I have been looking forward to this flight because PSP is a new airport for me, Horizon is a new airline for me, and the CR7 is a new aircraft type for me. And unexpectedly, this would be the first time I have every flown on a plane with a special livery. The Palm Springs airport is quite close to downtown. I left the Spa Hotel and Casino at about 10:30am and checked-in and went through security by 10:45am. The airport is small and very easy. I was surprised to see that once through security much of the airport is outdoors. The gate areas are inside the air conditioning and I can’t imagine what it must be like in the middle of the summer.
Since I arrived early, I walked around the terminal and took some pictures of planes. I was excited to see that my plane would be the University of Oregon special livery.
Horizon flies out of the terminal used for regional jets and props. It was fun to board the flight using the ramp. I was not the only person taking pictures of our plane. The employee who was operating the a la carte was really nice and let me take pictures and showed me where to get a better angle. Boarding commenced at 11:30am and was done by 11:45am. They closed up the plane 10 minutes before departure time. The two flight attendants were very nice. I was impressed that the lead flight attendant went around to all of the MVP members and personally thanked them for flying with them. I am a Northwest elite member and I think that it why I was able to get a seat in row 2. Just about everyone around me was an MVP member.
The CR7 is so much better than the original CRJs. It was very comfortable and the window position makes all the difference in the world. I was also impressed with QX because they serve Starbucks coffee and free wine and beer. Our flight path took us over some huge base with lots of runways. I think it was Edwards AFB, but I’m not sure. I can’t imagine what else it could have been.
We landed and deplaned about 15 minutes early. By the time the luggage came out it was 1:35pm, the time we were supposed to land. Overall, I really enjoyed flying with Horizon and they are a class act. They are a breath of fresh air.
-"...never have I been a blue calm sea, I have always been a storm"
BZNPilot From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 105 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3354 times:
Nice report, thanks for sharing. I agree, Horizon is a great little airline. And it's cool you lucked out and got the special livery on your aircraft as a bonus.
StarAlliance38 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1244 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3353 times:
Cool TR! QX looks like a nice airline. I love boarding on the ground
Flyboy7974 From United States of America, joined Jan 2003, 1540 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 3310 times:
Also, thanks for the report, sometimes these great little ones on routes some might not care about, well it's these reports I think are the best especially showing PSP and its uniqueness and then the theme a/c flown by Horizon.
Question for you though, did I miss, know you said NWA elite and up front in row 2, where impressed as well with lead f/a to acknowledge MVPs, but what was overall load, do you know on the flight?
Mauiman31 From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 360 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 3219 times:
Quoting Luv767s (Thread starter): I was surprised to see that once through security much of the airport is outdoors.
I love PSP. Aesthecially fun. So California. Thanks for sharing.
Cytz_pilot From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 482 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 3138 times:
Cool TR! I too love flying with Horizon, I've taken them between SMF & PDX on a number of occasions. How was the load factor?
I might be an introvert...let me think it over and get back to you.
Luv767s From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 246 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 3113 times:
I don't think the flight was full...maybe 6 or so empty seats. The only reason I mentioned that I was NW Elite is because when I booked the flight, the reservation acknowledged it and let me choose the premium seat. Otherwise I think I would've had a seat in the back.
I'm not really sure why this point-to-point flight exists other than for the golfers and vacationers.
-"...never have I been a blue calm sea, I have always been a storm"
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1648 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 2875 times:
Most Horizon FAs do not individually contact and thank the MVP members, although I have been on flights where some do. They usually make a PA thanking MVPs however..
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 3252 posts, RR: 70 Reply 9, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 2517 times:
A short, but very interesting report. The pics are very clear - using a smaller size is a good idea.
Quoting Luv767s (Thread starter):
The CR7 is so much better than the original CRJs. It was very comfortable and the window position makes all the difference in the world.
Indeed, they are like a totally different class of aircraft.
Quoting Luv767s (Thread starter): I was also impressed with QX because they serve Starbucks coffee and free wine and beer.
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1249 posts, RR: 17 Reply 10, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 2381 times:
Nice report with some very interesting aspects.
The route is quite nice, Horizon is not often covered here and above all the sharpness of your pictures are jsut stunning!
Thanks for sharing this report!
Keep 'em coming
Joost ( D-ALCE )
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-CFU-AMS with OR
BW424 From Trinidad and Tobago, joined Sep 2008, 753 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (1 year 2 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 2348 times:
Interesting way to board the aircraft.First time I've seen something like that.Is there a reason why you couldn't just walk up to the aircraft's door-stairs?
Your Imagination Is A Preview of Coming Attractions........
Luv767s From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 246 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2086 times:
Quoting BW424 (Reply 11): Interesting way to board the aircraft.First time I've seen something like that.Is there a reason why you couldn't just walk up to the aircraft's door-stairs?
These ramps are becoming more common for boarding regional jets if they are not able to use a jetway. The one they used is quite clever because it pulls up like a draw bridge and swings laterally shut when they are done. I imagine that when using the ramps there is less probability for people to get hurt if they fall off the stairs or something like that. At LGB, jetblue uses large ramps to board A320s. It's quite different from using stairs.
-"...never have I been a blue calm sea, I have always been a storm"
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