British Airways BA440 - London - Amsterdam

To the point Here is our photo report of the Arrivals and Concorde Room and the flight BA440 from London to Amsterdam with avios miles and Scotia bonus points.

After my first class flight on British Airways that took me from New York JFK to London Heathrow, it was time to relax in the airport lounges before boarding my flight to Amsterdam, my destination for this weekend!

Flight British Airways BA440 – London – Amsterdam

It’s a long way through Terminal 5 to reach the British Airways Arrivals lounge.

lhr ams british 02 — Terminal 5 – London Heathrow

Not much indicated on the signs, I will have to go through customs first (very fast thanks to the new passport scanners) before heading to the exit of the terminal …. then ask for directions to finally find the salon!

lhr ams british 01 — Terminal 5 – London Heathrow – Arrivals Lounge

lhr ams british 03 — Terminal 5 – London Heathrow – Arrivals Lounge

The Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5

At this hour, the salon is not very busy. Nice! Here are some pictures of the relaxation areas and the buffet.

lhr ams british 04 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 05 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 06 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 07 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 08 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 09 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 10 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 11 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 12 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 13 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

But before lunch, I decide to take a bath. Indeed, the lounge offers many showers, and some “cabanas” with bathtub. Because of the low traffic at the salon, there is very little waiting for my “cabana” to be ready.

lhr ams british 14 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR

lhr ams british 15 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR

lhr ams british 16 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

lhr ams british 17 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

lhr ams british 18 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

lhr ams british 19 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

What could be better than a nice bubble bath after a transatlantic flight? Meanwhile, a valet is ironing my jacket and shirt. Royal!

After this “brin de toilette”, I decide to go to the Spa. All passengers traveling in first class are entitled to a 15-20 minute massage, barber, facial…

lhr ams british 20 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa

lhr ams british 21 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa

lhr ams british 22 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa

Normally on appointment, I go directly since there is no one! I choose an excellent back and shoulder massage.

lhr ams british 23 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa – Massage

After a nice bubble bath and massage, it’s time for lunch. I go to the room reserved for First Class passengers. The difference: it is not a buffet, but a table service.

lhr ams british 24 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Lunch

lhr ams british 25 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Lunch

Shortly after lunch, I head to the business center of the show to start writing my milesopedia articles!

lhr ams british 26 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Business center

After 2 hours in the lounge, I leave it to go through security and into another lounge… the Concorde Room in Terminal 5!

The Concorde Room at London Heathrow

Indeed, although my connection to Amsterdam will be in economy class, having travelled in First Class just before, this gives me the right to access the most prestigious lounge at London Heathrow.

lhr ams british 29 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 30 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 32 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow

The lounge offers a very British/classy interior space, as well as a terrace overlooking the interior of Terminal 5.

lhr ams british 33 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Terrace

lhr ams british 34 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Terrace

There is the possibility to dine at the table, like in a restaurant. Everything is free of course.

lhr ams british 35 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Table

The choice of alcohols is excellent.

lhr ams british 36 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Alcools

I decide to sit comfortably in a club chair, and order a burger with a glass of rosé champagne.

non-expiration of best western points — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Menu

lhr ams british 37 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – BA Burger and Champagne

lhr ams british 38 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – View from the lounge

After a short hour in the Concorde Room, it’s time for me to head for my door.

On the way to Amsterdam

The general strike in France causes delays and cancellations. My flight will arrive from Nice (my birthplace 🙂 ) with about 30 minutes of delay.

lhr ams british 40 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5 – Departure Screen

The airport is particularly busy, as usual. I was happy to relax in the lounges, away from the stressful atmosphere!

lhr ams british 41 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5

lhr ams british 42 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5

lhr ams british 43 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5 – Original storefront!

lhr ams british 44 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5

Here I am at my gate for my flight to Amsterdam.

lhr ams british 45 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5 – Gate A22

One can immediately feel the “downgrade”. Traveling in economy, I no longer have access to the priority lanes and a stewardess comes to see me to tell me that my carry-on bag is too big and that it will have to be checked. I point out that some travelers – especially in the priority line – have bags as big as mine! In vain…

That’s the “First Class to Economy” effect. The fall is hard.

Note that this passenger was able to bring on board his cooler.

lhr ams british 48 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Boarding

What is the difference between business and economy class on British Airways’ intra-European flights? No room for legs. Just the middle chair blocked and used as a common table.

lhr ams british 51 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Business Class

I arrive at my seat. Like the rest of the cabin, it looks new. The leather is of excellent quality!

lhr ams british 53 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Seat 12A

I notice that my carry-on luggage… could have easily fit in the luggage compartments. In short, no comment.

lhr ams british 54 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Luggage Storage

There is storage for magazines, and legroom is decent.

lhr ams british 56 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam

We leave the door 30 minutes late. The pilot will not fail to point out that those responsible are “once again, the French strikers”. Sighs are heard among the passengers, I make myself small. 😀

There is a lot of traffic in this late afternoon at London Heathrow. It will take a good 20 minutes before takeoff.

lhr ams british 59 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Roulage

lhr ams british 60 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Roulage

lhr ams british 61 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Virgin Atlantic A346

lhr ams british 62 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Traffic jam

Here is a video of the takeoff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW9BnKkd_qE

Shortly after takeoff, the service begins. It must be said that the flight is very short (30 minutes). The choice is simple: sweet or savory and a few soft drinks.

lhr ams british 63 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Service

After this short flight, I arrived at my destination for the weekend: Amsterdam!

Bottom line

The experience at London Heathrow, especially in the two British Airways lounges, was excellent. I arrived at my destination completely rested, and was able to work efficiently during that day.

The flight to Amsterdam went smoothly, except for the carry-on baggage that I had to check. I wasted a good twenty minutes waiting at the luggage carpets.

The maps to make this trip

Here, I needed American Express with Membership Rewards (transferable to Avios miles) and my Scotiabank Gold American Express card (which allowed me to pay taxes with the Scotia Bonus points).