Hello and welcome everyone to my trip report to London at the end of October / beginning of November 2015.
Trip Overview
1. MUC-LHR (LH2482 | A320-200) You are here
2. LHR-MUC (LH2485 | A320-200 => Originally - was cancelled the night before and changed to LH2479 | A320-200) Can be found here: http://flight-report.com/en/report-12231.html
Intro
The main reason for this trip was the NFL International Series Game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs @ Wembley Stadium on November 1st 2015. As a huge Lions Fan, it was my second time at the International Series after 2014. This year the Game was on the same weekend as the Rugby World Cup Final 2015 @ Twickenham Stadium, which took place the day before on October 31st 2015. So you can imagine it was a quite busy weekend for me as a huge sport fan.
But no lets start with the report for the first segment MUC -> LHR on Friday, October 30th 2015.
We left home about 4 hours before the scheduled departure because on that day the autumn school holidays started and there was quite some traffic on the streets - after about an hour drive we arrived at the airport. The airport itself was quite crowded, lots of families and business traveler who flew home over the weekend (I guess). Check in was done very quickly but the security check took his time. We had to wait about 30min before we were able to pass because there were so many people. I don't know why, but sometimes I think that security checks are much quicker at other airports, for example Changi or Heathrow - don't know why but I think that they can handle much more people in the same time as they can do during the peak hours in Munich.
First picture after arriving at the car park
After passing the security checks we settled down and had something to eat and drink.
I walked along Terminal 2 and took a picture of the ANA B787 before her return flight back to Tokyo later that evening.
Soon after that borading startet about 15min behind schedule.
MUC -> LHR | A320-200 | LH2482
Registration: D-AIZE
Delivered : 29th March 2010
Scheduled Departure: 07:15pm
Push Back : 07:30pm
Actual Departure : 07:45pm
Scheduled Arrival : 08:20pm
Actual Arrival : 08:25pm
Parking Position : 08:30pm
(All times are local)
Flight Ticket
Another LH A340-600 gets prepared for his late night flight (Normally there are LH Flights to Asia (HKG, PVG), South / Central America (MEX, GRU), Africa (CPT) or DXB during the winter late in the evening)
Seat pitch was comfortable for me as a 1.80m high and slim / normal person
Seat width is between 17-18 and was also great
Some pictures during taxiing
Another LH A340-600
South African A340-600 before her return flight to Johannesburg later that evening
Cabin during taxiing
Lineup next to a British Airways which also flew to LHR
We departed first but I don't know if the BA flight got a higher priority for arriving at LHR - I haven't checked that.
Inflight magazines
Safety card
There was a funny article in the LH magazin about Germans. I took some photos and wanna share them with you here.
Sandwich service for that short 1.5hr flight started immediately after seat belt signs were switched off.
There were two choices - Beef Pastrami oder Tomato & Mozzarella (I have a picture of both types in part 2)
I choose the Beef Pastrami
Just a normal sandwich, which was okay but not too great.
As far as I can remember, on last year's flight to LHR they distribute a pack with both types of sandwiches for everyone. This year you had to choose which one you take and there was only one sandwich in the pack - but if you were still hungry after one I think it wouldn't be a problem to ask for a second one.
It was a crystal clear evening the whole flight, so I was able to see lots of lights down there. When I booked the flight and the seats (for extra cost) I checked the typical flight path of the MUC->LHR flights and was really hoping to have a try to see FRA Airport from above during night. Unfortunately it wasn't able to see FRA airport because we turned before Frankfurt to northwest direction. Never the less the flight was very smooth and great.
Leaving Belgian Airspace and heading over the sea
London in sight
We had to do a holding pattern over Central London because of traffic at LHR
I hope you can see the stadium at the left top corner. It's the Olympic Stadium in Central London where during that time the Game for 3rd Place of the Rugby World Cup 2015 between South Africa and Argentina took place.
Passing LHR on the northside
After another 180° corner we landed safely and with about 10 min delay at LHR
Finally at the gate
Last but not least some photos of the hotel at Hatton Cross Metro Station
After arriving at the hotel I checked the actual departure schedule of LHR and went out and tried to spot some late night departures. The hotel is almost aligned with the south runway 09R and on that weekend the south runway was used for departures heading eastbound. I was able to spot all the late night departures of SQ, EK, BA, GF, CX, MH and so on - lots of wide body aircrafts, 777, 747, A380, A340 and A330.
I am really sorry for the bad quality - but I hope you can see the SQ A380-800 on the last two pictures.
On saturday morning I was able to get a video and a few photos of EK A380-800 and EY A380-800 during their morning departures. I will post them on the second part.
If I find more time, I will try to cut the EY A380-800 departure and upload them on youtube - but I can't promise it.
Thanks so far for reading Part 1. I hope you had fun and see you in Part 2 which will be available soon.
