BA 794 LHR-HEL (London/Heathrow->Helsinki/Vantaa)
DEP LHR 11:20 14 DEC 2011
ARR HEL 16:15 14 DEC 2011
Flight Duration: 2:55
Aircraft: A320
Following my trip from Chicago/O'Hare to London/Heathrow (Link to aforementioned Trip Report here), and after my 3-hour layover in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3, it was time to board my flight to Helsinki. As a reminder, this trip would be a part of my 4-segment trip from Chicago to Seoul, Korea. The itinerary was as follows:
(Click each flight segments for trip reports)
Outbound
Inbound
Terminal 3 was packed that day. All of the seats in the waiting area of the terminal were taken. I purchased some beverage and sandwich at Pret a Manger and spent most of my layover time walking around the terminal. All of the stores were filled with toys and souvenirs for the London Olympics that would be happening next year.
In terminal 3, the gates don't open until the flights are ready to board. All passengers generally wait in the central waiting area until when the flights' statuses (as shown in the screens) are changed to "Ready to Board". It even shows how long of a walk it would take for the passengers to walk from the central waiting area to their respective gates.
British Airways flights to Finland (as well as other Scandinavian countries and others in East Europe), were operating out of Terminal 3 today. Turns out I would be boarding the plane by taking an on-ramp shuttle there from boarding gate.
Terminal 3 Virgin Atlantic Airways check-in counters. There were flight attendants in red everywhere.
Terminal 3 central waiting area. It was seriously packed in this place.
Heading toward my gate, Gate 24A.
As you can see, no waiting area within these gates. We were headed straight for the on-ramp shuttles.
The shuttle to my flight from Gate 24A.
The British Airways A320 which would take me to Helsinki today.
The airstair provided by BA.
Next to me was a Vienna-bound British Airways A320.
After take-off toward northeast, a sandwich and beverage was served. Sandwich contained slices of ham, cheese, spinach, and mayonnaise.
About one-third of the way there.
It was about local time 14:00 and sun was beginning to set already.
Approaching Helsinki. The plane was entering Gulf of Finland.
At local time of around 4PM, the plane arrived at Helsinki/Vantaa Airport.
Disembarking the plane.
We boarded an airport shuttle to the arrivals gate.
The customs and immigration was a breeze. There was no line at all in this airport.
At Helsinki city downtown area.
Click here to see some pictures from my layover experience in Helsinki downtown area. (To be posted soon)
