Trip Report: Southampton to Edinburgh British Airways Business Class
Time now for something different: an aircraft positioning flight. British Airways fly just once a week to Edinburgh from Southampton, and only return five days later. The flight is designed to position the aircraft for its next rotation, and mainly carries staff. However, you can, if you are determined, actually buy a ticket. Just what does this once a week flight offer in Business Class?
It was an early start at Eastleigh Aerodrome; or, as it is now rather euphemistically called, Southampton International Airport.
Thankfully it is also an airport with the closest possible rail connection to check in: just a 45 second walk from direct trains to London into the now pretty dead terminal.
Alas, following the collapse of FlyBE last year the small airfield went from 35 departures a day, down to one. There are now a dozen or so, with Loganair taking over the Edinburgh route with a once a day flight.
However, with FlyBE no longer operating from the airport, it has given the chance for British Airways to come back - and that's why I'm here, for the once a week positioning flight to Edinburgh, a route BA abandoned over 15 years ago, when at the time it also operated an old Executive Club lounge at the small regional airport in Hampshire.
The new flights will be operated by its BA Cityflyer subsidiary using its Embraer 190 aircraft, which normally fly out of London City Airport during the week but are 'spare' at the weekend when city is closed. British Airways announce routes from Southampton.
The aircraft positions from Edinburgh and Berlin for the mostly weekend flights, which has resulted in some odd once a week routes, such as flying FROM Edinburgh just once a week on a Friday night, after the aircraft has flown up from London City.
To accommodate these flights, British Airways cancelled many flights which have previously run from London Stansted and Manchester over summer weekends using those BA's Embraer aircraft
In the summer they operate an intense schedule, just once a week, down to Faro, Florence, Ibiza, Malaga and even Mykonos. In the winter there is a Saturday and Sunday shuttle down to the Alps.
But come lunchtime the sole aircraft needs to position back to Edinburgh, ready for it's weekday flights up and down to London City.
Southampton Airport Lounge
I have already extensively reviewed the Spitfire Lounge at Southampton Airport, and which has undergone a large revamp, and now looks stylish with a new gin bar. Gone is the old 'Breeze' in the name, as indeed is the 'Priority', perhaps to avoid confusion with Priority Pass.
Alas, it closed with the onset of Covid, and indeed the collapse of FlyBE. Which is a shame, as it offered decent hot food during the day, and an excellent Hampshire Gin bar.
Instead, the only places to wait now in the rather closed and deserted Southampton Airport are Costa Coffee, or the Olive Tree bar. Which only opens half an hour before the flight departs.
Soon, boarding was called, and what really surprised me were the number of crew who trotted up to the gate, and asked to get on board.
A few days before boarding and I thought I'd have the flight to myself: no longer. It was clear it was going to be rammed with BA cabin and technical crew, and oddly also a large number of KLM staff.
British Airways Embraer 190 Business Class seats
British Airways Embraer 190 Business Class seats are exactly the same as economy seats, with the exception of row 2 C and D seats, which boast an exceptional amount of legroom. A week before departure, and you can select these seats for free, instead of paying BA's exorbitant seat reservation fee.
There were a nominal 4 rows of Business Class in this cabin, although pretty much every seat was taken by BA crew in uniform.
British Airways domestic Business Class meals & drinks
Within a few minutes of takeoff we were into the cruise above Basingstoke, and the sole crew member for Business Class came straight over, and asked for drink orders. Naturally, since the sun had just passed the yardarm, I went for a Gin and Tonic. Served with ice and a slice.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot from the food on board, although as I hadn't had breakfast yet my tummy was rumbling.
However, I was delighted when the crew came straight to my seat first, and asked, since I was the only 'revenue' customer in Business, I could have the pick of the meals. The choice was afternoon tea, or chicken salad.
The chicken salad was surprisingly good, with large slabs of (cold) chicken breast on a bed of potato salad with sweetcorn, dressed with cress and sunflower seeds, plus a tub of light sweet chilli sauce dressing.
Champagne is available, just as it would be on the long haul flights. Its the usual BA Nicolas Feuillatte Brut. It has an moderately well-balanced, and decidedly refined and light Champagne which cannot fail to seduce at 35,000 feet.
So, by the time we overflew Birmingham, about 25 minutes into the flight, I asked if I could have a bottle. The crew obliged, with 'of course you, I'd be delighted to get you a bottle'. The Brut releases unwavering aromas of white fruit, apple and raspberry after three years warehouse ageing. Light bright and fresh, I appreciated it over the Midlands.
It was mandatory of course to sample the white wine on board. So, just as I sensed the engine note change for a gentle decent into Scotland's capital - about 35 minutes into the flight - I asked for a bottle of white to keep me company for the last ten minutes of the flight. On the flight today we had BA's usual Lighthouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from the South Island of New Zealand, this Sauvignon Blanc exhibits complexity and a vibrant zing. Flavours of Meyer lemons and Key limes integrate with hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus, which nicely offset the superb views of the Firth of Forth, as we circled to land.
The crew were happy to oblige, but what I wasn't prepared for was the woman, in BA Cabin Service Director uniform sitting opposite to stare at me and was quite clearly sizing me up.
We landed on time in Edinburgh, after a rather jolly, if decidedly short and unusual flight.
And indeed, the tram into the city centre took rather longer than the flight.
See the full Trip Report: Southampton to Edinburgh British Airways Business Class video:
Lux-traveller paid its own way for this Trip Report: Southampton to Edinburgh British Airways Business Class, and travelled incognito.
| Trip Report: Southampton to Edinburgh British Airways Business Class | |
|---|---|
Lux-traveller.com rating:7 out of10  | |
| Seats: | 4 - Standard economy seats with a little more space |
| Food: | 6 - surprisingly good |
| Service: | 7 - Decent, not exceptional |
| IFE: | n/a - None |
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