PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 7037 times:
BCN-MAD-ZRH-MUC: Air Europa Shuttle Meets Swiss Quality
Intro
Air Europa's 737-800, Swiss' A320 and Swiss European's Avro RJ100 are in the focus of this report - completing the coverage about my latest trip to Spain. All those who want to read about the background of this trip or have missed part one (Spanair MD-87 & Vueling A320) simply need to click here: MUC-MAD-BCN: Star MD-87 & The Pain Of Vueling
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Barcelona (BCN) - Madrid (MAD)
Air Europa, UX2153
09:15-10:30 (09:24-10:40)
Flying time: 00:54 (hrs)
Boeing 737-883
EC-IXO (s/n 634), first delivered to SAS in 08/2000 as SE-DTN
Seat 30F
Quick Check-in
In less than three minutes after entering the terminal it was clear the two Air Europa check-in kiosks were out of order, so I had no choice but to line up in queue. However, waiting time was minimal and a friendly female agent welcomed me at the counter. She willingly accepted my request for the second last row and handed the boarding pass to me.
I passed security, bought something for breakfast and went to my (bus) gate. Boarding was started about 40 minutes prior to departure. Even though the bus was already well filled, it didn't move. Again and again passengers showed up and tried to enter - in the end we were packed as sardines when the driver finally hit the road. And it wasn't just cramped - several pax had apparently eaten garlic on the day before. What a disgusting bus ride...
Some minutes later the bus stopped next to EC-IXO, a former SAS plane, plastered with large Vodafone markings:
Cabin Comfort
After being welcomed by a friendly FA I sat down in row 30. The cabin is equipped with slate blue leather seats which are quite comfortable.
Although the seats don't belong to the latest generation of slimline models...
...pitch is sufficient. While the cabin appeared to be clean in general, my seatback was a bit dirty. The same goes for the windows - which made it more difficult to take pictures.
Just as I assumed boarding would be completed, another bus load of passengers entered the cabin. In the end the load factor was in the 75 percent range, but the two seats next to me remained empty. EC-IXO was not equipped with foldout screens - but it's an ex-SAS plane, so I don't know about the factory new models in the UX fleet.
Departure
We left the gate a bit late and finally entered runway 25L for a powerful takeoff.
BCN's ATC tower...
...and the new terminal:
We climbed out over the Mediterranean Sea and then turned right.
Just like numerous carriers in these days, Air Europa offers snacks and drinks for sale, at mostly reasonable prices. However, shortly after having had breakfast, I didn't order anything. The remaining flight was uneventful, time for landing:
Ten minutes behind schedule we stopped at the gate at Terminal 2. Now I had some 4,5 hours left before leaving again on Swiss - I decided to stay in this area for spotting for about two more hours.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Madrid (MAD) - Zurich (ZRH)
Swiss, LX2027
15:20-17:30 (15:22-17:25)
Flying time: 01:42 (hrs)
Airbus A320-214
HB-IJP "Nollen 733m" (MSN 681), first delivered to Swissair in 05/1997
Seat 35F
Check-in Confusion
More than 2,5 hours prior to departure I left the gate area and went to the check-in area in Terminal 1. The hall was packed with travellers and I tried to get my boarding passes as soon as possible. First of all, I went straight to the Lufthansa check-in kiosks. I had a LH booking code which had also enabled me to check in online for the MUC-MAD flight operated by Spanair. However, this time the computer rejected my code - and then a friendly agent explained to me it wouldn't be possible to check in for Swiss flights at Madrid using LH booking codes.
So I proceeded to the Swiss check-in counters (as shown on the departures screen). There were two queues in front of the two counters and people were apparently being checked in. One screen showed a Norwegian logo (but a Norwegian flight had just departed), the other one showed the airport company's logo. However, a sign on the wall just behind the counters showed several Swiss flight numbers. And the two agents' uniforms contained red and white parts, so I assumed they would work for Swiss or at least Swissport and would check in for Swiss. However, after waiting for 10 minutes and finally presenting my ID, one of the agents behind the counters said something like "no Swiss" and other stuff - it took me a while to realize it was "Jet2" and "Leeds". But there weren't any Jet2 signs anywhere, for whatever reason. Another agent then told me the Swiss check-in (at these counters) wouldn't open until two hours before departure. Wow, another 30 minutes to wait in a cramped and sticky area without enough seats...
In the end they started some 15 minutes earlier. The agent checked my ID and nodded when I asked her for window seats in the back of the planes on both flights. One minute later I got my boarding passes and spotted a seat in row 7 on the first one, and another low number on the second. I thought the agent had understood my request? I told her my preference for back rows again and finally got what I wanted...
I used the remaining time for spotting (35 new regs at MAD on that day) and finally walked to the gate - at the very end of Terminal 1. The windows in the gate area were dirty all over, so it was hard to take a somehow acceptable picture of HB-IJP:
Cabin Comfort
After boarding started, a friendly female FA welcomed me at the door, one middle-aged male FA was a bit reserved. The cabin, equipped with dark slimline leather seats, was in perfect shape and spotlessly clean.
Since the gate had been crowded it was no surprise that the plane was apparently completely full (at least in Eco). Even the middle seat next to me was occupied this time. But the seats were comfortable and pitch was absolutely sufficient:
The cabin was also equipped with foldout video screens which showed the flight path most of the time, as well as some TV features.
Shaky Departure
We left the gate almost on time and taxied all across the airport to runway 36R, passing Air Comet A340-312 EC-KHU (ex-Air France).
HB-IJP lifted off after a rather long takeoff roll and was immediately hit by turbulence - which some people in front of me seemed to be a bit surprised about.
Snack & Drinks
Shortly after takeoff FAs began the preparations to serve snacks and drinks. A smell of baked goods was passing through the cabin and some minutes later we got a pastry made of ciabatta-like bread, filled with a mix of (non fatty) cream cheese and spinach - it tasted very good.
I ordered an orange juice and the friendly FA immediately asked me whether I also wanted a hot drink, coffee or tea. Later in the flight they also offered the famous Swiss chocolate bars.
Greetings from the Cockpit
After we had already entered Swiss airspace...
...one of the pilots introduced himself ("I am your pilot") on the speaker with a nice Swiss-German accent and informed us about some flight details and the remaining flying time. After his German speech he also addressed the passengers in English and French. Some 10 minutes later were already on approach...
...and touched down on runway 14. Belair 757 in Air Berlin colors:
Easy Transfer
Transferring at ZRH was very convenient - it took me only some 20 minutes to go to my gate. I took a seat and got a total of 16 new registrations during the relatively short period of time. Finally HB-IYZ turned in - good to see we wouldn't have to take a bus to the aircraft.
Cabin Comfort
Again friendly FAs welcomed me at the door. Just like on the A320, the cabin was equipped with dark slimline leather seats - and what's most important: Swiss European has installed a spacious 2-3 configuration, in contrast to the 3-3 layout on LH CityLine and Eurowings.
Seat pitch is absolutely sufficient. Additionally, there's plenty of shoulder space - and the left foot can be placed to the left of the seat frame.
Even though a lady sat down on the aisle seat next to me, I didn't feel cramped. Overall seating comfort was better than on the A320. However, the air in the cabin wasn't the freshest...
Turbulence
HB-IYZ left the gate early at 19:00...
...and took off powerfully only seven minutes later from runway 28. Left turn...
...over Zurich's city center:
The flight has been shaky from the very beginning, but it was still possible to serve drinks. It's nice to get drinks on such a short hop, but the FAs' job is not an easy one. I ordered an orange juice while the lady next to me ordered water and a cup of coffee. Right after we had received the stuff, more intensive turbulences hit the plane and I quickly drank the juice. In contrast, the lady didn't show any intention to finish her coffee...so I was already preparing for a nasty spillage. Luckily, it didn't happen in the end.
Some minutes later the FAs offered the Swiss chocolate bars - really a nice touch one could get used to. After approaching through a layer of thick clouds...
...HB-IYZ touched down on MUC's runway 26L only 42 minutes after takeoff. We taxied around the southern end of Terminal 2 and stopped right in front of the building - but unlike at ZRH we had to walk through the rain to a bus. And the bus drove all the way up to the northern end of the Terminal building. At least I could get some more registrations during that journey...
Conclusion
Flying Air Europa was easy and convenient, check-in was fast, ground staff and FAs were friendly, seating comfort was sufficient. I wouldn't hesitate to try UX on longer routes, too. However, the website needs to be improved. The booking process can be confusing for non-Spanish speakers (I had switched to another travel agency's website for booking).
Flying Swiss was a pleasure - friendly FAs, good catering, clean cabins, comfortable seats. ZRH is a convenient airport for transfers - and definitely spotter-friendly. However, there's room for improvement in terms of check-in, at least at MAD. Anyway, I will definitely fly Swiss again, probably when the new A330-300s enter into service.
Djb77 From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 214 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 6983 times:
Dear PlaneHunter,
Thanks for sharing your recent experiences on UX and LX. I also really enjoy LX flights but there was one thing I wanted to ask you: Where did you get the names of the two LX aircraft you flew on "Tour d'Ai 2331m" and "Nollen 733m"? I recently took two LX flights and the aircraft names are missing in my log - I noticed that SR aircraft had names, but I hadn't noticed that the LX aircraft did also.
Many thanks for any information you can share...
djb77
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 2, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6718 times:
Quoting Djb77 (Reply 1): Where did you get the names of the two LX aircraft you flew on "Tour d'Ai 2331m" and "Nollen 733m"? I recently took two LX flights and the aircraft names are missing in my log - I noticed that SR aircraft had names, but I hadn't noticed that the LX aircraft did also.
While I couldn't see the name on the RJ100, I spotted the "Nollen 733m" markings when I entered the A320's cabin. Two years ago, LX started switching to city names again, so the mountain names will be history sooner or later.
UAL757 From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 803 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6710 times:
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 5, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 6501 times:
Hi PH,
it was nice to read about your experiences on your return flights as well. Again an interesting combination of airlines and aircraft.
Food on the Swiss-flight MAD-ZRH looks good - something hot is always nice.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): And it wasn't just cramped - several pax had apparently eaten garlic on the day before.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Finally HB-IYZ turned in - good to see we wouldn't have to take a bus to the aircraft.
I guess you were lucky as the Avro-fleet is usually parked on the apron at ZRH, at least according to my experiences. But maybe this changes in the evening when there aren't too many larger aircraft departing.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 6, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 6323 times:
Thanks for your comments, UAL757, Markus and Christoph.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 4): I remember comfy seats and that nice 2/3 seating, if you´re on the "good" side!.
Hopefully LX will keep that configuration.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 5): I guess you were lucky as the Avro-fleet is usually parked on the apron at ZRH, at least according to my experiences. But maybe this changes in the evening when there aren't too many larger aircraft departing.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8278 posts, RR: 56 Reply 7, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 6239 times:
Hi there PH,
Great report and pictures, really enjoyed the trip.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): in the end we were packed as sardines when the driver finally hit the road. And it wasn't just cramped - several pax had apparently eaten garlic on the day before. What a disgusting bus ride...
- Yikes, I can imagine that was really nasty
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): used the remaining time for spotting (35 new regs at MAD on that day)
- Impressive, I need to retun there.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): I took a seat and got a total of 16 new registrations during the relatively short period of time.
- Impressive too, amde about 10 in about an hour the other week
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3385 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 6207 times:
Servus again PH!
I was eagerly awaiting this one, and you didnt let me down. A good read with great pics as always. It seems that LX upgraded their service on intra-european flights, and it was about time! I got a bit bored of the same sandwiches they always used to serve, and its good to hear that they're serving something warm again. It looked pretty good too! Glad you enjoyed your flights on LX, and I hope you'll be back
Handling outsourcing always seems to be a bit tricky at outstations, especially at MAD's ancient T1 where they dont really have a choice, however, check-in opening 2 hours prior to departure isn't unusual
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 5):
I guess you were lucky as the Avro-fleet is usually parked on the apron at ZRH, at least according to my experiences. But maybe this changes in the evening when there aren't too many larger aircraft departing.
Actually, it is indeed not unusual to see AVROs parked at the Terminal A jetties during non LX rushours. However, during rushour, the Terminal is packed with Airbusses and thus it's virtually impossible to see an AVRO parked there.
Thanks again for the nice read, always good to hear that my future colleagues are doing it right
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3385 posts, RR: 51 Reply 11, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 6007 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 9): I'll be back, no doubts! When will you start flying on scheduled routes?
If everything goes as planned, in fall 2009 (september/october), but that largely depends when the typerating starts, or in other words: A320 Simulator availability!
Infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1256 posts, RR: 33 Reply 12, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 5906 times:
Nice report, always good to read about positive experiences on LX. The ciabatta you got served looked nice too, makes a change from the ubiquitous cheese roll....
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 14, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 5767 times:
Thanks for all new comments!
Quoting Semsem (Reply 10): It's the long haul that is the problem.
Haven't tried LX long-haul yet - what specific problem are you referring to?
Quoting SandroZRH (Reply 11): If everything goes as planned, in fall 2009 (september/october), but that largely depends when the typerating starts, or in other words: A320 Simulator availability!
I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Quoting Infodesk (Reply 12): The ciabatta you got served looked nice too, makes a change from the ubiquitous cheese roll....
...or dull sandwiches e.g. served on JK.
Quoting Taichen (Reply 13): I used Air Europa for the first time last summer and it was a nice, refreshing surprise. Better than Spanair, IMHO.
As I said, I'd like to try UX on longer routes, too. Some things are hard to judge from a short BCN-MAD hop.
Rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1140 posts, RR: 19 Reply 15, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 5752 times:
Hola PH!
I have read both your reports with interest.
Thanks for posting them.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Again and again passengers showed up and tried to enter - in the end we were packed as sardines when the driver finally hit the road
I do not know what is wrong with these people. If another bus was following why cage passengers there. Too bad!
UX is a pretty good airline, although they were the first to start BOB menus on their routes in Spain, once the uproar went down the other two: IB and JK followed.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3385 posts, RR: 51 Reply 16, posted (4 years 10 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 5747 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 14): Haven't tried LX long-haul yet - what specific problem are you referring to?
There's nothing wrong with them really. Semsem is famous for whining about LX on every occasion possible, god knows what they might have done to him, but he's not credible anymore. If you read some of the LX longhaul reports here, you'll notice that people seem to be quite satisified with the product.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 18, posted (4 years 10 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 5625 times:
Thanks for your comments, Roger, Sandro and Phil!
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 15): UX is a pretty good airline, although they were the first to start BOB menus on their routes in Spain, once the uproar went down the other two: IB and JK followed.
Interesting - did UX also start onboard sales on international routes before IB?
Quoting SandroZRH (Reply 16): If you read some of the LX longhaul reports here, you'll notice that people seem to be quite satisified with the product.
Yes, that's my impression, too. I will definitely try to get on one of their new A333s.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 17): PS. The new BCN Terminal looks nice. When does it open?
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