Following the issues described above, returned from BHD to LHR on the EI36 at 1730 on Wednesday. That was a (lesser) disorganisation as well. There were also flights at much the same time by both EI and Flybe to Gatwick, by 1700 these were both being loaded while the Heathrow flights, which had arrived on stand early, was just left blank on the FIDS.
Suddenly at about 1720 the FIDS sprang into action for it with Final Call, no intermediate boarding displays being shown. How are you going to get on-time departures if you put the flight up so late ?
The FIDS themselves are confusing because they show the gate numbers, but there are no gate numbers displayed in the "new" upstairs departure lounge, there are door letters A, B, C etc instead which lead to stairs down to the actual gates, each signed for a certain flight, although it doesn't seem to matter which door you go through at all ! Whoever thought this one up ?
Incidentally, regarding the EI loads on the new Heathrow service on the A319, the northward flight on a November Monday evening seemed about 75% full, and the return on a Wednesday evening was pretty much every seat taken. EI was £175 return, BA had quoted £379, some £200 more, for the comparable flights.
Last edited by WHBM; 9th Nov 2012 at 11:05.
Reason: Added note about load factors