (You'll require an international roaming contract.)

There were plenty of other passengers taking time out from their busy schedules to relax with an aperitif and appetiser for the short flight to Shannon airport. This is the stop that makes this flight unique. 

 

There is a facility here which allows passengers deal with all the US Customs and Immigration formalities and arrive in JFK as a domestic passenger. Luxury may mean lots of different things to people, but if you have ever stood in line for 90 minutes at JFK waiting to go through immigration being dealt with by a brusque official, you will understand when I say that not having to go through New York passport control is my definition.

The security questions were conducted in the most cordial manner. You identified your luggage on a small screen. Within minutes the whole process was over. It was all so civilised. We were only on the ground for a short while and with the plane refuelled we were on our way.

The plane's seats recline into flat beds

The plane's seats recline into 183cm (6ft) flat beds and some passengers make full use of the time to catch up on some sleep, but I was too fascinated to try to sleep. Over a glass of bubbly, I chatted to my next door neighbour, an interesting well-travelled man who was going to New York for a meeting at the UN. I also chatted to a couple of women who were travelling for business. For a flight that is mainly full of business people, there is an unexpected intimacy. 

Service throughout the flight is excellent. With BA, you always know your are in safe hands. The cabin crew always go that extra mile to ensure you have a great flight. It is the lovely little touches such as always addressing you by your name that make all the difference.

Lunch was a delightful affair. BA has certainly discovered the secrets of what flavours work at a high altitude. Several of their dishes are bursting with umami, which I am told, is known as the fifth taste (the others are: sweet, salty, bitter and sour) and was identified in Japan. It has a pleasant savoury taste and is found naturally in foods such as tomatoes and mackerel.

My choice was a selection of canapés which included, you guessed it, mackerel and tomatoes. The grilled king prawns that I had with saffron dill korma, mustard rice and stuffed baby aubergine for the main course was sublime.

The wine list was tempting, but after good champagne, which I hasten to add tastes divine regardless whether you are on the ground or in the air, common sense prevailed.  

(By the way, I have on good authority that champagne is supposed to be one of the wines least affected by the air, even if the fizz disappears quicker than on the ground. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the solution to that dilemma.)

There is also a selection of desserts ranging from the healthy to the naughty but nice. Men seem to gravitate towards the warm sticky toffee pudding. The chocolates, served with coffee, are hard for anybody to resist.

After lunch, it was time to make use of the iPad provided and catch up on a couple of movies. The seven hours or so flashed by really quickly. Before I knew where I was an afternoon tea of mouth-watering sandwiches and pastries was being served. 

New York’s fabled skyline was soon in view and I felt the same excitement as I had so many times arriving in this city. This time, however, it was straight from plane to taxi. Instead of feeling frazzled, I was thoroughly relaxed ready for that rush of adrenaline that the city that never sleeps never fails to provide.

Travelling on this sensational service from London City to New York spoils you for anything else. It was such an amazing experience. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

London City

British Airways operates an exclusive 32-seat all-business class jet service from London City to New York 11 times a week

To book or for more information visit ba.com/New York

Heathrow

British Airways operates several daily services from London Heathrow to New York.

To book or for more information and other airports visit ba.com/newyork 

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist