LOT Business - Vilnius - London City, Embraer E190: Like a dog in a bowling alley

Continuation and end of my business itinerary which took me to Warsaw for the week, with this final leg to London on LOT in Business.

Itinerary reminder :

#	Type	Review
1	Lounge	Plaza Premium Lounge, London Heathrow T2
2	Flight	LOT Business, London – Warsaw, Embraer 195
3	Hotel	Sheraton Warsaw
4	Flight	LOT Business, Warsaw – Vilnius, Embraer 170
5	Flight	LOT Business Vilnius – London, Embraer 195

Today’s itinerary

Ground experience

After arriving in Vilnius in the boarding area, I start to explore the Schengen airside zone, which is still fairly limited in size. The airport is almost brand new and in a perfect state of maintenance. I head for the lounge… which is closed! It’s off to a good start, 3 hours of connecting time, on a Business Class fare, walking around the terminal.

One of the restaurants in the *airside* zone

My feeder flight leaves immediately for Warsaw

Most catering outlets are nevertheless closed

I settle down with a snack, then decide to start working… And realize that I no longer have my Mac, which was no doubt left in the pocket in front of me on the previous flight!

Waiting areas are comfortable, but not very clean

Moment of panic, how to get my computer back since the flight has already left for Warsaw. I ask two airport agents where the Lost & Found is located: it’s at the Luggage Claim. So I have to go through the arrivals circuit and then the departures circuit.

In any case, my computer was there, safe and sound – well done the crew! However, I have to go through the verification of my credentials and my test, and then the check-in, as the electronic BP does not work at the security check., then the security check (fortunately with a dedicated fast track) and finally the border police, where I’m asked to produce countless supporting documents… It seems that my entry into the Schengen area wasn’t properly checked-in in Warsaw. Nevertheless, everything is done in a friendly manner, and I’m finally in the right airside.

Exit to *landside* after passing health checks

Passport control at the end of the corridor

Boarding

After dealing with a few emails in the departure lounge, I queue up and am one of the first in the feeder. No specific announcement is made for Business passengers, but I create my own priority boarding, so nobody will tell me anything.

DA28C162-14CA-42B2-99C3-EC4A71515CC2 — All clear of snow at Vilnius airport

Cabin and welcome

The welcome is a little cold, and I quickly settle into seat 1A. The purser quickly suggested I switch to the much more spacious 2D. I comply. A bottle of water will be brought to me at the very end of boarding.

Service and catering

The service begins once we have reached our cruising altitude. And how can I put this, it’s a cold shower. A cardboard box with shameful contents is brought to me. I ask for a Gin Tonic, and am told that because of the pandemic, there’s no loaded alcohol on board. You’ll have to explain to me why I had full catering on my two previous flights and not here. Especially as it’s the longest of the 3, 3-hour block. I’m outraged.