About this flight
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on a peninsula jutting out from the southeastern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
While the concept of "Overseas Territories" may not be familiar in modern-day Japan, countries such as the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and the Netherlands still maintain such territories around the world.
This area holds great military and maritime strategic importance as it is located at the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, and the British military has been stationed there since the early 18th century.
On my journey from Granada, Spain to London, I traveled by bus to Gibraltar Airport and flew from there.
Table of Contents
Gibraltar Airport
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Before Crossing the Border
Gibraltar, located on a small peninsula near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, is a British territory. As such, there is a border between Spain and Gibraltar, and you must present your passport when crossing—just as if you were entering the United Kingdom.
At that time, I headed to Gibraltar Airport by car from Spain. This photo shows the scene just before crossing the border into Gibraltar.
Departure Information Board
This is Gibraltar Airport. Looking at the departure board, you can see that there are five scheduled flights to London.
- (Airline breakdown):
- • British Airways: 3 flights
- • easyJet (UK low-cost carrier): 2 flights
Departure Lobby
This is the departure lobby of Gibraltar Airport.
Escalator to the Lounge
This is the escalator leading to the lounge.
View of the Spanish Side
This is the view from the airport window, showing high-rise apartment buildings on the Spanish side.
Boarding Pass
This is the boarding pass for the flight from Gibraltar to London.
Departure Lobby (2)
Another view inside the departure lobby.
The Rock of Gibraltar
This is the Rock of Gibraltar as seen from the airport’s departure lobby. It stands 426 meters tall and is the symbol of Gibraltar.
Lounge
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Open Terrace (1)
This is the open terrace area inside the lounge. It feels wonderful to rest while enjoying the fresh air outside.
Open Terrace (2)
Another view of the lounge's outdoor open terrace.
Drinks Corner
This is the beverage station inside the lounge:
- • Soft drinks
- • Hard liquor
- • Wine, etc.
Light Snacks Corner
This is the light snacks section of the lounge:
- • Sandwiches
- • Scones
- • Potato chips and other snacks
- • Fresh fruit
Food and Drinks I Enjoyed
Here’s what I had during my stay in the lounge:
- • Beer
- “Kronenbourg 1664” – a French pilsner-style beer. Apparently, it holds a 40% market share in France.
- • Red wine and white wine
- • Sandwiches, roll sandwiches, and scones
- • Clotted cream
- A rich dairy product from the UK, made by indirectly heating whole milk with steam or a water bath, then slowly cooling it in shallow pans to produce a thick, creamy texture.
Outside View
From where I was seated, I could see the Rock of Gibraltar clearly through the window beyond the table.
Interestingly, a major U.S. life insurance company group uses this rock as its logo.
Airport Before Boarding
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“Photo Festival”
At the time, there was an exhibition taking place in the airport lobby for the 1st Gibraltar Photography Festival. Many of the displayed photos featured the Rock of Gibraltar, scenic landscapes, and wildlife—highlighting the natural beauty of the region.
Arrival of the Aircraft
The aircraft for our flight today had just arrived from London.
Walking to the Plane
We began moving toward the aircraft. Boarding was done on foot.
Boarding (1)
A view just before boarding the aircraft.
Boarding (2)
Another view taken just before boarding. Passengers boarded using stairs at both the front and rear doors.
Terminal View
A view of the terminal building as seen from the boarding stairs.
View Before Boarding
A look at the aircraft from the stairs. In the distance, you can also spot the Rock of Gibraltar.
Flight
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Coffee
After takeoff, I was served instant coffee with hot water. The packet reads: “Hints of dark chocolate and roasted caramel.”
Flight Position
The in-flight screen showed our current location. At that moment, we had just crossed the Iberian Peninsula and entered the skies over the Atlantic Ocean.
Arrival in London
We arrived at London Heathrow Airport.
