This GB Airways operated BA flight to Malaga was generally of a very high standard and was only really let down by the experience within the airport buildings at both Gatwick North Terminal and Malaga.

I had already selected my seat when booking the ticket a month previously, and had checked in the evening before using BA's website. It was just a matter of a minute to collect my boarding pass from the self-service machine at Gatwick North Terminal, however there was no control by BAA staff over who was using the Fast Track service, so there was a long queue for security checks.

There was just time for a quick cup of tea and an orange juice in BA's comfortable Terraces lounge as the aircraft was parked at a remote stand and passengers for my flight were being transported to the aircraft by bus.

Once on board the aircraft I found the cabin crew were very friendly and attentive and the aircraft, an Airbus A321, was clean and comfortable. In Business Class there was a range of complimentary newspapers and magazines (The Economist, Conde Nast Traveller, Newsweek etc) and I had an entire row of seats to myself. The Business Class cabin was only about one-third full so it was possible to 'spread out' a bit. Hot towels were provided soon after take-off.

On a flight of just two and a half hours there is very little need for a comprehensive in-flight entertainment service, and I found the provision of the 'Moving Map' display to be adequate diversion for such a short duration flight.

There was a choice of hot, and surprisingly tasty, three course meals accompanied by complimentary drinks. I decided upon the Piper Heidseck champagne, and the cabin crew ensured my glass was regularly replenished without being prompted. Following the meal service the cabin crew offered a selection of liqueurs / brandies etc., as well as another round of hot towels.

In spite of bad weather below for most of the two and-a-half hour flight, the ride was smooth and we arrived on schedule in spite of a 15 minute late departure from Gatwick.

The return flight was of an equally high standard, again only let down by the miserable Malaga Airport experience that included long queues for security and at the cash-desks in the airport shops. This was combined with the airport authority forgetting to put the flight details into their computers, the flight was not showing on any of the information screens in departures and so none of the passengers were aware that the aircraft was at the gate. This was only remedied by a panicked 'last call' announcement 10 minutes before scheduled departure.

I shall definitely fly GB Airways/BA to Malaga again as it is definitely the superior carrier on this route.