Intro

The idea of a holiday in New York seemed appealing to me and my friends as it was somewhere we had all wanted to go for a while and considering that two of my friends hadn’t been to the states in some time, it would be a welcomed change of scenery.

Booking

After searching high and low for the best price (I am a university student after all), I stumbled upon a 20% discount voucher for Zoom Airlines, bringing the total each to just £305.50, £50 cheaper than the nearest competition which was Delta.
At the time of booking, the flight was at the time daily, and also operated by a 767-300, however, during the 6 months from my booking to my departure, the aircraft became a 757 and the flight ceased being daily (thankfully, the Tuesday flights were kept).
Personally, I had never had any resentment against flying a 757 across the Atlantic, although I was a little annoyed about the change because I do like the 767, and have flown on a lot of 757’s in my short life (all charter I must say).
Further in time, I learn that it won’t be a Zoom 757, but one leased from Air Finland (OH-AFI). Some googling around showed me an interior shot from one of their planes, and the information that their planes travel some miles.

The Journey to the airport

6 months had now passed, and with everything sorted from flights through to tickets to the empire state building we were all set to go, and with our train tickets in hand, we left my friends house at just before 5am (I like to leave good time when travelling by public transport).
A short walk across the town and we arrived in time for the first train of the day, which was surprisingly fairly busy.


(An early morning photo of me at Romford station)


(The sunrising over Stratford)


(Me at Liverpool Street, waiting for the circle line)

A connection at Liverpool Street station to a circle line train later, and we were sitting comfortably on the Gatwick Express waiting our “non stop” departure to the airport, whilst drinking a bottle or two of Lucozade Alert to keep us going (It tastes awful… but better than red bull).


(The Gatwick Express)


(Onboard The Gatwick Express)


(Battersea Power Station)

The Airport

Arriving at Gatwick’s South terminal by train was something new for me, as I have only ever been here with my family previously, and with them it was always by car.
After an escalator ride upstairs, we were right smack in the middle of the check in area at Gatwick, with about 1 hour to wait until our flight was open for check in. Bug crowds were around however, mainly for the Monarch desk nearby, and the Ghana flights, but also checking in nearby was US Airways and their flight to Philadelphia, and unsurprisingly several EasyJet flights.

Rather than hang around, we decided to grab an early breakfast (we were starving anyway) and headed for a Wetherspoons located in the shopping area upstairs.
The Wetherspoons seating area luckily provided a good viewing spot to the outside world, and we were able to see a lot of the operations at the North terminal, as well as a few of the South terminal gates. As usual for Gatwick, nothing too exciting was on show, just the usual mindless amount of EasyJet airbus’, some charter airlines, Virgin Atlantic and a few British airways flights. A Qatar flight did park up whilst we were sitting there though, which did make a slight change to the dull mix of charter flights on show.


(View outside at Gatwick)

Breakfast was good, and I had a fairly cheap Sausage Sandwich, which tasted reasonably nice, though seemed a little stingy on the sausage.


(Breakfast remains)

Check in was now open for our flight and we were finally able to rid ourselves of the bags, and get our tickets for our flight. The Staff were friendly at the desk and the agent wished us a good trip, although the staff was not employed by Zoom, but their ground agents at Gatwick, Aviance.


(Check-in at Gatwick)

Decided to use the upstairs security area, and was through to the departure lounge in minutes. Quite an achievement for Gatwick I feel personally.
The South terminal seems to be undergoing a massive re-model and as such is part building site, part shopping mall. The good parts were that it was now larger with more seats, the downside was that the viewing area upstairs that I used to love was now a Frankie and Benny’s, with Frankie and Benny’s prices for drinks.
The only other area now with a window was “Café Metro” from which I was able to spot a few planes from and take a few photos, along with seeing our aircraft which was indeed OH-AFI, fitted recently with a pair of shiny new winglet’s.


(Our plane is hidden behind the US plane)


(Internal departures)

Settling down for a quick drink in the Wetherspoons to play a few games of cards to pass the time, I was able to monitor the departures board. Only two flights were delayed at that time, one being a charter to Heraklion, and the other was a Sterling flight.
Stayed there until the board told us to go to gate, which for once was just a short walk. Shame really, as I enjoy the longer gate walks, as they give me a better chance of seeing more planes.
Arriving at the gate area, were met by two crowds. One for our flight, the other for VS015 to Orlando. The gate rooms here were clearly not big enough for the crowds of a 747.
Whilst we waited for the boarding call, we were able to watch our suitcases be loaded onto the plane, and I actually saw mine – which at least meant the case was heading to the right destination.


(Queue to get into the gate room)


(Our plane OH-AFI)


(OH-AFI)


(Loading the fuel ready to take us across the Atlantic)

Boarding began about 12:30, 25 minutes before departure.

The flight

ZX001
LGW-JFK
Scheduled dep. 12:55
Actual dep. 13:15
757-200
OH-AFI

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Photo © Juha Stenberg

On boarding this well travelled aircraft, I firstly noticed a tiny little sticker with “operated by Zoom airlines” printed on it, as well as many less informed passengers questioning whether they were on the right plane.
The actual aircraft seemed fairly standard.


(Legroom)


(The seats)

The seats were dark blue (with zoom head covers), the cabin walls and bin were a soft grey (unlike FR, whom I’ve flown on my previous few flights), and the legroom felt very good.
A set of old and well used CRT monitors hung in the aisle emitting the usual electronic buzz, whilst showing a video of the Zoom destinations. Overall the aircraft seemed more than adequate for the 7 and a half hour journey. My only qualms really was the seat height which seemed a little short, however it did help make the cabin feel bigger.


(Seat height)


(A winglet)

Safety demonstration was manual, and strangely missed several parts that I am used to hearing. For example, nothing about the slides was mentioned, or the rafts, as well as anything about the brace position.
The flight rattled down the runway and took off just after 13:15, and I use the term rattled literally as well, the aircraft seemed nosier than usual, and also the take off and climb felt very slow. Maybe this is because I am used to 744’s and 738’s.
The aircraft levelled out and seatbelt lights were turned off and the drink service began.
Drinks were free and I enjoyed a few cans of Pepsi, before settling in to watch a few programs and films on my N800.


(Pepsi and N800)

The pilot came on to talk a little about our flight route, which would today be just 7 hours 30minutes and take us northwest and over the Atlantic, about 400miles south of Iceland, over the tip of Canada, down over New England and into JFK. Weather was set to be clear most the way with a slight haze on arrival at JFK.
Meal service began about 2 hours into the flight, which was just as well because by this time, I was beginning to get hungry.
Not knowing anything about Zooms offerings, I was a little apprehensive about what I was going to be served, however, the meal that I was served was excellent.
Zoom use the tray-less approach to their meals, and everyone is firstly given a blue box containing the cutlery and extras, and then their choice of meal. Today, I was offered either a Chicken roast dinner, or Spaghetti Bolognese. I chose the chicken meal, along with my other two friends.
The chicken came with potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and strangely a cabbage ball.
The dessert was a chocolate cake, and the meal also included crackers, cheese and a roll.
The chicken was really good with what seemed really sweet carrots, whilst the chocolate cake was one of the best I’ve ever had, containing several layers of different chocolate styles.


(The meal boxed up)


(The unboxed meal)


(The meal opened)


(The very nice dessert)

It filled me up for a few hours to say the least, and is arguably one of the better meals that I’ve had onboard an aircraft.
The second film began showing on the main screen, however I noticed a few people looking confused. On plugging my headphones in to try and work out why, I noticed that the film was in French. Sure enough they announced that they would be stopping the film, due to them accidentally loading the French version. They replaced it with what looked like some trashy sitcom I didn’t watch as I had loaded about 32 hours of programs onto my N800- the night before, along with packing a book and a copy of Airliners World magazine.


(In flight)

A trip to the bathroom proved to be quite an adventure also, as it showed many signs of the aircrafts previous owners.
The toilet information signs were co-written in Dutch, from its days as Transavia and signs also told me that “smoking violates Dutch law”, as well as Finnish language signs, there was also a few Spanish signs, most likely from the aircrafts lease to TAESA back in 1998.
Several more drink services were operated (I don’t remember being offered this many when I previously flew Virgin) and then a “light snack” in the form of an ice cream was offered. The ice cream was a Lilly O’Brien cornetto type thing. It was rather small, but very rich, and in a day where airlines cut service back as much as possible, it was appreciated.


(The ice cream)

It was announced that we would be landing in about 45 minutes around 15:30, and the seatbelt lights came on, and I believe we entered a holding pattern above Long Island.
Just before 16:15 we touched down at JFK, amongst many Delta planes, several from American Airlines, and a few more interesting planes such as 777’s from Air France, A320’s from Virgin America and two 777’s from Air India.
Annoyingly, we parked at a remote stand, and had to wait for a bus to take us to the terminal. This inconvienice was made up for however, by the short time it took to clear customs and immigration – just 10 minutes, the agent was also really friendly (for once). By this stage the bags were already coming though on the conveyor belt and our cases were already out. After this, we were all set and ready to board the airtrain, and then the subway for our week in the city that never sleeps.

I’ve included a few photos of New York below before the return report so that you can see some of what I saw – Including some of the ones taken on my SLR camera.


(Grand Central station)


(The sun sets on 42nd Street)


(42nd lights up after the sunsets)


(The zoo... wait no, Toys R Us Times square)


(From the Empire State Building)


(Times square)


(Downtowns skyline)


(A subway train passes through)


(An "F" train arrives)


(Coney Island)


(Old carousel down at Coney Island)


(A pianist in McDonalds?!)

Sadly, our week was coming to an end, and after an enjoyable time to a week in the city finishing we had to get back to JFK for our return journey.

The Journey to the Airport

Nothing really special here, just a simple connection to the “A” subway train from the “C” train at Utica Avenue, and we were on the Airtrain headed for terminal 4.

The Airport

Arrived at the terminal about 14:30, and then had to walk right the way across the terminal to a small area over the far side where Zoom had been allocated check in space. Ground agents here were Swissport and did not seem as friendly as the Gatwick agents, and none of the people at the desks were smiling – Maybe it was because of the man at the adjacent desk, desperately trying to reduce his suitcase weight (he ended up wearing a bath robe onto the plane).
Strange experience here for me though as I had to take my case to the bag drop area, rather than have it taken away from me automatically at check in. The desk was right next to the entrance to the bag drop area so it wasn’t any more of an inconvenience anyway.
Had an overpriced Mc Donalds for lunch, and then grabbed a magazine to read on the flight home. With nothing left to do on landside, we decided to go through security.
The queue here was fairly long but it moved and in time I was though past the miserable staff of the TSA. I did catch a guy ahead of me being put through the additional security process – he looked rather annoyed by it.
Airside, unlike Gatwick, there was plenty of windows and planes to see – a CSA A310 headed for Prague, a South African A340 and an EL-AL 747.
With nothing to do for an hour or so until boarding we played some multiplayer worms on our DS’s (got to love classic games), and in time boarding began.
Remote stand again, but the bus ride again provided the opportunity to get close to some (for me) unusual planes and airlines, such as an Aer Lingus A330 and a NEOS 767.


(Caribbean flight to Trinidad)


(As above)


(Cairo Bound Egypt Air)


(Virgin Atlantic G-VFAB to LHR [I flew this plane to SFO last year])


(As above. We saw this plane holding for LHR when we were on the train after landing at LGW)


(Continental to Houston)


(Delta, Delta, Delta Delta...)


(Panorama at JFK)


(Air Jamacia)


(Swiss)


(Swiss and Aer Lingus)


(South African)


(As above)


(Virgin America)


(Emirates)


(CSA A310)


(Aer Lingus)


(Air Finland, AKA Zoom UK, [Our Plane])


(Air Berlin to Dusseldorf)

The Flight

ZX002
JFK- LGW
Scheduled dep. 17:30
Actual dep. 17:55
757-200
OH-AFI

Once again, OH-AFI was sitting there, but what was I to expect, considering that the plane was leased by Zoom to specifically cover these routes (And a few others). Crew were different, with the exception of one cabin crew and the pilots.
I was on the opposite side this time but the seats were exactly the same. I took some photos anyway, just to show the other side.
This time we had safety cards as well, which were obviously from Air Finland and were mostly in Finish. The Safety demonstration however, was exactly the same as before.
Taxied for the runway and was announced that we were seventh in line for takeoff – I’ve heard horror stories about the waits at JFK, so this seems reasonable.


(Air Finland's cartoony saftey card)


(As above)


(Life jackets stored above was a new experience for me - note the dual language labels)


(IFE)


(Swiss again)

Taxied to the runway, plane readies, however we then move of the runway and get another tour of JFK before actually lining up again and actually taking off.
Take-off is again noisy and very slow, and we head east over the Atlantic.
Seat Belt lights are turned off very shortly after takeoff, whilst we are still climbing.
The pilot soon announces to us that today’s flight will be a short 6 hours, and we will be heading up north over Novia Scotia, and then across the Atlantic and into Gatwick around 5:20.
Service began, with just the trolley selling snacks. I was starving (does McDonalds ever fill you up), so I spent £1 and enjoyed a pack of mini cheddars, whilst watching Harold and Kumar go to White Castle on my N800 (the in-flight movies were today 27 Dresses and The Other Boleyn Girl, neither of which interested me).
Drink service started soon after the snack, and I asked for beer along with my friends. Expecting to pay £3 each for the beer, with the money in hand, the staff however handed us the beers, and moved on – Not sure what happened here, but free beer is free beer.
Almost 2 and half hours into the flight and dinner were served. Today, we had the choice of chicken and potatoes or, Beef Ravioli.


(Meal wrapped)


(The Ravioli)


(The ravioli and extras)


(The chicken dinner)

The chicken seemed similar to the way out, so I chose the Ravioli. My friend had the chicken, so he was able to take a photo of it for me. His meal came with a baked potato like creation, whilst mine was just Ravioli, with cheese, beef and a tomato sauce. I ate the entire meal and found myself scraping the dishes edge to get more – it was excellent (though the presentation was rather nasty). Along with the roll and crackers, there was a fun size Twix, which I really don’t consider a dessert option.
Remains of the meals were collected, and the lights were part dimmed. Another drink service was operated, with me taking a coke, and then I settled down to watch an episode of The Simpsons on my n800. I decided not to sleep on this flight mainly due to its length, and the fact that the seats were really not high enough.
A little later, I was thirsty again and headed to the back galley to get a drink. A couple of crew members were taking a break, one was on his laptop. I had a short chat with him about how the crew situation works with Zoom, being that they have the UK Zoom and the Canadian one, and apparently they rotate between both companies with the only difference being that their pay check comes from one company. His favourite destination was apparently New York, but San Diego is apparently great too.
Returned with several cans of drink to share between us, and we decided to play some multiplayer DS again. Whether you’re allowed to I’m not sure, but considering it’s only a short range radio connection I’m sure it would cause any harm and certainly no one commented on it.
During this, the lights were fully switched off, with no formal announcement, and another drink service was operated. I can’t mention enough how many drink services we seemed to get.
About an hour later, the lights came back on (a very short period) and it was announced that we were an hour away from Gatwick and that the toilets would be locked in just twenty minutes.
Yet another drink service was run, and then suddenly the planes altitude dropped, and the seat belt lights came on. The crew then rushed through the cabin checking seats and such, and very soon after were in line for the runway at Gatwick.
Touched down dead on 5:20, and taxied to a remote stand for disembarkation.
Cleared passport control quickly, but then spent twenty minutes waiting for our baggage to arrive.
Eventually collected my heavily dented suitcase and was off to get the Gatwick Express home.


(Shot of the RB211-535E4 that took us there and back)


(Tail shot under the wing)


(Disembarkation )

Ratings

Overall, I was impressed by Zoom. The ground staffs at both locations were obviously not Zoom, and neither was the plane.
However, the cabin crew, price and food were all provided by Zoom.
The meals on both journeys seemed of high quality and in line with what the majors offer these days (minus the rubbish dessert on my return).
The crew were friendly, a little slow at serving the meals, but they seemed cheerful and to be enjoying their jobs.
The aircraft was a little worn, and had duck tape in places. It felt well travelled onboard, and the seats were not the most comfortable I had experienced. The IFE was rubbish due to the programs involved, but I had a good view of the TV screens from both seats both journeys, so had something’s watchable been on I would have easily been able to enjoy it.
As for flying a 757 across the Atlantic, I really would have no issues doing it again. The only real downside I experience was the lack of toilets.
Overall, I would be more than happy to book with Zoom in the future, and I hope that they can survive the current market downturn.

Thankyou for reading, and I look forward to your comments and questions.

Kev.