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South India to Scandinavia MAA-LHR-ARN on BA Y class

 
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saravanan92
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Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 13
Location: Stockholm, Helsinki, Chennai

PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:58 am    Post subject: South India to Scandinavia MAA-LHR-ARN on BA Y class Reply with quote

South India to Scandinavia MAA-LHR-ARN on BA

I am now a Masters student in Stockholm, hailing from Chennai(India), an aviation geek, and here is my first Trip Report. Moments of my first long haul international travel to cherish and enjoy. However, I had been to Singapore and Bangkok many times when I was young but I hardly remember anything from the aviation perspective. All I remember about is that I had flown twice in Indian Airlines(IC) Airbus A300 in one of the magnificent and revenue-generating aircrafts and couple of times in B777-200 when Air India flew those new birds on MAA-BKK leg. Unfortunately I don’t remember taking pictures of the aircraft interiors and glossy airports (The last time I flew to Bangkok was when they shifted the operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport recently).

I had many options to choose my travel to Stockholm from my hometown, Chennai. But I had few criterions based on which I would narrow down my choices. On contrary to everyone’s expectation, the price of the ticket was not my first priority, the Baggage allowance was! Of course it might be for all students travelling abroad from Indian cities. Almost all airlines offer two piece of baggage in Economy class for all students travelling to US or Canada, but some hefty bunch of us travelling to European countries are stranded back at this point. Most airlines offer only one piece of 23 kg in Economy. Clearly British Airways(BA) becomes the winner in this aspect as it offers an 23 kg extra piece of Baggage for students. And the weird strategy of the BA is that you are allowed to carry one cabin baggage which can weigh upto 23kg along with one hand/laptop bag. This is of course strange as 7kg cabin baggage is the most common allowance. My dad who is an Air India Employee did not believe when I told about the cabin Baggage. But the tricky part is stuffing 23Kg in the bag of that small dimensions.(I was able to stuff only 16kg). So if you are packing wisely then you get to carry 23+23(check-in)+23(cabin bag) = 69kg with you. Those figures are really pulling, aren’t they? Some of the Middle East airlines offer upto 40 Kg though for students, but I did not want to travel in one of those because there is nothing special about the aircraft types they operate to Stockholm nor to Chennai, QR operates a B787 though to Stockholm, but Doha is not a place for a first timer like me to transit through when compared to London-Heathrow, the busiest international airport where you can spot an A380 for sure anytime(first time for me to spot an A380) and a collection of heavies from various international destinations unlike Doha or Dubai where I could spot only QR or EK colours.
I did not want to be late on my very first travel to Europe. So I left way to early. Chennai International Airport(MAA) is only 20 minutes drive from my home. The first time I am using the newly built International terminal. I have been using the new domestic terminal many times the previous month meeting my friends in BLR, HYD and IXM. I knew that the new International terminal will also be a replica of the same, so there was no big surprise at the first look of the interiors. Chennai Airport(MAA) is one of the busiest airport in India(3rd busiest) but is often blamed of poor maintenance and bad construction. I do admit that it is not one of the most well decorated and maintained airports of India like DEL,HYD and BLR but you can reach any place in Chennai city from the Airport in 20-30 Minutes as it is located right in the heart of the city.
I reached the new terminal by approx. 1 AM, I had many of my friends and my besties come to send me off. My dad and mom had access to enter the airport till security check. So after I said a big Bye to all of them, we went inside the terminal. The first look indeed amazed me, it was clean and well-maintained terminal.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287422976/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123890088/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287423996/[/img]
It was quite busy at the airport, my dad told me that it was even more busy some 2 hours earlier, as most flights to South East(where there are more Tamil settlements) had already departed. The next bunch of flights are bound to Middle East destinations.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310478115/[/img]
Check-in was smooth. It was a warm welcome at the Check-in desk. I had to produce certain documents to prove that I was a student. I was surprised as they gave me both the boarding passes in the Check-in counter at Chennai. I was given a folded handout which had details of the transit procedures along with my boarding passes inside it.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287415246/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123696919/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310119352/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310461765/[/img]
Now comes the emotional time of the journey, departing parents for the first time after many years. It has always been emotional moments in Indian families where parents take care of their children from birth till the end of time. Only some in the younger generation do reciprocate to their unconditional love though nowadays. I missed my mom and dad so much when I came here. But I’m going to meet them soon in October for Diwali.(You can expect one more long haul trip report from me).
Soon after that I proceeded to the gates. But I know it was too early just 04:10 AM. I just remembered that I did not have my dinner last night and I also wanted to have the relish my last Indian meal that day because I had no idea of what cuisine is served on BA flights. So I headed towards the restaurant at the corner of the terminal and had a very good Chicken Briyani for some 6 USD.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307318931/[/img]
I don’t exactly remember the gate number, but it was in the old terminal so I had to walk a lot, I spotted a CX A330 pushing back to Hongkong after getting delayed for some 1 hour and a QR A330 taking off. Sorry no pictures as it was dark outside.
When I reached the gate the boarding had already started. I thought it would be similar to domestic travel in India so I was sitting leisurely till the final call, but later realized to be bad decision – I could not find a space in overhead bin for my cabin baggage. Finally going to step into BA Speed Bird B777-200 G YMMF , 14 years old plane. You can see the One-world alliance logo.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123760930/[/img]
I was greeted by the FA, then proceeded to the Y cabin. I managed to take pictures of Business Class and premium economy seats but were of poor quality. Sorry.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287429126/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307305351/[/img]
Outside view from my seat 24A, I selected the seat during online check in but unfortunately I couldn’t get any emergency exit ones with more leg room.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123763220/[/img]
An AI A321 VT PPN arriving from DXB,
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123925077/[/img]
IFE System. Announcements were made both in English and Tamil.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123927297/[/img]
Pushback started at 05:35 AM IST, 4 mins behind scheduled departure time. It was rather a long taxi to the runway 07. I managed to click a few pictures.
Air Austral AA B738 – F-ONGA from St.Dennis La Reunion
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123928687/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307329071/[/img]
Cabin lights dimmed
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287437736/[/img]
Take off roll started at 05:49 AM sharp and lasted some 55 seconds. We were airborne soon.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287439986/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310494515/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307334211/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310495465/[/img]
Bye bye Chennai
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123937357/[/img]
After approximately an hour, breakfast was served. I was expecting a typical English breakfast, they disappointed me.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123937837/[/img]
South Indian Masala Dosa(which was tasting bad), Rawa Upma( tasted OK) with Sambhar, fruit salad, Bun Butter and Jam and a Pastry. I liked only the dessert. Air India serves better breakfast on flights to Delhi from Chennai.

I then decided to watch some movies the IFE system was old was not much sensitive to touch you actually have to poke them if you wanted to select. The movies selection was good.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123939047/[/img]

After some 3 hours we were served with a snack box.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123779740/[/img]
The cake slice was very tasty. After all I was hungry after that poorly served breakfast.
I dozed off after my snack.
Two hours before arrival, a drink run was conducted. I had a glass of Cranberry juice and Pretzels.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123745030/[/img]
Cabin View Both Premium Economy and Economy cabin was completely filled (100% load) I had no idea about J class.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123729759/[/img]
An hour before arrival, a meal was served, disappointment again.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310500595/[/img]
Chicken Briyani with black dhal(Briyani tasted good). The dessert was Sweet Pongal(Chakkara pongal in Tamil, it was OK). And with Niligiri’s Curd(Yoghurt) (a brand in South India, not even specially manufactured for airline use.) OMG Horrible, seriously, I was shocked at this bad service moments before touching down at London you are served with Sweet Pongal and a curd pack of Rs.28(Even the MRP was printed on the top cover). It was heartening that they served Twining’s Tea atleast.( I doubt that too may be 3 roses Tea in Twinings Paper cup Razz)
I don’t really read magazines in flight. So for IFM lovers, all I can say is it was colourful, heavy and looked like this!(Sorry)
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123942317/[/img]
The Captain announced the descent. The FA prepared the cabin for landing. We landed on time at LHR. Now time to spot some A380’s yaay!
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123732749/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123942967/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123944617/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123944997/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287452196/[/img]
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[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123789670/[/img]
Qantas A380 Smile
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123740409/[/img]
CX 777
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123741049/[/img]
BA A380
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287458126/[/img]
BA B787, Chennai will get these ones starting this October
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123928348/[/img]
Bye Bye YMMF
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310516735/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123957647/[/img]
LHR welcomes with a style.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310518005/[/img]

Killing time more than 5 Hours transit. A busy terminal though.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307358261/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310100732/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310519535/[/img]
My next flight to Stockholm (ARN). A321 operating
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123751169/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123961357/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310523215/[/img]
I was lucky to get an emergency exit seat.[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123965027/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123807690/[/img]
BA 787 Again!!
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123758609/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15287477366/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310167852/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310168302/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310168302/[/img]
We were served with a sandwich. It was really good. But I expected more for a 2+ hour flight.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310597005/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123947818/[/img]
First Glimpse of the Capital of Scandinavia
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123766709/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310535935/[/img]
Touched down on time and taxied to deserted T2 of ARN.

[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123913567/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310108482/[/img]
Ours was the only aircraft on the tarmac
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310471305/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307310421/[/img]

The Overall summary
BA 036
B777-200
RELIABILITY : 9/10
SERVICE : 7/10 (I could hardly spot the FA's during the flight)
AMBIENCE : 6/10(Too old aircraft, interiors were not that good.)
FOOD : 5/10(I don't think MAA can't afford best quality catering. They chose the wrong one perhaps)
IFE : 7/10 (Except for the sensitivity of Touch screens, You need to poke them hard Razz)
IFM : 9/10(Im not an expert in this though)
OVERALL RATING : 7/10


BA 782
A321
RELIABILITY : 9/10
SERVICE : 9/10 (Service was much more better)
AMBIENCE : 8/10(Aircraft was really well maintained)
FOOD : 8/10
IFE : 5/10 (They did not work)
IFM : 9/10
OVERALL RATING : 8.5/10

All my baggage arrived just with me unlike many of my friends here who flew 9W,EY, QR, EK and AF had their baggages stranded back at one of their transit places

The next morning!
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15307309761/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123909667/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15123909157/[/img]
STOCKHOLM is a beautiful city to live in. People here are very much friendly. They are cold at the beginning you need to kick start the conversation but they turn to be your crazy buddies after some time. Language is not at all a barrier in Stockholm. Almost 80% Swedes speak English fluently. The place is very friendly to immigrants. Believe it or not, when a stranger saw me pulling 3 of my luggages to my accomodation, he voluntarily helped me from the station till my place and said a bye and left off. Seriously cost id the only problem here. Things are costlier than New York and London; ppl say. Some of the pics I took in stockholm for you.
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127033020/[/img]
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127161438/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127163308/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127036060/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15313398492/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310585941/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15126999499/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127167638/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310587111/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15310587651/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127038630/[/img][img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15313401332/[/img]
Independence Day celebrations at Indian Embassy
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127204437/[/img]
Krishna Jayanthi Celebrations at ISKCON Stockholm
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15127162568/[/img]
The famous Stockholm City Hall. Glad to sit on the hall where the Nobel Laureates are awarded. I had my campus orientation there.

[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226510@N07/15126994819/[/img]
The winter is yet to strike in Stockholm. Stockholm is a perfect study destination as well. Hope you enjoyed my trip report. I am a novice in writing trip reports. I will be travelling to Portugal Lisbon for a week from Stockholm this October on SAS and TAP Portugal. And back to India for 10 days on Lufthansa, Air India and Swiss airlines. I could write a trip report on that too based on the response over my first report. I will be using a DSLR camera which Im just going to get it here Suggestions welcome.
Regards
Saravanan Janakiram
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saravanan92
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Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 13
Location: Stockholm, Helsinki, Chennai

PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:00 am    Post subject: Pictures Linking problem Reply with quote

Somebody can post the above text on my behalf so that the pictures are linked to the posts. I tried it a 100 times, nothing really worked Razz
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sumantra
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Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice TR, Saravanan! I liked the introduction part, which gave the background to your travelling around. You are lucky to have had the MAA-SIN IC A300s and the three AI B772-ERs and the B772A as well. I used to like the all-white (the only one?) A300 which used to do these legs, some times. I liked the names of the AI B772-ERs and the B772A: Megh Malhar (`Kneel-ambari', as member Vivek punned, after the NLG incident at BOM) Nilambari, Kalyani and Hamsadhwani, respectively.
The pictures: I amanged to see them on your flickr stream. Thanks for a detailed TR covering the hitherto MAA-LHR segment, and of course, Stockholm ARN, which I believe, is also a first on the forum.
The somewhat stark difference between the old part of Anna International, and the new, is rather stark, from what I have seen briefly. I wish they standardise this soon. The IFE box looks old: how were the choices? BA food: the quantity looks a bit less, and you say that the taste was not quite up to the mark: understandable, when you compare this with AI, of course.
I have never been to LHR T5, so the pictures from there are welcome. BA did a good job with transit directions: plus points to them for this!
Thanks for the pictures of Stockholm as well, and your perspective on life there. We hope to read more from you on this forum, and have some information from your father as well, since he is an AI insider.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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Nimish
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Saravanan - you have to click the "Share" icon at the bottom right on flickr, and then select "BBCode" and pick a size you want. Paste that full text over.

Flickr by nimish_blr, on Flickr
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good TR this one..
I managed to go through the pictures pretty easily, and they were some nice shots, too!
Interesting route, MAA-LHR. There aren't many TRs out there focusing on this route!

Looking forward to more!

Regards
Jish
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ameya
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Posts: 3671
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the TR!
Enjoyed reading it!


Now looking forward to the pictures.

1 Question - Since your father is AIX employee, do you get Staff on Leave passage on AIX & AI or just AIX ?
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