In November 2018 I had to visit Hannover for a conference and I picked British Airways as it was the only airline flying to Hannover from Heathrow.
The distance between London Heathrow and Hannover is 702 kilometers and the flight time is 1h31mins. The cost of the ticket was £196 return, booked nearly three months in advance.
I turned up at at Heathrow Terminal 5 quite early because I thought the drive would take longer. The flights ETA was 750AM, and I arrived at the airport at 6AM. The departure gate was A1, which meant that after going through security I still had more than an hour and a half of waiting!
Breakfast at Heathrow T5
I decided to have breakfast at the Wetherspoon’s where they serve the same food as in their normal pubs but at twice the price. I had their veggie breakfast and a coffee then I found out that the plane was delayed!
Later the pilot told us that it had to be towed away from the maintenance bay and I observed that people were simply dragging their feet to get on board.
I honestly don’t understand why it takes so long for people to board a plane when they can get on a bus just fine. In my opinion it should be the same getting on an actual Airbus!
As we were boarding BA allocated me into Group 5, meaning I was the last to board. My seat was in the middle as well, so I really enjoyed the flight!
Overhead Compartments
The overhead compartments filled up really quickly – I am not sure why it is, maybe people bring more hand luggage now than in the past. I suppose it is because every airline has now started charging for everything, including checked baggage.
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The plane departed from gate A1 at 0757, 7 mins behind schedule. This time there was a bridge between the plane and the gate, and not a bus like at the time of flying to Toulouse.
Full BA297 Flight
The flight was full of people going to the same event I was attending and we finally started rolling away at just before 8AM.
BA actually asked everyone on board to check our bags in but with without the laptop or valuables and portable batteries inside the bag. So my question is this: how to check in the case if I can’t check those items in?
The video equipment did not work so the safety demonstration video did not play, instead they did it manually.
Legroom In BA Flight
The guy behind me commented: “it’s just a stupid little video anyway – for comic relief or whatever…”
I personally like the BA safety demonstration video, especially the Indian guy as he is very funny. Apparently they’ve collected about £20 million in donations so far.
I think there must have been a shoratge of crew or something as they didnt have a crew member for all emergency exits. Although I might be completely wrong but I thought there should be a member of staff at every door during demonstration.
Irresponsible Passengers
I was suprised to see that many people were reading newspapers through the demonstration! I would like to see how they would behave in case of an actual emergency!
After the taxiing and everything we were finally on the tarmac, taking off at 0817, nearly half an hour behind schedule.
The flight was pretty uneventful, not much to report. BA tried to flog off some of those disgusting BA rolls and things but as usual I did not buy anything.
The plane eventually landed at 1023AM and we headed for passport control which was right at gate. Getting out took about 10 minutes but I had to help a man in the end.
Hannover Airport was dead but at security they didnt want to let an Argentinian guy past because he didnt speak English. He looked more toned than a German so I think the security woman found him suspiciuos.
I offered to translate and they asked for his return ticket, hotel reservation and credit card proof of having money. She also wanted to know where he was going but he nearly threw the card in her face for doing her job and asking questions.
She also kept asking me if I knew him but I said no and finally they let him through.
I then took a taxi into town – a firm called Hello Taxi 3811, costing €31.50.
