“What a horror?” and “Oh my gosh!” are the exclamations I keep repeating.

I can’t believe I actually felt bad that I hadn’t traversed through the much anticipated opening of British Airway’s Heathrow Terminal 5 – a grand ceremony complete with her royal highness HRH Queen Elizabeth’s ribbon cutting – arriving with all her regal might, including all the formalities and crowning glory for the “world’s favorite airline,” British Airways. Watching the ceremony (sans the expansion “green” protesters on the local BBC), I remember saying, “Now, why couldn’t my flight depart at the shiny – over $4.2 billion GB Pound price tag – Terminal 5?” Alas. I dare say. I remember standing at BA’s kiosks, joking to the Club World check-in agents in Terminal 4 last week that I wish I’d known, because I would’ve gladly delayed my departure for another week.

I’m so glad I didn’t. Luckily, we’ve both returned safe and sound — thanks to British Airways and our miles – to this side of the pond without incident. BA’s Heathrow Terminal 4 Terraces is so passe’ evidenced by their aging bathrooms, same buffet, larder and such. I do think both lounges in T4 are looking a bit tired. Are they going to replace those scrubby, worn furniture, or is a complete overhaul of BA’s Terraces lounges in T4 finally due for the same regal treatment? When will our transatlantic flights from New York traverse through T5? Hmmm.

I even got an email alert on my blackberry to be aware of extensive delays. So sad! Poor passengers have no recourse. Steven’s schedule isn’t too forgiving either. Then there’s my schedule too. I feel so bad! Plus the new Open Skies agreement approaching this weekend. The timing couldn’t be worse for BA. This is a PR nightmare.

Good luck! Personally, I am happy thus far overall with BA (I am referring to the in-flight cabin crews); their service is above the industry standard with Club World and First flight experiences second to none. Without accruing miles (on my Executive Club account) collectively adding all flight segments with their One World Alliance, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to even try other airlines outside the OWA, because I’ve been so loyal to BA and the OWA over the years (mostly for their miles), uh, let’s make that exactly 9 years flying them exclusively to London at least four times per year (some for work, some for holiday) since 1997. However, a different opinion should be noted for their ground staff. Hmmm. They have too many angry passengers hurling their protestations daily, so it must be difficult to deal with them rationally, day in day out.

So, I continue on this rant, but happily say, “Whew! What a relief?” Anyway, there is a silver lining. We are happy to be back just missing this chaos by a few days, and therefore, lucky for us we’re not due in London for another few months. So hopefully by then, BA will have already gotten through all their glitches, and I won’t have to ponder the thought of traversing through T5, because all transatlantic and long-haul flights will eventually be phased into T5.

We shall see?