Finally the day has arrived, after what seems like the longest wait ever (first world problem, I know), I’m at Heathrow Terminal 5 ready to take my first post-lockdown flight. Straightaway there’s a difference – I’m so excited! After three cancelled trips in the last few months, I can’t wait to start travelling again.
So how does it feel to be back at the airport? Obviously we’re all masked up for the next few hours, but that’s the price you have to pay. Check-in is quiet and orderly, but then it’s early, not even 6am yet. We’re flying with British Airways to Palermo today, so we have to have our temperature checked and are handed a health questionnaire to complete before the gate. Apart from that it’s business as usual and we’re through to Security in a couple of minutes.
The priority lanes are closed, so everyone is sent through to the same lanes, but again, it’s fairly quiet here compared to the usual scrum. Am I imagining things, or are the Security staff a bit nicer than usual? Masks obviously mean that you can’t see if people are smiling, but it feels as though they might be. Just 35 minutes after leaving home in an Uber, we hit the shops. That’s pretty good going.
In the Departure Lounge, it’s really obvious how much quieter things are at Heathrow. Several shops are not open yet and some areas are looking quite ghostly, particularly at the northern end of the terminal, which is usually busy in the early mornings. We do a quick tour and then head for the BA Galleries Lounge at the southern end of the terminal (North lounge is still closed).
In the lounge there are plenty of free tables and loads of staff. Before coronavirus, it was tricky to find anyone to assist, but today they’re ready and waiting to serve you. I like it. You scan a QR code on your table to order food and drinks via an app, which takes us a minute to figure out (instructions might be helpful) but once we’ve ordered it works like a dream.
Yes, of course I order champagne with my breakfast – holiday rules apply once you’re at the airport! I think I prefer the new system compared to the old buffet style, but it may not work so seamlessly when things are busier. And I’m definitely not imagining things, the staff here are jolly too. It’s not just me who’s glad to see travel ramping up again, no doubt they are feeling more confident about keeping their jobs now.
Alas, there are no free reading materials for the flight, but I’m prepared for this. In fact, I’ve saved John Taylor’s memoirs for this trip, so I will dive eagerly into Love, Death and Duran Duran as soon as we take off. Hopefully the husband isn’t expecting much conversation today.
As usual we’re at the gate nice and early to prevent the husband from getting stressed. He doesn’t like the new boarding procedure at all though. We’re in row 2 which means we are last to get on, oh no! He is desperate to get in the queue, but instructions are quite clear from the desk, so we have to wait. On the plus side, we’ve only just sat down and we’re off. The plane pushes off on time, and we only have a short wait for the runway. There are advantages to the airport being less busy, that’s for sure.
The crew hand out sanitation packs and explain the changes to on-board processes – basically don’t queue for the loo – and then breakfast is served. I read on the BA website that they could not currently cater for special diets, but in fact there’s a vegetarian option and very nice it is too. I do normally enjoy a BA cooked breakfast, but a tasty cheese croissant isn’t too shabby all things considered.
More importantly, the booze trolley follows! This is the time to upgrade if you can. In Economy it’s crisps and water only, plus the risk of random strangers in close proximity. In Club we are happy, socially distanced travellers with food and drink aplenty.
It’s a three hour flight in great conditions, sunny all the way with Duran Duran for company. My fears about the future of air travel have disappeared, providing all the carriers don’t go bust of course. We land 10 minutes early at Palermo Airport, dangerously close to the sea, but with amazing views to both sides. Getting through the airport is a breeze, maybe 20 minutes before we’re in a taxi.
To sum up, I’m not deterred at all. Today’s experience was really positive, in some ways much better than pre-pandemic, particularly in terms of customer service. Clearly, in the light of what happened to Spain this week, you need to be prepared for changes at short notice. I’m not too fussy about where I go, so no problems there, but I do want my insurance to be valid and I don’t particularly want to quarantine. On the to-do list – rearrange our upcoming Ibiza trip (we’re thinking Greece instead). It’s with BA so there should be no issues. But that can wait until I get home…time for some dolce vita – you just can’t get it in Maidenhead!
Steph's Travels 