It is now July 1st. My two-week trip through Europe was just concluding, but my real fun was about to begin. I flew from Milan Linate (LIN) to London Heathrow (LHR) on a BMI A320, during which we encountered some very violent turbulence over continental Europe. People on the plane were doing roller coaster style screams! We landed at LHR shortly before 1 pm. I went through the Flight Connections Centre in Terminal 1, where I had to go through security and got my handbags x-rayed again. Bypassing the BA check-in counter in the Connection Centre, I proceeded downstairs and took the short shuttle bus ride to Terminal 4. The ride took us under the runways and also gave a "behind-the-scenes" look of LHR. We went past baggage sort facilities and conveyor belts, and got views of aircrafts parked at gates and on ramps. Once inside Terminal 4, it took me a while to locate the First and Concorde Lounge Pavilion, as the entrance was located in between two shops. The small signage didn't help either. The Concorde Room was immediately ahead as I entered the hallway.

With a grin on my face, I opened the door and entered. The receptionists greeted me and I checked-in for my flight. She asked where I had flown in from and whether I had a good flight. I replied the flight went fine, but it's probably not going to be as good as the one I'm about to take. We both chuckled and agreed! Estimated weights for both my through-checked suitcase and my carry-on bags were entered in the computer. I wonder if those were necessary for the aircraft weight and balance calculations. They didn't have Concorde luggage tags available for me. Darn! In hindsight, I should have taken the trouble and went through UK immigration and carried my suitcase to check-in at the main Concorde desk at Terminal 4. And not just for the Concorde luggage tags either (you will see why at the end of the story). I received my boarding pass and proceeded to check out the lounge.

Right next to the receptionist area is the bag check. Immediately in front is the main seating area with large seats and tables. To the left is a work area with a single computer. To the right is a staffed bar, with an eating area, and a self-service drink area. A pair of seats from Concorde for you try to out is on display as well. Around the corner from the bar are the smoking room and the actual door to board Concorde.

I left the Concorde Room and proceeded downstairs of the lounge pavilion to the Molton Brown Spa. A shower room was immediately available for my use and an appointment for a massage followed immediately after. The shower room was quite large, much larger than many of the hotel bathrooms I had been in days earlier. The shower had no less than three controls! It took me a while to read the instructions written on the wall and figure out what each knob did. My back massage (with Pam) followed the shower. It was so relaxing I thought I was going to fall asleep! The massage lasted for 10 to 15 minutes or so.

I headed back up stairs to the Concorde Room for lunch. A BA 757 is now parked at our gate. I thought how could they let any other aircraft park at our "exclusive" gate! :-) At the bar, I ordered a Chinese prawn salad, picked up a tiny can of Bitter Lemon from the fridge, and grabbed a table. After lunch, I headed out to the business centre (which I had to be told the secret code to get into) and sent emails to my co-workers and friends to brag about my imminent trip.

The entrance to the Concorde Room at the Lounge Pavilion. 

The main seating area inside the Concorde Room. This was taken shortly before departure, so there was quite a crowd.

Seats to try out before the flight.

The receptionists told me that our airplane usually gets towed to the gate between 5 and 5:30 pm. Since I had plenty of time, off I went exploring Terminal 4. At the connector bridge between the piers, I found the perfect spot where I could get photos of Concorde as she gets pulled into the gate. I made some test shots of a 747 being towed to the gate on the opposite side and I was pleased on how it looked. Now all I need is my Concorde!

I went back to the Concorde Room. It was only about 4 pm and I had about an hour to relax before the plane shows up. I signed the Concorde guest book at the reception desk, had some strawberries in heavy cream (yum), and read a bit. At 4:50, I was ready to head out to my photo spot when I saw a commotion at the window. I then saw a Concorde tail. "Shoot! It's here early!" I ran to the window, joined in a bunch of other people with cameras and snapped away. Our plane is going to be Alpha Golf (G-BOAG). Although I was upset I didn't get the photos from the spot I had picked out, I was able to manage one or two decent shots.

Some time later, there was more commotion at the window. In the distance, I can see a Concorde on final. It was BA 2 arriving from JFK. After it touched down, I asked where it was going to park (gate 10, across the way), and rushed there to get photos of it taxing in.

By now, there was a definite aura of excitement in the Concorde Room. There were people everywhere. Excited tourists with cameras mingled with seasoned business people who just want to catch a few winks of sleep or get some work done on their laptop. It was difficult to find a place to sit. I just stood at the window and stared at my ride of a lifetime.

I caught another Concorde out of the corner of my eye. I did not expect to see a third Concorde! With everyone's cameras clicking away, the sleek bird made its way to the gate next to ours. That plane would the back-up plane for our flight if needed.

Shortly before boarding, the captain made a PA announcement in the lounge and introduced himself and the cockpit crew. Our captain would be Captain Andy Mills, with Captain Les Brodie flying in the right seat (sorry, I don't have the Flight Engineer's name). He informed everyone of the weather in New York and predicted the flying time to be 3 hours and 25 minutes. Another announcement told everybody that since the airplane is so small, if anyone wanted magazines or newspapers on the plane, you will need to get them from the lounge before boarding.

Boarding announcement for another BA flight to JFK came over the PA system. It emphasized this was the "subsonic service to JFK" ready for boarding. I had a pretty good laugh! They probably did this so people wouldn't get confused and board the wrong airplane.

 
BA 747-400 G-BYGB (Colum tail color) test shot from the connector bridge. The Concorde gate is directly opposite from this 747 gate.

My airplane for the day, Concorde G-BOAG, arriving at the gate.

Another shot of Alpha Golf going into the gate.

The obligatory shot of me in front of the plane!

Nose on shot of BA 2 (G-BOAD) arriving from JFK. Mean looking iron bird!

Back-up airplane (G-BOAE) for our flight being towed to the gate next to ours.