Murakaze neza dear A.netter,


Burundi, a country as wide as the 44th biggest state in the USA, and with a capital Bujumbura, weighs not that much in the world nor than the East African Community balance. This is the kind of country that you won't hear from any news on the media for months or years despite it owns 2 original facts :

1) One of the most respectable pride is to provide the  official southernmost Nile spring river, according to the British explorer Burton (referring to the White Nile)

2) – Unofficially – no airline carrying the flag abroad nor domestic, unfortunately due to the so called "routine" maintenance of Air Burundi solely Raython Beechcraft 1900D, since end of 2009 (which seems pretty long for a check B or C). It would be interesting to learn which other country do not temporarily nor definitely fly the flag anymore ?

Thus the world goes on and Burundians have bigger fish to fry around the Lake Tanganyika. This is the continuation of Mombasa Beckons (J): New Rwandair VS Kenya Airways (by eastafspot May 12 2011 in Trip Reports)



Pic3: Opportunist and hungry agent: a $20 picture
Pic4: Burundi – DR of Congo Border at RN5




Before all, triple kudos and special thanks to:

Rukundo:

Who provided an excellent footage covering the sum up of the trip, it only takes less than 5 mins, for those among you in a hurry, but it worths a wee attention:

so have a look at here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQhqKq7ZfBM

Alex :

Who dared to venture on those remote areas. Inspite my biggest respect and huge hats off to the explo-reporter of Airliners, time has probably come for an update . Nevertheless refreshing your memory or discovering more about his previous experiences related to this report is – strongly – advised :

The airline Fly540 : Fly 540 5H 411-a: 31/AUG/07: MYD-LAU: Y Cabin (by Abrelosojos Dec 3 2007 in Trip Reports)
The route Nairobi-Bujumbura: Kenya Airways KQ 470: 19/AUG/07: NBO-BJM: Y Cabin (by Abrelosojos Nov 22 2007 in Trip Reports)

Let's mix and shake up those 2 later together and welcome back to the 4th country covered out of 5 in East Africa. Despite the context there is not too much to describe, hence you will find more pictures than comments. Shall we go now ?


1 – Hotel Hilton Nairobi



Initially there was absolutely no intention to stay overnight, but the pleasant Airliners « mission » forced me to avoid 2 airlines, that you knew already.


Ideally located in the heart of the CDB, the hotel is one of the most famous landmark place to stay. Among the others, being the Serena hotel, the Norfolk, the Sarova Stanley vastly more expensive and judging by pictures/reviews, just significantly better and the InterContinental tried few years ago.

It features all the desires and needs for an agreement relaxing stay and/or business facilities. Its shape remarkably designed, offers an extensive 360° view of all the city centre.


1: the Kimathi Freedom Statue
4: The Nation Centre further back


Soon after clearing off a careful compulsory vehicle security checks at Mama Ngima street, the luggage was taken from me while exiting the taxi. There was no queue at check in, the local receptionist had given me a standard warm welcome. The process seemed to take a good 5 minutes or so, because he did the usual credit card/paperwork shuffle, before handing over me the room card with directions to the lifts. Soon enough, I was walking into the small-sized room Queen Guest on the 7th floor, overlooking the west towards the Nation Centre Media HQ.


Lobby
.

Corridor

The bright room was on the large side, with a comfortable king-size bed and soft chair, writing desk, a 20'' inch old TV not LCD nor plasma with a correct mix of usual internationals and local channels (16). However, the room was spotlessly clean and the fantastic view across the town more than, made up for the size and the carpet which showed its age. There were also some nice complimentary mineral waters and the provided quantity of Kenyan teas and coffees.


.


Old style TV

Then time came for a little wander around the property, followed a little swim in the heated pool, then some fitness at the club located underground, and for finally settling down at the classic well known « Jockey Pub » but not for long though.



Not refreshing at all
.

.

Jockey pub

A  carefulness environment bath was more than welcome after this long day, with a the bathroom in good condition, offering amenities in usual quantity.


Bathroom stuffs

The major downside of the room for me was the coolness, which did not seem to dissipate, despite having the heating on the highest 26 degrees setting constantly (more than the pool???).
Unfortunately the temperature of the room did not increase much, but I managed a few hours' sleep before taking a shower. The breakfast buffet has been skipped in order to check out directly at 07:15 and avoiding all queue and traffic jam at this morning time.

Booked on line for only $153 on b&b basis, it was a no brainer deal.




2 – FLY540 : Upping the LC standards

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Before composing this TR, the sole low cost experience dated back to December 2009, flying on the orange and white metal on an o/w CDG-EDI route. So to cure the lack of knowledge about products on "pay as you go airlines", reading a certain author Paul Kilduff's book represented the best medicine whatsoever. It has definitely rescued on showing the trends of the market and confirmed some of the most famous « F - air » rumours.


What you should know about Fly540

.

Established in October 2006 and based in Kenyan capital, 5H, one of Africa's leading low cost airlines, is backed by the giant 100 years old Africa-focused investment holding company Lonrho PLC. It serves the East African market mainly, somehow excluding Rwanda.

Carrying approx. 310,000 passengers per year, the airline continues to expand in its successful network regionally, thus the company's ambition is to become a pan-African carrier, through an expansion of two additional African hubs:

ANGOLA: They commenced flying as an ICAO registered airline in January 2011 and intends to build its route network to 15 destinations by the end of 2011.

GHANA: Fly540 is working with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to commence operations before the end of 2011.

Despite the actual glowing success story, the picture may be partially clouded in a near future, indeed, mid August 2011 saw a potential competitor emerging from the homecountry's ogre.
Kenya Airways is considering setting up a low-cost subsidiary that would operate on domestic and regional routes. The new airline, called « Jambo Jet », will probably take on several smaller airlines that have become popular with passengers on domestic routes and to neighbouring countries. Real info or pigs will fly before? Hope it will be the first one unlike the urgently needed JKIA terminal's improvements. Meanwhile if any update comes up, you will be the first to know.

So far, representing the only so called – budget – option to travel, the move has been quickly decided.


PREFLIGHT


A booking has been made through the well maintained website, despite it had requested the passport details, with the home adress followed by an immediate CC payment with obviously the same infos required. Moreover the fare was priced slightly below KQ, providing – depending on the route or the time – a non-stop service and a hot meal.


After a short stay downtown, the C/I desks at Unit 1 which have been reached at 8h, were so calm like the whole area almost deserted. No one could believed of an week-end eve.


Marsland : creative name, still serving the (newly) South Sudan?

One would guess that the cleaner mopping the floor was part of her routine task, but a repulsive odour surrounded the line due a traveller feeling faint, and whom previously threw up while check in. His relative worried about his state asked if he still wanted to fly, followed by a NBO ground team which peacefully tried to fortify him. Then a medical team joined them to verify the seriousness of the case.


Main building
.

A low ceiling hall
.

She's cleaning because of the sick traveller


In no time airside, the 3/4 duty free shop « roundabout » displayed its duty free stuffs and also a pleasant new : the departure hallway started being demolished and offered a kind of open-space in some gate. How many time people were asked to back away by leaving passport just to purchase bottle of water or to find out relatives or to use toilets before security !!! please keep going...

On time at gate 4, obviously displaying only already departed flights 35mins ago, a spare minute was used to take a rather useless picture of the 2nd security checks. When the turn came, the lovely kenyan lady, called G., firstly proceed the docs check, and questioned about the aim of the photo taken. Rather embarrassed and with no creative argument, a lousy straight forward answer appeared, albeit being the frank truth: the simple pleasure of only flying for discovering new airlines on what she vaguely nodded and then promptly handed over the travel docs and surprisingly offered me with a rare smile the P.I.L.. All right, many thanks but for which use ? (hum, your phone number would have been much more appreciated though  )


As seen in some reports : luggage shop here too
.

B/fast: Pies are identical (but free) in the SkyTeam Premier lounge
.

Pre boarding
.

Owing to the passenger's list, the flight would be operated on a light load with only 6 people up to Mwanza. Some departure lounges were undergoing maintenance works, not ours which was underused and in poor condition judging the appalling painting work over the wall and the tatty carpet. Removing shoes here must be a case of extreme request.
One pax was missing when boarding was called at 9h for a little walk on to the apron.


Passengers Information List


Departure Lounge


The usual traffic

While preparing the camera for a great pics, G. surprisingly decided to pose few seconds before noticing a collegue calling her with the remaining traveller walking down the pier gate. A perfect photo of her with the plane behind would have been much appropriated here. Well, the chance was taken anyhow only once.


Excitement and disappointment
.

Nairobi – Mwanza (tanzania)

.


5H 453
Nairobi-Mwanza
distance: 284 miles

The maiden flight happened the 11th of January 2010 on a 3x weekly basis and up to now has been unchanged.


CRJ100
5Y-BXC

View Large View Medium Photo © Felix Gottwald

View Large View Medium Photo © Joern Hornhardt

After an invisible cabin crew greeting, the Bombardier welcomed us on board. As the official document supports, it was like every Y traveller craves to experience such as an empty plane with a such amount of different seat choices.

Only when boarding was completed, the young man crew, sporting a smartly tailored white shirt along with a 5H tie appeared. He smiled at us and carried on his chat with the cockpit pair.

Showing a good impression, the cabin had an all-leather grey clean seat, and a bright interior. All the Ex-Air – Littoral flyers are called to prove any improvement done since then.



.


In order to understand better some very frequent flyer A.netters, the left seat of the last row had been selected to check how better the view was.



Headrest cover
.

.

It turned out to have a correct view but a double noisy seat, the other sound arose from the guy who has been wisely seated here next to the lavatory by the cabin crew for some basic reasons argh..!*=)-@#1/%ç#...

Soon enough, after greeting the DR of Congo Governement B727, as usual, safety annoucement, and a quick T/O runway 6 with a long straight flight path before turning left followed by a nice city overview, mostly the route to the Great Lakes turns 180° right , and then 90° right passing NBO airport.


Congolese VIPs : 9Q-CBA


Blurry Nairobi


Languages « spoken » on board



.


Complimentary breakfast, served in no time, consisted in a choice of chicken sandwich or veggie salad. Well starving at 10 am, a stuffed chicken s/w was being chosen, a definetely better choice than any other LC 1h+ trip. Honestly, a mild curry marinated chicken with juicy tomatoes added to the crunchy green pepper and salad leaves and mellow bread composed a simply gorgeous FREE[ meal. It was so good that a compulsory 40 winks happened after, lasting 20 mins only, but in order to compare the exit seat legroom a casual move was made forward.



Included: S/wich with hot drink and juice


Emergency exit door


In meantime the FA spread regularly some « Oust » or odour neutralising out all over the cabin, and kept assisting the other pax on providing serviettes and sickness bags. Fundamentally, everybody wished he would leave next stage with his unfriendly noise ending soon.

Finally the initial seat, last row, represented the best view option when approaching Tanzanian airport.


Descent over the lake Victoria to runway 12


Mwanza : main Terminal



Mwanza International Airport (Tanzania) is a major regional international airport in same named City
It serves as a principal hub for Auric Air and Precision Air. Its 10800 feet long runway has an orientation 12/30°. According to Wikipedia the passengers trafic reached 234 000 in 2007



Pic 1&3: Local airline Auric Air



Mwanza – Bujumbura



Mwanza – Bujumbura
distance: 252 miles


4 pax joined on time. Take Off on the same runway 12


Lake Victoria in the background


Mwanza bay


This part of the flight was event free until the cruising altitude was reached and once FA finished his duty. The service consisted on a drink, i've opted for a bottle of still water.



Network advertising: no onboard mag


Armrest


.

Lavatory


Relieved he sat a row before mine, and started listening without earphones, on his electronic device branded Mo....la, a really nice groovy Kenyan (?) song similar to or called « Lemonade » .


Bored at 33 000 ft: enjoying his favourite tune


Then an interesting approach downwinds over the capital heading towards the south before a 180° right turn for a smooth landing on the active runway 35.



Beach hotels and airport's vicinity


Bujumbura city centre


The quiet port


Long life resting trafic: 9U "ushouldfind", BRY, BRZ and BHG


An attentive FA: thumbs up


Last in last out : a deeply sorry passenger


BXC at BJM


.


Luggage : faster than any other Air Club « priority »


Curios Shop


Murakaze neza Burundi : landside


Originating from NBO and none from tanzania, 4 of us cleared passeport controls in no time. Due the low importance of the flight/carrier, no taxi was waiting at the stance, so the guy from the curios shop fastly enchanted to call his friend to pick me up.


CONCLUSION

.

Hilton Nairobi : certainly an address to recomand I was as snug as bug in a rug with my stay at the there – the property is styled classically with a modern twist, and has an overall good feeling about it. It’s not too businessy, not too touristy – just the right balance. Apart from the room temperature the global experience was fine.

FLY540 : which promotes itself as Africa's first low cost carrier has nothing to envy to the western stuffs. Purely based on one experienced only, the core service (price, luggage allowance, food ) rivalled with the legacies and in none of point looks like a pay as you go airline whatsoever, unlike its slogan sells it. The staff members were somewhat just well mannered with a brilliant attitude. They dealt appropriately with every personal request and appeared eager to help anytime. Well the negative side of the trip was some minor state of the plane but this aims to be tacky only !

Big up to Fly540 which is evolving into a Pan Africa airline with some plans to open up hub in Zimbabwe.”

As final word a special note for our wealthy A.net members, proving that Fly540 also offers a private jet collection for leasing (Falcon, Citation, LearJet) certainly much advanced and allegedly with a state of art onboard equipment proving once again the real picture.


Many thanks for reading, corrections and comments are valuable, so feel free.

East African Spotter ( Léonard)

If need of more adventure, check those reports :

3 A's: Airshow, AirFrance, Avro; ORY-MPL-CDG-EDI (by eastafspot Jul 9 2011 in Trip Reports)
Eastern Airways And Flybe To Paris Air Show (by eastafspot Jul 4 2011 in 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)



3 – A quick visit around Bujumbura

.

The week-end stay at Buja occured at the Keza hotel – or Saga beach (Saga represents a kind of « chain » hotel there). The standard are certainly below than the neighbour country flagship store – Hotel Club Tanganyika – but still remains appropriate when electricity and water shortage do not occur. The location is ideal for family or couple break, but quiet far distance from the city centre and other few attractions.


Drumming is an important part of Burundian cultural heritage. Traditional dance often accompanies drumming performance, which is frequently seen in celebrations and family gatherings... the commonly instrument used for traditional drumming are « poetical » named amashako, ibishikiso, and ikiranya drums

One of the best example of stunning performance : http://www.youtube.com/user/snapsorfly#p/u/15/VpofImxzqD4


Dancers and drummers : watch the video above


Priority in the middle of Route National 5


Rusizi : the natural E. A. border originating from Lake Kivu


Toyota Coaster « kaput » , then choices were walking or hitching


.

« Boulevard de la Nation »


A certain « Déjà vu »...n'est-ce pas?


Time for a refreshment : a wicked pineapple wine


An early sunday morning routine despite no 2012 Olympics


Their all-day-breakfast


The end: Burundi-Rwanda border at Kanyanza haut.

[Edited 2011-09-25 02:59:07]

[Edited 2011-09-25 03:01:07]

[Edited 2011-09-25 03:04:00]

[Edited 2011-09-25 03:12:43]

Hi Léonard,

great report with many nice pictures! I always enjoy reading your reports about exotic airlines and destinations! I like the airline's paint scheme, but it's not as pretty as Mango's.


PH

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): The airline Fly540

Always great to read fro such exotic carriers!

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): The new airline, called « Jambo Jet », will probably take on several smaller airlines that have become popular with passengers on domestic routes and to neighbouring countries.

Hopefully this time more success than former FLAMINGO!

View Large View Medium

Photo © Johan Eriksson

Interesting report. I hadn't realised that there was already a few reports out covering Burundi - it's great to see what it's like. I'm booked to go in January with 'Sabena' in Business class - it'll be my first time in Africa (except Morocoo, but thats not 'real' Africa!).

I looked into taking a few flights with Fly540, but it has hard to find prices and schedules on their website for the routes I wanted. Their CRJ looks a bit worn!

Hi Leonard


Thanks for showing us another new carrier and some interesting pictures. Always a pleasure, it was an enjoyable read.
Thanks for sharing it with us.


Greetings
Marc

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): great report with many nice pictures

That's kind, Cheers, PH

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): but it's not as pretty as Mango's.

true, It's flashy but with no distinctive sign. Btw Is it your next to try?

Quoting debonair (Reply 2): former FLAMINGO!

as a customer view it was to confusing, especially serving only the domestic network!

Quoting debonair (Reply 2): Privacy Policy within kenya?!

Far to be an expert, what are the confidential informations disclosed?

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): go in January with 'Sabena' in Business class

Lucky you will be, shall we expect a 3rd Burundi report here?

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): Their CRJ looks a bit worn!

True, but remember that it is a low cost  

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 4): Thanks for showing us another new carrier and some interesting pictures

Thanks for stopping by, your nice comment is much appreciated and it's always a pleasure to share some change

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 5): Btw Is it your next to try?

Yes, BA/Comair to Durban and Mango to Cape Town.


PH

Bonjour Leonard!

Thanks for a nice report with nice pictures ! Great that you tried a new carrier for you ! Fly540 looks very good for a low cost carrier. They seem to have a large local network.

Nice to hear that the terminal in NBO is being refurbished; I was there in transit in Oct07 and not so great. They were also very strict there with not allowing pictures to be taken. Nice to see that ypu managed to get a few pictures from there!

Looking forward to your next report!

The777Man

Awesome trip report! Great to see a different airline presented in a rare trip report!

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): the other sound arose from the guy who has been wisely seated here next to the lavatory by the cabin crew for some basic reasons argh..!*=)-@#1/%ç#...

Is this the same person that threw up at check-in?

Leo/ORD

Salut Léonard,

Thanks very much for providing an insight into this exotic African carrier. I always like reading these reports on African carriers/segments; it all has this more relaxed feel to it. Some very nice pics in there, flying over Lake Victoria seems awesome! And you scored a CRJ-100, also a bit exotic as well...

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Rather embarrassed and with no creative argument, a lousy straight forward answer appeared, albeit being the frank truth: the simple pleasure of only flying for discovering new airlines on what she vaguely nodded and then promptly handed over the travel docs and surprisingly offered me with a rare smile the P.I.L.. All right, many thanks but for which use ? (hum, your phone number would have been much more appreciated though )

What a funny situation.

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Departure Lounge

In desperate need of some renovation...

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): the left seat of the last row had been selected to check how better the view was.

For sure a wise decision!

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Languages « spoken » on board

So which language is the one one the sticker?

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Emergency exit door

It looks like it has been opened before  

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): BXC at BJM

To be honest: the color scheme doesn't appeal at all

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): to open up hub in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe? Good luck then  

Sultanils

Great report of a carrier I never heard of! (Must have missed Mr. A's earlier report). Looks great for a LCC.

Quoting debonair (Reply 2): Is there no Privacy Policy within kenya?!

Sure there is, similar to Indonesia I'd venture to guess. "The more places you distribute my photo the better."  On many Indonesian low cost airlines, I have been asked by the crew to take pics "hello mister me too". And who can forget Cebu Pacific's hilarious Lady Gaga dance safety demo. And Lance Gokongwei the CEO put that as a success story to the next CEB Smile inflight mag .

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Alex : Who dared to venture on those remote areas. Inspite my biggest respect and huge hats off to the explo-reporter of Airliners, time has probably come for an update . Nevertheless refreshing your memory or discovering more about his previous experiences related to this report is – strongly – advised : The airline Fly540 : Fly 540 5H 411-a: 31/AUG/07: MYD-LAU: Y Cabin (by Abrelosojos Dec 3 2007 in Trip Reports) The route Nairobi-Bujumbura: Kenya Airways KQ 470: 19/AUG/07: NBO-BJM: Y Cabin (by Abrelosojos Nov 22 2007 in Trip Reports)

= You made my day! Thank you very much for the kinds words - and allowing me to go down my own memory lane.

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): 1 – Hotel Hilton Nairobi

= OHHHHHHHHHHH ... I miss that place so much. That, and the Stanley!

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): omplimentary breakfast, served in no time, consisted in a choice of chicken sandwich or veggie salad. Well starving at 10 am, a stuffed chicken s/w was being chosen, a definetely better choice than any other LC 1h+ trip. Honestly, a mild curry marinated chicken with juicy tomatoes added to the crunchy green pepper and salad leaves and mellow bread composed a simply gorgeous FREE[ meal. It was so good that a compulsory 40 winks happened after, lasting 20 mins only, but in order to compare the exit seat legroom a casual move was made forward.

= WOW! I have received worse sandwiches on JCL of many "top league" carriers in Europe and the Americas.

Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): So which language is the one one the sticker?

= Kiswahili.

Asante sana mwalimu. This is a gem of a report, and really made me smile. So much of it are pleasant memories I have - NBO (Oh, I will miss you) - along with GRU and the old DEL, there was something just chaotically magical about it. And, finally, BUJ - from the great airport, to that Caravelle parked forever, to the beach. Burundi is a true joy. BTW, next time, I recommend doing the bus run from BUJ to KGL - for me the highlight being the only mzungu doing the crossing at the border.

Thanks so much for this.

Saludos,
A.

PS: I am going to be in KGL soon visiting friends  . YAY.

Hi EAS

Again a very interesting report about East Africa !

Fly540 seems definitely like a nice way to fly around for little money.
I flew PW recently and had globally the same feeling of efficiency and friendliness

Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): she vaguely nodded and then promptly handed over the travel docs and surprisingly offered me with a rare smile the P.I.L..

That is really funny. One can find this only in Africa  

Also thanks for the pictures of Buja, although weather looked really bad ...

A la prochaine

FASTY

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): BA/Comair to Durban and Mango to Cape Town.

cool, looks like an interesting comparison will come up soon, also i'm impatient to get the review of CPT

Quoting The777Man (Reply 7): Thanks for a nice report with nice pictures !

Hello Lars, many thanks for reading and commenting nicely

Quoting The777Man (Reply 7): terminal in NBO is being refurbished; I was there in transit in Oct07 and not so great

Slowly but steady, just the Java Coffee has been moved offering an empty and unused section at the west part. So far, apart from dust, your vision is correct as inside is still not attractive and inviting yet 

Quoting The777Man (Reply 7): They were also very strict there with not allowing pictures to be taken

Many travellers comment the same regarding the photo issue and the warning made by the airlines arriving at NBO. But so far, police and airport staff have always been tolerant inside the terminal as well as on the apron...lucky maybe

Quoting LFutia (Reply 8): Awesome trip report!

hi Leo (what a beautiful name!) Glad to see that you've enjoyed

Quoting LFutia (Reply 8): Is this the same person that threw up

Absolutely

Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): And you scored a CRJ-100, also a bit exotic as well...

really?

Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): it all has this more relaxed feel to it.

you right, it is another world

Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): the color scheme doesn't appeal at all

Do you like the Easyjet one?

Quoting sultanils (Reply 9): In Zimbabwe? Good luck then

A fierce competition will start as Air Zim resumes some flights after the 2 months long pilots strikes  

Quoting Lufthansa747 (Reply 10): I have been asked by the crew to take pics "hello mister me too"

wow, why are they so outgoing over there, i wish to pose in a middle of 2 nice CC

Quoting Lufthansa747 (Reply 10): Cebu Pacific's hilarious Lady Gaga dance safety demo

True, unforgettable  

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 11): Asante sana mwalimu. This is a gem of a report

Karibu rafiki Alex, Inspiration comes from you

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 11): I have received worse sandwiches on JCL of many "top league" carriers

if you are lucky to get a sandwich

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 11): for me the highlight being the only mzungu doing the crossing at the border.

Unique experience, with all those puzzled eyes watching in your direction

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 11): PS: I am going to be in KGL soon visiting friends

Good decision, you will see the huge changes then. Will you Fancy some Mutzigs and Brochettes?

Quoting fasty (Reply 12): Again a very interesting report about East Africa

Merci beaucoup Thomas, ca fait plaisir de voir que vous venez encore de temps en temps.

Quoting fasty (Reply 12): I flew PW recently and had globally the same feeling of efficiency and friendliness

Please tell me more about this, i will try them next week

Quoting fasty (Reply 12): That is really funny

Yes, what was in her mind

Quoting fasty (Reply 12): thanks for the pictures of Buja, although weather looked really bad

It was in the middle of rainy season, so hot but nothing exceptional. Buja has a great Congolese atmosphere, you may like it. Btw, do you still live in Lumbubashi?