Bonjour et bienvenue


For a week long vacation, it was time to keep real all promises and visit my family and some cheerful friends in Paris. When the schedule showed that an air international event took place during this period, A.netter Rukundo (my brother) asked me why not attending this cool show. Starting browsing the AF website for the usual routing to the AF's hub in CDG, and after many nice TR reads from this website my mind changed direction. Some of you reminded me that the direct way is rarely the most spectacular and motivated by the need of a little change from the usual Avro RJ85 the situation became less simple. So obviously, that was not the cheapest, easiest or fastest way to reach the french capital. Furthermore, when in France, it was a good opportunity to meet up some old friends and my dear mum, living south in our hometown of Montpellier on the Mediterranean sea coast.

here is the routing for the outbound journey:


Part 1: Newcastle-Birmingham: Eastern Airways
Part 2: Birmingham-CDG: Flybe
Part 3: Salon Aéronautique du Bourget 2011 (part 1)


A way too long, a compulsory part 2 coming soon, will cover the rest of the Air show (part 2) and an extended Inbound leg.



Intro – Reaching Newcastle



Ok, let's go to England, a new airport, from Edinburgh using the National Express East coast departing at 9H30. For £1 extra you can get a bus ride anywhere around the town unfortunately no buses to the airport, it was pity though.


Departing from Warveley train station (not taken that day)



Marketing freebies with those delicious Yakults at Waverley Station, as tasty as an Actimel.



A typically beautiful scottish Castle, Ayton?


Tweed river


Berwick


The beach


Lindisfarne


this photograph spent 15 min here trying to get the best angle or view


St Mary's Cathedral


Wallace and Gromit will ensure you have "cracking" summer there


the only public transport to airport?

Metro is convenient, fast and cheap, buying a ticket less, as machine only accepting coin, no desk for change or paying with notes, but most of the time.


sign of a runway nearby


Well, Time To Hit The Sky’s in Y class


1 – EASTERN AIRWAYS to Birmingham



1.1 – Introduction



To be honest with all of you i've never heard about this airline beforehand. The initial thought was to reach Orly airport, only 15min away from my dad's house, generating a compulsory stopover in UK. At the time of decision 3 options were available one with Cityjet via LCY, or Flybe with either BHX or Cardiff. Somehow, the Eastern Airways option arose, probably for avoiding 2 flights on the same carrier. More over an interresting discovery taught me that this regional airline also operates in France from its Dijon hub (famous for the French mustard and mayonnaise oui oui monsieur). The UK base is Humberside but T3 flies more frequently from Aberdeen – Scotland used as its operational hub.


1.2 – Preflight
NCL seems getting a lot of adverts inside the terminal. Its shape is attractive and modern.
Check-in at opening so ok, every T3 pax can enjoy a fast track line which was much appreciated there with an extensive queue for Jet2 and EK departing. If you fly any ticket from Aberdeen – Scotland, or Y full fare anywhere else complimentary lounge...unfortunately schedule not really convenient for me so not from ABZ


Domestic side


International departures


No need to introduce them...


Air France flags


Now SN


Jet2 at the "domestic"


Check-in desk still closed


Uganda or Rwanda? Although not for now


Check-in Counters

After strolling around the airport's shops especially at Biza, I found myself a booth at the Eagle Bar Dinner and enjoyed quick snack. The atmosphere looks really trendy, and the prices are decent.


Travel Doc


Little snack at the Eagle Bar Dinner

Airport provides lot of natural light great shops, huge windows bay enjoyable for spotting


Airside


Manx2 Bae Jetstream 31 G-CCPW


KLM Fokker 70 PH-KZD and Emirates Airbus A330 A6-AEK


British Airways A319 G-EUPE, Easyjet A320 to Alicante


2 Jets Jet2: B737 G-CELO and local special scheme B757 G-LSAE


66% of Eastern Airways aircraft fleet composition: G-MAJE and G-COKA


The departure gate was 31 but had to move down to another pre boarding area. This departure lounge was empty when i reached there 30 mins before the dep time, the lady said 4 pax would board the aircraft and i was invited to relax inside in a kind of private lounge with some reading available.




Advert at NCL


.


Dedicated departure lounge


a T3 bus

Despite worried by the 20 min late, we were bussed to the Jetstream and proceed to board - joining only 2 others passengers, so one apparently had never show up. So there was more than enough room for all of us on this 29 seater Bae. It was my first flight on the type.


1.3 – The flight
Eastern Airways T3. 4625
Newcastle – Birmingham
Distance: 179 miles
BAE jetstream 41
Economy 9A

View Large View Medium Photo © Andy Marks-UK Air Pix

View Large View Medium Photo © Andrew Hutchings

small plane means cramped...

Angela, our early 40's yo purser welcomed us 3, 25mins after the ETD. I had a left single seat by the window though i thought i could have taken my pick of seats, eventually seat 9A was ok, but as flight not full request to change was made immediately. Even if i was the smallest, definitely the lightest inside, her smily negative answer saddened me when you consider such amount of empty seat, especially with 2 real 95 kg men both on the right side. too bad as the only one on the left side (1 seat side ). when i saw her bag and purse occupying 2 seats 10 B&C...



She organised the safety demo at row 7, no apologize nor explanation for the delay. We were soon airborne and heading towards Birmingham.


TAKE OFF VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piCTxizkj1c
/>


and the wonderfully powerful acceleration on the Bae Jet41 had us in the air in no time from runway 25, at which point the winds started buffeting us around


15H10 door closure


taxiing to runway 25


An elegant Emirates tower


Legroom


The Tyne river


Newcastle


No clue about this city


Cruising altitude


The inflight service consisted of sweets before take-off and landing She changed jacket for a red one then offers crisps or biscuits, and selection of drink. A hot towel before commencing descend. Also she caught me snapping in the second discrete attempt, so there won't be any video landing.


Huge safety card and inflight mag


Bare essentials


Complimentary F&B, crips pack wearing a T3 Saab2000


Serving the cockpit crew

While disembarking a burning question arose to the charming Angela concerning the use of the camera (= electronic device?) while taking off and landing, with a satisfactory answer supported by an article from the inflight mag relating the UK air navigation order though.

she, despite, allowed a last cabin shoot and outside the aircraft.


Next airline to try


Cabin view


.


Last picture



1.4 – Arrival



I had assumed i would just step out into a transfer area at a domestic gate but this wasn't the case. A problem at the arrival gate forced us to wait 10 min in a corridor inside the departure lounge blocked between 2 doors waiting for a Servisair agent holding a card/pass. It was such like a maze for a domestic flight they did not want us to mix with passengers departing to Frankfurt! Then, the original line luggage belt, added an other 15 mins waiting because the belt stoped and obviously without any luggage on it. The other traveller checked inside the tunnel to check if anything was visible and saw a dark colored one (many thanks to you for this sponteneous initiative), then walked to call the security guy after door (UK domestic flight???) to start again belt, 10min without any movement and guy check everywhere for a service phone available to call any operation. So waiting time 35 mins.


rare luggage belt

[Edited 2011-07-04 09:38:13]

2 – Birmingham – Paris CDG with FLYBE

.
2.1 Preflight


Despite BHX looks like an hangar or low cost terminal one feels space inside, checkin was done on AF desks in biz, as usual immediately and sent back to the next counter stating that it was a BE flight, so not chance to avoid a huge queue next desk.


Landside view of Terminal 1


The hangar Check-in area


Following the late departure and the luggage ordeal, a quick run was unavoidable and obliged to head straight to the gate. While passing the security check represented a breeze, finding the way afterwards, was a mission walking inside the compulsory massive World Duty Free Shop. Only locals can prevent further from delaying in this case. As lost I've ended up buying a £2.99 souvenir white Cowboy hat wearing Union Jack flag instead of rushing straight to gate 20. all that, thanks to the foot stickers on the floor.



AF2069 or BE3009


Airside

Same cars different airports


Hell for photographies: my desperate attempt to catch Irish airlines


BP with no first name


2.2 – The flight
Flybe BE3009/AF2069
Birmingham - Paris CDG
Distance: 303 miles
Embraer 190
Economy 19A

View Large View Medium Photo © Daniel Guerra

View Large View Medium Photo © Martin Hartland

Boarding on time

A code share flight probably 90% full. First time on a 195 then. I had flown on a KQ 170 doing the MBA-NBO route a couple of month ago so it was going to be similar to that, but its always good to log a sub-type


while embarking


.


.


which airfield? few minutes after TO.

TAKE OFF VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IbpWTmKkdE
/>

Ticket bought on AF website, but no complimentary service as the hostess said that i did not hold an AF voucher...What is she talking about????


still correct


BOB menu, inflight magazine and safety card


Trying out a London Pride, not chilled enough though

Descend and landing in advance in runway 27R while a AF 777 blasting off.

Great LANDING VIDEO (with B777 AF parallel taking off): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuChKMiKqZo
/>





Aegean quiet far from T1


Air Austral B777 special scheme "la Reunion Patrimoine Mondial de l'UNESCO"


B747 KE901/2



2.3 – Arrival


If at LHR is well known for the waiting time on the ground (before taking off) CDG fame is on the time of taxiing for a short haul aircraft: 20 min
Nowaday CDG becomes a huge maze for arrivals, we docked up at the new Terminal G (i think) took a ride with the CDGval to Terminal E. The good fact showed no waiting time for luggage even.





short ride to Terminal E


today's ride


Waiting for my lift at the RER station


CONCLUSION



Eastern airways, a high standard lovely domestic airline, despite they have a tendency to fill the rear of the plane, and leave the front relatively empty the overall services are all inclusive. The cabin crew had nothing to write about. with the restrictive growing companies EZY/FR, they represent a decent option to travel through UK.



Flybe did what they are supposed to do, not sure the opportunity will come soon to fly again. The picture has been partially clouded by the decreasing service reaching an almost low-cost model but for an Air france fare though. The codeshare explained the choice of the airline, but not the level of service. An example: for a EDI-CDG booked on BE, and flying on AF do you get AF services or BOB BE.

Comment and feedback are always welcomed, so feel free!

East African Spotter (Léonard)


Previous Trip Reports:


Mombasa Beckons (J): New Rwandair VS Kenya Airways (by eastafspot May 12 2011 in Trip Reports)
From Malawi To Scotland With Kenya Airways And BMI (by eastafspot Dec 7 2010 in Trip Reports)
The Blue Bird Amid Gorillas: KLM Inaugural KGL-AMS (by eastafspot Nov 27 2010 in Trip Reports)
Linking Other Great Lakes: Air Uganda + Rwandair (by eastafspot Nov 12 2010 in Trip Reports)
The Ride In Africa: Kenya Airways Business Class (by eastafspot Apr 28 2010 in Trip Reports)
BMI Regional To Lyon Via Man In ERJ145 (by eastafspot Apr 18 2010 in Trip Reports)
Just Plane Smart... (by eastafspot Apr 6 2010 in Trip Reports)
Rwandair And Skyteam Airlines To Scotland (by Eastafspot Dec 10 2009 in Trip Reports)
KLM And Kenya Airways To Rwanda (by Eastafspot Dec 7 2009 in Trip Reports)






View from the “rive gauche”: Paris Island Road map KM 0


View from the “rive droite”: Same Island

[Edited 2011-07-04 10:04:19]

3 – The Paris Air Show 2011(part 1)


While my brother attended there for his 3rd time, that was the my first ever visit at this event, 3 parts will composed the "Salon Aéronautique":

The hall: now
the static display: part 2 coming soon
the Air show: part 2 coming soon


This first part will focus on the right hall, just after the entrance. This concerns the very beginning, probably the most fascinating parts. Despite all our efforts some details may be missing, please ask for more precision if needed. We will try to answer, with our limited knowledges, the best we can. Now seat back and Enjoy!



Entrance


Schiebel Camcopter S-100


Japan aerospace



As seen on TV: ARdrone











J product




Flight of the COMAC


An airbus cockpit simulator


An environment friendly alternative












....................................



a glimpse of what you can expect coming next:



Boeing 747-800


Hercules C130


Israel Defence

Nice TR...

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Ticket bought on AF website, but no complimentary service as the hostess said that i did not hold an AF voucher...What is she talking about????

FlyBe is offering BOB service- except for passengers in ECONOMY PLUS and on AF codeshare tickets. These passengers will get a voucher for FREE meal&drink onboard.

Hello eastafspot,

Very good TR and nice pictures.

I have found the part on Eastern Airways especially interesting, as both the carrier and J41 are exotic for me.

Also very interesting to take a look at the interiors of Chinese aicraft. I wonder if it's going to attract many customers outside China.

Thank you for posting and looking forward for the next parts.

Regards,
SPLTA

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 1): Ticket bought on AF website, but no complimentary service as the hostess said that i did not hold an AF voucher...What is she talking about????

Certain tickets purchased through Air France come with an Air France Voucher, which allows said passenger to have free drinks and a snack.

thanks all for the comments

Quoting debonair (Reply 3): Nice TR...

cheers!

Quoting debonair (Reply 3): except for passengers in ECONOMY PLUS and on AF codeshare tickets

FB miles have already been credited although the codeshare agreement (AF mag) never mentioned it, contrary to what the website showed about the meal... not a big deal though  

Quoting SPLTA (Reply 4): Very good TR and nice pictures.

thank you very much

Quoting SPLTA (Reply 4): as both the carrier and J41 are exotic for me

first flight on both for me, and it was a pretty good experience

Quoting SPLTA (Reply 4): I wonder if it's going to attract many customers outside China.

Russian Airlines maybe

Quoting bmibaby737 (Reply 5): Certain tickets purchased through Air France

F, J, A? as some travellers were behind row 19...

Nice report, thanks for posting!

I live next to Durham Tees Valley MME and see the Eastern J41s every day. Keep meaning to try them out, but they always seem so expensive!

Anyway, I think the interior of the one you flew looks really smart. A quality product!


I believe the first picture you asked what the city was is Sunderland, just a short distance south of Newcastle.
The airport you asked about after departing Birmingham is Coventry.


Matt

hi Matt,

thanks for stopping by, and dropping a comment

Quoting flywrite (Reply 7): thanks for posting!

you're welcomed!

Quoting flywrite (Reply 7): I live next to Durham Tees Valley MME and see the Eastern J41s every day.

Very nice, have you ever seen the Erj135 coming there?

Quoting flywrite (Reply 7): but they always seem so expensive!

Starting the booking on its website, prices ranged from £50-140 from NCL and £80-180 from abz. Facing difficulties to confirm and pay, i had to book on expedia.fr for a cheaper price than what seen on T3.com

Quoting flywrite (Reply 7): I think the interior of the one you flew looks really smart

the cabin was immaculate indeed, the left side of the aircraft was just regrettable in term of comfort only

Quoting flywrite (Reply 7): the city was is Sunderland, just a short distance south of Newcastle. The airport you asked about after departing Birmingham is Coventry.

Many thanks for that, as my guess would have been totally wrong 

Nice report!! Especially the Eastern air report!!

WOW! Cool man. I was expecting another awesome report from Africa, but this would do ... I guess  . Great to see pictures of the Paris Airshow especially, and to read about Eastern.

Thanks so much.

Saludos,
A.

PS: For a minute, I thought it was the logo of the defunct ATA!

hello

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 9): Nice report!! Especially the Eastern air report!!

thank you for your reply, so far it is probably the 3rd here, 2nd with pics, and 1st fully operated by T3,

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 10): I was expecting another awesome report from Africa

no no Alex, that's your turn, you've promised it  

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 10): I thought it was the logo of the defunct ATA

well, that's true, but what a great memory you've got...


Léo

Hey great report. Love Newcastle as a city. Nice pics of the Paris Air Show including the interesting interior pics of the mock up cabins.

Flybe E Jets are very comfortable but the fares are certainly not as good as they used to be thats for sure.

Thanks for the report.

OA260  

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 11): no no Alex, that's your turn, you've promised it

= Léo, I think I delivered  . Now, all you!

Saludos,
A.

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): which airfield? few minutes after TO.

It looks like Coventry (CVT) to me.

Darren

Quoting OA260 (Reply 12): Hey great report

cheers Phillip, You've inspired me many times  

Quoting OA260 (Reply 12): Love Newcastle as a city

it's pretty nice city but their accent overthere is terrible  

Quoting OA260 (Reply 12): the fares are certainly not as good as they used to be thats for sure.

true, just the domestic flights are affordable from here nowadays

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 13): I think I delivered .

high standard indeed, really enjoyed it

Quoting dazbo5 (Reply 14): looks like Coventry (CVT) to me.

thanks for sharing your knowledges,

Quoting bmibaby737 (Reply 5): Certain tickets purchased through Air France come with an Air France Voucher, which allows said passenger to have free drinks and a snack.

Regarding Flybe codeshare flights only, here is the official version sent from AF yesterday by mail:

- Premium Eco&Affaires: voucher for a drink and a snack
- Voyageur: voucher for a complimentary drink

Even if i was more enquiring than complaining, a goodwill gesture of 1000 miles of have been topped up in the account...

Hi Léonard,

very interesting report with good pictures!

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Complimentary F&B, crips pack wearing a T3 Saab2000

That's really nice - I'd like to try their Saab 2000 one day.


PH

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 17): very interesting report with good pictures!

cheers, very kind  

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 17): I'd like to try their Saab 2000 one day.

it will probably be easier to get it than the ERJ145 for sure! do you know why they choose the Saab for the crips packs (1st Aircraft in the fleet?)?